Whatever You Do . . . Don't Pick
The golden rule of getting rid of a pimple is to leave it alone. As hard as it might be to let a budding bump or nasty whitehead be, it's important that you do not pick at it, because fiddling with your flare-up can cause swelling and worsen inflammation.
If you can't resist, though, there are a few things to keep in mind. Dermatologist Alicia Barba, MD, suggests first checking to see if your blemish has puss. "Do not pick an inflamed bump without a clear 'puss head' as this will aggravate it for sure," she warned.
Next, she recommends using a mild, hydrating cleanser like the Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar ($10) to remove dirt and excess oil. (It would be especially helpful to wash your hands while you're at it.) Then, to remove the whitehead sitting at the surface, gently pinch the pimple and squeeze out the gunk.