How to Get Rid of Blemishes for All Skin Types

Blemishes happen to the best of us. For some, they pop up with menstrual cycle phases, and for others, they're a daily nuisance. But just because this skin concern is common doesn't mean it's entirely inevitable.

Blemish-prone skin can be unpredictable, and understandably, it can affect your confidence. The good news is that there are ways to tackle existing dark spots and possibly keep new ones from popping up. With the right products and a simple skincare routine, you can support a clearer, calmer, more even-looking complexion.

This guide will go over the causes of blemishes, easy solutions for how to get rid of blemishes, blemished skin product recommendations, ingredients to look for, and a realistic timeline to improve the look of post-blemish marks.

What Causes Blemishes to Appear?

Blemishes can show up for a number of reasons. Spots might be triggered by hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle, stress, skin sensitivities, environmental exposure, not having a consistent skincare routine, or using pore-clogging skincare products. Not properly washing your face or exfoliating regularly could mean dead skin cells build up and block pores, potentially resulting in blemishes.¹

Germ exposure to the skin might also be an issue, such as touching your facial area with unwashed hands, sleeping on a pillowcase that hasn't been changed in a few weeks, or using dirty makeup brushes. It can even happen from hair products like hairspray or gel migrating to the forehead or temples, as well as headbands or hats blocking pores.²

For some people, certain foods could trigger spots, like particularly sugary foods and dairy.² Some are also more prone to blemishes due to their genetics.³

Why Some Blemishes Stick Around Longer

Some blemishes might linger for longer than others. Why? It could be that they form extra-deep under the skin or are irritated due to picking or scratching. Sun exposure may also worsen the issue by darkening post-blemish color marks.³

Daily Habits That Can Minimize the Look of Blemishes

Not every single blemish is unavoidable. And as mentioned, some contributing factors might be outside your control, like genetics.^{3<7suP> Fortunately, there are several steps you can take in your daily life to help minimize the appearance of blemishes and balance your skin's fluctuating moods.}

Here are a few simple tips you can follow in your skincare routine to support a clearer, calmer complexion:

• Gentle cleansing: You should wash your face morning and night with a gentle cleanser, like a water-based face wash or cleansing balm. The goal is to remove dirt, sunscreen, excess oil, makeup, and environmental pollutants without over-stripping the skin.
• Targeted treatment: Try a clarifying toner, a serum that soothes the look of redness, or a brightening ampoule to help clear your skin and improve the appearance of blemishes.
• Lightweight hydration: Even if your complexion is oily, hydration still matters for a clear, calm complexion and a healthy skin barrier.⁴ Go with a lightweight formula, like a non-comedogenic moisturizer or barrier cream.
• Blemish patches: Use blemish spot covers or larger patches over a cluster of spots. These can help you avoid picking at blemishes and shield the skin from dirt and germs.
• Sunscreen: Sunscreen is a must for any skin type. But it's especially crucial for keeping blemish-prone skin clear, calm, and healthy.⁵

Reducing Germ Exposure to the Face

It might also be worth trying to minimize exposure to germs on your face.⁶ You've probably been told not to touch your face to avoid blemishes. This may be helpful, especially anytime your hands aren't washed.P7

You can also try changing out your pillowcase more often (some people do this multiple times a week) or using a fresh cloth each day to dry your face after cleansing. Washing your makeup brushes regularly and disinfecting your phone might help too.

Best Ingredients to Visibly Reduce the Appearance of Blemishes

Knowing what ingredients to use can help you build a skincare routine that plays well with your skin type, visibly reduces the appearance of blemishes, and helps your skin look clearer over time.⁸

• Salicylic acid: Sometimes called BHA (beta-hydroxy acid), salicylic acid is a gentle exfoliant derived from plants. It can help balance oil production, slough off dead skin cells, refine the look of pores, and support clearer skin.⁹
• Soothing botanicals: Botanicals, plant extracts, and antioxidants can help calm the look of redness, soothe active blemishes, and improve the appearance of post-blemish marks.^10,11 This includes aloe vera, tea tree oil, witch hazel, allantoin, heartleaf, cherry blossom, cica (centella asiatica), and green tea extract.¹²
• Spicules: Spicules are microscopic, needle-shaped structures derived from sea sponges. They can help other skincare ingredients absorb while supporting cell turnover for clearer skin with fewer post-blemish spots.¹³ As with Rael's Microcrystal Serums, spicule technology works to improve the look of blemishes overnight.¹⁴
• SPF: Applying sunscreen daily is essential for maintaining clear, healthy skin. Choose a broad-spectrum formula with at least SPF 30. People with blemish-prone complexions might prefer mineral formulas with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to help pores stay clear.¹⁵

How to Get Rid of Blemishes With a Targeted Routine

A consistent skincare routine with gentle products and a few targeted treatments is ideal for balancing skin and controlling spots. 

Step 1: Gentle Cleanse

The first step of your skincare routine is washing your face. In the morning, use a gentle face cleanser. At night, consider doing a double-cleanse with a water-based cleanser and then an oil-based cleanser, like a cleansing balm. This will get rid of all makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and other impurities without harsh drying.

Step 2: Apply Serum

After washing your face, apply a targeted serum. This could be something gentler, like a salicylic acid formula. Or it could be a more intense treatment, like Rael's Miracle Clear Microcrystal Activated PM Serum. But with the latter, only apply it at night up to three times a week.

Step 3: Moisturize

Next, lock in hydration and keep your skin barrier healthy with a lightweight moisturizer.¹⁶ Go with a non-comedogenic formula, like a gel moisturizer or barrier cream. In the morning, follow with a light, hydrating sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF.

Step 4: Spot Care

If you have active blemishes, finish your skincare routine with spot care. For instance, you can use an overnight blemish cover, a bigger patch for a cluster of spots, or a spot gel wherever it's needed.

Can You Get Rid of Blemishes Overnight?

It depends on the size, depth, and overall state of the blemishes (like if they're currently irritated, painful, or red). With the right ingredients, a serum, spot treatment, or patch can visibly reduce the appearance of a blemish overnight and possibly give you clearer-looking skin by morning.¹⁷ Going to bed with cleansed skin and sleeping on a clean pillowcase might help, too.

That said, you want to be realistic about what skincare products can achieve in such a short timeframe. Some blemishes just need to run their course, which might be a few days. You'll get the best results with a consistent routine created with your specific skin concerns in mind.

Best Rael Products to Help With Blemishes

Rael's line of cycle-aware skincare includes several products that can help with blemishes.

Miracle Clear Microcrystal Serums

Our Microcrystal 2000 and Microcrystal 5000 night serums contain spicules to help with product absorption and promote a clearer complexion over time.¹⁴ The beginner-friendly 2000 formula has a lower spicule concentration. If your skin responds well to it, you can slowly work your way up to the more intensive 5000 spicules serum.

Miracle Patches

Rael Miracle Patches include small round spot covers for single blemishes and larger patches for clusters and spot-prone areas. You can leave these on overnight or use an invisible spot cover for targeted care during the day.

Cleansing Balm

Our cleansing balm or an exfoliating cleanser is ideal for melting away sunscreen and makeup, dissolving impurities, and balancing blemish-prone complexions without over-drying or stripping the skin. This formula is gentle enough for daily cleansing.

Salicylic Acid Serum and Toner

You can also add Rael's Miracle Clear Complete Acne Serum or our Clarifying Toner to your morning or evening skincare routine. These products can support skin-cell turnover, balance oil production, and refine the look of pores.⁹

Clear Skin Confidence Starts Here

Clear skin confidence starts with a consistent skincare routine for oily skin or blemish-prone skin. Your lineup should include gentle products you use daily and targeted treatments you apply a few times a week or as needed.

Rael formulas are created with hormonal highs and lows and all other potential blemish triggers in mind. For skincare that hits the spot and supports a smoother, clearer, more radiant complexion, check out our blemish-friendly, clean skincare products.

 

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