I've had combination skin my entire life, so it's hard for me to imagine a time when I wasn't in need of one of the best acne spot treatments. While I try to maintain a regular skincare routine—the usual cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising, and SPF application—sometimes acne is out of my control, which is why I always keep a spot treatment handy. Depending on your needs, many of these staples feature fast-working formulas (some that combat zits in a mere four hours) that don't waste time getting to the root of your breakouts.
"One of the most common active ingredients used to treat acne is salicylic acid, or beta hydroxy acid," board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman tells BAZAAR.com. "Salicylic acid works well for smoothing skin with acne as it minimises irritation, and is a chemical exfoliant. Salicylic acid will help expedite cellular turnover and also can reduce swelling and redness."
For those dealing with blackheads, treatments featuring salicylic acid can help remove excess sebum (also known as oil) and dirt from your pores. And if you most commonly get whiteheads, products with benzoyl peroxide are a great option for clearing skin. "Benzoyl peroxide is an anti-inflammatory that works to treat mild to moderate acne by killing p.Acnes bacteria that causes acne," Hartman continues. "It also helps to prevent acne by exfoliating skin while minimising redness and inflammation."
The expert also notes that benzoyl peroxide can help reduce inflammation from cystic acne, larger, sometimes more painful pimples that occur deep under the skin. Plus, redness reducing ingredients like niacinamide, azealic acid, and tea tree oil, are often found in these effective treatments, and help keep skin balanced as acne is targeted.
If you have active breakouts like I do, you'll be glad to hear that many spot treatments are gentle enough to use everyday. To help get rid of pesky or unexpected zits even faster, we've rounded up some of the best acne spot treatments that are not only easy to use, but highly effective in shrinking pimples down to size.
Related article: How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars—Forever
Shop the Best Acne Spot Treatments
Photo: Amazon
MOST POPULAR SPOT TREATMENT
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
PROS
- Works quickly
CONS
- May be irritating for sensitive skin
There's a reason over 31,000 shoppers are raving about this pink drying lotion from Mario Badescu: It combines acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and sulfur to get rid of zits overnight.
One satisfied customer writes:
"This stuff is great. No shaking. Dip the Q-Tip to the pink and dab. Sleep. Wash off in the morning. Watch your face look amazing." —Kay A.
Photo: Amazon
BEST BENZOYL PEROXIDE SPOT TREATMENT
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Spot Treatment Cream
PROS
- Safe for sensitive skin
When it comes to the acne spot treatment he most typically recommends to his clients, Hartman reaches for this popular option from La Roche-Posay. "I recommend La-Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment, which uses micronized benzoyl peroxide to penetrate deeper into the skin to clear active acne," he adds.
Photo: Credo
BEST PLANT-BASED SPOT TREATMENT
Kinship Pimple Potion Retinal + Salicylic Acne Treatment
PROS
- Gentle
As a beauty enthusiast, I've tried my fair share of spot treatments over the years, but this one from Kinship is one I gravitate back to again and again. Not only does it work quickly to minimise pimples, but it also can be used on the entire face if you're dealing with a particularly bad breakout.
One satisfied customer writes:
"I started using this a week ago and it really helps. It doesn’t dry my skin out, and reduces the look of a zit by the next day. I don’t feel a burn or anything when putting it on, but still does the job—it’s very gentle! Quickly absorbs too so you could apply makeup after, etc." —Elizabeth
Photo: Dermstore
BEST ANTI-AGING SPOT TREATMENT
SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
PROS
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines
CONS
- Best for mature skin
This top-rated serum can be used as a spot treatment to minimize acne while improving the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation at the same time.
One satisfied customer writes:
"I recently added this to my SkinCeuticals routine and love it. I am 41, and have cystic acne on my chin and it has cleared up completely!" —Rebecca
Photo: Ulta
BEST REDNESS REDUCING SPOT TREATMENT
Tula Go Away Acne Spot Treatment
PROS
- Works quickly
The name of this popular treatment says it all: Not only is it powered by benzoyl peroxide to quickly fight breakouts, but it also uses ingredients like niacinamide, azelaic acid, and tea tree oil to soothe redness and irritation.
One satisfied customer writes:
"I'm actually in awe of this product. I had some hormonal blemishes on my face and I used this product twice a day for two days. The pimples were raised, irritated and red at first, now three days later, they are essentially gone!! I'm seriously amazed. I've tried other acne spot treatments and none have ever worked this well." —Riley G.
Photo: Starface
BEST HYDROCOLLOID SPOT TREATMENT
Starface Hydro-Stars + Big Yellow
PROS
- Mess-free
For a set it and forget it option for acne, reach for these fun hydrocolloid patches from Starface. These stickers work overtime to shrink zits while protecting them from the elements. I love using them in my nighttime routine for ultimate beauty rest.
One satisfied customer writes:
"They work great! I noticed a visible difference after using the Hydro-Stars. Also the packaging is super cute and convenient. Highly recommend!" —Jenn W.
Photo: Ulta
BEST SPOT TREATMENT THAT DOUBLES AS A MASK
Sunday Riley Saturn Sulfur Spot Treatment
PROS
- Great for stubborn breakouts
CONS
- May be too intensive for sensitive skin
Whether you decide to use this treatment in dabs or all over your face, your breakouts are no match for its powerful sulfur formula.
One satisfied customer writes:
"I am completely obsessed with many of Sunday Riley’s products, and this is one of them. It's hands down the most effective spot blemish treatment I have used. I put a dab of the green cream on the blemish, leave it on over night, and within 24 hours it's significantly dried up. Decreases redness. The sulfur smell is not my favourite, but the product does the job." —shadowmoonbeam
Photo: Amazon
BEST VALUE SPOT TREATMENT
Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Spot Treatment
PROS
- Budget-friendly
We count Neutrogena's On-The-Spot Acne Spot Treatment as one of the OG pimple fighters. Its effective benzoyl peroxide formula absorbs quickly, and doesn't leave skin feeling dry once its applied.
One satisfied customer writes:
"Pimples are visibly better after just one application. Got this for my teenager. He loves it too." —Tan X.
Photo: SolaWave
BEST SPOT TREATMENT DEVICE
SolaWave Bye Acne: 3-Minute Pimple Spot Treatment
PROS
- Mess-free
CONS
- Can only be used once on each targeted area per day
I previously tested SolaWave's Bye Acne: 3-Minute Pimple Spot Treatment, which combines blue and red light technology to minimize zits in a literal flash.
One satisfied customer writes:
"I’ve been using the device for a few weeks now and it is so good for getting rid of breakouts. It’s not a bad price for a light therapy device and it’s totally worth it!!" —Cait
Photo: Dermstore
BEST SPOT TREATMENT FOR OILY SKIN
Dr Dennis Gross DRx Blemish Solutions Acne Eliminating Gel
PROS
- Contains niacinamide to reduce redness
CONS
- May be too intensive for sensitive skin
This beloved gel uses a combination of two percent salicylic acid, retinol, and glycolic acid to fight acne, and also happens to work as an astringent to help control oil production.
One satisfied customer writes:
"This product is the best when it comes to pimples. As soon as I get one, I put this on and it’s gone the next day. This product is excellent! And a must to have in your toiletries." —Sheriann
Photo: Dermstore
BEST SPOT TREATMENT FOR WHITEHEADS
First Aid Beauty Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel
PROS
- Contains aloe and oatmeal to soothe irritation
If you tend to develop whiteheads in addition to acne, this top-rated treatment gel from First Aid Beauty might be next up on your holy-grail skincare list. It uses two types of salicylic acid—two percent of the ingredient, along with its natural derivative, willow bark extract—to quickly clear your complexion.
One satisfied customer writes:
"Works well! Helps cut break out time in half or better." —Felicia
Photo: Murad
BEST FAST-ACTING SPOT TREATMENT
Murad Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment
PROS
- Invisible
This hardworking treatment from Murad aims to minimize breakouts in four hours, and has a clear formula that won't stand out under your foundation and concealer.
One satisfied customer writes:
"This product is great. Applied at night and by morning, redness was gone. Blemishes reduced immensely. Highly recommend." —Shauna
Photo: The Inkey List
BEST SPOT TREATMENT FOR BLACKHEADS
The Inkey List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment
PROS
- Vegan
This treatment uses a blend of succinic and salicylic acids plus sulfur powder to not only get rid of existing acne, but also helps prevent future breakouts from occurring. And since it also features hyaluronic acid, it'll leave your skin looking and feeling just a bit plumper.
One satisfied customer writes:
"I will definitely buy this again, it really works. I put a small amount on bumps and blemishes before bed and they are definitely smaller in the morning. And they heal more quickly." —Franx
Photo: Renée Rouleau
BEST OVERNIGHT SPOT TREATMENT
Renée Rouleau Night Time Spot Lotion
This nighttime spot lotion also works while you sleep to fight acne and whiteheads. As an added bonus, it can even be used to treat backne and chest breakouts.
One satisfied customer writes:
"Best lotion to dry unwanted pimples I have ever used." –Carol E.
Photo: Beautycounter
BEST SALICYLIC ACID SPOT TREATMENT
Beautycounter Countercontrol SOS Acne Spot Treatment
PROS
- Top-rated
This treatment gel exclusively uses maximum strength salicylic acid to target unwanted breakouts, and also contains a wintergreen and rosebay willow complex that helps keep skin balanced.
One satisfied customer writes:
"I’ve struggled with stress acne that pops up after a long hard day of work, and putting this on before bed wipes them out the next day without drying me out!" —Nikki M.
Meet the Experts
- Corey L. Hartman, M.D., F.A.A.D, is the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.
When in your routine should an acne spot treatment be applied?
Spot treatments can be applied during either your morning or evening skin routines, but many beauty enthusiasts most commonly use them in the daytime. "I personally use a spot treatment after applying moisturizer, but before applying sunscreen," Hartman says. "You can also spot treat right before applying moisturizer and sunscreen."
What are some red flags that an acne spot treatment is too intense?
According to Hartman, some clear indicators that a product may not be ideal for you are, "If your skin feels uncomfortable—too tight, painful, or tender to the touch—or is dry and flakey, your spot treatment may be too intense," he advises. "You can try using less of the spot treatment, or space out the times per week you use it, or try and entirely different product. Your board-certified dermatologist can help make recommendations on products and frequency of use, too."
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For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
This article originally appeared in Harper's BAZAAR US.