We all know what it's like to be super stressed for a big event, only to become more stressed once you wake up with a pimple directly in the middle of your forehead. Unfortunately, everyone seems to only focus on how to prevent acne, not how to heal it once it's already there. You don't want to use abrasive facial scrubs that will only irritate it further, but you don't want to sit there and do nothing. Whether your acne-prone skin has been a problem for years, or whether this is the first not-so-beauty mark that you've seen in months, there are a few solutions to help your skin heal perhaps overnight.

Tomato Juice

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Since tomatoes are acidic, tomato juice is perfect for drying up acne. It's still mellow enough to keep your skin healthy, so this is a great alternative for people with sensitive skin who want to avoid abrasive cleansers. Take any tomato from your kitchen cabinet (ideally, a fresh one that's still juicy) and squeeze the juice onto a cotton ball. Dab the juice on the desired area and allow it to dry. Wash your face after a few hours and marvel at how small your pimple now is.

Toothpaste

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No longer just for brushing teeth, toothpaste has saved me numerous times the night prior to a special date. The only requirement is that the toothpaste has to be completely white, since colored ones could potentially stain your skin. Apply a small dot directly on a pimple and leave it for at least three to four hours. For best results, you can leave it on overnight, as long as you don't roll around too much when you sleep. You don't want to find it smeared all over your face the next morning.

Tea Tree Oil

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After waking up and seeing a red pimple on my nose that was bright enough to lead Santa's sleigh, I searched through my cabinets and found this little bottle of magic. Tea tree oil is known for being a strong disinfectant, which is perfect for acne. For sensitive skin, I would recommend using a mixture of two-parts water with one-part oil, since it can be quite tough and potentially burn one's skin if not careful. I find that tea tree oil works best for those painful, under-the-skin type of zits.

Honey and Sugar Mixture

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If you're looking to get rid of those pesky blackheads around your nose or those irritating bumps that frame your hairline, honey and sugar does the trick every time. You can experiment with the ratio between honey and sugar depending on how sensitive your skin is (since too much sugar could irritate your face). The mixture can either be used as a shower scrub that is only applied for a few minutes or an hour-long facial treatment. Hopefully you're not left too sticky once everything is over!

Lemon Juice

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If you're looking for something stronger than a tomato peel, look to the other side of your kitchen. Lemon's acidic qualities can almost immediately dry out any painful pimples. Personally, lemon juice works best for my chin and forehead, since the skin on my cheek is a little too delicate for its power. Take a small amount of lemon juice (preferably straight from a lemon, not from a bottle of lemonade) and press it directly on the zit. Depending on your skin type, I would rinse your face after no more than ten minutes. For best results, use the remaining lemon in a relaxing cup of tea.

Apple Cider Vinegar

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If you hate vinegar (like me), you may be a little apprehensive about this one. But, once you get past that potent smell, you see how life-changing this product truly is. Simply apply a few drops to a cotton swab and hold it against your skin for 2-20 minutes (depending on how long you can really handle that smell) and within hours, your acne will be significantly lighter if not entirely gone. This has also helped me with pesky cold sores during the winter.

Even though most people rush to find a solution to their pimples seconds after finding them, we have to remember that acne is inevitable and natural. There's nothing wrong with wanting to get rid of it, but no need to try mixing lemon juice with vinegar and a dash of tea tree oil in hopes that three is better than one because, trust me, it isn't.