Neosporin for Pimples

Since acne is often treated with antibiotics, it makes sense that many people with troubled skin would try the topical antibiotic Neosporin for pimples. While people report a variety of results, the overall consensus seems to be that Neosporin, while great for healing, should be used sparingly.

When applied on a freshly opened zit, Neosporin can help prevent scarring.

Using Neosporin for Pimples

The active ingredients in Neosporin are bacitracin, neomycin and polymixin-B, as well as zinc, all of which are powerful antibiotics and far more effective than, say, benzoyl peroxide. Furthermore, the oil base in Neosporin means your skin won’t dry out the way it does with other topical treatments. 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 number of people report that a dab of Neosporin gently rubbed into the zit itself can shrink it notably and lighten the red mark. Others, however, note that either there were no results, or their acne became markedly worse. There is no consensus as to the sort of skin, or acne, that responds well to this treatment, although it may be that cystic acne is less painful when treated with Neosporin.

Why Neosporin May Not Work

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, petroleum jelly does clog pores. Therefore, Neosporin can do more to work against healing acne than not, although it has been pointed out that since the oil that causes acne is in the glands under the surface, it may not be the oil in the Neosporin that promotes more acne.

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 says “Do not use over 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 you should really stick to either prescription or home remedies for acne.

Best Use of Neosporin

All that said, there is one use for Neosporin that acne sufferers rave about. When a pimple is freshly popped, light applications of Neosporin will help heal it quickly and will almost always prevent the acne scars that are so difficult to eradicate. Of course, you are not supposed to squeeze your zits, but when one opens on its own or with some pressure and warm water, a quick dab of Neosporin will do wonders to improve the zit’s appearance. It definitely reduces any potential scarring. If used twice a day for a few days (no more than a week), only on the affected area, your skin will heal beautifully and be its usual healthy self. As mentioned, it can also help to decrease a cyst overnight.

Which Neosporin?

There are several brands and formulations of Neosporin. Most people who use it for acne like the pain relief cream. Others swear by the ointment, although they acknowledge that it is very greasy and can smear and make a mess, especially at night. Furthermore, the smearing is exactly what you don’t want, because you’re trying to target one specific spot. It is recommended that you don’t try to save money by using a generic brand, as most of the time you don’t know the exact formulation. Used carefully, brand-name Neosporin does seem to help with some acne, but please proceed with caution. And as with any treatment, if you think you’re having a negative reaction, stop using it and contact your dermatologist.

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