8 Best Pimple Spot Treatment Picks to Zap Zits Without Drying Your Skin

collage of a beautiful woman with perfect clean skin

Pimples happen to the best of us. Usually right before an important event. And often in the most noticeable, uncomfortable locations. These little buggers deserve to be zapped. But how do you do it without drying out your entire face? By choosing a damn effective pimple spot treatment that you can dab straight on the bugger, of course!

The best pimple spot treatments use a combination of the most potent pimple fighting ingredients to dry out, de-gunk and heal the pimple so it can move off your face faster than it normally would. They even contain soothing, skin repairing ingredients so that pimple doesn’t leave a nasty red scar behind!

Just keep in mind that when it comes to pimples – the sooner, the better. Make sure to dab one of the below top pimple spot treatment picks onto a zit as soon as it begins to appear – it’ll be forced to move out in no time!

Dermalogica Clear Emergency Spot Fix

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Booster (1 Fl Oz) Acne Spot Treatment with Salicylic Acid - Clears...
  • A+ Content
  • Gentle on the skin.
  • Prevents breakouts from occuring while working to treat acne.

Super concentrated and super effective, Dermalogica’s Emergency Spot Fix is a potent combination of bacteria-killing benzoyl peroxide and tea tree oil counterbalanced with skin-soothing botanicals like Camellia Sinensis and Lavender.

And it makes for a perfect combination since both benzoyl peroxide and tea tree oil can be a little harsh on your skin – it’s good to have the counterbalancing effects to reduce irritation or redness.

Overall, it’s an effect pimple spot treatment but it’s best for individual pimples that pop up from time to time and not so much for clusters of breakouts or active, cystic acne since used over the long-term on larger patches of skin, benzoyl peroxide can be very drying.

For those pesky stray pimples, though – this works like a charm!

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment Cream

Sale
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment Cream with Benzoyl Peroxide, 1.35 Fl Oz
  • Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide
  • Provides daily Hydration
  • Dual action treatment reduces the number and severity of breakouts, improves pore...

Formulated with 5.5% benzoyl peroxide, La Roche-Posay’s Dual Action Acne Treatment is one of the most powerful pimple spot treatments you can use on a zit.

Its claim to acne-fighting fame? This gel uses a micronized form of benzoyl peroxide that has smaller particles so it can penetrate your pores more deeply to wipe out the pesky pimple, no matter how deep its roots. ​

Wondering about the whole “dual action” thing? This formula also contains Lipohydroxy acid, which gently exfoliates to keep your pores clean and clear.

All in all, the potent combination and the micronized form of benzoyl peroxide makes this spot treatment effective enough for you to start seeing results within a day! That being said, this is a strong treatment so use on stubborn, individual pimples and avoid smearing your face with it.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

Sale
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, 1 Fl Oz
  • The best acne spot treatment period.
  • For ALL skin types.
  • Shrinks whiteheads overnight.

You knew this one was going to make the list, right? How could it not, considering it’s one of the most effective pimple spot treatments ever created.

It contains a very multi-tasking formula to banish blemishes on the spot, with a combination of pimple fighting ingredients that dry out the zit like sulfur and zinc oxide – both of which are great for sucking the pimple dry – mixed with pore-cleansing ingredients like salicylic acid and camphor. ​

Salicylic acid, which is the best known beta-hydroxy-acid​ (BHA) is oil soluble and is especially brilliant for getting into your pores to “de-gunk” what’s inside. As for camphor – not only is this natural ingredient antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic but it’s also a heavy hitter when it comes to clearing excess oil.

No wonder this drying lotion is so darn effective. If you haven’t tried it yet, it’s time you made space in your bathroom cabinets – this pimple spot treatment is a must have!​ Just keep in mind that this isn’t one you can wear during the day – the calamine makes it go on pink so you’ll look kinda silly…save it as an overnight, at home treatment 🙂

End Zit Acne Control Drying Lotion

Sale
End-zit Acne Control Drying Lotion (Light/Medium), 0.5 Ounce
  • The most important step in any blemish care program. Salon quality, medicated,...
  • Conceals, dries and heals pimples very fast
  • Four unique shades to match most skin tones

We’re huge fans of Mario Badescu’s drying lotion but we’ll be the first to admit that it comes with one big downside – it contains a lot of alcohol. Which does add to its drying effect, to be sure, but can be irritating for those with sensitive skin.

So if you’re a sensitive skinned beauty struggling with a pimple – or would just like to avoid using alcohol on your skin – here’s your best alternative! End Zit’s Drying Lotion uses most of Mario Badescu’s most effective ingredients like sulfur (this one’s got 5%!), zinc oxide and camphor.

And like MB’s drying lotion above, it does exactly what it claims to – it dries while sucking the oil right out of ​pimples.

Another perk of this drying lotion? ​It doesn’t have that summer-camp-calamine pink color so you can wear it under makeup to get rid of pimples during the day!

Philosophy Clear Days Ahead

No products found.

Want something that gets rid of your existing pimple while reducing the chance of future breakouts? Meet Philosophy’s Clear Days Ahead Spot Treatment.

This spot treatment’s active ingredient is salicylic acid, which is an oil soluble BHA that’s best known for getting in your pores​ and essentially “de-gunking.” It’s also great for speeding up cell turnover so you have less risk of being left with an annoying post-pimple scar.

The best thing about this pimple spot treatment is that it clears out your pores and reduces excess oil production so that you get rid of your existing pimple and fight future blemishes. Win win.

Osmia Organics Spot Treatment

Osmia Spotless Blemish Oil - Non-Drying Dark Spot Correction Treatment Oil - Essential Oils of...
  • Natural Blemish Blocker - Made with a powerful blend of essential oils to help combat...
  • Non-Drying - Unlike most blemish formulas, this serum does not strip the skin of its...
  • For All Skin Types - Spotless has a very pleasant, lemony scent (and no tea tree...

Who said pimple spot treatments had to be full of harsh, irritating chemicals to be effective? Nobody, that’s who. Especially when there’s contenders like Osmia Organics around.

So if you’re a green beauty who’s struggling with pimples, look no further than this gentle yet effective organic spot treatment. It uses a clever combination of antibacterial, antimicrobial, pimple-fighting, skin-brightening, gently-exfoliating essential oils to get rid of pimples without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

The result? No dryness, no irritation, no toxins, no pimples. ​

Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Spot Stick

No products found.

Prefer natural ingredients but want something a little stronger? Yes to Tomatoes Daily Repair Treatment is formulated with 97% natural ingredients and it’s got some heavy hitting pimple fighters like 2% salicylic acid and tea tree oil.

If that’s sounding a little harsh, no worries – it’s also got a lineup of lovely, soothing ingredients like aloe vera and lavender oil to reduce irritation and dryness. Plus another surprising ingredient: Tomato extract, which contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental agents that can contribute to clogged pores and breakouts, as well as fruit acids to help control sebum and oil production!

Over Night Magic Spot Treatment

Over Night Magic - With Salicylic acid and sulfur. Spot treatment that’s 4x STRONGER than the...
  • Visibly reduces redness and pimple size in as few as 1 hour!
  • 4x STRONGER than the regular acne treatments, free of Benzoyl Peroxide
  • Amazing value and strength - compare to any other acne treatment, nothing is as...

Got a huge, raging monster pimple on your hands? You’re going to want to bring out the big guns. And this Over Night Magic Spot Treatment is it!

This is hands down the strongest pimple spot treatment you’ll find – it combines high concentrations of zit-drying sulfur (10%) with de-gunking salicylic acid (2.5%) to get deep within the pimple and suck it dry and clear. But that’s not all – it’s also got oil-banishing camphor​ and zinc oxide to both soothe and further dry out the zit.

The best part? It doesn’t sting or dry out your skin, possibly due to the lack of benzoyl peroxide and soothing, skin-strengthening ingredients biotin and silica.

Oh, and it works fast. Expect to see results within a few hours. This one’s a must have for anyone with a busy lifestyle who wants to zap zits on the spot!

Previous articleHow to Reduce Pore Size: 6 Easy Daily Habits for Smaller Pores
Next articleHow to Get Perfect Skin: The Case For Water

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here