Skip to content

Top Navigation

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • News
  • Fashion
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Charity
    • Career
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore InStyle

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The 8 Breakout Hair Color Trends of Winter 2021

      Expect to see these shades all over Instagram. Read More Next
    • What Is a Capsule Wardrobe? 10 Tips to Help You De-Clutter Your Closet

      Fashion designer Misha Nonoo weighs in on the essential items that'll make your 'nothing to wear' days a thing of the past. Read More Next
    • "Maskne" Is a Thing — Here's How to Fight Face Mask Breakouts

      As if stress breakouts weren't bad enough. Read More Next
  • News
  • Fashion

    Fashion

    See All Fashion

    How to Find the Best Color to Wear For Your Skin Tone

    It's not as tricky as you think.
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity

    Celebrity

    See All Celebrity

    The 35 Most Naked Dresses of All Time

    Naked dresses are perhaps the most impressive of all red carpet feats. While they may not always make the best-dressed list, they do require a certain breed of celebrity to pull off. Not only do you have to have the balls to risk a wardrobe malfunction, but you have to do it with enough confidence that you look fierce — not terrified — in the photographs. Take Naomi Campbell's appearance in Valentino's couture show during the spring/summer 2019 presentation. The legendary model gracefully strutted down the runway in a see-through gown with a ruffle skirt. (Click through the gallery for the NSFW photo).  Get the inside scoop on all your favorite celebrities with our FREE daily newsletter, InStyle Celebrity. Breaking news, relationship updates, hairstyle inspo, fashion trends, and more direct to your inbox! Let's not forget Rihanna’s infamous CFDA dress either. The girl rocked a completely sheer dress without a bra — and later remarked that her only regret was not wearing a bedazzled thong to match. That, my friends, is dedication. Then, there was the year 2015, when the Met Gala saw not one nor two but three naked dresses on the red carpet, all worn by Hollywood’s hottest A-listers. Jennifer Lopez, above, bared her famous curves in a custom Atelier Versace illusion gown. Beyoncé was nearly naked in Givenchy. And Kim Kardashian West almost looked modest in comparison in her sheer Roberto Cavalli dress, because no one’s getting naked without KKW joining in. Click through to see the best naked dresses of all time.
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty

    13 Steps You Can Take to Stop Stubborn Cystic Acne, According to Experts

    If you're struggling with breakouts on your chin and jaw area, read this. 
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair

    Hair

    See All Hair

    The 5 Haircut Trends That Will Dominate 2020

    The beginning of the new year comes with the irresistible urge to start over fresh, which means it's a great time to get a haircut.  This decade's first big hair trends include looks at every length that can be tailored to your hair texture and personal style. For anyone with a blunt bob — the most popular haircut of the past few years — you probably already guessed that the cut will still be going strong into the next decade. But there will be a few tweaks. As seen on Kerry Washington, 2020's bob has textured, softer edges, and looks amazing whether you part it down the middle or off to the side.  RELATED: The 10 Hairstyles You'll See Everywhere This Winter But if you swear that 2020 is going to be the year you finally grow out your hair, let Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian's extra-long lengths be your inspiration. Or, you can get the look instantly with the help of some clip in extensions.  To help you figure out how to wear your hair in the new year, we've rounded up the five biggest haircut trends of 2020, so you'll be sure of what you want before you head to the salon in January.  VIDEO: The Five Biggest Haircut Trends of 2020
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle

    Your Essential Keto Grocery List

    If you're embarking on the keto diet, here are the must-have items to add to your cart.
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues

    Politics & Social Issues

    See All Politics & Social Issues

    Of Course Kamala Harris Is Ready to Be President

    The senator has been criticized for seeming too ambitious — but that's kind of the point.
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Charity
    • Career
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture

    Pop Culture

    See All Pop Culture

    Introducing InStyle's First Podcast: Ladies First with Laura Brown

    Join editor in chief Laura Brown as she talks to trailblazers like Emily Ratajkowski, Michelle Pfeiffer and Storm Reid about their historic "firsts" in the industry.
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping

    Shopping

    See All Shopping

    The 13 Best Shapewear Pieces to Shop, According to Thousands of Customer Reviews

    Upgrade your lingerie drawer with these top-rated body shapers.
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Beauty Chevron Right
  3. Skin Chevron Right
  4. The Best Spot Treatments for Zapping That Rogue Zit

The Best Spot Treatments for Zapping That Rogue Zit

By Victoria Moorhouse
Updated Jan 04, 2019 @ 4:30 pm
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: indie_lee/Instagram

Pimples are like your great Aunt Martha—she always, without fail, picks the absolute worst time to show up unannounced.

Before a wedding or the morning of a job interview, it’s there bright red and here to hang. But thanks to fast-acting spot treatments filled with ingredients that reduce inflammation and redness in as little as a few hours, you zapping that one rogue zit is possible, and you can politely show it the door.

RELATED: The Best Drugstore Acne Products, According to Reddit

Sorry, we can’t say the same about Aunt Martha. Keep scrolling to see a few that we’ve tried and tested and actually work.

VIDEO: Ask Dr. Pimple Popper

Start Slideshow

1 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

MURAD Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment

Credit: Courtesy
$22
SHOP IT

Murad’s Rapid Relief works rapidly, indeed. Receiving over 4,000 loves on Sephora.com, this formula is made with 2% salicylic acid to clear out the pores and exfoliate the pores, while witch hazel takes care of excess oil around the area. But perhaps the most impressive thing about this clear gel, which can be applied over and under makeup, is that it can show results in as little as four hours. That, friends, is actually legit.

1 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Better Skin Co. Better Skin Zit No More

Credit: Courtesy
$18
SHOP IT

So you look in your compact while out and spot a big bump forming on your chin. Panic not, dear friend. Glide this salicylic acid- and tea tree oil-infused rollerball over the spot to begin the healing process. It’s a handbag essential.

2 of 8

3 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

MARIO BADESCU Drying Lotion

Credit: Courtesy
$17
SHOP IT

As far as spot treatments go, Mario Badescu’s little pink bottle is considered by many the GOAT. Because it’s millennial pink and milky by nature, it’s one you’ll want to reach for when you have a few hours at your apartment, so it’s ideal for overnight treatment. It’s made with anti-acne-famous ingredients like salicylic acid, sulfur, and zinc oxide to tackle redness and puffiness in no time. Use a cotton swab to apply it to the top of a pimple before you hit the hay, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised in the AM.

3 of 8

Advertisement

4 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

M-61 powerspot blemish lotion

Credit: Courtesy
$16
SHOP IT

If you avoid spot treatment because they leave your skin peel-y and dry, this is the bottle for you. It’s balanced with soothing ingredients like aloe and cucumber to keep the skin hydrated and calm while drying out the zit you actually hate.

4 of 8

5 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Indie Lee Blemish Lotion 

Credit: Courtesy
$26
SHOP IT

Green beauty lovers, rejoice. This bottle from Indie Lee’s natural beauty line is a force to be reckoned with, thanks to its make-up of colloidal sulfur, pink clay, and salicylic acid.

5 of 8

6 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

PETER THOMAS ROTH Acne Spot and Area Treatment

Credit: Courtesy
$19
SHOP IT

Another favorite, Peter Thomas Roth’s blue tube banishes blemishes with exfoliating glycol acid and 5% colloidal sulfur.

6 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment

Credit: Courtesy
$20
SHOP IT

Not a cream, a lotion, or even a gel, Neutrogena harnessed the power of red and blue light to gently kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, and packaged this technology in a trusty tool you can throw in your handbag when you feel a zit coming on.

7 of 8

8 of 8

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots

Credit: Courtesy
$5
SHOP IT

Another out-of-the-box solution, these clear circular patches are meant to be applied over a zit to reduce the size and, honestly, to keep you from picking at it.

8 of 8

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Victoria Moorhouse

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 8 MURAD Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment
2 of 8 The Better Skin Co. Better Skin Zit No More
3 of 8 MARIO BADESCU Drying Lotion
4 of 8 M-61 powerspot blemish lotion
5 of 8 Indie Lee Blemish Lotion 
6 of 8 PETER THOMAS ROTH Acne Spot and Area Treatment
7 of 8 Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment
8 of 8 Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
InStyle InStyle

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Accolades Licensing
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
InStyle is part of the Meredith Beauty Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. InStyle may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.instyle.com

View image

The Best Spot Treatments for Zapping That Rogue Zit
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.