So today’s topic is a bit icky, but I know there are loads of you who could benefit from a little know-how about acne scabs and how to heal them.

I probably don’t need to go over how you get an acne scab in the first place. The bottom line is, you “may” have picked at your acne, and the pimple just so happens to be in the most noticeable place possible, like maybe right in the middle of your forehead. Not that this has happened to me before…

So now you’ve picked it and it’s creating a scab, and I’m not talking about a small acne scab either, but a scab that is very difficult to cover up with any form of makeup application.

So how do you get rid of a scab quickly?

The thing to remember is that a scab is a protective barrier that keeps bacteria and other impurities out of a wound, even something as small as a popped pimple. 

Scabs also speed up the healing process which is why it’s important not to forcefully remove them, especially when they’re dry.

This little guide on how to get rid of acne scabs quickly and easily will help prevent scarring and any unsightly discoloration. 

How to Heal Acne Scabbing Naturally

The first thing to do is to stop picking scabs to begin with. The more you pick, the bigger your scab might become. Not to mention your acne will take much longer to heal, you might create hyperpigmentation and possibly permanent scarring. So let’s not pick okay?

Secondly, you will need to apply a natural band-aid that is very moist.

My top three scab healing ingredients include:

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera has amazing healing properties. It’s cooling, soothing, and astringent and will also draw out toxins as it heals. It’s one of the best spot treatment I’ve used and also works wonders for healing acne scabbing.

How to Use Aloe

Find a natural Aloe Vera gel at your local health food store and apply it liberally (I’m talking about a really thick layer here) over the scab.

I find it best to do this right before bed so I don’t have to walk around with a big glob of aloe on my face. Not very inconspicuous.

If the acne scab is in a place where the aloe might get wiped away by accident, try putting on the Aloe Vera gel long before you go to sleep to allow it to dry. It will create a natural band-aid and should not easily rub off. Here’s where to buy high-quality Aloe Vera Gel. If you have fresh aloe on hand, definitely use that!

Additionally, you can add a tiny drop of lavender or tea tree essential oil to help with the healing process. About 1 drop per teaspoon of aloe gel.

Calendula Gel

My next favorite natural band-aid is calendula gel. It’s anti-inflammatory, reduces redness, and promotes the healing of cuts, abrasions, and of course, acne. Calendula gel also happens to be slightly pain relieving which makes it nice to apply to especially tender healing areas.

How to Use Calendula

I prefer using the gel version mainly because it dries like a liquid band-aid and forms a protective layer on the scab. Apply calendula gel in a thick layer and allow it to dry before going to bed. Here’s where to buy high-quality Calendula Gel.

Again, you can add a single drop of healing essential oil to one teaspoon of calendula get to speed up healing. Just don’t use citrus essential oils as they can make your skin sensitive to the sun and make hyperpigmentation darker.

Manuka Honey

Lastly is Manuka Honey. This honey boasts some pretty amazing healing qualities than just plain raw honey alone. It’s moisturizing, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-viral, reduces redness, and very soothing. Manuka Honey will effectively keep acne scabbing moist which will allow it to heal faster.

How to Use Manuka Honey

All you have to do for this one is apply a thick dab of manuka honey to the scab and then cover it with a band-aid overnight (otherwise this will end up in your hair and on your pillow). Here’s where to buy Manuka Honey.

*** With all three of these natural scab healing masks, you will want to gently rinse them away the following morning. It is normal for some of the scab to rinse away during this time. Just be very gentle and do not force off any scabbing that isn’t ready to come off yet.

After gently drying the area, you can either reapply one of the treatments above or wait until evening to reapply.

Repeat treatment until the scab is gone.

Alternatively, you can use the method I describe below.

The Morning after Application – Scab Healing Protocol

So now that you’ve applied one of these amazing natural band-aids, what do you do the next morning?

If you used the Aloe or Calendula Gel, you should be able to gently peel them off. Every time you do this, the scab will get smaller and smaller until it’s completely gone. I was able to get rid of a pretty nasty scab in about 3-4 days. The gel has been an amazing healer.

I also recommend applying more gel during the day to keep the scab moist. This is the secret to getting rid of acne scabs faster! If you allow the scab to become dried out, it can take twice as long for it to fall off.

If you used Manuka Honey overnight, I would switch over to aloe or calendula gel for during the day so you don’t have a sticky spot. You can even apply a drop of carrier oil directly to the scab itself. use one that agrees with your skin (learn more here).

This will also allow your skin to breath a bit after it’s been covered by a bandage while you were asleep.

You may have noticed that when a scab becomes dried out, the skin underneath becomes really red and irritated. I’ve had hyperpigmentation from scabs that got too dry and fell off that lasted for months!

However, if you keep the scab moist, your skin underneath heals much faster and is not irritated, leaving much less discoloration once the scab has fallen off. This hyperpigmentation (if I get any at all) only lasts a few days and is usually pink in color instead of red.

How to Cover up Acne Scabs

If you are diligent about keeping your acne scab moist, you should be able to cover up the area without people really noticing around day 2.

I recommend using mineral makeup and a dense brush to cover up the area only if you really need to. Again, we want things to stay moist for faster healing and less hyperpigmentation.

Allowing an acne scab to get too dry will cause it to feel itchy and that’s where accidental picking can occur.

Off on a Tangent…

Having a big scab on your face that’s glaringly obvious can be downright depressing. By using these simple healing ingredients and knowing that they will heal your skin quickly, you will be able to use this opportunity in your skin’s healing journey to realize that you are always beautiful no matter what.

Sometimes I feel like little things like this happen for a reason because they always occur before some big presentation or social outing (maybe this is just a result of stress?). It’s almost like it’s testing my resolve and how I feel about myself. As I continue my healing journey, more and more, I feel confident about myself and how I look to others because I’m slowly realizing that it’s not the acne they care about, but me as a person.

Perhaps you will too =)

For more clear skin related articles look below:

Are Papaya Enzymes the Answer to Banishing Red, Splotchy, Uneven Skin Tone?
The Best Fruit Enzymes for Clogged Pores
Homemade Drying Lotion for Acne
The Best Facials for Acne
Homemade Serum for Acne Prone Skin
Is Vitamin D Deficiency Causing Your Acne?
3 Steps to Improve your Female Hormonal Acne – Anyone Can do It!
How to Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally
Thyme Serum for Acne Free Skin

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