Best Acne Treatments

If you’re past your teenage years and still dealing with the occasional breakout or even full-on adult acne, you’ve come to the right place. From clarifying face washes, to on-the-spot treatments, creams, gels, peels, and masks, we’ve tested something that’s sure to help clear you up. Read on to find what can help change your bad skin into a well-behaved and acne-free complexion.
For more top picks, check out our guides to concealers, lip balms, and teeth whiteners.
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Face Wash
Clear skin starts with a great face wash. These purifying cleansers will clear your pores and prevent blemishes from forming.
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| IQ Derma Purifying Cleanser $30 IQ Derma Purifying Cleanser is the first step of a new 3-step system that blows all other 3-step systems out of the water. It has a pleasant, fruity smell that can only be from real fruit extract and cleans out pores without overdrying. |
EnPointe Balancé Clarifying Cleanser $32 EnPointe Balancé Clarifying Cleanser has the most amazing strawberry bubblegum scent – but most importantly it uses lactic acid and botanical extracts to restore natural oils and balance out your skin. |
Ocean Cleansing Mudd $44 OSEA, the natural marine-based skincare line, is definitely that – natural and marine-based. Ocean Cleansing Mudd leaves skin feeling smooth, invigorated, and smelling very oceanic. |
Spot Treatments
When it’s merely a spot that needs to be ousted, apply a serum or tonic that will target the blemish. These products all go after zits to fix you up in a hearbeat.
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| Mario Badescu Drying Lotion $17 Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is a best-selling acne spot treatment made with a blend of Calamine and Salicylic Acid to clear up and soothe whiteheads overnight. |
Blemish Potion from Skin Abstract $18 Blemish Potion from Skin Abstract comes in several skin tones to blend in with your natural skin color and/or foundation so you can start healing unsightly pimples both day and night. |
Lather Advanced Blemish Control Serum $29 With a strong peppermint scent and a refreshing kick that lasts about thirty seconds, Lather’s Advanced Blemish Control Serum can be used as an on-the-spot treatment or all over to promote cell turnaround. |
Lotions & Gels
Applying an all-over acne treatment will help prevent breakouts on a daily basis – just add to your morning or evening routine.
Editor’s Pick |
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| Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel $43 This clear gel absorbs into skin quickly, leaving a dewy feel, and helps un-clog pores while you sleep. Bonus: It doesn’t make skin red or flakey. |
Somme Institute A-Bomb $70 Somme Institute A-Bomb is a quick-penetrating, lightweight cream with a unique lemon smell. Its fancy Molecular Dispersion Technology is found exclusively in Somme products. |
Tammy Fender Clarifying Dermagel $72 Tammy Fender Clarifying Dermagel has a fantastic myrrh smell and extremely cool feeling on the skin. It helps with redness and scarring from pimples, leaving skin smoother and restored. |
Peels & Masks
Applying a peel or mask once or twice a week is an effective way to preempt breakouts and keep skin looking nice all the time.
Bargain Buy |
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| Clinique Deep Cleansing Emergency Mask $20 Clinique Deep Cleansing Emergency Mask is a clay-based treatment for oily, pore-clogged skin. They recommend you use it for a 5-minute quick fix or a 20-minute pampering session – if you’re going to take the time to apply this thick cream to your face you might as well go for the full session. |
French Green Clay Clarifying Mask from Artisan Naturals $38 French Green Clay Clarifying Mask from Artisan Naturals has a thick, creamy mud consistency that resembles guacamole. An intense cooling sensation overcomes the skin as it dries, leaving skin taught and bright. |
Prescriptives Instant Gratification Skin Renewal Peel $45 Prescriptives’s Instant Gratification Skin Renewal Peel warms immediately on the skin, opening pores for the good stuff to get in. After leaving on for five minutes you wet your hands and rub the granuals into your skin sloughing away dead skin cells. |
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