Welcome to Acne Week, a five-day stretch where we get real about pimples, zits, cysts, and every bump or blemish in between. From skin-soothing products R29 editors swear by to exclusive deals on the most breakout-friendly beauty brands, we’re kissing the concept of “bad skin” goodbye and
exploring why acne is so much more than skin deep. For half of my life, I've dealt with varying degrees of having acne. From all-over, aggravated teenage skin (that only cleared up after a brutal round of Accutane) to my present-day hormonal breakouts, I've had over a decade of testing products in the name
of showing pimples the door. From drugstore to high-end to prescription topicals, I've poured a lot of time (and money) into finding out what works — and what didn't. (All of this, mind you, predated — but heavily influenced — my
career as a beauty journalist.) All that's to say, I've made it my mission to demystify what the heck is going on when I'm dealing with a flareup — and at last, have finally cracked the code on what works for me: A 28-year-old oily-skinned, acne-prone gal. As many a
dermatologist will tell you, treating acne is a tricky beast; what works for me might not work for you depending on your age, skin type, sensitivities, etc. However, one thing I can say with total confidence is this: Great products can be found at any budget. Ahead, join me as I share my personal skin-care routine featuring some of my all-time favorite products. Sincerely, At
Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Your trusty skin-care-loving, acne-having beauty whisperer.
InnBeauty Project, Bliss, Jori
Dealing with acne-prone skin is complicated whether you've experienced breakouts since you were a teenager or got your first set of pimples as an adult. It's a tricky skin condition to deal with because there are so many causes that can kick-start the formation of bumps and breakouts.
"Acne can be due to a variety of causes," says Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. This includes an increase in oil production that leads to clogged pores, slow cell turnover, which causes dead skin to pile up and clog pores, and reactions to topical creams or makeup.
1
Best Cleanser for All Types of Acne
Acne+ 2% BHA + Azelaic Acid + Niacinamide + AHA Cleanser Skinfix
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2
Best Drugstore Cleanser
Stubborn Texture Acne Cleanser Neutrogena
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3
Best Acne Serum
Anti Bump Solution Renee Rouleau
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4
Best Multitasking Serum
Clear Genius Clarifying Toner + Serum Bliss
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5
Best Leave-On Mask
Daily Leave-On Acne Treatment Mask Jori
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On top of all the different causes of acne, there are also varying types of the condition, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. "Generally speaking, acne is divided into inflammatory and non-inflammatory subtypes," he says. "Non-inflammatory acne includes blackheads and whiteheads typically seen in the T-zone, [and] inflammatory acne includes the red bumps, pus pimples, and even the deeper nodules and cysts."
If you're prone to breakouts, you probably know that there's no shortage of acne products available on the market, which is great but also intimidating if you don't know what to look for. Luckily, with the help of top dermatologists, we've gathered the best acne products. If your acne doesn't improve within a couple of months or you have scarring cystic acne, it's worth seeing a dermatologist who can give you a personalized regimen and prescription formulas. Newcomer Twyneo combines tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide—two key acne-fighters—into one formula that you apply nightly.
Ahead, keep reading for the best over-the-counter treatments, serums, cleansers, moisturizers, and more to help get rid of pimples.
1
Best Cleanser for All Types of Acne
Skinfix
Acne+ 2% BHA + Azelaic Acid + Niacinamide + AHA Cleanser
2
Best Drugstore Cleanser
Neutrogena
Stubborn Texture Acne Cleanser
3
Best Acne Serum
Renee Rouleau
Anti Bump Solution
4
Best Multitasking Serum
Bliss
Clear Genius Clarifying Toner + Serum
5
Best Leave-On Mask
Jori
Daily Leave-On Acne Treatment Mask
6
Best Detox Mask
Caudalie
Instant Detox Mask
7
Best Spot Treatment
Yon-Ka
SOS Spot Roll-On Blemish Treatment
8
Best Toner
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Clarifying Solution
9
Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin
Community Sixty-Six
Oil Control Moisturizer with Niacinamide
10
Best SPF Serum
ZitSticka
MegaShade Breakout-Proof SPF Serum
11
Best Overnight Pimple Patches
PanOxyl
Overnight Spot Patches
12
Best Oversize Pimple Patches
Hero Cosmetics
The Mighty Patch
13
Best Budget-Friendly Topical Retinoid
Differin
Adapalene Gel
14
Best Retinol for All Skin Types
iNNBEAUTY PROJECT
Retinol Remix
15
Best LED Acne Device
SolaWave
Anti-Breakout Wand
Genesis Rivas Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more.