Adult Acne - Overnight Treatments?

[tigermomuk]

What's the fastest way to clear up angry blemishes, overnight? Any good tricks to conceal the "redness"? (Hopefully, with minimal makeup as I also have atopic group allergies.)

I feel like I've been buying teenage makeup/blemish concealers for way too many years. Now that I'm *cough, cough, much older* I have even less time to devote to beauty treatments. On the plus side, I suppose I no longer care so much because I have more important things to worry about! But I do still care more than a little bit.

[lilicauk]

I use any spot treatment with salicylic acid and it works, not sure if I can post brands here but the one I'm using currently was under £5, own brand of a high street chain.
Also you can get green (yes green! ) concealer sticks for use under makeup to hide the redness, use a tiny bit and blend well

[Dr Anjali Mahto]

Thank you for your question, Tigermom and some very helpful advice from Lilicauk.

I agree that using a green tinted primer or concealer can help neutralise redness. Overnight treatments containing tea tree oil or salicylic acid can be helpful in reducing inflammation and aiding recovery. If you wish to go down the make-up option, then avoid creamy concealers which are likely to further block pores and go for lighter textures or non-comedogenic formulations.

Lastly, if you need a quick fix for a large spot (e.g. an important social event) then a dermatologist can sometimes inject a steroid agent directly into it resulting in flattening over a matter of 48 hours. This has got potential side effects and should only be done by specialist.

Best wishes,

Anjali