Whether you suffer from the occasional spot of adult acne or are going through those tough hormonal teenage years, everyone can agree that acne is no fun. Of course, they’re a part of life and nothing to feel embarrassed or ashamed by but we certainly don’t blame you for wanting it gone, fast!

If you’re anything like me, the longer it hangs around, the more damage you risk from the constant squeezing and picking that you think is going to help get rid of it. There are so many tricks and tips floating around the internet but no home remedy really does the job quite as well as a little bit of self-restraint and a few dabs of spot treatment.

Available in a variety of forms, acne spot treatments are great for targeting spots on your face without risking drying out the rest of your otherwise healthy skin. Highly-concentrated and designed to work fast, the best spot treatments work overnight to start reducing the appearance of your blemishes and getting them to the point where you can at least cover them with a dab of concealer; which is all you need to be running out the door to work or school.

You can’t talk about spot treatments without touching on extractions. Many people believe that spot treatments are most effective when used after gently extracting your pimple. In some cases, this is true. Because a lot of spot treatments work by drying out the blemish and exfoliating within the pore, an open head helps create a pathway. However, that doesn’t mean that spot treatments don’t work on emerging or un-popped pimples. In fact, you risk more damage by popping a pimple before it’s ready so always proceed with caution.

If you’re unsure, don’t attempt an extraction and instead simply trust your spot treatment to do its job, because it mostly always will. As for the tried and trusted spot treatments that can help you flatten a pimple in as little as 12 hours, check out these…

Paula’s Choice BHA 9 Treatment

Delivering 9% salicylic acid, this spot treatment is powerful yet won’t irritate the skin surrounding your blemish. The salicylic acid exfoliates deep into your pores to dissolve the excess sebum and give you the appearance of smaller and cleaner pores. It’s great for blackheads but also works well on whiteheads and other irritations such as dry patches and even milia.

Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch

Pimple patches really exploded onto the skin care scene in the past few years yet few deliver the promised results. The patches from Cosrx live up to the hype and help to dry out pimples overnight without drying out your skin. These patches are made from hydrocolloid which is a popular wound healing dressing. They absorb excess oils from your spot and help to flatten it overnight while also preventing you from being able to pick at your blemishes.

Kate Somerville Eradikate Acne Treatment

This spot treatment is loved by many and for good reason. It’s like a two-step process in one containing sulphur that gently draws out impurities from your skin and salicylic acid to exfoliate deep within your pores. It’s great for use on pimples that have come to a head but can also help to prevent spots from coming to the surface if applied when you feel a blemish coming on.

Medki8 Blemish SOS Rapid Action Target Gel

Pimples and blackheads don’t stand a chance against this spot treatment. It’s formulated with a high-strength salicylic acid that exfoliates within your pores to dislodge excess sebum and dry up your pimples. Best of all, it contains niacinamide which has great soothing qualities and helps to reduce inflammation so you’re not left with excessive redness as your pimple dies down. It’s an easy to apply gel formula too so can be used morning and night.

Aspect Stop Spot

With exfoliating salicylic acid, soothing niacinamide and antimicrobial lemon tea tree oil, this spot treatment does it all. It’s a liquid formula that you dab onto blemishes and congested areas to help clear them faster without causing irritation and excessive dryness. Thanks to added antioxidants it will also help with healing and protecting the skin surrounding your blemish to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.