How to Create a Hot Compress for Acne Treatment and Skin Health

Tried everything to treat your acne? A hot compress may be able to help! The warmth and moisture can soothe your skin and help clear out and heal stubborn pimples.[1] The best part is how easy and simple they are to make. Follow the steps below to learn how.

1

Fill a clean container with hot water.

  1. Use a bowl, sink, or some other temperature-safe container. Run your faucet until the water heats up or put on a kettle to boil. Once the water is piping hot, add about 2 cups (470 mL) directly into your container and let it sit so it starts to cool down.[2]
    • You don’t want to use boiling hot water or you could burn your skin.
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2

Add tea tree or lavender essential oils if you like.

  1. Image titled Create a Hot Compress for Acne Treatment and Skin Health Step 2
    Essential oils can soothe your skin and have antibacterial properties.[3] They also smell nice and can help you relax while you use the compress. Just add a few drops of either tea tree or lavender (or both) into your container of warm water.[4]
3

Soak a clean cotton washcloth in the hot water.

  1. Be careful not to burn your hands. If the water is still really hot, wait a few minutes to let it cool down. Think hot shower temperature—warm but not boiling. Take a washcloth and fully submerge it into the warm water so it’s completely saturated.[5]
    • If you don’t have a cotton washcloth, you can use a small towel or a microfiber cloth. Don’t use paper towels, which may fall apart and stick to your skin.
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4

Wring out the excess water.

  1. You want the compress damp but not dripping wet. Remove the cloth from the hot water once it’s fully soaked. Then, squeeze and twist it well. Try to get as much water out of it as you can so you’re left with a warm, damp compress.[6]
5

Apply the warm compress to your skin.

  1. Image titled Create a Hot Compress for Acne Treatment and Skin Health Step 5
    Leave the compress on your pimples for 10-15 minutes. A warm compress is especially effective on deep, painful pimples that have developed into a whitehead. Don’t move the compress once you put it in place so it delivers consistent heat and moisture.[7]
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6

Use a warm compress 3-4 times a day for acne.

  1. Image titled Create a Hot Compress for Acne Treatment and Skin Health Step 6
    This will clear out pimples and help them heal.[8] The warmth from the compress helps draw out and get rid of oil and bacteria trapped in your pimples. Use a clean cloth and fresh water each time you make a warm compress so you don’t get any dirt or additional bacteria in your pimples.
7

Apply acne medications to help treat and prevent breakouts.

  1. Image titled Create a Hot Compress for Acne Treatment and Skin Health Step 7
    There are a variety of products that can help. Wash your face with a daily acne cleanser to keep oil from building up and causing more pimples. Use topical acne medications that contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, or retinoids to knock out stubborn pimples. Keep your skin clean and you can get rid of any pimples you have and keep new ones from developing.[9]
    • If you have severe acne, make an appointment to see your doctor or a dermatologist. They may prescribe stronger medication to help treat your acne.
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Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    If you have a pimple on your nose what do you do?
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    I recommend applying acne medication to the affected area. Ensure you do not squeeze your pimples. Additionally, a hot compress can be used to open your pores and facilitate getting rid of dirt and excess oil that may be causing your acne.
  • Question
    How can I get rid of acne scars?
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
    Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    You can start of with retinol cream for about 3 to 4 weeks to help with skin cell turn over and healing. If that does not help, you can have a few series of chemical peels in the dermatologist’s office. If that does not improve your scars laser treatment would be my next recommendation. Laser treatment can vary from mild to invasive depending on the severity of your scars.
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Warnings

  • If your skin shows signs of an infection, such as red streaks around your skin or lots of pus oozing from it, see your doctor. They may prescribe an antibiotic that can help clear it up.[11]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://aad.new-media-release.com/2018/pimples/
  2. ↑ https://www.emedihealth.com/warm-cold-compress.html
  3. ↑ https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2017/4517971/
  4. ↑ https://youtu.be/BT8Al5Hze04?t=39
  5. ↑ https://aad.new-media-release.com/2018/pimples/
  6. ↑ https://www.emedihealth.com/warm-cold-compress.html
  7. ↑ https://aad.new-media-release.com/2018/pimples/
  8. ↑ https://aad.new-media-release.com/2018/pimples/
  9. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12233-acne
  1. ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/live-well/2019/04/should-you-pop-that-pimple/
  2. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/skininfections.html

About This Article

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Medically reviewed by:
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 513,990 times.
7 votes - 86%
Co-authors: 29
Updated: August 25, 2021
Views: 513,990
Categories: Acne Treatments
Article SummaryX

To create a hot compress to treat acne, start by washing your hands and face with a mild cleanser. Next, run a small, clean washcloth under warm water until it's saturated. Then, apply the compress to your entire face or the affected area for 10 minutes to open your pores and bring any pimples to a head. Finally, apply a topical acne treatment that contains salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or sulfur to the affected area. You can repeat this 2-3 times daily! For tips on adding green tea or tea tree oil to your hot compresses, read on!

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