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

Co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS and Carmine Shannon

Last Updated: December 24, 2023 Fact Checked

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, plus, they’re incredibly easy and simple to make. Follow the steps below to learn how.

1

Fill a clean container with hot water.

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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 until it cools down to 100 °F (38 °C).^{[1]
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- Use a thermometer for the most accurate reading, or wait until you can comfortably touch the water.

2

Add tea tree or lavender essential oils (optional).

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Essential oils can soothe your skin and have antibacterial properties.^{[2]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} 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.
- You can also use the water to brew black tea and use that for your compress.^{[3]
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  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  
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3

Soak a clean cotton washcloth in the hot water.

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Carefully soak the towel to not 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 clean washcloth and fully submerge it into the warm water so it’s completely saturated.^{[4]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

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- If you don’t have a cotton washcloth, use a small towel or a microfiber cloth. Don’t use paper towels, which may fall apart and stick to your skin.

4

Wring out the excess water.

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Remove the cloth from the hot water once it’s fully soaked. Then, squeeze and twist it well. Get as much water out of it as you can so you’re left with a warm, damp compress.^{[5]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

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5

Apply the warm compress to your skin.

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Warm compresses are especially effective on deep, painful pimples that have developed into whiteheads, plus they can bring blind pimples to the surface.^{[6]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Don’t move the compress once you put it in place so it delivers consistent heat and moisture.

6

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

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The warmth from the compress helps draw out oil and bacteria trapped in your pimples and dissolves pus.^{[7]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} 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.

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Use a pea-sized amount of acne medication on your pimples. Wash your face with a daily acne cleanser and use a small amount of topical acne medications that contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, or retinoids to knock out stubborn pimples.^{[8]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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- Keeping your skin clean can get rid of any pimples you have and prevent new ones from developing.
- Using too much acne medication can irritate your skin and cause your problems to worsen.^{[9]
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- If you have severe acne, make an appointment to see your doctor or a dermatologist. They can prescribe stronger medication to help treat your acne.^{[10]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
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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
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

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

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.

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Question

How can I get rid of acne scars?

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

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

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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Tips

Don’t pop your pimples! It can irritate and inflame your skin and could actually make the zit worse.^{[11]
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Consider using ice on your acne if it’s inflamed. Ice can treat pain, as well as help prevent pimples from forming.

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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.^{[12]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source} They may prescribe an antibiotic that can help clear it up.

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