The 10 Best Acne Treatments for Every Type of Blemish
Take a peek at our blemish-banishing arsenal.
Byrdie / Kevin Liang
Fact checked by Anna HarrisReviewed by Karen Kagha, MD
Acne and I go way back, specifically to picture day in the seventh grade. I'd gotten a new sweater for the occasion (turtleneck, oatmeal-colored, ribbed, probably from Kohl's) and spent extra time on my taupe shimmery eye shadow, but what stared back at me in the bathroom mirror that morning was my first pimple—a giant one right near the tip of my nose. From that moment on, my breakouts multiplied. I tried dozens upon dozens of products only to continue battling breakouts and the resulting scarring. Thankfully, after seeing a dermatologist and becoming educated on proper skincare, I finally discovered the products that work the best—and the fastest—without doing further damage to my skin. Now, as a 20-something, I've got the best skin of my life and know how to attack a burgeoning breakout (safely and efficiently).
We conducted hours of research on the best acne products, from spot treatments to all-over face masks, evaluating each on the type of treatment, active ingredients, ease of use, and how gentle each formula is on the skin. After consulting with a skin expert and considering dozens of options, we landed on the following picks.
What to Look for in an Acne Treatment
Dermatologist-recommended formulas: While there are many over-the-counter and drugstore acne treatments available, it’s always best to seek the advice of a professional before starting a new regimen. “Take care with active ingredients that exfoliate or increase skin cell turnover,” advises Jonquille Chantrey, M.D., a surgeon, international lecturer, and beauty scientist. “They can work extremely well together but this needs to be directed by a skin expert. I advise anyone interested in truly improving their skin health to obtain a diagnosis and supportive treatment plan.”
Type: From spot treatments to cleansers to masks, there are several treatments for acne. Cleansers, washes, masks, and creams offer preventative measures, while spot treatments are suited to treating surface blemishes and live breakouts.
Active ingredients: Look for ingredients like sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid (but not all in one product!), as these have been shown to help fight acne.Products featuring sulfur or benzoyl peroxide are often used in spot treatments meant for existing breakouts, while others with salicylic acids can be found in cleansers and other products formulated to help prevent acne. Once you find what works with your skin type, try not to use too many actives at once to avoid over-drying your skin and exacerbating any redness.
Best Cleanser: Skinfix Acne+ 2% BHA Cleanser
Amazon
While not a categorical "acne product," the single most important thing I incorporated into my routine was a gentle, moisture-protecting face wash. For a healthy foundation, try a skin-loving cleanser like this variation from Skinfix's acne line. It doesn't contribute to breakouts and it's non-drying, even for sensitive skin.
Formulated with gentle beta hydroxy acids (aka BHAs, a type of chemical exfoliant), this soft, foaming gel formula removes excess oil and dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Plus, with the help of niacinamide, the cleanser also prevents oil from being produced in the first place, thus deterring clogged pores and the resulting acne. Also nice: The addition of azelaic acid (an ingredient known to address hyperpigmentation) calms post-breakout redness and scarring, too.
Best Pimple Patch: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch The Original
Amazon
When it comes to pimple patches, Hero Cosmetics is something many of us on Team Byrdie can agree on. A home run for all skin types and tones, these acne patches are flat, invisible stickers that contain hydrocolloid,a type of sterile dressing used for wound healing. Essentially, these mini patches act like bandaids, expediting healing and preventing acne scarring. They work quickly (in about six hours) to noticeably flatten the spot in question so that a scar doesn't have time to develop. Best of all, they come in several shapes and sizes and with different ingredients, so you can find the right one for your needs.
Best Spot Treatment: Renée Rouleau Anti Bump Solution
Renée Rouleau
People are straight-up obsessed with this acne treatment from Rouleau's line. It's packed with a purified form of lactic acid (a light peeling agent) and it promises to hydrate while exfoliating (aka smoothing) the skin and reducing redness and inflammation. It's also clear, so you can discreetly wear it underneath your makeup or on its own, and it won't dry out your skin and cause flaking like other more harsh treatments. To use it, place a pea-sized dot of product onto your fingertip or a Q-tip. Then gently dab it onto the lesion once daily.
Best Gel: Grown Alchemist Blemish Treatment Gel
Grown Alchemist
I'm always drawn to chic Aussie brand Grown Alchemist for the sleek packaging alone, but the contents inside always greatly deliver, which is a huge bonus. This tiny elixir packs a powerful punch with natural ingredients (like antibacterial willow bark extract and anti-inflammatory Boswellia) to boost collagen and elastin and visibly reduce redness. I put this on a breakout I'd extracted and saw a significant decrease in swelling by the next morning.
Best With Benzoyl Peroxide: Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief
Proactive
Another one of my favorites, this high-powered benzoyl peroxide treatment absorbs quickly into the skin for quick relief. In my experience, blemishes are noticeably smaller come morning. Just be sure to keep the skin moisturized (some of our favorite facial moisturizers can be found here) and only use a pea-sized amount to avoid over-drying the skin.
Best With Salicylic Acid: Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Sephora
This is the brand's bestselling product, and it's easy to see why. The unique leave-on exfoliator is made with a 2% concentration of salicylic acid to unclog pores with each application. It’s gentle enough that it can be used twice daily (though you may have to work your way up to tolerating it this often) and sinks into pores quickly, all thanks to a lightweight, milky texture.
Best Mask: Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask
Sephora
If you want to tackle your face as a whole, give the Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask a try. Thanks to niacinamide, panthenol, beta-glucan, and up-cycled blueberry seed oil, the mask helps to even out skin tone, balance oil production, refine enlarged pores, and support the skin's moisture barrier while you sleep. In short, it's the easiest way to wake up to a visibly improved complexion.
Best With Sulfur: Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment
Face Reality
When you want to zap breakouts on the spot, look to this sulfur spot treatment from Face Reality. Containing a potent combination of sulfur and a proprietary peptide that provides an instant fix for red and inflamed acne lesions, this product is your skincare secret weapon. It blends into the skin easily, making it a great option for day and night use. It's also gentle enough for sensitive skin folks, so you never have to worry about over-drying or causing even more irritation.
Best for Body: Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion
Amazon
When you have stubborn body acne, on your chest, back, or shoulders, you'll want to look for a stronger formula to tackle it. This light lotion contains benzoyl peroxide and is meant to be followed up with moisturizer. Although the concentration is high, the balanced formula also contains ceramides and nourishing extracts to soothe stressed skin. Be sure to apply a thin, light layer to avoid overdoing it and drying out your skin.
Best OTC Retinoid: Differin Adapalene 0.1% Gel
Differin
Another ingredient to be aware of is retinol. Known to be a skincare hero for loads of different issues ranging from wrinkles to acne, retinol (and other retinoids) do it all. After hitting the market in 1996 as a prescription product to help treat acne, Differin was designed to clear breakouts and prevent acne before it begins. Nowadays, you can find the formula over the counter. This is an essential item in anyone's acne-fighting arsenal. It contains a prescription-strength retinoid called Adapalene, which dermatologists recommend specifically for treatment of acne.
A derivative of vitamin A, retinol increases cell turnover, boosts collagen production, and regulates oil production, each of which can help with breakouts. This ingredient isn't for the impatient, though—it takes time. But the results are entirely worth the wait. Why does it take so long? Well, retinoids work more gradually than other skincare ingredients, simply due to their difference in molecular structure and how they're processed in the skin. They can also make the skin a bit sensitive, so starting slowly with a tiny amount is the way to go here. (In the case of Differin, all you need is a pea-sized dot to cover your entire face in a thin layer.)
Differin's gel is great for retinol newbies and ideal for those battling breakouts. In our experience, the product slowly stops breakouts and even addresses post-acne scarring, too. A win-win. (For more about our experience, check out our full review.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best ingredients to treat acne?
“Combinations of different acids, such as salicylic and glycolic, can be used to treat acne,” advises Dr. Chantrey. “Benzoyl peroxide has historically been used as a supporting ingredient.”
Do you apply an acne treatment before or after moisturizer?
This depends upon the formulation. "Generally speaking, the majority of these acids discussed are applied to the skin first,” says Dr. Chantrey. “I advise acne patients to apply moisturizers after spot treatments to deliver light hydration that assists skin barrier function.”
How do you use acne spot treatments?
Most spot treatments are designed to be applied directly onto the area of concern in small volumes. Apply with a cotton swab or a clean finger. Many have a slight tint to them, so it may be best to apply at night and leave on while you sleep, although some can be used during the daytime. Just be sure to wear SPF.
Why Trust Byrdie
Lindsey Metrus is the director of commerce at People, where she leads a team of editors and writers covering products tested by editors, testers, and experts. Previously, she worked at Byrdie, covering a variety of beauty and style topics.
Caitlyn Martyn is a commerce writer on staff at Byrdie, where she covers all things beauty and style. She has been dealing with acne for as long as she can remember and has tried everything on the market to treat her breakouts. After much trial and error (and the help of a trusted esthetician), Caitlyn has found the products that work best for her and her skin.
For this story, we consulted with an expert:
Jonquille Chantrey, M.D., is a surgeon, international lecturer, and beauty scientist.
Read the original article on Byrdie.