Everyone has experienced it: you get up eager to start the day, go to the restroom, turn on the light, glance in the mirror and then—bam! An unexpected guest shows up on your face. Whether you have skin prone to acne or just occasionally get pimples, everyone experiences breakouts. Acne may be annoying, ranging from painful cystic acne to bothersome blackheads. However, there’s no reason to give up—a number of solutions can actually stop pimples in their tracks.
We searched the internet for the top acne spot treatments, comparing drying lotions and pimple patches, and rated them according to attributes like potency, effectiveness, and appearance. We sought the advice of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, M.D., to ensure that we had identified the best recommendations available. Find the best acne spot treatments right away to get rid of your outbreaks quickly.
Best Overall
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
There’s a reason why beauty experts and celebrities alike, including us at Byrdie HQ, swear by this cream for spot treatments. Briefly put? It genuinely reduces the appearance of bothersome breakouts and dries up whiteheads quickly. Sulphur is a component in this product that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, according to Dr. Levin. Salicylic acid and sulphur make a fantastic mix, she claims.
Before going to bed, just dab a little bit onto the trouble area, let it dry, and then hit the hay. Rinse off the lotion when you wake up, and the area should look much better. It really is that simple. Use a small amount only, as it can be drying, and then use a moisturiser afterward.
Best Budget
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Even though it’s so inexpensive, this acne treatment is gentle on skin, effective, and meets all of your expectations. The Ordinary’s remedy includes a gentler type of witch hazel, an anti-inflammatory botanical extract that doesn’t overdry skin, along with salicylic acid, which fights acne. The solution reduces redness, balances oily skin, and removes blackheads and whiteheads due to its calming and exfoliating qualities.
Best Pimple Patches
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
These Cosrx acne patches are great for clearing up pimples and mending skin that has been picked at. These patches are your friend if you constantly touch your face or if you get overly excited about popping a zit and inadvertently cut a minor wound. As the skin heals, the barrier lessens the spread of bacteria. They function simply: after the patch is applied, it progressively sucks out all the germs and oil within the stain while keeping other impurities out. In case of a breakout, Caitlyn Martyn, an associate commerce editor, always keeps these on standby. “They’re basically clear and are (almost) undetectable, so you can feel good about slapping one on and going about your day,” she says.
“It grows opaque as it clears out the pimple and a white dot becomes visible at the centre to let you know when to remove it.”
Best for Hyperpigmentation
Tula Acne Spot Treatment
This potent spot treatment does a fantastic job of eliminating black markings, which are a bothersome reminder of the pimples that once were. Niacinamide and liquorice help to balance out hyperpigmentation, and Dr. Levin’s go-to ingredient, benzoyl peroxide, quickly gets rid of acne. In addition, tea tree oil soothes the skin, and we particularly like that it dries entirely clear, making it ideal for both day and nighttime use.
Best for Daytime
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Invisible+
We strongly suggest the nearly invisible patches from Hero Cosmetics if you discover that pimple patches are truly helpful for you but you don’t like feeling self-conscious when you wear them while running errands. Similar to its original hydrocolloid patches, they extract pus from whiteheads, although they appear much thinner and more seamless on the skin. Given how delicate they are, they require a little more skill to apply than the originals, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be hooked.
Best Overnight Treatment
Renée Rouleau Night Time Spot Lotion
Renée Rouleau’s fast-acting acne spot treatment is helpful for those moments when an angry bump appears virtually before your eyes. Made especially for blemishes on the skin, it takes a practical approach and contains strong blemish-clearing components like sulphur, zinc oxide, and camphor. We wish this was available in a bigger container so we could keep this blemish-preventing solution on hand at all times.
Best LED Treatment
Solawave Bye Acne Pimple Spot Treatment
In addition to being distinct from the other products we suggest, this FDA-approved LED treatment gadget is a fantastic substitute for acne creams and patches. It uses a two-pronged method driven by red and blue LED light, where red light decreases inflammation and redness and blue light combats acne-causing bacteria1.2. Simply align it with your breakout location, press and hold the power button, and leave it there for three minutes (the gadget will turn off on its own). After a few days of continued use, you should see a decrease in the redness, swelling, and size of your pimples.
Best With Tea Tree Oil
Dr. Barbara Sturm Untinted Clarifying Spot Treatment
If you’re feeling depressed due to black patches, you might want to try this Dr. Barbara Sturm remedy. From the first application, this spot treatment aims to lessen the appearance of spots, redness, and dark spots. We adore the combination of tea tree oil, which is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and acne-fighting qualities, and zinc oxides, which shield your skin from UV ray damage.
Best With Salicylic Acid
Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment with 2% Salicylic Acid
Cystic breakout sufferers are aware of how excruciating they can be. This is a great over-the-counter alternative if you’re seeking for something to help heal a deep pimple. Salicylic acid, which is included in its formulation, is a beta hydroxy acid that helps clear clogged pores and exfoliates skin, according to Dr. Levin. In addition, it has phytosteroid to hydrate, calm, and lessen redness and amino acid technology to target harmful germs. We appreciate that this spot treatment doesn’t cause excessive skin drying, unlike many others.
Best With Benzoyl Peroxide
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
Are blackheads staying put too long? Try out this La Roche Posay cream. “This is my preferred benzoyl peroxide product and it also contains a mild but efficient exfoliating ingredient in the lipo-hydroxy acid,” states Dr. Levin. Glycerin, which moisturises the skin, balances out the skin-renewing qualities of this derivative of salicylic acid. It is also inexpensive, oil-free, and quickly absorbs.
Best for Redness Relief
Paula’s Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment
You might think about using this Paula’s Choice treatment if you observe that your acne additionally irritates and causes redness. This product helps to diminish visual indicators of acne as well as the size of zits caused by a combination of chemicals that target acne (bisabolol), calm redness (allantoin), and soothe skin (benzoyl peroxide).
Best With Niacinamide
Caudalie Vinopure Color Correcting Spot Solution
We suggest this Caudalie product to take care of two birds with one…cream if the visual redness and irritation irritate you more than the zits themselves. Strong salicylic acid fights acne, tea tree oil purges the spot’s source, and niacinamide tightens pores and reduces redness to complete this chemical trifecta. In addition, the product has a green tinge that provides noticeable colour correction while the components act below the surface.
Best for Sensitive Skin
Avène Cleanance ACNE Medicated Clearing Treatment
Dr. Levin recommends this Avène treatment if your skin needs a little additional care but you still want the benefits of a highly powerful chemical to attack acne, like benzoyl peroxide. “For those with more sensitive skin, this is my recommendation for a spot treatment that contains benzoyl peroxide,” she states. She notes that the hydrating elements, including glycerin and thermal spring water, balance out the drying effects of benzoyl peroxide, making it more pleasant for those of us who tend to be sensitive to acne treatments.
Best for Teens
Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief
With good reason, Proactiv has been a household name in the acne market: their products are effective. We like that this recipe can benefit anyone, even adults, who is struggling with unwanted blemishes. Benzoyl peroxide, which kills pimples, is paired once more with allantoin, which soothes and moisturises the skin. It’s easy to use and efficient; all we need is a larger tube.
Best Early Stage
Peace Out Early Stage Acne Dot
The only thing worse than discovering you have an unexpected pimple when you wake up is knowing it’s coming. We now have a method to stop acne in its tracks rather than waiting for the inevitable. The purpose of the microneedles in the Peace Out Skincare Early Stage Acne Dots is to target imperfections under the skin’s surface and stop a zit from ever appearing. Salicylic acid, hydrocolloid polymer technology, and self-dissolving microneedles combine to create these minuscule yet potent pimple patches.
What to Look for in Acne Spot Treatments
- Type of Acne: Firstly, you should think about the kind of acne you have. Acne comes in a variety of forms, from blackheads and whiteheads to cysts and nodules. The type of treatment you should employ will depend on the type of acne you have. For instance, whereas whiteheads and blackheads usually go away with surface acne treatments, cystic acne usually does not.
- Treatment Type: Give it some thought. Spot treatments can be applied under makeup or left on overnight. Tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide creams are great at drying out acne, but because they can leave your face more sensitive to the sun, you might want to save them for at-night.3 Hydrocolloid patches are excellent throughout the day since they shield the area from the elements and take away the urge to pick at the location.
- Active substances: A variety of active substances are available for use in spot treatments for acne. You should be able to choose from a number of alternatives that include anti-inflammatory and skin-healing elements including zinc, benzoyl peroxide, which shrinks blemishes, and salicylic acid, which kills bacteria. If you choose natural or delicate substances, you should also think about tea tree oil, camphor, witch hazel, and willow bark. The active component in hydrocolloid patches functions by removing pus, dead skin cells, and sebum from clogged pores.
FAQ
- Can you get rid of zits overnight?One of the best ways to get rid of zits overnight is by using a hydrocolloid acne spot treatment patch. These patches will draw out the pus filling the blocked pore and reduce the size and appearance of the zit. Drying lotions can also get rid of zits overnight by drying out the blocked pore.
- How do you get rid of acne and spots fast?Get rid of acne and spots fast with acne spot treatments. Patches, drying lotions, and medicated treatments with salicylic acid or tea tree oil work well. Be sure not to pick or pop your acne spots since this can lead to more breakouts and scarring.
- How long should someone test an acne treatment to see if it is effective?Dr. Levin recommends testing a new acne treatment for 4-8 weeks to give the product time to do its job. However, she says, if you get an immediate reaction of itching, redness, or swelling, you should stop using the product.
- What are the best ways to prevent future breakouts?One of the best ways to prepare for the future is to look to the past and learn from it. Dr. Levin says, “it’s important to address the multiple root causes of acne, which can be influenced by factors such as hormones, genetics, excessive oil production, clogged pores, prolonged occlusion, etc.” Everyone’s skin is different, which is why having an understanding of the current state of your skin can be helpful for stopping breakouts before they start. She adds, “preventative treatments involve a consistent skincare routine that includes gentle cleansing, appropriate moisturizing and sun protection, and the use of targeted medications such as retinoids, anti-inflammatories, and exfoliants.”
