I’ve noticed a lot of discussion about spot treatments here, but there isn’t much mention of using hydrocortisone cream for large, swollen, and red pimples. I happened to have Cortizone-10 cream in my medicine cabinet and a particularly stubborn pimple on my chin, so I decided to give it a try. Before bed, I applied a small amount with a Qtip directly on the pimple, then covered it with a Cosrx pimple patch. Surprisingly, it seemed to help shrink the pimple and reduce redness by the next morning.
I’m wondering if anyone else uses hydrocortisone cream in this way and if it’s safe for use as a spot treatment on the face? TIA
While your experience sounds positive, it’s generally not recommended for long-term use on the face. Hydrocortisone reduces inflammation which can shrink pimples quickly, but it doesn’t tackle the root cause of acne. Frequent use on the face can even thin the skin. Sticking to acne-fighting products with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide is a safer bet. If you have stubborn pimples, a dermatologist can recommend the best course of action for your skin.
Using steroid creams on your face presents a catch-22 situation. While they initially reduce inflammation and redness, prolonged use can lead to dependency, causing increased inflammation and irritation unless the cream is continuously applied. This can eventually result in perioral dermatitis.
I have tried it ,Hydrocortisone reduces the swelling, itching, and redness that can occur in these types of conditions. This medication is a mild corticosteroid.