Can Vicks VapoRub reduce acne and pimples?

An Instagram post claims applying Vicks VapoRub on pimples can reduce acne.

"Just by applying Vicks on pimple area as a spot treatment overnight head reduce acne and pimples. It also helps improve skin tone. Also works to reduce cold and cough," read the post.'

Vicks VapoRub is a basically popular topical ointment that works as a cough suppressant. VapoRub is a topical cough medicine with medicated vapors. It starts working quickly for adults as well to relieve cough symptoms.

FACT CHECK

According to Healthline, "Plenty of anecdotes say that dotting a cystic acne flare-up with a bit of Vicks and leaving it on overnight will shrink your zit by morning. Some of the ingredients in Vicks VapoRub are known pimple fighters, so this home remedy isn't totally unfounded. But other ingredients, specifically petroleum jelly, have actually been shown to make acne worse in the long run."

The article quoting sources say the risks outweigh the possible benefits.

Moreover, the usage of Vicks VapoRub on the skin has proved to be really harmful.

"A 78-year-old, African-American female presented with newly acquired depigmented areas on the perinasal and perioral skin. The patient was blind, but caretakers noticed the change shortly after she applied Vicks VapoRub to her upper and lower cutaneous lip as well as on and around her nose for several consecutive days (Figure 1). She denied irritation or pruritus of the area, and there was no report of precipitating erythema or eczematous-type reaction in the depigmented areas," a study reveals.

Vicks VapoRup may seem like a miraculous short-term treatment for acne or pimple but in the long run, it may cause serious complications.

Hence, the claim is false.