Last-Minute Skincare: Pimple Patches, Exfoliating & Overnight Masks

It’s the eleventh hour, the night before that big work event, that wedding, THAT first date. And despite your best efforts, a pimple has made its way onto your chin. That rough patch of skin has chosen this very moment to resurface. Your skin’s texture and pores just won’t play ball — at the worst possible time. 

When the universe has other plans and you need a skincare SOS, we’re here to help. Right here on The Dose, we’ve compiled our top emergency tips and advice to give you the best chance at getting your best skin. Let’s dive in.

SPOTS

Should I squeeze my spots?

If you can help it, please try not to. We know it’s tempting, but squeezing at your spots can end up doing more harm than good, and sometimes even leads to scarring. The trick here is to focus on minimising it – and if you’re wearing makeup for the big night, highlighting your other features (a red lip is timeless) is a great tip.

Dr Jason Thomson reminds us, “Most derms will advise you not to squeeze your spots, as it can lead to worsening inflammation and the development of pigmentation and scarring.”

Best way to reduce a spot?

If you develop a spot there’s a few things you can do instead of squeezing. You can start with a warm compress (a damp face cloth should do the trick), as this reduces swelling. If it’s a large, painful cyst-type pimple, you can try holding an ice cube on it, just be sure to wrap it in a tea towel first. 

If you have some active ingredients on hand, such as benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic or salicylic acid on hand, you can use this as a targeted spot treatment to leave on overnight. 

Dr Jason adds, “Spot and pimple patches are a great tool in your armoury. They’re usually made from hydrocolloid, a super absorbing material that draws out the contents of your spots, helping them resolve quicker.”

“Most derms will advise you not to squeeze your spots, as it can lead to worsening inflammation and the development of pigmentation and scarring.”

dr jason thomson

However, if you’ve exhausted all options, and you really do have to squeeze, our derms advise to only do it for spots that have come to a head. “Make sure you wash your hands and face and use a non-alcoholic antiseptic spray, such as Clinisoothe or Steril-eeze.” 

How about sudocrem, or toothpaste for spots?

Toothpaste has ingredients that dry out the skin, there’s little-to-no evidence to prove it works on spots.

DRY, ROUGH SKIN

Why have I got a random patch of dry skin?

There’s different reasons why you might find your skin dry and patchy – it might be a long-term chronic condition such as eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis. If you don’t have one of these conditions, it might be to do with your environment, extreme temperatures, your diet or lifestyle.

If you find a sudden dry patch, try to hydrate it first. Dampen the skin after cleansing well, and moisturise immediately to lock in those moisture molecules. Look out for ingredients such as glycerin, betaine and allantoin, as these work to attract and retain moisture. A boost of hyaluronic acid will have the same effect, and layers well under makeup too. 

How can I get rid of dry skin overnight?

You can also try some gentle exfoliation. A glycolic acid toner or a salicylic acid face wash will remove the dead skin cells, leaving skin refreshed and renewed. Dr Ben Esdaile, Consultant Dermatologist, tells us, “Exfoliation helps to remove the debris that blocks pores, and can be achieved through chemicals, or by physical methods such as scrubs, brushes, cloths and masks.”

Derms will always recommend chemical exfoliation over physical. “It’s a targeted and safer way of exfoliation.” This means it’s less likely to irritate your skin or damage your all-important skin barrier. If you’re only working on a single patch of skin, then it’s your best bet for an overnight glow. 

If you find your skin is dry all over, an occlusive moisturiser or an overnight moisturising mask could be the answer. These contain ingredients that form a barrier to lock in moisture. In theory, you’ll wake up with hydrated skin, but it’s best to use caution here. If you have acne-prone or oily skin, it’s best to avoid occlusive and emollient ingredients, as these can be comedogenic. 

Can I shrink my pores, or smooth texture overnight?

Unfortunately, no. Your pores won’t shrink – that’s a myth we’ve already debunked, and they’re a perfectly normal part of healthy skin. You can make them appear less visible by regular exfoliation, but this takes time, and likely won’t happen overnight. As for texture, it’s one magic word (again): exfoliation. We sound like a broken record, but occasional and gentle acid-based exfoliation is the best way to smooth skin texture. 

It’s important to remember that if you’re using a retinoid, it’s best to avoid exfoliation of any kind. Your Daily Doser will contain actives that have exfoliating properties, like tretinoin and azelaic acid, as they increase skin cell turnover, resulting in renewed skin. Exfoliating while this is underway, can compromise your skin barrier.

Emergency skincare, sorted. 

With a little help from the experts, and a little last-minute skincare, you put that dry patch to the back of your mind and enjoy your event. Plus, there’s the magic of makeup – if you choose to wear it, your fave concealer will do the trick. 

That said, it’s also important to practice some self-compassion, so don’t let a pesky pimple ruin your night – when the evening light gets low and the music gets loud, chances are you’ll be too busy dancing to care!

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