How to Clear a Breakout Fast:

It happens to the best of us: We go to sleep with a happy, clear complexion, only to wake up with an angry, large pimple staring back at us when we look in the mirror. Breaking out is often a—very unfortunate—fact of life. Even if you don’t have acne, pimples can pop up before your period, during stressful times in your life, or even…just because. Have a pimple you want to make disappear, stat? Keep reading.

Keep Your Hands to Yourself

First things first. As hard as it can be, you have to resist the urge to pick at your skin or pop that pimple. Sure, it may seem like the quickest way to get rid of a pimple, but in the long run you can just make things worse. Scary side effects of popping your pimples include spreading the bacteria to new areas of skin, stubborn long-lasting scars, and infection—because let’s face it, hands are dirty.

How to Clear Your Breakout

Whether you have the occasional pimple or you’re faced with acne, reach for La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar 3-Step Acne System ($29.99). This dermatologist-recommended treatment can help to reduce acne, with visible results starting after just one day. The kit includes three products for three steps: cleansing, toning, and treating.

Step 1: Cleanse

Removing excess oil and other impurities from the skin’s surface is the first step in dealing with breakouts. Used twice daily, the system’s Medicated Gel Cleanser—with 2 percent salicylic acid and micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid—helps clear acne and blackheads.

Step 2: Tone

Breakouts occur thanks to clogged pores. Adding Effaclar Clarifying Solution to your skin care routine when you have pimples, blackheads, and other breakouts can help. The formula targets clogged pores and smoothes skin texture. Use the toner—with 2 percent glycolic acid and .5 percent salicylic acid—up to twice daily.

Step 3: Treat

The final step in the routine is Effaclar Duo—a dual action spot treatment. With 5.5 percent benzoyl peroxide and .4 percent lipo-hydroxy acid, this formula reduces the number and severity of acne blemishes.

#BeClearBootcamp

Need more help dealing with breakouts? La Roche-Posay partnered with expert dermatologists to create the #BeClearBootcamp to help anyone who struggles with acne. Visit the page to get condensed content and fast facts on acne.