It seems a clear complexion is near impossible when people need it the most. The night right before an important date or a job interview, acne seems to always rear its ugly head. However, if it is the night before, there are acne products and remedies that can utilize those eight to twelve hours to reduce acne and even erase it completely.

The first step to an overnight treatment is to avoid the urge to pop the pimple. Popping the pimple typically leads to scarring and the body has a natural process for eliminating acne. These overnight remedies tend to accelerate the process and reduce inflammation and swelling.

A popular remedy for healing acne overnight is actually toothpaste. Toothpaste tends to dry out the acne and reduce the bump. The toothpaste should be white to avoid the ingredients that might actually aggravate the skin. Gel toothpastes tend to be ineffective. Once the toothpaste is dabbed on the blemish, allow it to dry completely or keep it on overnight.

Making a soothing homemade mask can also heal acne overnight. One recommended mask is made with honey and oatmeal. This dynamic duo combine to give your skin much needed nutrients that will reduce swelling and inflammation. Honey has the ability to remove bacteria and even soften the skin. Leaving this mask on for at least 15 minutes reduces redness almost immediately.

Another homemade mask that can remove acne is blended cucumber. Cucumbers have antioxidants and nutrients that can benefit the skin. Blending cucumber and gliding the paste over your face absorbs into the skin to soothe it. Allowing the mask to marinate on the skin for 15 minutes also reduces swelling and leaves your skin smooth.

Lemon juice is also a fast acting overnight acne solution. Lemon juice has antioxidant properties that can seep into your skin to give it the strength to fight the infection.

In the event these overnight remedies are not strong enough, over-the-counter treatments with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid tend to do the job.

1. Get a Great Moisturizer
The skin can get extremely dried out during the winter months, especially if you live in a desert area. If you don’t use a moisturizer on a regular basis, buy one. If you do, try one that’s a bit thicker than normal, like shea butter. And if you can, use a mask from time to time, ideally one made up of ingredients like avocado oil.

2. Use a Lot of Sunscreen
It doesn’t make sense to most of us. But the sun’s rays can be more damaging during the winter, because of the way that they reflect off of the snow. You can combat this by using a great sunscreen. Don’t go below 30SPF. But if you can get a higher number, even better.

3. Wear Warm Clothes That Cover Your Face
The most common and obvious problem associated with winter is windburn. When temperatures are too cold, our skin suffers the consequences. So whether you are wearing a scarf or something else, cover your face and keep your skin warm.

4. Wear Gloves
Hands suffer more than any other area of skin, because while we know we should take care of our face, we forget about our hands. Wear a pair of gloves, use a good hand moisturizer, these are all pretty basic steps.

5. Get a Humidifier
Winter draws moisture out of the air. So when you are at home, you should reintroduce that missing moisture to your environment. It will do wonders for your skin, keeping it hydrated and it can also prevent colds and other common sicknesses during the winter months.

6. Avoid Super Hot Baths
It may seem appealing. But a super hot bath breaks down the lipid barriers, leading to a loss of moisture. You’re better off with warm water. Also, make sure that you don’t stay in the bathtub for too long. When you mix a lukewarm bath with oatmeal or baking soda, it is that much more effective.

7. Drink More Water
They recommend that you drink at least 64oz of water on a daily basis. Up your water intake during the winter as this will provide your skin with a little extra moisture while keeping everything in working order, flushing out harmful toxins as well.

8. Don’t Use Harsh Soaps
Harsh soaps that have harmful chemicals and alcohols can easily damage and irritate already sensitive skin. To avoid the drying and damaging effects of these soaps, choose a better wash that is instead rich in nutrients and even moisturizers.

9. Exercise and Get a Good Night’s Rest
These can reduce stress, also allowing your skin to sweat out toxins and rejuvenate as you sleep. It prevents stress and hormone related acne breakouts, and for the older generation, it also prevents early wrinkles.

10. Exfoliate Regularly
Some tell you that you should avoid this essential step. But realistically, exfoliating on a regular basis can help to unclog pores, enhance the skin’s ability to maintain its own moisture, and leave skin soft and supple, also removing harmful bacteria that may live in dead skin cells and clogged pores.

But even though natural remedies don’t provide instantaneous or extreme results, they can prevent acne breakouts, improve skin over time, and if used regularly, they can promote beautiful and healthy skin! So I’ve come up with 5 of the most effective ways I’ve found to naturally eliminate acne and promote healthy skin.

1. Lemon Juice
You can buy the presqueezed lemon juice in the store. But real lemons are more effective. Lemons are rich in bacteria and free radical killing antioxidants, and it also has powerful antibacterial properties. Acne sufferers who use lemon on a regular basis have reported a serious disappearing act when it comes to acne, and I’ve also seen a lot of reports of visibly brighter skin!

2. Aspirin Masks
The main function of an aspirin mask is to reduce inflammation and swelling. It can reduce redness and pain fast, and even nasty and inflamed zits may disappear in just a few short hours after using this method. All you have to do is crush up some aspirin and mix it with water. You can also mix it with moisturizers like shea butter or avocado if you want as it can be quite drying for some skin types.

3. Egg Whites
When applied for 15 to 20 minutes, egg whites provide the skin with needed protein and healthy moisturizers. Some say that it draws bacteria out of the skin, and IT’S CHEAP!

4. Soak in a Little Oatmeal
As children, we use oatmeal baths to soothe the itching and pain of chickenpox, and they make lotions specially made with oatmeal, because it soothes the skin, reduces swelling and irritation, and supplements the skin. But the good news is that you don’t have to have chicken pox to use oatmeal to your advantage!

5. Eat a Healthy Diet with Plenty of Water
This is the most basic and proactive way to take care of your skin. When you consume a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients, you automatically provide the skin with the nutrients it needs to sustain and care for itself. A healthy diet flushes toxins out of the body while eliminating bacteria, and it keeps the skin and body in balance.