You may hear of using toothpaste to rid yourself of that conspicuous pimple on your forehead. If you have tried, you would know that it isn’t effective and may even cause skin irritation! As pimple creams usually come in small packagings, you don’t have any excuse not to keep one in your skincare pouch. You never know when a huge zit may suddenly appear. Wondering which pimple cream to get? Here are the best effective pimple creams you can get in Singapore!
1. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
- Gentle and moisturising formulation to treat acne
- Targets skin imperfection for smoother skin
- Whitening and brightening efficacy
The La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo is a two-pronged balanced solution in targeting blemished skin and replenishing it with adequate hydration for an overall healthy and clear complexion. It does not contain any oil and this makes it suitable if you have oily or acne-prone skin. The newly improved formulation contains Salicylic Acid to combat acne bacteria within your pores and Linoleic Acid, which helps to control the production of Keratinocytes that combines with sebum to become pimples.
You can even apply this La-Roche Posay cream on your entire face or your T-zone as it doubles up as a whitening and hydrating moisturiser. With niacinamide in its formula, your skin can receive adequate hydration and brightening, which helps it exude its natural radiance. This also helps to control the oil. It has a refreshing citrus scent which is pleasant and not overwhelming.
2. The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil
- Clears skinby targeting acne breakouts
- Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory
- Helps to condition skin to prevent acne occurrence
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil is exalted as many people’s holy grail product. It not only effectively reduces the breakout of pimples and festering of the acne bacteria in your skin; it also has a myriad of skin benefits. You know you’re in good hands when the formula features 15% of the key anti-acne power ingredient, the renowned Tea Tree oil. Not only does it target the acne, but it also purifies your skin so that your skin appears brighter and more radiant.
You also won’t have to worry about skin irritation or skin dryness even with prolonged use of this pimple oil. There are skin replenishing ingredients like Vitamin E and Tamanu Oil and both help to ensure that your skin is adequately moisturised. Tamanu Oil is also known to reduce scars caused by acne as it helps to accelerate the regeneration of new skin cells!
3. Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment
- Gentle spot-on treatment for maximum effectiveness
- Treats acne and eliminates angry pimples
The Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment contains a low concentration of Benzoyl Peroxide to help gently treat acne bacteria to eliminate huge and angry zits. Once applied topically onto the pimple, the Benzoyl Peroxide quickly reduces the inflammation of the pimples by breaking down the acne bacteria.
This Neutrogena anti-acne cream is easy to use. All you need is to dab a suitable amount to cover your pimple and leave it on for it to do its job. A tube of this will also last you a long time. You won’t have to worry the next time you see or feel a pimple festering with the Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment.
4. Mentholatum OXY 10 Pimple Cream
- Eliminates acne bacteria quickly
- Breaks down excess sebum to unclog pores
- Suitable for highly stubborn and huge pimples
The Mentholatum OXY 10 Pimple Cream is one of the strongest pimple cream available in the market. It contains 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, which is the maximum dosage allowed by the regulating authorities so that it can effectively eliminate the acne bacteria in the fastest possible time. Benzoyl Peroxide is also known to be able to remove excess sebum, which is usually the leading cause of clogged pores and the prequel to an angry zit. This makes this cream highly suitable if your skin is excessively oily and is prone to acne.
If you’re averse to the medicated smell that usually accompanies many pimple creams, you’d probably love this cream from Mentholatum as it contains no fragrance at all. However, you should note that as this has a high concentration of Benzoyl Peroxide, it may cause severe drying out of the skin if you have dry and sensitive skin. You may be better off using the OXY 5 instead then!
5. Mario Badescu Drying Cream
- Clears up small zits and surface blemishes
- Conditions skin with skin-replenishing benefits
The Mario Badescu Drying Cream focuses on clearing and clarifying your skin gently. The formula contains sulfur and zinc oxide that not only draw out the impurities deep within your pores but also helps to eliminate the red surface blemishes on your skin. Sulfur also absorbs excess sebum on your skin and within your pores to prevent the formation of the acne bacteria. Prolonged use of this drying cream will ensure a more even and smoother complexion.
Not only does the Mario Badescu Drying Cream come with the efficacy of acting quickly on your small zits and help heal your skin, but it also comes in a relatively huge amount in the tub. Since it is meant for spot treatments, one tub can likely last you for a long time even with daily application.
6. Innisfree Bija Trouble Spot Essence
- Soothes and calms blemishes
- Treats areas prone to acne
- Non-comedogenic and gentle formulation
The Innisfree Bija Trouble Spot Essence is a conditioning spot treatment that is soothing and gentle on your skin. Its key ingredient is the oil extract from Bijia (or Torreya) seeds, which Innisfree explains helps to enhance your skin barrier for a better defence system. It also has excellent soothing efficacy, which helps to reduce the angry flares and patches on your face. The anti-acne effect is also reinforced with Retinol, which serves to remove dead skin and sebum that are clogging your pores.
If you tend to have sensitive skin, this is a skincare product made for you as it is dermatologically tested for being non-comedogenic and does not contain any parabens. Its gentle formulation is also free of artificial fragrance and chemical colouring. You can safely use this every day in the morning and at night. Just a little of the Innisfree Bija Trouble Spot Essence is needed to reduce sudden pimple breakouts!
7. Evanesce New York Acne Erasing Emulsion
- Soothes and reduces inflamed pimples
- Regulates and removes excess sebum in pores
The Evanesce New York Acne Erasing Emulsion addresses the root cause of the most severe cystic acne by eliminating the acne bacteria in your pores, regulating sebum production and removing impurities that are clogging your pores. This is thanks to Zinc Oxide and Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate which are present in its formula. Niacinamide, which not only has a brightening effect, also helps to reduce the inflammation of your pimples.
With its skin conditioning properties, the occurrence of breakouts and angry pimples are greatly reduced. You won’t have to worry if you have an upcoming gala event in a few days’ time and you’re starting to break out with the Evanesce New York Acne Erasing Emulsion.
8. 3M Nexcare Acne Patch
- Reduces pimples by absorbing sebum and pus quickly
- Protects and prevents further contamination from dirt
The 3M Nexcare Acne Patch comes in small circular tape patches that are meant to adhere on the spot to the red and swelling pimple. The patches contain the active Hydrocolloid ingredient which serves to draw out excess sebum and pus from the pimple and in the process reduce its appearance and size. The patch also forms a protective barrier from the atmosphere and prevents you from squeezing and touching it, lest it gets contaminated with dirt and other bacteria.
While the patch is clear and can camouflage relatively decently, it is unfortunately still noticeable. This makes it more suitable for use overnight where it can set out to do its job and you’d be able to wake up to a reduced pimple. There are two sizes which you can use accordingly depending on the size of your pimples. You’d also notice that the patch turns white as it has been sucking out all the gunk in your pimple.
9. COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
- Targets pimples, whiteheads and blackheads
- Reduces inflamed pimples overnight
Many people are raving about how the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch is a capable fixer that works overnight on absorbing all the gunk in an inflamed pimple so that it appears flatter and less visible in the morning. The patch is designed to adhere to your skin and to cover the pimple so that it can break it down more effectively.
There are 3 different sizes for you to choose from depending on how big the pimple it. It is easy to use and can even be worn if you need to shower as it has the ability to stay on and adhere to your skin well. You can also use it on blackheads and whiteheads as the hydrocolloid patch can break down the debris causing the blackhead and clogged impurities from the whiteheads. Say goodbye to breakouts and unsightly pimples with the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch.
10. derma Angel Acne Patch
- Thin and adjustable patch for better adherence
- Enhanced absorption of gunk for better pimple recovery
The derma Angel Acne Patch is designed as a very thin hydrocolloid patch that adheres well to your skin and pimple. It is probably one of the most invisible patches as it is so thin and clear. It absorbs gunk in your pimple well and can help to clear it up over the night. There is both Day and Night patches to choose from depending on when you want to use. The Night patch has a thicker hydrocolloid layer in the middle for enhanced absorption over the night.
What makes this acne patch from derma Angel stand out from the others is that each acne patch is on a separate section of the paper. As each section of the paper is perforated, you can easily tear it out, and release part of the patch from the paper to position it on your skin around your pimple before releasing the balance patch onto your skin. This is a sanitary way of application and super easy to do so!
11. Mentholatum Acnes Medicated Acne Patch
- High absorption for faster pimple recovery
- Waterproof and breathable patch
The Mentholatum Acnes Medicated Acne Patch boasts of high absorption efficacies as it acts like a sponge taking in all the pus from an inflamed pimple. This helps the pimple to flatten and dry out and recover faster. At the same time, the patch forms a protective film over your skin and prevents further contamination of the pimple. It is also antibacterial and works to prevent the growth of acne bacteria. It is ultra-thin at 0.03cm but still has a good absorption ability.
As the patches come in two sizes and with tweezers, you can pick them up in a sanitary way without touching the patches at all. This helps to reduce further risk of contamination and infection. It doesn’t dry out your skin so you can use them anytime a zit pops up.
12. The Skin Pharmacy Acne Clear Mask
- Clears and soothes blemished skin
- Decongests skin by regulating sebum for oily skin
The Skin Pharmacy Acne Clear Mask is made with Sulphur and Salicylic Acid to help condition your skin to make it less prone to future breakouts and acne. Sulfur is gentler as compared to the other anti-acne ingredients, and this makes this clear mask suitable for use if you have sensitive skin. Sulfur is also commonly used to treat blackheads and whiteheads that clog pores and cause pimples. Salicylic Acid is a gentle exfoliant that removes dead skin that is clogging your pores and prevent acne lesions.
If your skin is naturally oily, you will find that this clear mask also helps to regulate sebum production. At the same time, there is calamine and rose water in the formulation. Both ingredients have soothing properties and can calm down the angry red flares on your skin.
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What does a pimple cream or pimple patch do?
Pimple Creams
Pimple creams are specially formulated with anti-acne ingredients to help clear up your skin. The typical anti-acne ingredients are Benzoyl Peroxide, Sulfur, Salicylic Acid. They typically work to eliminate the acne bacteria and unclog your pores of impurities and excess sebum, which when combined causes the formation of pimples.
Pimple Patches
Pimple patches are usually a quick stop-gap measure to reduce the inflammation appearance of your pimple. The patches typically are made from hydrocolloid and adhere to your skin to absorb all the gunk in your pimple. These are the pus and impurities causing the inflammation of your pimple. This will help to reduce the size of your pimple and clear it up so that it recovers faster!
How do I choose the right pimple cream?
While all pimple creams are formulated to target the acne bacteria in the pimple and reduce inflammation, they differ in terms of the type of anti-acne ingredient used and how strong each cream is.
Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the most effective ingredients in drying out the pimple, but they can also dry out your skin at the same time and cause skin irritation! If your skin is typically already dry and is rather sensitive, it is best not even to consider using a pimple cream with Benzoyl Peroxide. One way to test this is to start with pimple creams that have a lower concentration of Benzoyl Peroxide, like 2.5% or 5%. If your skin can take it, you can then consider trying those with a higher concentration of 10% for quicker and more effective pimple recovery.
If you usually only have an occasional pimple and small zits, you can consider milder ingredients like Sulfur or Salicylic Acid. These ingredients work similar to Benzoyl Peroxide but are not as strong, which reduces the possibility of skin irritation.
If you’re worried about the side effects of pimple creams, you can also consider pimple patches. They’re typically suitable for all skin types and usually do not cause any side-effects or skin irritation.
How do I use pimple cream?
Pimple creams or pimple patches are meant for topical use, meaning that they are typically spot-on treatment on an isolated area. They are intended to be left on so that the active ingredients can work to reduce the inflammation of the pimple and eliminate the root causes like kill the acne bacteria and suck up the impurities in your pores.
Just a dab of pimple cream enough to cover each pimple is all it takes for its application. You don’t have to wash it like a face wash. Just leave it on.
As for the pimple patch, if there are different sizes available, choose the one that’s most likely to be able to cover the entire pimple. You should take into account the inflammation and estimate appropriately as this may require a slightly larger patch. It is also better to use tweezers or the paper for which the patch is on to help you put it on your pimple without touching the sticky side of the patch.
You should also try and centre the patch so that the pimple is covered all around for maximum absorption.
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