Okay, so let’s be real: A cold sore is not the sort of thing you want to see on your Tinder match, let alone your own face. They can really screw with your self esteem, and it feels like they take forever to heal. A bit like Britney circa 2007, really – it’s so bad, you can’t look away.

Don’t stress – we got you. We heard about this little trick years ago when author and founder of Go-To Skincare,  Zoe Foster-Blake, whispered it in our ear one day. It works like a charm, we swear.

So, here it is – the cold sore cure that has evaded medical science and #sadgirls for decades. Nail polish remover. Yes, really. That’s it.

Here’s a walk-through:

1. Dip a Q-tip in 100% acetone nail polish remover
2. Hold it onto the cold sore for about 10 minutes (it’ll sting like hell, but just do it, cry baby)
3. Let it dry
4. Fill a plastic bag with ice, and hold it over the sore (place a tissue in between the bag and your face) for 20 minutes
5. Repeat every few hours (until you see results)

Use your common sense here – if it irritates your skin, stop. Drink loads of water through a straw, and take Lysine tablets to help with the healing process from the inside out.

Thanks so much, ZFB.

If you want to read even more about Cold Sores, our friends over at Health Ambition have you sorted.

Take off that paper bag, girl. You look fine.