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Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
When breakouts start to push their way through the surface of the skin, many of us enter attack mode. Forget letting it run its course. It's all about acting fast and breaking out the heavy artillery. Usually, this means applying one of the best acne spot treatments we can get our hands on.
However, know that spot treatments work best on pustules (traditional pimples filled with pus). If you have cystic acne or papules (inflamed red pimples that haven't quite reached the surface), spot treatments won't cut it. (For more info on how to treat other kinds of pimples, check out our foolproof guide.) But if you're dealing with a pesky pustule, we've got the best hard-hitting products that will shrink your skin's new resident in no time. We combined extensive research and our editors' personal experiences with many of these options to bring to you a comprehensive list of our recommendations based on how well these formulas perform and how they feel on the skin.
Keep scrolling to see the best acne spot treatments your money can buy.
Best Overall
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
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Ulta
Quick results
Comes in a glass bottle
Treats one spot at a time
Can be drying if over-applied
There's a reason this formula is one of the go-to spot treatments for celebrities and beauty editors alike, including here at Byrdie HQ. In short? It actually works (and fast!) to dry up whiteheads and reduce the appearance of pesky breakouts overnight. Simply dab a bit of the formula—containing a hard-hitting combo of salicylic acid, sulfur, and zinc oxide—onto the problem spot(s) before bed, let it dry, and then hit the hay. When you wake up, rinse off the lotion and the spot should be significantly improved. It's that easy.
Price at time of publish: $17
Type: Lotion | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, sulfur, and calamine | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes |
What Our Testers Say
"Mario Badescu's Drying Lotion does just what it says: stops pimples in their tracks and calms them at the same time." — Bianca Lambert, Product Tester
Best Drugstore
Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment
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Amazon
Affordable
Helpful applicator
Absorbs fast
Contains fragrance
This drugstore classic is available almost anywhere. The gel formula contains witch hazel and salicylic acid and comes in a tapered squeeze tube. The applicator helpfully dispenses small doses without splattering everywhere, which helps to ensure you achieve targeted application. The spot treatment dries clear and sinks in quickly as it stops developing pimples and calms ones that have already popped up.
Price at time of publish: $7
Type: Gel | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Size: 0.75 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Gel
Origins Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel
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Amazon
Quick results
Will also fade acne spots
Tingling sensation
Tingling sensation can feel a bit strong on sensitive skin
This gel spot treatment has everything—salicylic acid, red algae to (ironically) remove redness, and exfoliants to flush out dead skin cells and excess sebum. It's every pimple-busting weapon wrapped into one.
Breakouts clear within two to three days, with minimal scarring. Some reviewers prefer to use this at night, though the clear, unassuming gel also works during the day. As with most spot treatments, a little goes a long way. There’s even a slight tingle if you like to feel products working.
Price at time of publish: $20
Type: Gel | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Size: 0.3 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Budget
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
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Sephora
Affordable
Won't strip skin
Reduces redness
It takes some time to absorb
As cheap as this is, it’s also effective and gentle on skin—nowhere near a clumsily formulated acid bath. The Ordinary’s solution contains acne-fighting salicylic acid as well as a milder form of witch hazel, an anti-inflammatory botanical extract that doesn't over-dry skin. Thanks to its exfoliating and soothing properties, the solution clears closed comedones, blackheads, and whiteheads while reducing redness, even balancing oily skin.
Type: Serum | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Size: 1.01 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Pimple Patches
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
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Amazon
Multiple patch sizes
Prevents picking
Easy to store
Nothing
These hydrocolloid patches from Cosrx are ideal for sucking the gunk out of pimples and healing picked-at skin. These patches are your friend when you get too enthusiastic with extracting a pimple and accidentally create a small wound, or if you’re always touching your face. The protective covering reduces bacteria transfer while healing the skin.
The way they work is simple: Once you smooth on the patch, it slowly draws out all the oil and bacteria inside the blemish while keeping other contaminants out. They're not meant to work instantly, gradually shrinking blemishes through the least invasive means possible. The translucent patch grows opaque as it clears out the pimple, and a white dot becomes visible in the center to let you know when to remove it.
Price at time of publish: $6
Type: Patch | Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Size: 24 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
"I wasn't expecting a quick fix the next morning, but I am happy to report that while the pimple wasn't gone, it was significantly smaller. I count this as a win in my book. I don't believe in overnight skincare treatments, but these patches changed my mind." — Bianca Lambert, Product Tester
Best for Redness
TruSkin Tea Tree Oil Super Serum For Face
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Amazon
Absorbs fast
Helps fade acne spots
Contains several soothing ingredients
Pricier than other options
In case of angry, inflamed pimples, dot this on. While labeled a serum, the fast-absorbing formula works just as well as a spot treatment and is particularly ideal for helping to soothe the skin. The dropper bottle contains a potent mix of antibacterial tea tree oil, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and even niacinamide. Together, they bring down swelling and redness, brighten, and refine skin texture while preventing future pimples from forming.
Price at time of publish: $25
Type: Serum | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, tea tree oil, retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Classic
Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment
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Sephora
Comes in a glass bottle which can be recycled
Doesn't need to be applied with fingers
Great for oily skin
Pricier than other similar options
Key Ingredients
Zinc is an essential mineral that is needed for numerous healthy bodily functions, including boosting the immune system, healing wounds, and assisting in DNA/protein synthesis and growth. Applied topically, it's shown to aid in wound healing and regeneration, as well as protect the skin by deflecting UV rays.
You’ve probably seen this product’s characteristic pink formula dotted all over people’s faces on Instagram. Housed in a vaguely medical-looking glass bottle, the EradiKate Acne Treatment uses sulfur and AHAs to reduce existing pimples while preventing new ones. As the treatment shrinks pimples overnight, zinc oxide absorbs excess sebum to control oil, which helps keep the area clear. Without shaking the bottle, dip a Q-Tip into the bottle, pick up the thick pink solution, and apply it to your blemish. Using a cotton swab to apply it isn't only functional, but it's also great to avoid transferring bacteria.
Price at time of publish: $28
Type: Lotion | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, retinyl propionate | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Hyperpigmentation
Tula Go Away Acne Spot Treatment
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Amazon
Dries clear
Will also fade acne spots
Can be used day or night
Can be drying
Nobody loves dark marks that exist as a constant reminder to the pimples that once were, and this effective spot treatment does an awesome job at getting rid of them. Licorice and niacinamide work to even hyperpigmentation, while benzoyl peroxide clears up acne fast. It also has tea tree oil to soothe the skin, and we especially love that it dries completely clear — so it's perfect for day or night.
Price at time of publish: $22
Type: Gel | Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, probiotic extracts, licorice, niacinamide, azelaic acid, tea tree oil | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Deep Acne
Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment with 2% Salicylic Acid
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Sephora
Non-drying formula
Lightweight on skin
Non-irritating
Takes some time to absorb
People that suffer from large, deep breakouts know just how painful they can be. If you're looking for an over-the-counter product to help heal a deep pimple, this is a fantastic option. It's formulated with salicylic acid to heal and prevent breakouts, as well as amino acid technology to target bad bacteria and phytosteroid to hydrate, soothe, and reduce redness. Unlike a lot of spot treatments, we love that this one isn't overly drying on the skin.
Price at time of publish: $45
Type: Lotion | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, phytosteriod | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Daytime
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Invisible+
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Amazon
Almost completely invisible on skin
Heals whiteheads quickly
Thin patch can be tricky to apply
If you find that pimple patches are really effective for you but you don't like wearing them during the day because of how obvious they look on the skin, we highly recommend the practically invisible patches from Hero Cosmetics. They draw out pus from whiteheads just like their original hydrocolloid patches, but they're much thinner and more seamless-looking on the skin. They are a bit harder to apply than the original ones given how delicate they are, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be hooked.
Price at time of publish: $18
Type: Patch | Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Size: 39 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Overnight Treatment
Renée Rouleau Night Time Spot Lotion
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Amazon
Quick results
Can also use on back and chest
Pricy for the small bottle
For those times when an angry bump rears its head practically before your eyes, Renée Rouleau's fast-acting acne spot treatment is invaluable. Specifically formulated for surface-infected blemishes, it uses a down-to-business approach with potent blemish-clearing ingredients like zinc oxide, sulfur, and camphor.
Price at time of publish: $34
Type: Lotion | Active Ingredients: Camphor, sulfur, zinc oxide | Size: 0.5 fluid ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes |
Best Mask
White Willow Sleep Mask & Spot Treatment
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Marlerene
Can be used two ways
Gentle formula
Nothing
You get the best of both worlds with this powerful blemish banisher. It improves the overall look and texture of your skin while soothing and protecting your skin's essential barrier. The all natural formula acts as a gentle exfoliant, sloughing off dead skin cells and reducing the appearance of dark marks. Use it overnight as a spot treatment or apply it all over as a clearing mask.
Price at time of publish: $45
Type: Mask | Active Ingredients: Witch hazel, willow bark extract | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best with Benzoyl Peroxide
Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment
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Amazon
Affordable
Potent formula
Can be drying and sensitizing on sensitive skin
This heavy-duty spot treatment (with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide) shrinks blemishes like no one's business. It's excellent for diminishing whiteheads and oily breakouts, however, it's quite potent, so a little goes a long way.
Price at time of publish: $10
Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide | Size: 0.75 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best LED Treatment
Solawave Bye Acne: 3-Minute Pimple Spot Treatment
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Ulta
Small and portable
Easy to charge
Has a self-timer
Takes consistent use to see results
This obviously isn't the same type of spot treatment as the others on this list, but this FDA-cleared LED therapy device is a great alternative to creams and pimple patches. It's powered by blue and red LED light for a two-pronged approach—blue light fights acne-causing bacteria while red light reduces inflammation and redness. Just place it directly onto your breakout spot, hold the power button, and keep it there for three minutes (the device will shut off automatically). Continue use and you'll see a reduction in redness, inflammation, and pimple size within a few days.
Price at time of publish: $52
Type: LED therapy device | Active Ingredients: Blue and red LED lights | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Under Makeup
Eve Lom Dynaspot
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Amazon
Works for all skin tones
Wears well under makeup
Moisturizing
Pricier than other options
Formulated to suit all skin tones, this cream can be used applied underneath makeup to target breakouts. It's lightweight and doesn't create a residue, so makeup applies smoothly on top. It's also moisturizing, so you can forget about dried-out, flaky patches.
Price at time of publish: $35
Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, tea tree terpineol, zinc oxide, chamomile, yarrow, fennel seeds | Size: 0.3 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Final Verdict
Our favorite acne spot treatment is the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. It's easy and hygienic to apply, it works to dry out pimples quickly, and it comes in a glass bottle. But if you're looking for a non-drying option that helps soothe and heal painful breakouts, the Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment with Salicylic Acid is for you.
What to Look For in Acne Spot Treatments
Treatment Type
Consider the treatment type you’d prefer when looking for an acne spot treatment. Some spot treatments are used overnight; others can be used under makeup. Drying lotions and hydrocolloid treatments are often used overnight and work to pull out and dry up congestion in the pores.
Other treatments include active ingredients that kill bacteria and shrink acne spots, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and tea tree. Different products use anti-inflammatory and skin healing ingredients to reduce the appearance of acne. Some of these treatments may work better for you than others.
Consider whether you have sensitive skin, in which case benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid may be too harsh. In this case, choosing a treatment such as hydrocolloid patches or zinc-based serums may be best.
Active Ingredients
Various active ingredients can be used in acne spot treatments. For instance, anti-inflammatory and skin healing ingredients like zinc, bacteria-killing tried and true salicylic acid, and blemish-shrinking benzoyl peroxide.The Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment is a great option if you're looking for something with benzoyl peroxide.
Try tea tree oil, camphor, witch hazel, and willow bark if you prefer gentle or natural ingredients. In the case of hydrocolloid patches, the active ingredient works by pulling sebum, dead skin cells, and pus from the congested pores.
Acne Type
Some types of acne spot treatments work better on specific types of acne. Look for an acne spot treatment formulated for your particular kind of acne. Cystic acne does not typically respond to surface acne treatments. Hormonal acne responds to some types of spot treatments, while others are better for surface pimples.