10 Best Ways to Get Rid of Acne Fast ...

Wash with Warm Water • Avoid Caffeine • Drink Plenty of Water • Use a Moisturizer with Salicylic Acid • Don’t over-dry • More ...

10 Best Ways to Get Rid of Acne Fast ...
By Jennifer • Nov 25, 2025 MD

I hate waking up in the morning and seeing a new pimple in the mirror. The best way to get rid of acne is to not get it in the first place, but once you have it, here are the best ways I’ve found to get rid of it, fast!

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1. Wash with Warm Water

You don’t need harsh chemical washes to keep your skin clear, or to clear up your acne really fast. The best thing to use is warm water on a clean washcloth.

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Using warm water helps to gently open up your pores, making it easier to cleanse away dirt, oil, and makeup without causing irritation. Gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel afterward instead of rubbing, as this can aggravate acne-prone skin. Remember, the key is to be consistent with this routine both morning and night to see a noticeable reduction in breakouts. It's a simple yet effective step that promotes healthy skin care habits while working towards a clearer complexion.

2. Avoid Caffeine

Caffeine will irritate your skin, and also flush much-needed water out of our system before it does its work!

3. Drink Plenty of Water

Healthy skin is hydrated skin. Drink your recommended 64 ounces of water each day to quickly clear up acne, and prevent it from coming back!

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Staying hydrated helps to detoxify your body by flushing out toxins that can cause inflammation and blemishes. Water also assists in promoting circulation and cell turnover, which are essential for a clear complexion. If you find plain water monotonous, consider adding a splash of lemon or cucumber for a refreshing twist. Remember that caffeinated beverages can dehydrate you, so balance them with extra water. Keep a water bottle at hand throughout the day to remind yourself to sip regularly – your skin will thank you!

4. Use a Moisturizer with Salicylic Acid

There are several moisturizers on the market that contain salicylic acid (otherwise known as aspirin). This chemical will clear up the acne you have now, and keep it from coming back! My favorite moisturizer with salicylic acid is Clean and Clear Dual-Action Moisturizer. Try it!

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5. Don’t over-dry

Harsh chemicals, like benzoyl peroxide, may over-dry your skin, making it irritated and actually MORE prone to acne! So just wash with warm water and apply an oil-free moisturizer to help cure, and soothe, your skin.

6. Don’t Stress

Stress is exactly what causes me to break out. When I feel stressed, I do yoga. If I let the stress get to me, then I get the worst break-outs EVER.

7. Don’t Cover It up!

You may be tempted to use concealer to hide your acne, but that’s not going to get rid of it! Your skin needs to breathe to heal, so stay away from the foundation and concealer until it heals.

8. Keep Your Hair Pulled Back

The oils from our hair may also irritate our skin, and make it easier for acne to happen. While your skin is healing, keep your hair pulled back off your face.

9. Keep Hands off Your Face

The dirt and oils from our hands are another way acne can start or take longer to heal. Another no-no - squeezing pimples. This just causes the oil from the ruptured acne to spread, making new blemishes. Ick!

10. Use an on-the Spot Treatment

There are some great new on-the-spot treatments for acne that work wonderfully! My favorite is Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment. You apply it directly onto the individual acne spots themselves, delivering a blast of healing there only. I love using this before bed, because by the time you wake up, the acne is gone!

Once you’ve gotten rid of the little break-out, keep it from coming back! If it does come back, then pull up this list again to get rid of it again, fast! What are your secrets for getting rid of acne? How do you make it heal up fast? Please let me know! Thanks!

Photo Credit: flickr.com

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • Tavia

    2009-11-24T20:06:53.000Z

    Very useful post Jennifer. I heard about Clean and Clear but I never trusted them :) I didn't thought they could be helpful.
  • rye

    2009-12-31T03:50:57.000Z

    hello. hey, the tips are awesome, and i will try to practice it every time i've got acne problem. does anything will affect my face if i mixed up all different products at one time? i'm using Oxy Facial Wash now, and if i want to try the Clean and Clear moisturizer and Neutrogena acne treatment at the same time, is that will be okay to my face?
  • Rachel

    2012-12-29T06:17:42.000Z

    Wow having acne is the worst thing ever! I wouldn't wish acne on ANYONE! I've had my acne since 5th grade and now I'm in high school.my acne really bothers me! Sometimes I cry over it. Most of the time I don't want to look at my face cause I'm so sick of this acne. I've tried everything. Is there any ideas?
  • cassie!

    2010-03-21T07:27:26.000Z

    hheeyyy, kkay so, I'm 12 years old. I get bad acne pretty much all over my face, and hate it. Im using Clean and Clear right now, its a three in one facial cleanser. Its oil free. But i just recently noticed they make your face pretty dry, but work really well. I would like to know what facial cleansers i can use that dont make my face dry? My mom has told me about Proactiv but told me before it starts working you break out. So no thanks. - please help mmee! :)
  • Rebecca

    2012-02-26T15:35:24.000Z

    Hello my name is Rebecca and that is a pretty good idea but why just warm water why can't we use soap to that is my question i mean people use proactiv and it works and it's a chemical why does it work and they get less pimples instead of more pimples can you answer that for me.
  • Xannyyy

    2009-11-25T09:07:52.000Z

    Sue, I say the same things as you. I guess they have to come out and at one point they will stop. If the skin is very oily you could try visiting a dermatologist like Sheila said. The more oily the skin is the more achne comes out. Try washing your face more often. See to it that your hair is washed more regulary or don't let it hang loose around your face. I know how you feel, this terrible acne gets down everyone. Have you ever tried taking some pills for your face of course by a doctor's prescription?
  • Kirsten

    2009-12-16T22:24:48.000Z

    if it's bad, i crush two aspirin pills and make a paste with water. put it on acne overnight and it's gone in the morning :D
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