- A video on social media went viral when someone used eye drops to shrink a pimple.
- Anti-redness eye drops contain brimonidine, which causes blood vessels to constrict.
No matter how advanced acne treatments get, there's still no quick fix for the sudden rogue zit — you know, the one that magically appears the night before a wedding, award ceremony, or photoshoot.
Acne patches take hours (if not days) to work, and old tricks like dabbing on toothpaste have since been debunked. As a result, people are always on the hunt for quick hacks, like smearing on iodine (which dermatologists don't actually recommend). Now, a video about using eye drops to reduce the redness of pimples has gone viral.
@breebreebby how to cover up a pimple with literally no makeup #acne #coverpimples ♬ original sound - bree martin
"I've been gatekeeping the best way to cover up a pimple without any makeup for far too long," TikToker Bree Martin said in a video that's been viewed over 2.3 million times. In it, she uses Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops to remove inflammation on a zit and even around her nose.
Some commenters were stunned at the hack dubbing Martin a "modern day Albert Einstein" worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize.
"GIRLLLLLLL IF I HAD MONEY I WOULD GIVE YOU A MILLION DOLLARS THIS IS SUCH GOOD INFO," said one TikTok user.
Other users noted that this trick has been around for some time, with one saying that they've used eye drops on their acne for years. "I've been using visine since middle school," said one user. "Can confirm it works in minutes."
According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital's Department of Dermatology in New York City, Martin's pro-tip does work, but it might have a few unexpected side effects. It also doesn't prevent acne from forming in the first place.
Eye drops reduce acne redness by constricting blood vessels
Zeichner said that some anti-redness eye drops contain an ingredient called brimonidine, which "causes muscles around the blood vessels to contract." According to him, this reduces the amount of blood in the area, temporarily removing redness.
He said the same active ingredient is available in prescription creams to treat rosacea, a condition involving facial redness and flushed skin.
While the hack is generally safe and quick, it comes with a few side effects
While using eye drops on pimples may work in a pinch, it "will not address any of the underlying causes of acne or help the pimple heal any quicker," he said.
He also said using eye drops on your pimples can come with a few drawbacks. First, the surrounding area of the zit may also be affected by the eye drops and get conspicuously pale. He also warned against trying this trick if you have Raynaud's syndrome, a condition where blood vessels in the fingers and toes constrict in response to the cold, as eye drops could amplify symptoms.
Benzoyl peroxide products are better to treat the root issue
For better results —including a faster healing time — Zeichner said, "the best way to treat a red, angry pimple is to apply a topical acne treatment that contains benzoyl peroxide," which lowers levels of acne-causing bacteria and skin inflammation.
The ingredient is prevalent in many bestselling acne products, from daily face washes to spot treatments. While everyone wants a fire-engine-red bump to fade quickly, benzoyl peroxide goes a step beyond and actually makes it go away.