There’s no ifs or buts about it, a blind pimple is one of the worst complexion-destroyers going around. They have an unparalleled talent of moving in overnight and all but disfiguring an otherwise blemish-free face. And no, we’re not being dramatic.
So it comes as no surprise that “how long do blind pimples last?” is such a commonly Googled question.
And while we can effectively identify the type of pimple these under-the-skin culprits are, predicting the exact length of time they plan to stick around for can be difficult to determine.
According to the Education Manager for the International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica, Emma Hobbs, a blind pimple will typically stick around anywhere between five to 10 days.
However, if you “get in quick”, Emma reveals that you can actually reduce this number by half. Ok, you have our attention….
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First things first, keep your hands off it.
Emma reiterates the advice we all know but don’t always pay attention to: it’s never a good idea to squeeze a blind pimple. Squeezing will only make it more inflamed and in turn, “spread the underlying infection,” not to mention cause scarring when “pigment cells respond to the trauma in the area”.
Instead, apply an overnight clearing gel or spot treatment directly to the affected area “to help it heal quickly and effectively”.
Keep a particular lookout for the following blind pimple-banishing ingredients:
– Niacinamide to “reduce an oily shine”
– Salicylic acid to “prevent and treat future congestion and breakouts”
– Cinnamon extract or zinc to “control bacteria”
– Anti-inflammatories like green tea or oat extract to “keep inflammation under control” and “reduce the chance of pigmented scars”
– Biotin and tea tree to “purify the skin, promote clarity and prevent [future] breakouts”
Ready to banish that big, red lump? Scroll through the gallery below for some of the best blind pimple treatment products…
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion
An oldie but a goodie, Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion helps to exfoliate dead skin cells, unclog pores and reduce the excess oil that can lead to breakouts. It’s also helpful for soothing the redness and absorbing the shine associated with blind pimples, without drying the skin.
$32 at Adore Beauty
Paula’s Choice Clinical 20% Niacinamide Treatment
For a serum that packs a punch, the newly formulated Paula’s Choice Clinical 20% Niacinamide Treatment offers potent yet gentle protection from any underground breakouts that might be brewing.
$56 at Paula’s Choice
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel
Formulated for oily skin types with light to moderate acne, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel stops excess sebum production.
$21.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Avene Cleanance Comedomed Anti Blemish Concentrate 30ml
This highly concentrated serum offers effective regulation of oil production and reduces the appearance (and reappearance) of all blemishes. From blackheads to blind pimples there’s no breakout too big for Avene’s Cleanance Comedomed Blemish Concentrate.
$25.49 at Chemist Warehouse
That video is great, I would patch test the apple cider vinegar first though.
I always use Payot’s Pate Grise the best to use after cleansing at night, pop it on the pimple and my morning is it dramatically reduced. My favourite pimple product 🙂
I always get pimples when some good event is coming nearly and it always left a mark and that mark stays for ages pimples my worst enemy
Me either anymore. I used to get terrible blind ones in my 20's though.
Love the sounds of these cures. I have always thought prevention is better than cures too. When I found out that eating a commercial biscuit (aka arrowroot for example) gave me a pimple two days later without fail, I stopped eating that sort of thing. Then dairy was an eye-opener for me personally as that triggered all sorts of things in me including pimples. I think that pimples can sometimes be a sign of what's going on in other parts of our body and we should listen to the pimples! lol but serious too!
Not something I have fortunately.
tea tree oil is good and also oil of cloves
I remember having huge blind pimples as a teenager. Awful. The closest I get to a pimple now is an ingrown hair or folliculitis on my bits that rub together or from tight clothing.
I get them occasionally on my chin or jaw. They are so sore and take ages to disappear. Really annoying.
I get them and they're so hard to get rid of
Longest time I had one was about couple of months. Got used to it. Then just went away one day! Usually will stick around now, the most, for a week.
Really hate it when I get blind pimples they can also be painful I have used methylated spirits and I do prefer natural blemish creams thank goodness that I only get them once and awhile.
Thankfully I’ve never really suffered from pimples and acne etc. But like everyone, I did get the occasional blind pimple, especially around that time of the month. They can be so tender and painful! I’d usually just let it heal itself.
I get blind pimples on my chin area and around my eyebrows. I find that if I treat them, and they go away faster than usual, they come back with a vengeance.
Fortunately I rarely get pimples.
Natural alternative is always good
Memories of getting them when a teenager especially when you were going on a date. Back then it was dettol and hot water which seemed to do the trick.
I use to get blind pimples all the time!
I've marked dawngryder, 17 posts below as spam.
Get them occasionally. I usually treat them with tea tree oil and I'm also a fan of tissue salts, as they help things heal up internally such as inflammation.
Botani skin rescue kit is also worth trying.
Go with zinc over cinnamon extract. Cinnamaldehyde can cause serious irritation to the skin. I have a topical allergy to it from working with botanicals all day.
I love SA, it’s a great BHA!