27 Best acne treatments of 2023

If you’ve been suffering from acne, know that you’re not alone. Acne is incredibly common, and there are numerous causes. And while you should contact a dermatologist to understand your specific acne woes, you can also use over-the-counter acne treatments.

We’ve rounded up the best acne treatments of 2023 that are available today. Welcome to bright, glowing skin and your acne-free future.

1. Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser

Start your skin care routine with the best acne treatment of 2023. Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser from Blu Atlas starts your acne treatment routine with a blast of pore-clearing freshness. It’s a gently exfoliating formula that keeps pores clean and is suitable for all skin types.

Exfoliants remove dirt, grime, dead skin cells, and bacteria that clog pores and cause acne. The cleanser also helps balance the natural pH of your skin. Made with plants, fruits, and minerals of 98% natural origins, it’s safe for the skin and uses premium ingredients.

Volcanic ash (bentonite) absorbs excess oil that causes acne, eliminates impurities, and helps diminish the appearance of pores. Lactobacillus ferment filtrate is a natural soothing material supporting the skin’s overall health while scrubbing pores. Pomegranate seed oil is full of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals and reduces signs of aging.

Blu Atlas, along with their medical advisory board, formulated a product that’s great for the skin and helps solve one of the most common skin issues—acne. The formula helps skin stay clear of irritants and keeps pores from debris and dirt.

There’s already so much to love about the Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser. But it also comes in three popular varieties: classic, coconut apricot, and fragrance-free.

2. CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

Gentle, effective, and ridiculously affordable, CeraVe’s Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser is a popular acne treatment product. The formula uses gentle ingredients like hyaluronic acid to moisturize skin and keep it from drying out and ceramides to nourish the top layer of skin. Four perfect benzoyl peroxide is the acne killer. It targets the bacteria that clog pores and cause breakouts.

While the cleanser is great for all skin types, if you have sensitive skin, start by using the product once per day and work your way up to using it twice daily.

3. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

The Ordinary is a brand that prides itself on simple, effective skin and hair care items that work for its customers. Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is just that, a suspension with 10% azelaic acid that treats dull, tired skin, redness, discoloration, and acne. Apply the treatment to freshly washed skin to start clearing acne, blemishes, and uneven skin tones. Affordable and effective, it’s one of the best acne treatments of 2023.

4. Differin Adalpene Gel 0.1%

This acne-fighting treatment used to be available only with a prescription. That’s how you know it’s an incredible zit and pimple buster. It’s an affordable prescription-strength retinoid that exfoliates and unclogs hair follicles, keeping skin clear and free from acne.

5. Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion

You don’t need to dream of acne-free days any longer. Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion is a simple acne treatment that helps reduce acne-riddled skin. Benzoyl peroxide works its way into pores, eliminates oil, clears away dead skin cells, and helps minimize breakouts. Other clean ingredients soothe redness and eliminate irritation. It offers the best of both worlds because it helps clear away acne and prevent new breakouts. Get a clearer complexion today with one of the best acne treatments of 2023.

6. GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment

Clear acne while you get your glow on with an intense face mask. The Supermud Clearing Treatment is a once-weekly, deep-cleansing facial that clears pores of dead skin cells, dirt, and product build-up. And with a blend of lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and more, it’s an extreme breakout blaster.

If you suffer from intense breakouts, you can use the product 2-3 times per week. It’s free from phthalates, sulfates, parabens, soap, silicones, oil, petrolatum, and drying alcohol. This mask work is one of our top picks, making it one of the best acne treatments of 2023.

7. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum

Skin sometimes needs help controlling oil and sebum that cause acne and blemishes. The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control serum helps the skin and hair follicles naturally control oil levels while reducing the appearance of clogged pores. Use the serum morning and night to minimize visible shine and diminish the appearance of pores.

8. Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Acne Facial Cleanser

Don’t overlook grocery store acne treatments. They’re cost-effective and often include many of the same ingredients as expensive acne treatments. Not only is this treatment an incredible price, but you get two of the best acne-fighting ingredients. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide help unclog pores, remove dirt and dead skin cells, and keep skin clear of excess oil.

We recommend this treatment for men and women who want a combination cleanser with two of the best acne-clearing ingredients. We hear from reviewers that the cleanser works really well for those who struggle with hormonal acne.

9. Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Daily Cleanser

Are you dealing with clogged pores? The Detoxifying Daily Cleanser removes excess oil and dead skin cells and clears away clogged pores to fight blemishes. Charcoal, tomato extract, and salicylic acid work their way onto the skin to remove impurities and kill bacteria that cause acne. The daily cleanser is simple, but that’s what makes it so effective. Use it twice daily to start getting rid of acne today.

10. The INKEY List C-50 Blemish Night Treatment

C-50 Blemish Night Treatment is a treatment for acne that you don’t have to fuss with. It’s an easy-to-use, overnight treatment that combats common causes of acne all night long. Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin while keeping pores clear and clean. It’s super simple to use; just add a thin layer to acne-affected areas and leave it on all night. And it works well with all skin types!

11. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser

You’ve probably seen this bottle floating around a friend or family member’s home. It’s one of the most popular acne face washes out there. Oil-Free Acne Wash is a simple cleanser that you can use in the morning and evening to prevent breakouts and eliminate blemishes. As one of the most affordable acne treatments available, we recommend this to anyone who wants a simple acne solution that doesn’t cost much.

12. Mighty Patch

The Mighty Patch is a simple solution for whiteheads. Place the hydrocolloid patch onto a zit, and the patch will suck out the impurities that have clogged pores. Patches remove impurities and clear clogged pores so you can have smoother, healthier skin. The best time to use a patch is at night. Wash the skin, then apply a patch once the skin is dry. Pull off the patch the next morning and witness clear skin underneath!

13. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

Don’t let Dry Lotion from Mario Badescu trick you. It’s actually an incredible acne spot treatment. Safe for all skin types, you can use it as a quick spot treatment or leave it on all night to truly rid yourself of whiteheads. The treatment is easy to use. Drop a clean q-tip into the bottom of the bottle, then apply onto the acne. After leaving on overnight, you should have visibly reduced spots in the morning. We love this product because it’s affordable and effective, which is what makes it one of the best acne treatments of 2023.

14. ZitSticka Killa Microdart Patch

It’s a sticker even teenagers and adults can enjoy. Killa Microdart Patch is an acne-fighting sticker that releases precise ingredients to a targeted area. Here’s how it works. With a “cleana” swab (it comes in the package with the stickers), you clean the area where you want to apply the pimple patch. Once the area is dry, you can apply the pimple patch and allow microdarts to dissolve into the skin. Leave the patch on for two hours minimum, or even better, leave it on overnight to treat the skin. After treatment, your skin should be visibly clearer, less red, and ready to rock and roll.

15. Glossier Zit Stick

A spot treatment that’s prepped and ready to go, Glossier Zit Stick is an easy spot treatment that clears away zits. Toss it in your bag or take it with you on your next trip. This acne pen is an easy solution to an annoying pimple problem. Powerful ingredients like tea tree oil, capryloyl salicylic acid, and 5% benzoyl peroxide clear away blemishes while getting rid of the bacteria that cause them. We recommend the Zit Stick to anyone who wants to dry out acne spots but doesn’t have a whole lot of time.

16. Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel

We’ve got the solution for clogged pores and whiteheads, Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel. This treatment acts as a spot treatment to keep your skin clear. Salicylic acid, a.k.a. the secret weapon in this adorable bottle, eliminates excess oil, exfoliates pores, and keeps skin clear of acne. The other ingredients in the gel soothe the skin, while potent salicylic acid removes dead skin cells, dirt, and debris. It’s an excellent choice for a nighttime acne treatment as it works all night but isn’t too intense for the skin.

17. Vichy Normaderm S.O.S. Acne Rescue Spot Corrector

Cystic acne is no joke. It’s hard to treat, and it’s even harder to find products that treat it and get the job done. Using a blend of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory ingredients, the formula reduces irritation and makes skin smoother. 10% sulfur, glycolic acid, and niacinamide work together to absorb quickly into the skin and treat active pimples and blemishes. It’s oil-free and non-comedogenic, so you don’t have to worry about clogged pores or new spots.

18. AcneFree Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment

Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment has spots and blemishes running from your face, and they definitely won’t be back. Instead, you can get rid of pimples quickly without drying out your skin. The treatment combines 10% benzoyl peroxide with sea whip, ginger, and chamomile, eliminating zits and blemishes while soothing and calming the skin. You can use this spot treatment up to three times daily to reduce redness and destroy bacteria that cause acne.

19. INNBeauty Project Pimple Paste

If your skin is constantly breaking out and suffering from inflammation, you may need this sulfur-based acne treatment. Full of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps decrease inflammation, redness, and irritation. Pimple Paste uses azelaic acid, witch hazel, tea tree oil, and sulfur to treat blemishes, breakouts, and zits. The best way to use it is as a simple overnight acne treatment. Apply a thin layer of liquid to the desired acne-ridden areas and then rinse it away the next morning to see your clarified face.

20. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner

Tighten up pores with a well-known acne and facial toner. Effaclar Clarifying Solution is an acne toner that exfoliates the skin. Using glycolic acid and salicylic acid, the liquid eliminates dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria that cause clogged pores. The toner helps revitalize skin and make it feel fresh and alive.

21. JORI Daily Leave-On Acne Treatment Mask

Full of plants and botanicals, the Daily Leave-On Acne Treatment Mask is an at-home spa treatment that helps get rid of acne. Use this mask once or twice weekly. The mask uses benzoyl peroxide and many botanical extracts to reduce inflammation, clear pores, and reduce blemishes. While the treatment is a bit more on the expensive side, we think it’s the perfect splurge for men and women who want a little luxury acne treatment.

22. Skinfix Acne+ 2% BHA Acne Spot Treatment

Skinfix is a popular skincare brand that treats skin concerns like eczema. They also have excellent products for acne-ridden faces, like the Acne + 2% BHA Acne Spot Treatment. 10% azelaic acid and 2% salicylic acid dive into the skin and kill bacteria that cause acne, remove dead skin cells that clog pores, and reduce inflammation. While the spot treatment is hard at work, it also minimizes old acne marks and diminishes hyperpigmentation. We recommend this acne treatment to guys and gals who want a spot treatment that clears blemishes and also reduces skin discoloration.

23. Skinceuticals Purifying Cleanser Gel

This cleanser is anything but basic. Skinceuticals is well known for its rich, decadent skincare products, and the Purifying Cleanser Gel is no different. It’s a luxury face wash that exfoliates, hydrates, and cleanses at the same time. The cleanser uses a gentle, acne-fighting ingredient, glycolic acid, to keep pores clear and free from dirt and bacteria. Using the wash every morning and night will leave skin clear from blemishes and help smoothen out the skin. We love this lavish face wash for its ability to address many skin concerns with one cleanser.

24. Sunday Riley U.F.O. Acne Treatment Face Oil

An oil for acne treatment, we know we sound insane. Sunday Riley’s U.F.O. Acne Treatment Face Oil doesn’t villanize oils. Instead, they put oils to work for them that can work alongside acne-fighting ingredients to eliminate acne and reclaim fresh, clear skin. Salicylic acid, tea tree oil, cumin seed oil, and licorice root target blemishes, reduce inflammation and dark spots, and support brighter, healthier skin.

25. Cortizone-10 Creme with Aloe

If you’ve ever experienced an incredibly painful acne bump under your skin, a.k.a. a blind pimple, then you know how hard it is to treat them. These pimples are painful to touch, and because they’re burrowed deep under the skin, they’re hard to treat. Cortizone-10 Creme with Aloe is a soothing treatment for these painful bumps. Use it with a combination of benzoyl peroxide gel and salicylic gel to treat and get rid of blind pimples. It’s a soothing treatment that acne needs to reduce inflammation and irritation.

26. Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense

Finding a truly great acne treatment for mature skin is hard. We know because we checked. Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense is a light serum that does the job no one else can, eliminating acne while reducing signs of aging. Skinceuticals uses a unique blend of clean ingredients to offer skin these unique benefits. Salicylic acid, LHA, and dioic acid take care of breakouts and clogged pores, while glycolic and citric acid work to diminish fine lines and wrinkles and plump up the skin. We recommend this product to anyone with mature skin who struggles with pesky breakouts, spots, and bumps.

27. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment

Struggling with small red bumps that never disappear? Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment can remove those painful zits so you can start enjoying your skin again. This best-selling spot treatment has 5.5% benzoyl peroxide and lipo-hydroxy acid to get rid of painful acne. The spot treatment should show improvement in three days or less. The liquid absorbs into the skin quickly, reducing blackheads, pimples, blemishes, and whiteheads. We recommend this acne spot treatment to anyone who wants fast progress and to remove painful acne.

A guide to acne and acne treatments

If you’re dealing with painful spots and breakouts, then you probably don’t want to waste your time researching every acne product on the market. We’ll give you the best information to treat acne and regain confidence.

What causes acne?

While acne can be caused by many things, they all have one thing in common. Acne is a clogged pore that is full of bacteria, dead skin cells, or sebum in your hair follicle.

The gist is that every hair follicle has a hair and an oil gland. The oil gland sends the sebum, which the oil gland creates, up the hair and out of the pore. The sebum’s job is to keep skin hydrated. But as you may have noticed, all it takes is an overactive oil gland to produce excessive sebum, which then can mix with dead skin cells and bacteria, and bam, you’re looking at a clogged pore—a.k.a. acne.

How to choose an acne treatment product

If you’re ready to buy an acne treatment today, there are a few things to be aware of.

Ingredients

The most important factor when buying an acne treatment is the ingredients. The ingredients will make or break your new skin care routine. So be sure to focus on the ingredients as you write your shopping list.

A few great ingredients to clear acne are benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, and adapalene.

How severe is your acne

To treat your acne properly, you’ll need to know your type of acne.

Mild acne is the small stuff, like blackheads and whiteheads. It’s not painful, but it’s annoying when it pops up. Moderate acne is inflammatory red bumps and spots called papules and pustules. Severe acne is inflammatory and causes painful bumps and lumps under the skin. These include nodules and cysts, which can form under the skin and are hard to treat.

Price

Getting rid of acne can be expensive, especially when you consider the fact that you may need to change your diet and lifestyle. Something to be aware of though is that you’ll need to combine acne treatments to get the best results.

How to use acne treatment products

Every acne treatment product is unique, and the best way to get the most from each product is to follow the directions. Here are some basic directions for acne treatment products.

Cleanser

Get the face wet, and then squeeze a dime-sized amount of product onto your fingertips. Gently rub the product onto your face in an upward motion. Ensure the whole face is clean before rinsing off.

Gel, serum, or oil

After you’ve washed the face, dry it off to prepare it for your gel, serum, or oil. Put a small amount of product onto your ring finger, then apply the product either as a spot treatment on specific acne bumps or all over the face. Use gentle movements that don’t push or pull the skin. Allow the product to absorb into the skin before applying a moisturizing layer.

Patch

Ensure skin is clean and dry before applying a patch. Gently press the patch onto the acne-affected area and leave it. Remove the patch after the appropriate time has passed. Patches are best as an overnight treatment.

Top skin care tips when using acne products

Treating acne is just one aspect of your skin care routine. There are many additional ways you can support skin to reduce acne.

• Cleanse facial skin twice daily if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Washing the face twice will remove common irritants, dirt, and dead skin cells. Use a gentle face wash with no harsh scrub features like scrubs or masks.

• Always apply the correct amount of product to your face. Don’t overapply acne products because this can stress out the skin and cause more issues.

• Stay away from irritants and harmful substances. Products that are oily or greasy, like sunscreen or hair products, can affect acne. Look for products that are non-comedogenic or water-based.

• Avoid touching the face and acne. Also, don’t squeeze acne to make it pop because this causes scarring and sometimes infections.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a home remedy for acne?

It’s unlikely that a home remedy can fix acne completely. While you may stumble across a home remedy that works wonders for your skin, acne often needs some of the more intense ingredients, like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, to effectively treat acne.

Which acne treatment is best for sensitive skin?

People with sensitive skin should use mild acne treatments. Azelaic acid treatments, with a low percentage, work well for men and women with sensitive skin. Salicylic acid with a low concentration works well too.

How fast will my acne treatment work?

It depends on the ingredients in your acne treatment. Many acne treatments will show improvements after four to six weeks. Some treatments take even longer, though, and people see results after two months. If you’ve been using the same treatment for more than two months and there’s no progress, speak with your dermatologist about a new treatment plan.