The 1 Spot Treatment That Clears Up Blemishes in 24 Hours

By Kirbie Johnson

I'm admittedly a bona fide lunatic when it comes to my skin. Although I applaud the fact that I don't have a complete emotional breakdown at the appearance of one unsightly zit anymore, I do have to say I feel a wide range of sadness when my skin is anything but smooth — which is natural, but definitely excessive, to say the least.

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When Kiehl's reached out about a new acne spot treatment, I knew I needed it on my radar ASAP. I love a good spot treatment, but sometimes overnight acne products leave aggressive red marks on my face (almost like a burn). I hate that.

Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions 1851 Breakout Control Targeted Acne Spot Treatment ($28) is a treatment that is meant to help adult acne, and it doesn't feel like you're piling on zit cream a la your teenage years. (I could use the term "mature skin" here, but "mature" is so boring, isn't it? It's like saying your skin has no fun. Boo. I digress.) It looks sophisticated — medicinal even — and here's what really matters: Kiehl's utilizes the maximum amount of OTC sulfur (10 percent) to help reduce the size of your blemish in a mere 24 hours, and you can even apply the product in the morning and evening without worrying about your skin drying out.

I've been using this product for the past four weeks; when I apply it at night, I make sure to use it underneath a good moisturizer since my skin is a bit more on the sensitive side. (My favorites are Sunday Riley Tidal Enzyme Brightening Water Cream and Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream.) When I wake up, the size of my blemish is reduced. It is usually flat, less inflamed, and sometimes completely gone.

The sulfur helps with the acne in a few ways: it sheds dead skin and works as a purifier, so it keeps your sebum from clogging the pore. It also keeps bacteria from spreading. And because it's less aggressive than some other anti-acne ingredients, it isn't as drying on "mature" skin. Vitamin B3 is also used to soothe the area.

If you know anything about sulfur, you know it has a very potent smell. Some people enjoy this scent because it reminds them of lighting a match, but if it's too much for you, don't worry. There's no pungent smell with this acne treatment.

So, the short of it is this: if you have a blemish and you need to get rid of it post-haste, this is the treatment for you.