If you have 12 days: Assume the worst and plan for the best. Meaning, if you have occasional sensitive skin peaks or the predictable acne valley, start your treatment regimen before your visual symptoms start. This will keep your skin happy and healthy looking.
If you have three days: Add in some gentle exfoliation to lighten and brighten skin. Keep skin moisturized and apply an eye cream daily with optical brighteners to keep the eye area bright and luminous.
And for an emergency pimple fix, here’s what we recommend:
- Apply ice buffered by a napkin for 10 to 15 minutes to reduce redness and telltale swelling.
- Cleanse and apply a treatment lotion containing sulfur, which can be purchased without a prescription. Sulfur helps to unplug pores and shrink swelling.
- Follow with a product containing 1% hydrocortisone or benzoyl peroxide (both are available over the counter) to keep pores freer and cleaner.
- Apply a thin layer of a medicated concealer.
- If time permits, get a cortisone shot from your dermatologist. The results can be miraculous.