This Medicine Cabinet Staple Will Get Rid of Pimples and Scars
Whether you’re 15 or 55, an unexpected blemish can put a damper on any day. Even if you haven’t had a breakout in years, the scars from acne can linger around longer than most of us would like. You can buy plenty of spot treatments to combat the problem, but there may be an even more effective remedy already sitting in your first aid kit.
You’ve probably reached for calamine lotion when your skin is feeling itchy, but it has the ability to help tame pesky skin problems, too! Simply use a cotton ball or cotton swab to dab the pink liquid on an unexpected zit (thank you, perimenopause!), a dark spot, or an acne scar like you would any other spot treatments. You want it on for as long as possible, so applying before bed and rinsing off in the morning is your best best.
The mixture of zinc oxide typically found in the pink product is the key to its soothing properties. A study from 2014 lists it as an effective treatment for several issues when applied topically, including acne and rosacea, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Of course, everyone’s skin reacts to things differently. Various reviews on Acne.org claim calamine lotion was the magic solution that finally got rid of their dark spots and acne scars they’d been trying to find for years. Others warn that it can also cause skin to dry out — which is exactly the reason it is an effective zit zapper! So, it’s important to do a test on a small patch of skin before you apply it to any larger areas — especially any section that might be super-sensitive, like around your eyes.
Some actual spot treatment products include calamine, like Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion ($17, Nordstrom), a popular treatment for particularly stubborn pimples and zits. That said, given how much cheaper it is to buy a regular bottle of calamine lotion is ($7.90, Amazon), it might be worth trying that out instead.
Here’s to clear skin and happy faces!
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