Our Top Picks
Best Acne Cream Overall
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
Best Drugstore Acne Cream
Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Treatment Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment
Best Splurge Acne Cream
Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Face Cream
Acne affects millions of people worldwide—ourselves included—from teenagers to adults well into their 40s and beyond. While breakouts can be frustrating and confidence-sapping, the good news is that effective acne spot treatments are more accessible than ever before. Below, we'll explore the most powerful acne-fighting ingredients, cutting-edge formula, and derms-recommended products to help you achieve clear or zit-less skin.
The world of skincare has evolved rapidly in recent years, with advancements in dermatological research leading to more targeted and efficacious acne treatments, including pimple patches. Gone are the days of harsh, one-size-fits-all solutions that leave skin dry and irritated. Today's best acne products combine potent active ingredients with soothing botanicals and innovative delivery systems to combat blemishes while supporting overall skin health.
From salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to retinoids and niacinamide, we'll break down the science behind these powerhouse ingredients and explain how they work to clear your complexion. We'll also delve into the importance of a consistent skincare routine and how to choose products that complement each other for maximum effectiveness.
Pros
Cons
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment is the first FDA-approved over-the-counter retinoid acne treatment containing 0.1% adapalene, a third-generation retinoid derived from vitamin A. This prescription-strength treatment works by regulating cell turnover and reducing inflammation in the skin.
It is less irritating than other retinoids and effective at treating mild to moderate acne. The acne cream boasts a lightweight gel formula with no sticky residue. For mature buyers, the Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment may help reduce fine lines and acne scars.
Key ingredient: Adapalene
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
A very highly helpful Amazon reviewer said: “After using Differin for over a year now (around 14 months, give or take), it works, but you have to stick with it."—Biryani. She then details her acne history, "I had the most terrible acne and it was red and painful. My cheeks were covered all the time and I had no area on my face where acne wouldn't pop up. I had tried so many things: clay masks, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, other AHAs and BHAs, sulfur, rosehip oil and even supplements like zinc and milk thistle, you name it. Nothing worked at all."
This was when she tried the product: "When I started Differin, my skin got much worse and became so sensitive for the first month (purging phase) and remained (but felt a bit better) for 3-4 months. Anticipate that!" She then adds, "Gradually, I saw improvements and it kept improving. Eventually, my skin was so much clearer than before! still had acne, mind you, it's not a miracle drug, but it was few and far in between."
However, she did hit a plateau, "This worked phenomenally at reducing my ugly acne all over my face to a few zits here and there; however, my issue was deeper than that. Eventually, I went to a doctor and got on spironolactone. Now, I am both on my Spiro and this. The combo of these two has made my skin so clear! I could have never imagined this day!" She adds again, "I still need to use this. I have noticed my Spiro is not enough to keep zits at bay and if I skip a couple of nights putting on Differin, new zits come up."
This is her afterthought, "I am so much happier now and have a few blemishes left over from before but honestly don't care, my skin looks way better. I can hide my blemishes with a sheer foundation of spot concealing if I want." She concludes, "The lesson is: be patient and be realistic! Your acne did not appear overnight and will not disappear overnight. If you stick with this, it will work. You just need to be patient and gentle with your skin!"
Pros
Cons
Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Treatment Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment is a daytime acne treatment containing 2.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide as its active ingredient. The drugstore acne cream absorbs quickly, designed for daily use and can be applied to the entire face, not just spot treatment of breakouts.
It is oil-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, dye-free, and fragrance-free. Neutrogena claims that 91% of its users saw improvement in pimples after just about 12 weeks of use. So, then, how to use this? We recommend starting with a once-daily application and gradually increasing it to 2-3 times daily if needed.
Key ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
A helpful Amazon reviewer said: “Drying, but effective."—Regina C. She also adds "Very drying for skin, but do not expect anything with benzoyl peroxide to be moisturizing. I think it works ok, but I usually use in conjunction with other products. BE WARNED, do NOT let it touch under your eyes or they will swell and you will look horrific."
Pros
Cons
Key ingredients: Sunflower oil extract, zinc
Dr. Barbara Sturm rating: 4.9/5 stars
A helpful Dr. Barbara Sturm reviewer said, “I have used this face cream daily for around 6 weeks, and people have been commenting on how well I look!"—Georgia W. (even though at the time she was experiencing baby and sleep deprivation).
Pros
Cons
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
A helpful Amazon reviewer said: "It's really lightweight and absorbs into my skin quickly without it feeling like there's lasting slimy or oily residue remaining. By the same token, my face skin sometimes feels a bit taut and in need of additional or subsequent moisturizer."—Calli, as she picked this up to accompany a few other Tula acne treatment products. It was the Keep it Clear Foam Cleanser, Clear it Up Acne Clearing + Correcting Gel and the Go Away Acne Spot Treatment. She detailed, "Depending on your skin situation, you might consider only applying this moisturizer in your T-Zone or problem areas and applying a more hydrating moisturizer in the less oil-prone areas."
She then adds, "Even though it goes on lightweight, it comes out of its container as a decently thick gel, not runny at all. I think it's a tad thicker than the 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream but they're similar in terms of holding form once I get a dab on my fingers." For the item's scent, this is what she said, "The smell is a tad unpleasant, but not even close to unbearably so and in a "medicated" scent sort of way. It smells clean but not perfumey."
Other things she said, "I've had to alternate cleansers and moisturizers from day to day, or at least morning to night because the targeted combination dried out my skin and chapped or burned it within 2 days of morning and night full routines. I've been alternating the acne products out for the Cult Classic and the Day & Night Cream and my skin is much less irritated, but also staying clear."
She suggested, "I recommend waiting several minutes after applying any of the other acne products and letting the skin settle itself before applying this moisturizer. I've noticed that if I apply it too soon after another salicylic or benzoyl peroxide product, it causes a slight burning sensation. Basically, Tula's acne kit is a tad overkill for my somewhat sensitive skin. While it definitely cleared everything right up, it also caused other types of blemishes and discomfort in the process." She adds, "You 100% should be careful around your lips and use some lip balm before putting this moisturizer on. My lips have been getting dried out from getting traces of it and/or my other products on them." She definitely thinks this stuff has helped her scarring to fade to a lighter appearance (especially in conjunction with the Get Toned 10% Pro-Glycolic Resurfacing Toner (which she hasn't had to switch up to balance out all the other irritants) and the Clear it Up Gel.
"It's hard to say what one item might be pulling the most weight, but it's likely a little of column A and a little of column B. I definitely feel like my oil is under control now, though. I don't feel "supersaturate a blotter/tissue, full-clog-ahead, T-Zone" greasy by lunchtime anymore, just sort of a much more tolerable, more "normal" level of oil/moisture."
On her final note, "All of these products have worked wonders on my face, which seems to mostly be affected by mild monthly hormonal acne breakouts and an all-the-time excessive oil or large pore or visible, dark comedone disposition. I will likely buy this product again unless something falls in my lap. My skin has never been terribly agreeable with me or the products I try, but a friend suggested Tula about a year ago and within days, my skin was clearer and brighter or less sallow.
Pros
Cons
Key ingredients: Sulfur, zinc oxide
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
A helpful Amazon reviewer said: "Wow! Incredible product that miraculously works! If you've ever had a boulder-sized zit begin to rise beneath your skin, you know you're in for days of "ugly." Mine seem to slumber until "that time of the month," then WHAM!…. I've suddenly got one or two hideous and painful, disfiguring red lumps percolating on my face. They've always been too deep to do anything about except endure-until now!"—Dawn Albrecht-parys
She was stunned when she tried the acne cream (for the first time) that it had shrunk a disgusting, red, and painful cystic "boulder" on her cheek by more than half by morning! "The next night, I slathered the "boulder" again and again—was amazed by morning. What had begun as another week-long (or longer) deep, painful, disfiguring giant red "zit" was little more than a minuscule "nothing,"- an invisible, internally dried, itty-bitty bump, invisible-painless-gone!", she adds.
"Whatever is in it—whatever the ingredients—this stuff works! Amazingly so, and incredibly fast. Yes—it's expensive, but it works! You also don't need much; simply a Q-tip full of this clay-like product (but be sure to slather it thickly) spread over the pimple. It dries in 10 minutes, working its bacteria and oil "slurping" properties as you sleep." She detailed, "I've never used anything that's come close to Badescu's Drying Cream—and I hope, hope, hope that those of you who either suffer from these painful, disfiguring "boulders" once a month to get this once in a blue moon, or worst of all—fight them all the time, will please give this product a try! It's that good-really!"
