Top 5 Best Overnight Acne Spot Treatments

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How many of you find that your skin is SO well behaved when your social life is non existent but the second you get something in the diary, the meanest, ugliest, peskiest spot decides to make an appearance the night before. This is why emergency spot treatments are a must have for your skincare cabinet, with its ability to quickly reduce size, redness and any discomfort and imminently zap away those unwelcome visitors just in time for your night out.

The hero ingredient in many of these spot treatments is salicylic acid, a naturally occurring plant derived exfoliant, best known for its ability to deeply clear out clogged pores. Due to its much smaller molecular size, this powerful ingredient can penetrate within the deepest layers of our skin thereby removing dead skin cells, oil and grime that are caused by environmental nasties. Salicylic acid not only reduces existing breakouts but also keeps any future appearances at bay. 

Sadly (and like everything in the world of retail!), we’re spoilt for choice, with thousands of different spot treatments on offer that all claim to do the same thing and that come at various price points. As always, we believe that our readers deserve the best and in order to save you time (researching) and money (potentially wasted), we have worked tirelessly to search for and narrow down the absolute best emergency spot treatments around, to bring you the top 5 market leading elite that’ll have your skin looking clear as day in no time!

Tip: Always apply spot treatments during you PM skincare routine following cleansing and use a clean finger or a cotton bud for a more targeted application. Apply a dab of concealer the next day (after finishing your base makeup) and blend in to erase any remaining signs of the spot (see Haul of Fame’s top 5 best budget concealers).

1. Mario Badescu – Drying Lotion

When A-listers like Bella Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Lili Reinhart swear by this product, you know it’s going to be good! This award winning spot treatment is formulated with a unique blend of salicylic acid, sulphur and calamine to not only treat spots but also calm the affected (and surrounding) area too.  

It’s important to note that this lotion is not meant to be shaken. Instead, insert a cotton bud into the bottle to get hold of the pink solution, then dab straight onto the spot and around the affected area and leave on overnight. This will allow plenty of time for the salicylic acid work its magic and zap away those pesky zits by morning!

Available at Ulta (US) and Urbanoutfitters.com (UK)

2. Cosrx – Acne Pimple Master Patch

A groundbreaking spot treatment in the form of a super lightweight pimple patch.

These ultra thin and clear hydrocolloid pimple patches work to protect the spot from collecting additional bacteria overnight, whilst also working hard to breakdown the existing bacteria of the spot overnight and heal the skins surface too with its moisturising properties.

No worrying about transfers of product onto your beautiful silk pillowcase, just a quick and easy fuss-free overnight acne spot treatment!

Available at Amazon, Ulta (US) and Feelunique.com (UK)

3. Clinique – Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel

This daily treatment can either be used on your entire face to keep future blemishes at bay, or as a targeted solution twice a day after cleansing.

Reviews have raved about it being a ‘miracle in a bottle’, instantly reducing redness and inflammation and significantly shrinking spots overnight.

Available at Ulta (US) Feelunique.com (UK)

4. Kate Somerville – EradiKate Acne Treatment

Another cult favourite spot treatment by one of the U.S.’ favourite skincare brands, Kate Somerville, which has now (finally!) graced the UK with its presence!

Containing the highest level of sulphur permitted in skincare (10%), this spot treatment will not only reduce and treat current breakouts, but will also keep those unwanted visitors from reappearing too. Coming in at £6 more than Mario Badescu’s drying lotion, EradiKate also contains alpha hydroxy acids and zinc oxide which work to minimise the appearance of enlarged pores, control oil production and generally improve the overall condition of your skin.

Available at Ulta (US) Johnlewis.com (UK)

5. Origins – Super Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel

Doing exactly what it says on the tin, this award winning spot treatment contains salicylic acid, witch hazel, caffeine and red algae to treat and calm spots as well as the surrounding areas by reducing redness and inflammation.

This gel solution will also correct and fade any discolouration left behind once blemishes have cleared up and also contains antiseptic properties and super exfoliators to help clear out clogged pores and control sebum production. All of this with just a quick and easy dab of this little pot of magic.

Available at Ulta (US) and Feelunique.com (UK)