Why is it that whenever I have a party to go to I wake up with a face full of acne? I’ve tried most of the old wives’ tales but is there actually any proven way of getting rid of them in a few hours? Mark, via contact form

If talking about the Swedish label best known for turning out understated, modern classics, I’m all for waking up covered in the stuff, but unfortunately ‘acne’ here refers to red, angry-looking zits.

There are two parts to Mark’s question. The first asked why, when we go to bed praying for clear skin, we wake up with the devil trying to escape from our pores. The answer to that is sod’s law. The second part, wisely, goes after a fast fix.

A zit is essentially a swollen follicle, clogged with a nasty cocktail of sebum, dirt, dead skin cells and bacteria. The bad news is we men are more susceptible to these breakouts than women, on account having of thicker, oilier skin. The good news is there are ways to minimize their appearance and regain a clear complexion. The first step in getting shot of any spot is to assess what stage it is at and determine the best treatment.

“If the spot is red and inflamed with no signs of infection (i.e. pus), the main aim is to reduce inflammation and swelling,” explains skincare expert Andy Millward.

In this case, Millward suggests applying a “topical anti-inflammatory”. These products typically contain ingredients such as willowherb, totarol, bisabolol or chamomile and will help reduce the redness and make the spot less noticeable.

Millward also suggests applying ice to the area for a few seconds then repeating every few minutes. “This constricts blood flow to the area, therefore reducing the inflammation and swelling.”

If, on the other hand, pus is visible, it’s time to turn up the heat. “Increasing blood flow to the area supports the healing process. Using a warm compress or gentle steam to open the pore helps draw the infection out quicker,” he adds.