Neosporin for Pimples

woman applying ointment to a pimple

Some individuals with troubled skin try the topical antibiotic Neosporin for pimples as an over-the-counter remedy. While people report a variety of results, the overall consensus seems to be that Neosporin, while great for healing, should be used sparingly.

Using Neosporin for Pimples

The active ingredients in Neosporin are bacitracin, neomycin and polymixin-B, as well as zinc. These ingredients are antibiotics and designed to kill bacteria on the skin. Neosporin is specifically mixed to prevent infection in minor scrapes, cuts and burns. It can also speed up the healing process and prevent scarring. As such, people with acne have experimented in using Neosporin on pimples to see if what can work so well on other skin ailments has any effect.

A dab of Neosporin gently rubbed into the zit itself may help improve its appearance. However, you may not experience any results, or your acne can become markedly worse. There is no consensus as to the sort of skin, or acne, that responds well to this treatment.

Problems with Treatment

Neosporin

Worsening Acne

Neosporin's base is petroleum jelly. This is great for a wound, because a fresh wound must be kept moist while healing. However, despite the antibiotics, some users report that the product clogs pores. Therefore, Neosporin can do more to work against healing acne than not.

Not for Extended Use

However, there is a far more serious and proven problem with relying on Neosporin for pimples for anything more than a week. Neosporin can start to break down the natural elements in your skin that help it resist a range of bacteria. The warning on the packaging advises that it not be used on large areas of the body for just this reason. If you spot treat a zit with Neosporin and see good results, it may be tempting to carry on using it, but it is best to use either prescription, over-the-counter, or home remedies specifically designed for acne.

Antiobiotic Resistance

According to MSN Health, doctors are also seeing a rise in antiobiotic-resistant acne, and are increasingly using methods that don't involve antibiotics to treat problem skin.

May Not Affect Acne Bacteria

At acne product review site My Acne Treatment Review, Neosporin is discussed as a product that can be used as a treatment for staph or strep bacteria that causes acne not bacterial acne itself. The product is said not to affect acne bacteria since it can't penetrate the pores to kill unlying bacteria.

Medical Experts Recommend Products Formulated for Acne

Although there may not be conclusive evidence of whether Neosporin helps acne or not, it is not a product typically recommended by professionals. Health professionals typically suggest products that are formulated to treat acne. The Mayo Clinic has several suggestions for acne treatments but does not include Neosprorin as an over-the-counter remedy. The Clinic suggests using products that contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Neosporin contains neither of these ingredients.

Use as a Spot Treatment

All that said, there is one use for Neosporin that acne sufferers rave about: as a spot treatment. You can find positive comments and reviews by those who have used the product on message boards at sites such as Acne.org.

Clear Skin Blog recommends the product be used as a spot treatment only. For example, when a pimple is freshly popped, light applications of Neosporin may help heal it quickly and may help prevent the acne scars that are so difficult to eradicate. You should not squeeze a pimple, but when one opens on its own or with warm water, a quick dab of Neosporin may help to improve the skin's appearance. If used twice a day for a few days (no more than a week), only on the affected area, it may help heal the skin.

Different Formulas

There are several brands and formulations of Neosporin. Some of the most popular include:

  • First Aid Antibiotic Ointment: Original formula is designed to give long-lasting infection protection and can help minimize the appearance of scars.
  • Pain Relief First Aid Antibiotic/Pain Relieving Cream or Ointment: Use to prevent infection and provide temporary relief of pain or discomfort in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. Be aware that the ointment can be used the same way as the cream but is greasier and can smear instead of staying on one spot.
  • First Aid Antiseptic/Pain Relieving Spray: Specially designed to be carried in your purse or pocket. Can be used on the go whenever you need it most.

There are also generic brands of Neosporin. It is recommended that you don't try to save money by using a generic brand, since it can be difficult to know the exact formulation.

Contact a Dermatologist

Although some users have reported brand-name Neosporin as an effective acne product, it should be used with caution as it is not a product designed for acne. Individuals who are not responding to over-the-counter or home remedies for acne should contact a dermatologist to help treat their skin.