Have you ever noticed that pimples tend to present themselves at the worst times possible? Usually they arrive the morning that you’re supposed to give a big presentation at work or when you’re finally supposed to meet the blind date that your friend has been trying to talk you into for months. This can leave you less than confident and ready to call in sick or cancel, at least until your blemish has decided to pull an Elvis and “leave the building”.

While there is no way to make a pimple magically disappear (wouldn’t that be nice?), there are things you can do to minimize the amount of time that it remains a huge bulls-eye on your face. One option is to get in with your dermatologist immediately, but this route can be expensive and involve using creams or medications that you may not want to put on or in your body.

Thankfully, there are some all-natural remedies that works just as well, if not more so. And the best part is that most can be made right with the ingredients you already have in your home, which means that you can start to treat them right away.

Here are a few to consider:

Honey and Cinnamon

This combination of ingredients is known for everything from helping you control your blood sugar levels to increasing the strength of your immune system. As it turns out, it is also beneficial to helping you treat your pimples, especially when applied at their onset.

Simply make a paste with ½ teaspoon of each, being sure to mix it thoroughly. Then, place the mixture directly on the affected area and let it sit for 15 minutes to half an hour before wiping it off with a splash of warm water. You can also use this remedy overnight, but you’ll probably want to cover it with a bandage of some sort to keep it from wiping off on your pillow.

Lavender Oil

Another natural remedy for those of you who like aromatic oils is lavender. This particular oil is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, which is what makes it so powerful for healing blemishes. Some even say that it can help relieve sinusitis if you struggle with this type of issue.

To use it, mix a couple of drops with a little bit of water to dilute it slightly, then put it on your blemish. Because this particular remedy is so gentle on the skin, it doesn’t need to be wiped off like the honey and cinnamon.

Tea Tree Oil

Granted, tea tree oil may not be something that you ordinarily have just lying around the house, but making sure you get it may just shorten the life span of any pimple that tries to take up residence under your skin. It isn’t overly expensive and can be extremely effective whether you have an occasional zit or are constantly plagued with acne.

Much like lavender, tea tree oil kills the bacteria that threaten your smooth, clear face. It doesn’t have as flowery of a scent, but if you’re okay with a woodsy smell, then you’ll like this particular option. Plus, it doesn’t damage your skin like peroxide-based cleaners and treatments can, keeping you from having to deal with the results, such as skin that itches, burns, or peels.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Even if this ingredient is too pungent for your taste buds, it can work wonders when it comes to treating your blemishes. In fact, if you can handle its odor, you can even use it as a toner and astringent for your daily skin care ritual. It will give you a beautiful glow, reduce your fine lines and wrinkles, and limit your number of blemishes, making it a great overall skin care product.

Create a mixture of one part apple cider vinegar to two parts of water and dab it all over your face, being sure to hit your blemishes in the process. No need to wipe this treatment remedy off your face either and, don’t worry about the smell as it won’t last for long.

Baking Soda

Another ingredient found in most every home is baking soda. While it is often used in desserts such as cookies and brownies, it is also beneficial for healing any pimple that may suddenly appear. The properties in it open your pores, fight acne-causing bacteria, and remove any dead skin that may keep your face from shimmering beautifully.

To use it, mix it with a little bit of water, just enough to make a thick paste. Put it on your zit for a couple of minutes, letting it dry just a little, and then remove it with a splash of warm water.

Egg Whites

While mixing up your egg white omelet for breakfast, set some of the whites aside and dab them on your blemish to help it clear up as quickly as possible. This part of the egg is known for its healing properties, which is why you need to use that portion versus the yolk.

Let it sit for a couple of minutes (long enough to eat your delectable morning meal), and then use a warm cloth to remove it. You can also use egg whites to minimize the appearance of scars and age spots, giving you double the results.

Now, go to your pantry and pick out the ingredient that suits you most the next time you want to deal with an unsightly blemish. While it is true that they may appear whenever they want, it doesn’t mean that you have to let them stay.