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
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.
BUY NOW - $33
2 / 11
Best Mask For Acne-Prone Skin
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.
BUY NOW - $26
3 / 11
Best Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser
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.
BUY NOW - $25
4 / 11
Best Salicylic Acid Cleanser
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.
BUY NOW - $10
5 / 11
Best Pimple Patches
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.
BUY NOW - $9
6 / 11
Best Acne-Clearing Serum
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.”
BUY NOW - $64
7 / 11
Best Retinol Treatment For Acne-Prone Skin
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.
BUY NOW - $140
8 / 11
Best Moisturizer For Acne-Prone Skin
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.
BUY NOW - $38
9 / 11
Best Tone For Acne-Prone Skin
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.
BUY NOW - $49
10 / 11
Best Face and Oil For Acne-Prone Skin
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.
BUY NOW - $56
11 / 11
Best Sunscreen For Acne-Prone Skin
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.
BUY NOW - $68
