Skin care that really battles breakouts.
By NewBeauty Editors
We may earn commission from links on this page. Each product featured has been vetted and chosen by our editors.
Photo by Polina Kuzovkova on Unsplash
There are a myriad of reasons breakouts happen—genetics, hormones, stress, diet, climate, other beauty products—and those pesky pimples often linger longer than you’d think. Luckily when it comes to acne-fighting products, there are a few ingredients that deliver results, such as alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) and retinol. Building a skin-care routine for acne-prone skin can be confusing, but we’re here to take the guesswork out for you. Ahead, the NewBeauty Awards winners for the best skin-care products that battle breakouts, according to dermatologists and beauty editors.
1 / 11
Best Spot Treatment
Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment ($33)
Gentle on skin but not on acne, Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment combines a 6 percent sulfur formula with soothing allantoin for an instantly calming breakout cure.
2 / 11
Best Mask For Acne-Prone Skin
Topicals Clearly Breakout Mask ($26)
Put pimples on notice with Topicals Clearly Breakout Mask, which is formulated with azelaic and hypochlorous acids to unclog pores and calm inflamed spots in just 24 hours while actually improving the skin barrier.
3 / 11
Best Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser
VIVANT BP 3% Acne Wash ($25)
Hormonal acne sufferers can feel more confident about their skin with VIVANT BP 3% Acne Wash, which not only reduces blemish-causing bacteria, but also the appearance of large pores and acne scarring.
4 / 11
Best Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Cetaphil Exfoliating Salicylic Acid Cleanser ($10)
A chemical exfoliator you can use every day, Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser uses salicylic acid, mandelic acid and gluconolactone to reduce excess oil and smooth skin in a snap.
5 / 11
Best Pimple Patches
The INKEY List Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple Patches ($9)
Clinically proven to blur blemishes instantly, The INKEY List Hydrocolloid Invisible Pimple Patches instantly conceal breakouts and visibly reduce their appearance in as little as four hours.
6 / 11
Best Acne-Clearing Serum
Bioelements Daily Meds Acne-Clearing Serum ($64)
As Beth Bialko, aesthetician and senior director of education for Bioelements explains, the Daily Meds acne-clearing serum is perfect for both teenagers and adults alike. “And that’s precisely how we developed it—to work for all stages of acne, and all ages of people who experience breakouts, whether it’s due to hormones or environmental stressors.”
7 / 11
Best Retinol Treatment For Acne-Prone Skin
ZO Skin Health Retinol + Acne Complex ($140)
A first-of-its-kind, 360-degree topical, ZO Skin Health Retinol + Acne Complex simultaneously targets every stage of acne growth and the visible post-acne marks before they form.
8 / 11
Best Moisturizer For Acne-Prone Skin
Personal Day Dive Deep Mevalonic Moisturizer ($38)
Personal Day Dive Deep Mevalonic Moisturizer is a standout product from Lili Reinhart’s new brand. It does the hard work of fighting acne while hydrating skin, so you don’t have to worry about clogging pores.
9 / 11
Best Tone For Acne-Prone Skin
AlumierMD Bright & Clear Solution ($49)
A world-wide bestseller for a reason, Alumier MD Bright & Clear Solution pairs acne’s skin-savior arnica with gentle exfoliation and cell-renewing amino acids for a brighter, clearer complexion.
10 / 11
Best Face and Oil For Acne-Prone Skin
Alpyn Beauty Clarifying Facial Oil ($56)
Finding a face oil for acne-prone skin can be challenging, so we were thrilled to discover Alpyn Beauty’s Clarifying Facial Oil, powered by retinol and salicylic acid, to clear skin congestion while smoothing fine lines.
11 / 11
Best Sunscreen For Acne-Prone Skin
Blissoma Photonic – Light Shifting Solution SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Facial Sunscreen + Moisturizer ($68)
Acne sufferers know the struggle of finding a sunscreen that won’t make things worse. Blissoma Photonic Light Shifting Solution SPF 30 answers the call with a lightweight, zinc-based, pore-friendly formula.
Related Posts
-
Active Ingredients
The Best Skin-Care Lines By Aestheticians You Need to Try
-
Anti-Aging
The Products a Beauty Editor’s Partner Actually Uses
-
Beauty Essentials
Waterless Beauty: 20 TSA-Approved Products to Pack Now
-
Beauty Essentials
Combination Skin-Care Essentials NewBeauty Readers Love
-
Active Ingredients
Best Body Acne Wash Formulas to Clear Back Acne and Beyond
-
Beauty Essentials
10 Indie Beauty Brands to Have on Your Radar Now
-
Beauty Essentials
Skin Care Under $30: 5 Products NewBeauty Readers Are Obsessed With
-
Beauty Essentials
These Are the 20 Best-Selling Beauty Products on Amazon
-
Cosmetic Treatments
The Best Post-Laser Sunscreens We Trust Our Sensitive Skin With
-
Beauty Essentials
Amazon Prime Beauty Deals You Don’t Want to Miss
-
Adult Acne
8 Celebrities Who’ve Helped Normalize Acne
-
Adult Acne
7 Sunscreen Tips for Acne-Prone Skin
-
Beauty Essentials
Helen Mirren Shares Her Favorite Beauty and Skin-Care Products
-
Beauty for All
Does Dough Really Work for Hair Removal? Here’s What to Know
-
Adult Acne
It’s TULA’s 10th Birthday, and They’re Celebrating With a Big Sale
-
Active Ingredients
The ABCs of Vitamins in Skin Care
It's Personal
At NewBeauty, we get the most trusted information from the beauty authority delivered right to your inbox
Find a Doctor
Find a NewBeauty "Top Beauty Doctor" Near you
