The 13 Best Acne Spot Treatments of 2023

Best Overall

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

4.9

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The La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment with Benzoyl Peroxide is a fan favorite among dermatologists, estheticians, and consumers, too. This pick fights acne effectively thanks to multiple beneficial ingredients within the formula. 

Anar Mikailov, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Skintensive recommends this La Roche-Posay product to his patients. “Benzoyl peroxide is good for spot treatment as it works against acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation,” he explains. “This one is paired with lipo-hydroxy-acid, a salicylic acid derivative that’s gentle and effective in increasing keratinocyte turnover.”

People with very sensitive skin might want to start slowly with this product, or choose another acne treatment from this list. Some skin types don’t tolerate benzoyl peroxide well, so it’s important to do a patch test on your wrist or neck before applying to your face. 

Price at time of publication: $23

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Cream | Size: 0.7 ounces | Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide}

Best Budget

Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment

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The Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment has been around for a long, long time, and is a tried-and-true formula when it comes to treating acne. This pick is only $11 and can be easily found at most drugstores. 

We love this pick because it’s less irritating than other acne spot treatments on the market—it contains 2% salicylic acid and witch hazel, which works to soothe skin while treating acne. “The Clean & Clear Advantage spot treatment reduces the size and redness of pimples in just about four hours and goes on clear without residue,” explains DeRosa. 

Because this formula goes on clear, you can use it during the day under your moisturizer and makeup. Unfortunately, this formula does contain fragrance, so if you are sensitive to scent, this pick might not be ideal for you.

Price at time of publication: $11

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Gel | Size: 0.75 ounces | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, witch hazel}

Best Drugstore

Clearasil Rapid Rescue Spot Treatment Cream

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Formulated with 10% benzoyl peroxide, the Clearasil Rapid Rescue Spot Treatment Cream will start working on your breakouts in just four hours. It’s a very lightweight gel that spreads easily onto skin. We love that this option can be found at most drugstores nationwide and only costs $12. 

DeRosa likes to recommend this pick to her patients. “The Clearasil Rapid Rescue Spot Treatment Cream has a pleasant smell and will not over-dry the skin,” she explains. “It clears acne in under three days.”

Because this formula contains a high-strength benzoyl peroxide, some people might find it a little bit irritating. If you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, be sure to use this product only a few times a week, or every other night, until your skin gets used to it. Additionally, benzoyl peroxide is known to stain fabrics, so make sure you wash your hands after application and sleep on white pillowcases.

Price at time of publication: $12

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Gel | Size: 1 ounce | Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide}

Best Pimple Patches

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch The Original

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Pimple patches are one of the best ways to heal a blemish fast. This pick from Hero Cosmetics is a best-seller because it does a great job of sticking to your blemish and absorbing pus from a pimple. 

Pimple patches work in two ways. First, they act as a kind of protective seal around the skin, preventing you from picking at your blemish or anything else further irritating your pimple. Second, the hydrocolloid patch effectively drains the pus from your pimple, allowing it to appear less raised on the skin and healer than much quicker. 

While pimple patches work well for whiteheads and cysts that are coming to the surface, they don’t really treat blackheads or deep cysts that are trapped under the skin. You might want to opt for a spot treatment with an active ingredient if you are dealing with either of those types of acne. 

Price at time of publication: $13

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Patch | Size: 36 patches | Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid}

Best for Redness

Naturium Sulfur Spot Treatment

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One of the less popular, yet effective acne-fighting ingredients is sulfur. The Naturium Sulfur Spot Treatment works to gently reduce the appearance of blemishes and redness, while niacinamide and fermented reishi work to brighten your complexion, too. 

“Sulfur isn’t as popular of an acne treatment due to its smell,” explains Mikailov.  “However, its drying, keratolytic, and antibacterial properties help reduce acne lesions, especially for those with more sensitive skin who cannot tolerate adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, or any hydroxy acids.”

Sulfur is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that can help reduce the appearance of redness on the skin. Unfortunately, it can also be a bit drying as well. Sulfur isn’t as strong of an ingredient as retinols or benzoyl peroxide, but you should still use with caution when applying to your breakouts. 

Price at time of publication: $13

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Cream | Size: 0.5 ounces | Active Ingredients: Sulfur, niacinamide}

Best for Hyperpigmentation

Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen

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We love the Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen for many reasons—it contains ingredients not commonly used in spot treatments, it treats hyperpigmentation effectively, and it comes in an innovative pen application. 

“In addition to salicylic acid, which helps unclog pores, this pick also contains lactic acid and azelaic acid,” explains Mikailov. “Azelaic acid in particular has anti-bacterial with keratolytic properties, as well as anti-inflammatory and brightening benefits. This helps to not only treat existing acne, but also minimize hyperpigmentation caused by acne, too.”

While we love the formula, the packaging design is a bit finicky. Some folks complain that they aren’t able to get product out of the pump effectively. 

Price at time of publication: $20

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Gel | Size: 0.34 ounces | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, lactic acid, azelaic acid, tea tree oil}

Best for Hormonal Acne

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment

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The Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment has a relatively low percentage of benzoyl peroxide (only 2.5%) and is less irritating to the skin than other spot treatments on this list. It’s only $11 and widely available, too.

DeRosa is a big fan of this pick for her patients. “The Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment has 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and works invisibly,” she says. “Ideal for acne-prone skincare, this spot treatment cream has clinically proven effectiveness with no burning and won't dry out the skin.”

Like all benzoyl peroxide products, you need to be careful with clothing, towels, and linens when using this product, as it can stain fabrics easily. 

Price at time of publication: $11

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Cream | Size: 0.75 ounces | Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide}

Best Retnoid

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

4.6

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Differin gel is unlike other acne spot treatments on the market because it contains a special form of retinoid that you won’t find in many other acne products at your local drugstore. 

Mikailov knows how effective Differin Gel can be for his patients. “Adapalene was previously prescription-only, but since 2016, the 0.1% gel version is available over the counter,” he explains. “It is a type of retinoid that’s been shown to treat acne more effectively than other retinoids and is also better tolerated, meaning less inflammation and irritation. It actually pairs very well with benzoyl peroxide as a combo spot treatment.”

Because Differin Gel contains a retinoid, it’s important to start low and slow and work your way up to tolerating it every night. Some people might find this formula to be irritating. Additionally, your skin might “purge” with acne before it gets better—try to stick with it if you can. Make sure to wear sunscreen every day while using a retinoid, as it can make your skin more prone to sunburn. 

Price at time of publication: $36

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Gel | Size: 1.6 ounces | Active Ingredients: Adapalene}

Best for Sensitive Skin

Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Clearing Serum

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While yes, the Sofie Pavitt Mandelic Clearing Serum has more of a watery, serum consistency than a thick spot treatment feel, it works just as well as a targeted treatment for problem skin. Especially for people with sensitive, acne-prone skin. This pick is the first in the celebrity esthetician’s skin care line, Sofie Pavitt Face.

The key ingredient in this formula is, you guessed it: mandelic acid. Unlike other acids that are harsher on the skin, mandelic acid is a gentle ingredient that lightly exfoliates dead skin cells over time. By lifting away dead skin cells, you are preventing clogged pores and bacteria buildup, which can lead to acne. 

Not only will this pick treat acne, but it also helps to brighten, calm, and moisturize your skin, thanks to the added hyaluronic acid and panthenol. While we love how well this works on acne, it’s not an overnight quick-fix. You’ll need to use it frequently to begin to see results. Unfortunately, it’s only available online and is on the pricier side at $54 per bottle.

Price at time of publication: $54

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Serum | Size: 1 ounce | Active Ingredients: Mandelic acid}

Best for Daytime

Yon-Ka SOS Spot Acne Treatment

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Small but mighty, the Yon-Ka SOS Spot Acne Treatment is a great blemish-fighter for the daytime. Easy to tote around in your bag and apply throughout the day, this pick contains 95% ingredients from natural origin and is free of alcohol. 

This roll-on has a lot of natural ingredients that work to treat blemishes. The ichthyol is rich in sulfur and helps to purify the skin, while the lactic acid contains postbiotics to help balance out your skin’s microbiome. Additionally, the lime also helps to clean out your pores. 

Not only do we love the gentle formula of this treatment, but the smell is truly to die-for, too. Because this pick doesn’t contain retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid, you might not find it as effective in fighting acne as some of the other picks on this list. That being said, you also won’t find it as irritating as others, either. 

Price at time of publication: $38

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Roll-on | Size: 0.24 ounces | Active Ingredients: Sulfur, lactic acid}

Best Overnight

Kinship Pimple Potion Retinal and Salicylic Acid Treatment

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The Kinship Pimple Potion Retinol and Salicylic Acid Treatment is a yellow gel that works on the skin overnight to reduce the appearance of blemishes and pigmentation. DeRosa recommends this pick to her patients because it’s gentle but effective. “I like this option because it contains retinol, a vitamin A derivative, that improves skin texture, pigmentation, and tone,” she explains. “It also contains bakuchiol to help clear breakouts and brighten skin.”

This is a great option for those who don’t tolerate benzoyl peroxide very well. Additionally, we think it's a great pick for overnight because it contains retinol, which shouldn’t really be used during the day since it can make your skin more prone to sunburn. Some folks don’t tolerate retinol well, so you might want to start off slow when opting for this product.  

Price at time of publication: $22

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Gel | Size: 0.53 ounces | Active Ingredients: Retinal, salicylic acid, bakuchiol, and Kinbiome}

Best Mask

JORI Daily Leave-On Acne Treatment Mask

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Developed by a board-certified dermatologist and his wife (who suffered from hormonal acne), JORI Skincare Daily Leave-On Acne Treatment Mask is a leave-on mask that can be used as a spot treatment, too. It uses micronized 2.5% benzoyl peroxide to treat your pimples, and also contains saw palmetto, zinc, and niacinamide to address hormonal issues on the skin and soothe any irritation, too. 

You can use this pick at night as an overnight mask, or apply it during the day under your makeup, too. If you are sensitive to benzoyl peroxide, you might want to start out with using this a few times a week, or every other day, until your skin can tolerate it better. 

Price at time of publication: $52

^{Key Specs: 
Type: Mask | Size: 1.5 ounces | Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, palmetto, zinc, and niacinamide}