Here are the best patches, drying lotions, balms, and devices to banish breakouts, no matter what the cause.
We’ve all been there: Upon seeing a new pimple, you immediately fight back with the best acne spot treatment you can find — and instead, end up with a peeling, irritated, or dry skin that somehow looks even worse.
The good news is that you’re on the right track by applying a spot treatment. Unlike skin-care products that you rinse off, like cleansers, spot treatments deliver a high concentration of ingredients over a longer period of time. Speaking of ingredients: Most acne treatments contain varying percentages of either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide as active ingredients. In a nutshell, salicylic acid is an incredible chemical exfoliator: “Once it has penetrated the skin, it dissolves some of the intercellular ‘glue’ that holds skin cells together,” cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller previously told Allure. Once these bonds are dissolved, these dead skin cells can slough off. For this reason, salicylic acid is a great way to treat acne caused by clogged pores (blackheads, whiteheads — you get the picture).
On the other hand, benzoyl peroxide thwarts the bacteria that cause zits in the first place, so it’s an ideal active ingredient for treating inflammatory acne blemishes. The best spot-treatment products balance acne-fighting actives, which include the above as well as sulfur, tea tree oil, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), with skin-soothing ingredients to prevent dryness and avoid irritation. With that in mind, scroll on for 18 products that tackle breakouts quickly — without stripping your skin in the process.
Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
Why It’s Worth It: If you’ve experienced dryness from benzoyl peroxide in the past, good news: This formula uses a micronized form of the ingredient, which means it’s broken into smaller particles that can penetrate the pores more deeply than traditional formulas with less irritation. Lipohydroxy acid, the second part of the spot-fighting ingredient duo, gently exfoliates to keep pores clear.
Best for Hormonal Acne: Vichy Normaderm S.O.S Sulphur Paste
Why It’s Worth It: This lightweight cream uses 10% sulfur to dry out blemishes without irritation. Instead of working alone, however, the formula pairs it with glycolic acid (which has a light exfoliating effect) and niacinamide, which both calms inflammation and controls excess oil. Thanks to this combo, this formula can both take down active zits and prevent new ones from popping up. (No wonder it was a 2021 Best of Beauty winner.)
Best for Blackheads: Origins Super Spot Remover
Why It’s Worth It: If you measure the efficacy of zit-zapping products by whether they “feel” like they’re getting to work, consider this the gold standard: The transparent formula imparts a subtle, satisfying tingle. It’s not just a feeling, since the gel is laced with 1.5% salicylic acid and clarifying oregano oil, which both work to purge blemishes on contact. It also gets bonus points for apple and cucumber extracts, which soothe skin and stop hyperpigmentation in its tracks.
Best for Whiteheads: Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Solution
Why It’s Worth It: If you want the protection of a pimple patch with the undetectable feel of a liquid formula, try this formula, which creates a seal over the target pimple. Not only does it create a smooth surface beneath makeup, but it also provides skin with salicylic acid to break down the clog in question. To calm inflammation, meanwhile, it offers niacinamide and licorice root.
Best for Inflammatory Acne: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Blemish Solutions Acne Eliminating Gel
Why It’s Worth It: Some spot treatments can feel heavy on the skin or take ages to absorb. That’s not the case with this notably lightweight formula (which, bonus, can be used on larger areas if you’re working with multiple zits). A 2% blend of salicylic acid and niacinamide are among the ingredients that work together to unclog pores and balance oil production. While they’re powerful, they’re balanced with a blend of green tea and aloe vera, both of which are anti-inflammatory and help control redness.
Best for Cysts: Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment with 2% Salicylic Acid
Why It’s Worth It: Cysts and nodules can be among the toughest types of acne to spot-treat since they’re deeper in skin — making it harder for topical ingredients to penetrate. This formula uses a polymer that creates a super-thin film over skin, trapping the ingredients inside so they can get to work; these include salicylic acid along with amino acids, which target bacteria, and phytosteroids, which minimize inflammation. Together, they can make quick work of otherwise stubborn zits.
Best for Early-Stage Pimples: Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct
Why It’s Worth It: The ingredient list for this pen — made by the brand behind the beloved Mighty Patch pimple patches — reads like a greatest hit of acne-clearing ingredients: It has salicylic acid, lactic acid, and azelaic acid, which gently exfoliate to quickly bring blind or budding pimples to a head. What’s more, the tiny blue capsules suspended in the gel house tea tree help soothe skin and double as an antibacterial agent. Dab it on the moment you feel that tell-tale tenderness.
Best for Last-Minute Fixes: Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief
Why It’s Worth It: “Spot treatments deliver a powerful dose of active ingredients — typically salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide — to a pesky pimple,” says New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, name-checking Proactiv’s 5% benzoyl peroxide formula. This gel works fast by penetrating deep into your pores to clear them out and absorb excess oil — your breakouts won’t even know what hit them. This is probably not the best option for super sensitive skin, but as always, patch-test and see.
Best for Post-Acne: SkinFix Acne+ 2% BHA Spot Treatment
Why It’s Worth It: With the SkinFix Acne+ 2% BHA Spot Treatment, an Allure 2022 Best of Beauty winner, you can target inflamed blemishes while preventing new ones from appearing with its exfoliating star ingredient, salicylic acid. This pimple-reducing formula also contains azelaic acid, a lesser-known ingredient that has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, and niacinamide; these can both tackle active pimples and help minimize acne scars — making this especially helpful if you’re prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (read: dark spots).
Best for Reducing Redness: Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment
Why It’s Worth It: Intended for angry red zits, this spot treatment uses a novel combination of ingredients to soothe and calm the area, making it less noticeable (not to mention easier to conceal). “6% sulfur decreases inflammation, while palmitoyl tripeptide-8, allantoin, and bisabolol help to soothe the skin and reduce redness,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “And it goes on sheer and helps to hydrate the skin.”
Best for Daytime Use: Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment
Why It’s Worth It: The second you feel a breakout emerging, swipe on a thin layer of this drugstore hero, a clear, oil-free gel formulated with 2% salicylic acid and witch hazel. Not only can it work in as quickly in one day, bringing down swelling and redness, but it also dries quickly — so you can top it with makeup if needed.
Best for Nighttime Use: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Why It’s Worth It: This iconic lotion (which has launched a thousand dupes) uses salicylic acid to fight acne-causing bacteria, sulfur to disinfect, and calamine to reduce redness brought on by breakouts that have just surfaced. Word of warning: Because of its pink hue and pasty texture, this lotion may be better suited as an overnight treatment than a quick daytime fix.
Best Pimple Patch: Peace Out Acne Patches
Why It’s Worth It: Hydrocolloid patches are popular for good reason: They stay in place for hours, ensuring that the dot’s zit-zapping salicylic acid soaks into a blemish, protecting the blemish, and drawing out impurities. These 2019 Best of Beauty Award winners are also infused with aloe vera to help speed up healing and reduce redness, so your skin won’t be irritated when you pull the dot off.
Best for Mature Skin: SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
Why It’s Worth It: Get you a spot treatment that can do both: This serum-like treatment has the requisite salicylic acid and LHA to clear out pores and smooth skin texture, along with alpha hydroxy acids to target fine lines. What really sets it apart, however, is the 2% dioic acid, which helps reduce excess sebum — taking a major factor in zit formation out of the equation.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Rael Miracle Clear Soothing Spot Gel
Why It’s Worth It: This 2023 Best of Beauty Award winner is designed with early-stage pimples in mind, dissolving clogs and controlling oil production with succinic acid. What’s more, it actively calms skin with not one, not two, but five types of Centella asiatica (also known as cica). That makes it mild enough for sensitive skin, but no less effective.
Best for Oily Skin Types: Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment
Why It’s Worth It: This benzoyl peroxide-based gel “will also reduce the acne-causing bacteria on the pimple to reduce inflammation and clear the pimple,” says Dr. Greenfield. While it’s allowed at concentrations up to 10% in over-the-counter formulas, this takes a less-is-more approach to minimize over-drying skin, and the formula is oil-free and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores). You can also apply it up to three times a day if you’re looking to bring down a pimple fast.
Best for Dark Spots: Dermalogica Post-Breakout Fix
Why It’s Worth It: While the salicylic acid in this can indeed shrink a zit, the primary purpose is to tackle the after-effects of a breakout. Since healed zits can leave behind dark spots and uneven texture, the cream includes hexylresorcinol (a brightening agent), carob seed (which helps skin regenerate), and squalane (to repair the skin barrier). Together, they can take skin from congested to clear — and help prevent future breakouts.
Best Color-Correcting: Caudalie Vinopure Salicylic Spot Solution
Why It’s Worth It: You’ll find the usual suspects in this cream, including salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and niacinamide. What gives it a leg up above the rest, however, is its natural green tint, which neutralizes the red tones of zits and makes them easier to conceal. (That said, you can also wear it without makeup, as the hue is relatively sheer.)