Dermatologists say that poking and prodigy your blemishes can lead to bigger problems — like infections and scarring. Kara Birnbaum / NBC News
Murad’s overnight treatment made our list of the best retinol products. It has a 4.8-star average from over 600 reviews on Sephora and is formulated to address fine lines, wrinkles and uneven texture, according to the brand. It uses retinal, a type of retinoid that is more powerful than retinol and has similar benefits of smoothing skin texture and clearing breakouts. The retinal in this formula is encapsulated, which allows it to release to limit irritation, according to the brand slowly. It also has olive leaf extracts in its formula to help with hydration.
Though this spot treatment was on our list of best teen acne products, it works for adults, too. According to the brand, it can reduce the size and redness of acne in just two hours. Experts told us it contains 10% benzoyl peroxide, which inhibits the growth of the bacteria that causes acne.
Experts recommended this product to treat adult acne and reduce the appearance of fine lines in our guide to salicylic acid. The serum has 1.5% salicylic acid to help with oil and breakouts, but it also has glycolic acid and citric acid to address fine lines and help smooth skin, according to our experts.
“The patches are very effective at extracting a pimple, but it may take a couple of rounds of patches depending on how deep or large of a pimple it is,” says Select’s editorial projects associate Rebecca Rodriguez, who tried them for NBC Select’s Wellness Awards, who also noted that they blend into her skin and don’t broadcast that she has a blemish. Unlike other patches with additional acne-fighting ingredients, these solely rely on the hydrocolloid gel to draw out any sebum or debris from your skin, making them gentle for sensitive skin.
Frequently asked questions
Beyond not popping it, you should avoid overly drying your skin around the pimple. While one of the above-listed spot treatments can help dry the pimple out, avoid using harsh treatments on the rest of your face. When your skin feels deprived of moisture, it signals your oil glands to go into overdrive. So, drying out your face can backfire and cause more breakouts to happen.
When it comes to popping pimples, some refer to the area between your nose and the corners of your mouth as the “triangle of death.” Why such a scary name? “The area contains a lot of blood vessels that have a direct connection to the brain,” says Dr. Amy Huang, a board-certified dermatologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor at Lab Finder. “An infection that starts in this area has the potential to spread to the brain.” However, popping a pimple in this zone doesn’t guarantee an infection. It is rare — it’s still better to be safe than sorry.
Ever heard of face mapping? It’s the idea that blemishes on different areas of your face can tell you different things about your health — something Huang says is largely pseudoscience. That said, there are causes for pimples in different areas. “Acne on the forehead can be due to excessive sweating, wearing of headgear, or application of oils and other products to the scalp,” she says. “Side sleepers can also have more pimples on the side of the cheek that they sleep on. Jawline acne can be associated with hormonal fluctuations in women.”
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Dr. Jennifer Gordon is a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas.
Dr. Kseniya Kobets is the director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care.
Dr. Amy Huangis a board-certified dermatologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and a contributor at Lab Finder.
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed dermatologists about popping pimples.
