The Best Acne Treatments and Products, According to Dermatologists

Few things are quite as frustrating as waking up with breakouts or being unable to tackle stubborn pimples—so finding the best acne treatment is key. Whether you’ve been combating acne since your teenage years or only started breaking out as an adult, the quest to find the right product is always daunting. Ahead, we deep dive into your burning acne questions—from how to treat it to diminishing leftover scarring—plus, the best products to use according to dermatologists.

Best Light Therapy Tools for Acne

The best beauty tools are known to amplify even the most thorough skin-care regimens. That said, LED light therapy is often the blemish-fighting treatment recommended by our network of experts. Take a new approach to masking with the Dr. Dennis Gross LED device to combat blemishes by destroying acne-causing bacteria through an at-home blue light treatment known to kill acne-causing bacteria. Otherwise, the Solawave wand combines four treatments into one (red light therapy, micro-current technology, facial massage, and therapeutic warmth) to fade blemishes, increase absorption of skin-care ingredients, and promote a youthful complexion.

Best Face Wash for Acne

“If you notice that your skin is acne-prone, it can feel good to double cleanse because it helps degrease the skin,” says dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe, who recommends starting with Bioderma’s micellar water, then cleansing with Skinfix’s foaming cleanser—both options, she notes, are gentle enough not to damage the skin barrier. Dr. Corey L. Hartman, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama, likes the CeraVe Foaming Cream Cleanser, especially for those with sensitive skin, and the SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel, which is formulated with a cocktail of acids to “treat acne and prevent aging.” Meanwhile, dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu recommends the Avène Cleansing Foam for those with acne-prone, dry, sensitive skin, and the Paula’s Choice Pore Normalizing Acne Cleanser for normal to oily skin types because it “contains salicylic acid to fight blackheads and congestion, along with panthenol to soothe skin and help prevent irritation.”

Best Serum for Acne

If you’re interested in adding an acne-treating serum or moisturizer to your regimen, consider starting with The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%—a notably affordable option that’s recommended by several of our experts. “[Niacinamide] has a calming and brightening effect on the skin, helping to improve overall tone and texture while reducing breakouts and controlling excess sebum and oil production,” says Green, who notes that those with oily skin or breakouts will benefit from the healing, anti-inflammatory properties of this serum.

To treat blackheads and whiteheads, Bowe likes the SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF—an oil-free vitamin-C serum that can also help reduce signs of aging. Otherwise, perhaps try iS Clinical’s, which is a healing serum chock full of inflammation- and blemish-quelling ingredients from zinc sulfate to kojic acid, or the Caudalie Vinopure serum that features a blend of 100% natural salicylic acid and niacinamide to address enlarged pores and breakouts.

Best Acne Treatments

The Differin gel that many of us may have been prescribed to treat pubescent acne may still be worth a place in your acne-fighting routine. According to Wu, “This over-the-counter retinoid gets deep into the pores to help dissolve blackheads. It’s strong and can cause sun sensitivity, so only use it at night and be sure to use SPF.” For other topical daily acne treatments, consider La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel, which regulates cell turnover to prevent dead skin from clogging your pores.

Best Pimple Patch

Pimple patches are an easy and effective acne solution. Just pop on one of the stickers to suck excess buildup from blemishes in, oftentimes, a few hours. These options by Hero Cosmetics and Cosrx are enriched with hydrocolloid gel to absorb the oil from within. Treatment aside, covering a rogue zit with a sticker means you’re less likely to pop it yourself.

What Causes Acne?

“Acne (acne vulgaris) is one of the most common skin conditions affecting millions each year,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. “Most people get acne at some point in their lifetime, and the underlying cause of a breakout may vary depending on the type of acne.” She notes that while “a combination of factors contributes to the formation of acne, including hormones, genetics, environmental factors, stress, skin care, and diet,” at the end of the day, the main cause is an overproduction of sebum and clogged pores.