Behold: The Most Effective Acne Creams I’ve Tested in 2024 (2024)

Differin, an over-the-counter acne gel cream that was previously available only with a prescription, is arguably the most one-size-fits-all acne treatment around. I love it, fellow beauty editors love it, and derms love it too. “The main ingredient is a type of retinoid for acne called adapalene, which "prevents dead skin cells from sticking together and blocking the pores, which traps oil beneath leading to breakouts," says Dr. Zeichner. "It also helps reduce inflammation, another primary cause of acne, in the skin.”

Key ingredient: Adapalene

THE REVIEW: “This is a great non-prescription alternative for acne," writes one reviewer, adding "I suffer from cystic acne and have tried so many products with no luck at all but after about a week of using this the appearance of my breakouts were greatly reduced."

Benzoyl peroxide comes in 2.5, 5, and 10 percent strengths in over-the-counter acne creams and treatments, but did you know that using the strongest concentration won't necessarily yield the best skin-clearing results? Derms agree that 2.5 benzoyl peroxide is just as effective as 10 percent, but not nearly as irritating. See for yourself with this acne cream from drugstore skincare brand Neutrogena. The lightweight lotion is made with 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide to help minimize breakouts without making your face all dry and flaky.

Key ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide

THE REVIEW: "I started using this product out of curiosity but now it has become a staple in my routine," one tester's review reads. "I don't use it as a moisturizer, but more of a spot treatment day and night since this product can be drying if you use too much. For me, this definitely helps with my acne problem. I find that it shrinks my active acne when I use it. The formula is very lightweight, once it absorbs into the skin, it feels like nothing at all."

Finding a moisturizing cream that will actually help treat and prevent acne rather than exacerbate it can often feel tricky. After all, the idea of adding moisture to already oily skin can feel counterintuitive—but in reality, hydration is incredibly important for keeping your skin barrier intact and preventing inflammation. Enter: this face cream from Dr. Barbara Sturm. Not only does it give skin a much-needed boost of moisture, but it also helps minimize breakouts thanks to added zinc. I love it for giving skin a soft, dewy glow that won't clog pores or feel too heavy.

Key ingredients: Sunflower oil extract, zinc

THE REVIEWS: “After using this for two weeks, I saw great results with fewer blackheads and blemishes,” writes one reviewer. “I like using this clarifying face cream at night when I feel like my skin is breaking out more than usual,” writes another tester.

This 2-in-1 cream from Tula functions as a daily face moisturizer for oily or combination skin (thanks to a hydrating dose of apple and watermelon extracts) *and* your acne treatment. Inside the tube is a blend of salicylic acid to unclog pores and curb breakouts, niacinamide and azelaic acid to fade acne marks, and willow herb extract to soothe any inflammation.

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide

THE REVIEW: "This acne-fighting moisturizer is lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin," writes a tester, adding that "it leaves no residue on the skin which is great." "My skin feels moisturized and so far my breakouts have been kept to a minimum," writes another tester.

Mario Badescu’s iconic Drying Cream is truly a mainstay when it comes to fighting acne, thanks to the formula's combo of clarifying sulfur and oil-absorbing zinc. Dab a little bit of lightweight cream on your whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and cysts as a spot treatment and watch as they shrink in size.

Key ingredients: Sulfur, zinc oxide

THE REVIEWS: “The first time I used it, I was stunned to see that Mario Badescu's Drying Cream had shrunk a disgusting, red and painful cystic "boulder" on my cheek by more than HALF overnight," writes one tester. "The next night, I slathered the "boulder" again and was amazed by morning. What had begun as another week-long (or longer) deep, painful, disfiguring giant red "zit," was little more than a minuscule "nothing,"- an invisible, internally dried, itty-bitty "bump," invisible-painless-gone!"

Azelaic acid is often used in Rx acne creams, but it's honestly just as great when used in OTC products like this serum. It’s antimicrobial and has gentle exfoliating benefits, so it's ideal at nixing acne-causing bacteria and sloughing off dead skin cells, and because it's also anti-inflammatory it can help reduce the redness and swelling associated with painful breakouts too. I swear by this azelaic acid serum from Naturium because it contains a whopping 10 percent of the powerhouse ingredient, plus niacinamide to help soothe skin.

Key ingredients: Azelaic acid, niacinamide

THE REVIEW: “This gives me smooth, clear skin. I highly recommend it, especially if you have a pimple coming out or one that you want to get rid of quickly," writes one tester.

The 2023 Holy Grail Beauty Award winner for "Best Acne Treatment", this lightweight acne cream is gentle yet super effective at clearing existing breakouts and preventing future pimples too. Our tester says “I’ve been burned (quite literally) by harsh acne products in the past, but I love how this gentle lotion cleared up my whiteheads and blackheads without drying out my skin.”

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, bakuchiol

THE REVIEW: "I have had acne prone skin my whole life and am always looking for products that are effective in treating and preventing my breakouts," writes a tester. "I really like how lightweight this product is and I have seen some great results since using it for about two weeks! I apply it morning and night and it’s working great so far!"

Perfect for breakouts that are just starting to heal, this acne cream helps repair scabby, broken skin to minimize the appearance of redness, bumpiness, and inflammation. Panthenol and peptides help keep the area moisturized, while vitamin E improves tone and texture and beta glucans accelerate the healing process.

Key ingredients: Panthenol, peptides, beta glucans, vitamin E

THE REVIEW: "I have pimples that were just starting to scab over (and I have a bad habit of picking) and this repair cream saved my skin! I applied to both new and healing spots and my skin healed extremely fast—I was shocked at the results," reads one tester review.

A favorite of Dr. Mraz-Robinson’s, the AlphaRet Clearing Serum is a concentrated retinol- and lactic acid-based serum specifically designed for oily, acne-prone skin. Unlike the original AlphaRet Overnight Cream (which is fab for smoothing fine lines and minimizing pores, btw), this serum has an added dose of salicylic acid to regulate sebum production, as well as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to add hydration and improve skin’s tone and texture.

Key ingredients: Retinoid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, niacinamide

THE REVIEW: “Obsessed with this serum! It’s helped my acne and skin texture so much,” writes a reviewer. “I have very sensitive skin and this is the only retinol that hasn’t majorly irritated me.”

Niacinamide is one of the buzziest ingredients in beauty as of late, especially when it comes to treating acne. Gentle yet powerful, it’s probably best known for brightening skin tone and fighting hyperpigmentation, but it’s also an excellent tool in regulating oil production, minimizing redness, and reducing congestion in skin—basically, all of the things that either contribute to or come from acne. This affordable serum from The Ordinary not only harnesses the power of niacinamide (in an impressive 10 percent concentration) to fight breakouts, but it also contains zinc to further balance sebum levels.

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc

THE REVIEW: “I have been using this since 2021, and it has completely transformed my skin,” writes one customer in a review. “I had acne-prone/oily skin and used it twice a day but now I only use it at night. It works!!!”

In addition to using an leave-on acne cream or topical, it's also a smart idea to consider introducing an acne face wash to your skincare routine as well. This particular cleanser from SkinMedica features a blend of AHAs (like lactic, glycolic, citric, and malic acids) and BHAs to gently nix dead skin cells that trap oil and debris in pores. It also contains tiny jojoba spheres, which serve as a physical exfoliant to help unclog pores as well.

Key ingredients: AHAs, BHAs, jojoba spheres

THE REVIEW: “I have sensitive skin that breaks out easily, especially if I try using any new product it doesn’t agree with,” writes one reviewer. “This product, however, is amazing. Not only did it agree with my sensitive skin, but it also prevents breakouts and clears out any breakouts I may have.”

I recommend that my patients dealing with widespread, frequent breakouts, look for a product (whether it's an acne cream, serum, or leave-on exfoliator) with salicylic acid, says Dr. Mraz-Robinson. "The ingredient help keep the pores clear of dead skin cells and sebum to prevent breakouts." Try it in this exfoliating toner from Paula’s Choice, which contains 2 percent salicylic acid (the strongest amount you can get OTC) along with green tea, a powerful antioxidant that helps soothe skin.

Key ingredient: 2 percent salicylic acid

THE REVIEW: “I get build up in my pores easily, and this keeps them clean and keeps my skin glowing,” says one reviewer. “Also dries out any pimples before they even get a chance to be a full on pimple.”

One of the best ways to fight regular breakouts is by doing regular chemical peels. But unfortunately, not all of us have the time (or the money) to visit the dermatologist’s office on a regular basis. That’s where Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta pads comes in. When used consistently, these at-home peel pads mimic the clarifying and brightening effects of a pro chemical peel, thanks to a blend of of glycolic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, retinol, resveratrol, and green tea.

Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid

THE REVIEW: “I’ve tried so many exfoliating products, and this one is my holy grail,” one reviewer writes. “I use it every other night, and it never irritates my skin but works WONDERS. It has helped my acne, texture, and redness.”

Once active breakouts are under control, often, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, aka acne scars, will arrive in their place. That’s why you’ll need a product that not only keeps the pimples in check but also helps correct the dark spots they’ve left, and Murad’s Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum is just the thing. It's formulated with glycolic acid to keep pores clear and tranexamic acid and resorcinol to help fade dark spots and discoloration.

Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, tranexamic acid, resorcinol

THE REVIEW: “I have been using this product for 15 days now, and most of my acne scars have reduced and I’m seeing a clearer, brighter face,” writes a reviewer.

Made from hydrocolloid, a wound dressing known to absorb fluids like oil and pus, these pimple patches are proven to improve the look of blemishes overnight. Simply stick one of the dots to a pimple and head to bed (or go about your day). Six to eight hours later, your zit will be noticeably smaller, and you’ll get the satisfying experience of seeing all the gunk on the patch.

Key ingredient: Hydrocolloid

THE REVIEW: “This is the single best product I have ever tried for acne," writes a tester. "The patches stay on for as long as you need—I usually leave them on overnight or put them on during the day to prevent myself from touching a spot. I even have gone out of the house with them because they are quite inconspicuous in my opinion. One time use overnight usually dramatically decreases the inflammation for me...I am obsessed with these!"

Sometimes, your breakouts aren’t limited to one pimple, or even one area of the face, and you need something that will dry blemishes all over. Luckily, Peter Thomas Roth makes just the thing: the Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Treatment Mask. Formulated with 10 percent maximum-strength sulfur and kaolin and bentonite clays, this mask will visibly clear acne, absorb excess oil, and prevent future breakouts. Plus, added aloe vera will calm and soothe skin to mitigate any irritation.

Key ingredients: Sulfur, kaolin clay, bentonite clay

THE REVIEW: This is the best acne treatment mask I have ever used, hands down,” writes one reviewer. “It actually does what it claims: treats and prevents breakouts. Can't honestly say that about any other product I've tried.”

Cystic acne is quite arguably the worst kind of acne. Widespread and painful, it tends to feature bumps that not only cover every part of the face but are also tucked deep beneath the skin’s surface, making them especially difficult to treat. But celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau’s beloved cystic acne treatment is here to help. Formulated with lactic acid, methyl gluceth 20, and citric acid, this potent serum offers a quick and lasting solution to stubborn, cystic acne deep within the skin.

Key ingredients: Lactic acid, methyl gluceth 20, citric acid

THE REVIEW: “This made one of my most painful bumps disappear in two days!” writes a tester. “What a relief to have something that makes me feel a little more in control of my cystic breakouts.”

Soft Services has made a name for itself by creating bodycare products that cater specifically to bumpy skin, and the brand’s Clearing Clay has body acne in particular in mind. Made with sulfur, (an antimicrobial, antibacterial ingredient that’s known to clear up breakouts) this clay treatment can be used anywhere on the body as a daily wash, a mask, or a spot treatment. It also contains percent zinc, which can help prevent future breakouts. Use it for a few minutes, or leave on overnight, depending on the severity of your breakouts and the desired results.

Key ingredients: Sulfur, zinc

THE REVIEWS: “This has become my new holy grail body product,” writes one reviewer. “I have super sensitive combination skin and my body is prone to breakouts. This product calms my active body breakouts without drying out my skin, and it also seems to be preventative.”

“Many acne products are drying, and many people cannot tolerate using them daily,” says Dr. Mraz-Robinson. The best way to figure out what’s best for your skin is to start slowly with any new acne product, and if your skin can tolerate it, increase your use from there. Ideally, topical retinoid should ideally be used nightly, while other topical ingredients may require application morning and night, says Dr. Mraz-Robinson.

And, according to Dr. Zeichner, it's important to use your acne cream even when you're not seeing active breakouts. “While most people treat a pimple after they see it develop, the best way to keep a clear complexion is to use your acne products all over the face—not just as a spot treatment—and on a regular basis, even when you're not breaking out” Dr. Zeichner says.