5 ways to get rid of a spot overnight (2024)

It's typical isn't it. Your skin is as clear as day when you've got zilch in the diary and then come the night before a week of events, a whopper of a zit appears front and centre.

While it's true the acne positivity movement is making strides to celebrate skin in all its forms, it's still worth grasping how the experts deal with a breakout, so that if you do want to tackle a pimple, you can do so confidently and safely.

Below WH spoke to the UK's most in demand skincare pros to find out exactly how to get rid of spots overnight.

Can spots go away overnight?

We'll level with you. It's wishful thinking if you believe a blemish can do a disappearing act over the the course of a night.

'How quickly a spot goes away will depend on the individual’s skin type, some people’s skin recovers from breakouts within a few days where others take a month,' explains Alice Henshaw, Cosmetic Expert and Founder of Skincycles.

'Spots go through different stages, including from the initial inflammation to the formation of a pustule, so it can take several days for a pimple to develop fully and for the body's natural healing processes to resolve it.'

However, before you start stocking up on concealer, Dr Alia Ahmed, Consultant Dermatologist at GetHarley adds 'spots can reduce in size with treatment overnight but they are unlikely to resolve completely, leaving no sign of their trace whatsoever.'

How do you get rid of spots overnight at home?

Getting rid of spots overnight naturally and reducing their appearance is no mean feat. 'While completely eliminating spots overnight can be challenging, there are home remedies that can help reduce their appearance or promote quicker healing. These remedies should be seen as ways to manage spots rather than miraculously erasing them in one night,' reveals By Dr Thuha Jabbar, aesthetic doctor and founder of Almas Dentistry & Aesthetics.

5 ways you can help to get rid of spots overnight

1.Start with a double cleanse. You should be doing this anyway, but Dr Ahmed says its a must before bed if you wear make-up. Look for cleansers that contains AHAs and BHAs as these will help to dial down inflammation and fight bacteria.

2. Use spot-fighting ingredients: Ideally benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, niacinamide, glycolic acid, lactic acid,' adds Dr Ahmed.

3. Apply tea tree oil: 'This can help to fight bacteria and clear the skin. Alternatively, freezing green tea into ice cubes and applying to the spot can soothe the redness and have an anti-inflammatory effect,' reveals Ada Ooi, Red Carpet Aesthetician & TCM Practitioner.

4. Hit the hay: 'It's essential to have an early night and ensure you get enough sleep to keep your hormone levels steady and allow your skin to recover,' adds Ooi.

5. Reduce the amount refined sugar you consume before bed: 'Eating too much can disrupt your gut and cause inflammation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, acne is caused by excess ‘heat’ in your body. Drinking a soothing Peppermint Tea before bed can help to dispel wind-heat from the lungs and purge stomach fire from within to heal from the inside-out,' explains Ooi

6. Reduce contain with bacteria: Dr Ahmed adds its wise to 'keep pillowcases clean (wash or change every week), clean your mobile phone regularly and keep hair away from the face.'

How can I flatten my spots overnight?

If your spot is looking raised and bumpy then 'try a 2% salicylic acid treatment,' says Dr Ahmed. This is the highest strength available and works to unclog the pore and dissolve oil and dirt. 'You can also visit a dermatologist for a steroid injection directly into the spot to flatten it quickly,' she adds.