The 20 Best Acne Creams of 2023

Best Overall

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

4.8

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Formerly available by prescription only, Differin is now for sale over the counter, and serious skincare gurus are overjoyed. It contains a prescription-strength retinoid called Adapalene, which dermatologists recommend specifically for the treatment of acne. Long story short: It’s more than worth a try. The water-based formula is free of oil, alcohol, and fragrance and is an essential item in anyone’s acne-fighting arsenal.

Price at time of publish: $15

Key Ingredients: Adapalene | Type: Gel | Size: 1.6 ounces

Best Budget

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

4.5

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Just when you think you're about to spend your entire paycheck on acne creams, here’s The Ordinary saving your skin and your bank account. Loaded with skin-balancing niacinamide and anti-bacterial zinc, this serum regulates excess oil production and calms breakouts. Just a few drops of the lightweight water-based serum does the trick, and it can be applied both morning and night.

Price at time of publish: $6

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Zinc PCA | Type: Serum | Size: 1 ounce

Best for Clogged Pores

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

4.2

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This ingredient-packed serum uses a potent combination of exfoliating acids, pore cleaners, antioxidants, and moisturizers to create an overnight treatment that operates like a gentler version of a glycolic acid peel. Expect a tingling sensation when you apply—that’s this serum sloughing off dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and evening out your skin tone while you sleep to help minimize the likelihood and duration of breakouts over time. Pro tip: Avoid using this serum in combination with other acne spot treatments.

Price at time of publish: $134

Key Ingredients: AHA Blend, Salicylic Acid, Raspberry Fruit Extract | Type: Exfoliating Serum | Size: 1 ounce

Best Spot Treatment

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

5

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Ask anyone who’s ever struggled with acne, and they'll at least have heard of this cult acne-fighter. People swear that just one drop of Mario Badescu’s famous drying lotion can heal and dry a zit up overnight; the calamine, colloidal sulfur, and salicylic acid ensure it. In case you didn't know, sulfur is a natural element that is an essential component for all living cells. Sulfur-based products tend to work best for mild-to-moderate acne, primarily whiteheads, blackheads, and papules.

Price at time of publish: $17

Key Ingredients: Calamine, Sulfur, Salicylic Acid | Type: Lotion | Size: 1 ounce

Best Patch

COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

4.8

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If you have a pimple that’s inflamed and you want to bring it down fast, these patches are a perfect overnight fix. Much like a bandage, hydrocolloid patches help the acne medication penetrate deeper into the skin by keeping it where it’s needed—no rubbing off on your pillow. The patch environment keeps the skin moist and permeable while keeping out bacteria. They have an almost magical ability to flatten even the worst zits and reduce their appearance quickly.

Price at time of publish: $6

Key Ingredients: 100% Hydrocolloid | Type: Patch  Size: 24 patches, S, M, L

Best Natural

Marla Rene Beauty & Co. Calendula Clear Serum

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This clarifying serum is 100 percent natural and plant-based to gently calm irritated and acne-prone skin. It has aloe vera to increase skin's elasticity and restore its optimum pH balance, and alcohol-free witch hazel to control oil production and prevent future breakouts. The real star ingredient is calendula, which promotes the fast healing and regeneration of skin.

The aloe vera in the formula is not to be missed, either. A naturally derived ingredient known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, the aloe plant's inner gel mucilage (the part that's used in skincare products) is made up of 99.5 percent water.

Price at time of publish: $46

Key Ingredients: Calendula, Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel | Type: Serum  Size: 1 ounce

Best for Acne Scars

Mary Louise Miracle Serum

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If you've tried everything for your acne scars to no avail, this might be the serum for you. This vegan and cruelty-free product is super packed with nutrients to target several skincare concerns, including acne scars, eczema, razor bumps, hydration, and hyperpigmentation. It absorbs quickly into the skin for a non-greasy finish, and we especially love that this serum plays nicely under skincare.

Users say that it has anti-inflammatory properties and gave them a clearer, glowing complexion.

Price at time of publish: $35

Key Ingredients: Baobab Oil, Jojoba, Vitamin C | Type: Serum | Size: 2 ounces

Best for Cystic Acne

Renée Rouleau Anti Bump Solution

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Stubborn cystic acne (those painful red bumps that never quite come to a head) is particularly hard to treat, as the zit itself is hidden deep under the surface of the skin. This cult-favorite cystic acne treatment from celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau uses lactic acid to purify your pores, methyl gluceth 20, which helps moisturize, and citric acid to help with hyperpigmentation and scarring. Apply it immediately when you feel a cyst developing, and it will help reduce the inflammation and duration of the blemish.

Price at time of publish: $50

Type: Cream-Liquid | Active Ingredients: Lactic Acid, Citric Acid | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Serum

Evologie Intensive Blemish Serum

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The top-selling acne product online comes from the doctor-developed brand Evologie. Its patent-pending YS3 Complex uses azelaic acid and salicylic acid to banish breakouts deep below the skin's surface, also brightening hyperpigmentation and acne scars. In other words, this might just be the miracle product you’ve been praying for.

Price at time of publish: $35

Benefits: Fades discoloration and scars | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Once a day | Size: 0.7, 0.33, and 0.33 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Body

Paula's Choice Clear Acne Body Spray

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Looking to treat hard-to-reach areas of the body (like your back)? Grab this Paula's Choice spray-on body exfoliant, which contains 2 percent salicylic acid to fight blemishes, bumps, and blackheads, as well as licorice root (to calm irritated skin) and barberry (which is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory). This product is also alcohol-free and dries quickly, so you can spray it on and go.

Price at time of purchase: $28

Type: Spray | Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2% | Size: 4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Hyperpigmentation

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

4.4

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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (i.e., pesky dark spots and discoloration that can crop up post-breakout) is super common—even more so for those with darker skin tones. The good news? This lightweight Kiehl's solution can help ASAP. Activated C, a fast-acting form of vitamin C, works to reduce the appearance of dark spots while peony extract shields against oxidative damage. Clearer skin? Coming right up.

Price at time of purchase: $35

Type: Liquid | Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, Salicylic Acid | Size: 0.5, 1.0, 1.7, and 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No

Best for Blackheads

Glossier Solution

4.4

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While pore strips may seem satisfying, they can actually cause more harm than good when it comes to treating blackheads. Glossier's Solution, a liquid exfoliator, is an alternative we love. It improves the appearance of blemishes with a 10 percent blend of skincare acids (salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, and polyhydroxy acid), while aloe, glycerin, and niacinamide hydrate and calm the skin. It's also dermatologist-tested, cruelty-free, and vegan.

Price at time of purchase: $38

Type: Exfoliator Liquid-Cream | Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid | Size: 4.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Best Overnight

Rosen Skincare Break-Out

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This product looks a bit like Wite-Out, but it's not just a way to cover blemishes—it works to shrink and heal them overnight. The hero of its innovative formula is zinc oxide, which helps combat redness, irritation, and inflammation. From there, peppermint oil, which is antiseptic and anti-microbial, cools and calms the skin, and apple cider vinegar, which is anti-bacterial, helps prevent further breakouts. For clearer skin in the morning, apply to a problem area before you snooze.

Price at time of purchase: $12

Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Apple Cider Vinegar | Size: 0.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Gel Moisturizer

Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel

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This salicylic acid acne treatment has been a fan favorite for years, and guess what: It's still available and highly effective. Depending on your skin’s needs, you can apply a thin layer twice a day after you cleanse your skin, or if you already use an all-over acne treatment, you can use it as a spot treatment on particularly stubborn zits. The ultra-simple formula is hypoallergenic as well as fragrance-, oil-, and paraben-free. Win, win, win.

Price at time of purchase: $30

Type: Gel | Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 1% | Size: 0.5 and 1.0 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Splurge

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum

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A thin layer of this clearing serum at night is all it takes to visibly see results in just eight weeks. Skinbetter delivers a potent blemish control product made with its patented Alpharet system, which consists of lactic acid and retinoid. This prescription strength formula also has salicylic acid to control oil production and improve skin clarity, while niacinamide and hyaluronic acid tag team to balance your hydration levels. Worth the splurge, this bottle pumps out just the right amount per application. Use it two to three times a week at night, and be sure to top it with sunscreen in the morning, as retinoids make your skin more sensitive.

Price at time of publish: $135

Key Ingredients: Lactic Acid, Retinoid, Salicylic Acid | Type: Serum | Size: 1 ounce

Best for Sensitive Skin

Cocokind Probiotic Acne Serum

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While not every acne solution is for sensitive skin, this probiotic serum takes a gentle approach to treating acne with 1.5 percent salicylic acid to regulate oil production without irritating the skin. Probiotics create a healthy skin barrier, and research has shown it helps to eliminate bad bacteria. Apply this pH-balanced serum to your full face or use it as a spot treatment where needed.

Price at time of publish: $20

Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Beta Glucans, Probiotics | Type: Serum | Size: 1 ounce

Best Gel

Tula Clear It Up Acne Clearing and Tone Correcting Gel

4.8

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This acne-clearing gel is powered by probiotics and superfoods. Developed by Dr. Roshini Raj, Tula uses FDA-cleared 2 percent salicylic acid and azelaic acid to control breakouts and treat hyperpigmentation. As mentioned above, prebiotics and probiotics help retain moisture and improve the skin's microbiome. This formulation is also free of alcohol, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and fragrance, which makes it great for sensitive or reactive skin.

Price at time of publish: $38

Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Probiotics, Azelaic Acid | Type: Gel | Size: 1 ounce

Best for Dry Skin

Avvrani Balance Restoring Serum

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It’s one thing to have breakouts, but to have dry, flaky skin at the same time? That’s downright annoying. Instead of throwing in the towel, reach for this restoring serum. While acneic skin can be both dry and oily at the same time, Avvrani uses ingredients to combat this. This balancing serum consists of aloe vera, cucumber extract, and glycerin to restore moisture levels, while studies have shown that tea tree oil controls breakouts. This alcohol-free serum feels cool when applied and is packed with calming botanicals to soothe and protect the skin barrier.

Price at time of publish: $60

Key Ingredients: Cucumber Extract, Aloe Vera, Tea Tree, Witch Hazel | Type: Serum | Size: 1.7 ounces

Best LED

Foreo Espada Blue Light Acne Treatment

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If creams and gels aren't your thing, light therapy is also effective at treating acne—and fast, too. This Foreo device uses a combo of laser-focused blue LED light and T-Sonic pulsations to fight acne-causing bacteria in just 30 seconds. It's also totally waterproof, and according to the brand, you can use it up to 100 times per charge. Just press the center button, point the device at your blemish using the targeting red light, and hold for 30 seconds; you can repeat this up to four times for a stronger treatment.

Price at time of publish: $159

Benefits: Stimulates blood microcirculation and facilitates renewal | Skin Type: Acne-Prone | LED Lights: 415nm Blue | Session Duration: 30 seconds a day