Zits.co What actually works for pimples.

Got a zit? Here's the 10-second version.

If you have a breakout right now and you just want to make it smaller and less angry, start here.

Most zits respond to three things: gentle cleansing, a proven active ingredient (like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid), and not destroying your skin barrier in the process.

What actually works for most zits

This is a high-level overview, not medical advice. For persistent, painful, or scarring acne, talk with a dermatologist.

• Benzoyl peroxide (2.5% is usually enough)
  Helps kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation. Lower strengths are often effective and less irritating. Start a few times per week and increase slowly if your skin tolerates it.
• Salicylic acid (0.5–2%)
  A beta-hydroxy acid that helps unclog pores and reduce oil. Great for blackheads, whiteheads, and congested areas like the T-zone.
• Adapalene (a retinoid, 0.1%)
  Helps regulate how skin cells shed and can prevent new breakouts. It’s more of a long-term, nightly routine product than a single-day quick fix.
• Hydrocolloid pimple patches
  These don’t “cure” acne, but they can flatten some zits, absorb fluid, and reduce picking. They’re also a good “hands-off” reminder.
• Not over-doing it
  Over-washing, burning your skin with strong products, or popping aggressively can make things worse, prolong healing, and increase the risk of dark marks and scars.

Quick FAQ

• “Can I pop my zit?”
  Dermatologists generally say to avoid it because of infection and scarring risk. If you’re going to anyway, wait until there is a clear or white “head,” use clean hands or tools, apply gentle pressure, and stop if nothing comes out easily. Apply a pimple patch afterward.
• “Why do zits show up overnight?”
  They’ve usually been forming below the surface for days. You just notice them once inflammation and swelling push them into view.
• “Do pimple patches really work?”
  They’re great at absorbing fluid from already-opened or superficial zits and can help flatten them. They’re less effective on deep, cystic bumps but still useful to prevent picking.
• “When should I see a dermatologist?”
  If your acne is painful, cystic, leaving marks or scars, not improving after a few months of over-the-counter treatment, or affecting your confidence, it’s worth talking with a professional.

This site is informational only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your skin or health.

Some widely used over-the-counter options

These are well-known categories and examples. Always check ingredients, patch test, and follow package directions. Links below may be affiliate links, which means the site can earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

Gentle foaming cleanser for normal to oily, acne-prone skin with ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.

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Touch Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Gel Cream

Lightweight 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel for face and body acne, formulated to be less drying than higher strengths.

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CeraVe Acne Control Gel (2% salicylic)

Leave-on gel with salicylic acid (BHA) plus glycolic and lactic acids (AHA) to help unclog pores and smooth texture.

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Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%

Over-the-counter retinoid gel that helps clear and prevent acne by regulating skin cell turnover.

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Mighty Patch Original

Hydrocolloid pimple patches that absorb fluid and help flatten whiteheads while keeping you from picking.

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Zit popping video gallery (coming soon)

This is where a curated set of oddly satisfying pimple popping and extraction videos will live – embedded from YouTube and TikTok.