SPOT, DROP, AND TREAT

16 Best Acne Spot Treatments for Getting Rid of Pimples Fast

Here are the best patches, drying lotions, balms, and devices to banish breakouts.
Best Acne Spot Treatments a collage of La RochePosay Vichy and Hero Cosmetics acne spot treatments on an offwhite background
Wesley Hall for Allure / Courtesy of brands

Editor Tip: If you want to wear it with makeup or other skin care products, let the treatment dry on your skin for five minutes before applying the rest of your routine.

Key Ingredients: Succinic acid, sulfur powder, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid | Who It's For: People with active breakouts, people who wear face makeup

Best All-Over Treatment: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

White tube of La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment on a white background

La Roche-Posay

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 pores more deeply but with less irritation than you're used to. Lipohydroxy acid, the second part of the spot-fighting ingredient duo, gently exfoliates to keep pores clear.

Editor Tip: It's gentle enough that you can use it all over the face if needed.

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, lipo-hydroxy acid, glycerin | Who It's For: People who want the targeted power of a spot treatment with the option of all-over use.

Best for Hormonal Acne: Vichy Normaderm S.O.S Sulphur Paste

Vichy Normaderm S.O.S Sulphur Paste green tube on white background

Vichy Laboratories

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, the formula is paired with glycolic acid (which has a light exfoliating effect) and niacinamide, to calm inflammation and control excess oil. Thanks to this combo, the S.O.S Sulphur Paste can take down active zits and prevent new ones from popping up. No wonder it was a 2021 Best of Beauty winner.

Editor Tip: It's allergy-tested and fragrance-free, making it a good choice for sensitive skin types.

Key Ingredients: Sulfur, niacinamide, glycolic acid | Who It's For: People who have recurring zits

Best for Blackheads: Origins Super Spot Remover

Origins Super Spot Remover on white background

Origins

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 Super Spot Remover's formula imparts a subtle, satisfying tingle — and for good reason. The gel is laced with 1.5% salicylic acid and clarifying oregano oil, which both work to purge blemishes upon contact. We also love the addition of apple and cucumber extracts, which soothe skin and stop hyperpigmentation in its tracks.

Editor Tip: Since it can clear congestion, this works on blackheads, too.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, oregano oil | Who It's For: People dealing with different types of acne

Best for Whiteheads: Kiehl's Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Solution

Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment with 2% Salicylic Acid on white background

Kiehl's

Kiehl's Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Solution

Why It's Worth It: If you want the protection of a pimple patch with the undetectable appearance of a liquid formula, try Kiehl's Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Solution, which creates a seal over the 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. For calming inflammation, it contains niacinamide and licorice root.

Editor Tip: This product is a good option if you want something for the entire life cycle of a zit; From treatment to fading to prevention.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, licorice root | Who It's For: People who want to take advantage of a patch with the convenience of a dry-down formula

Best for Early-Stage Pimples: Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct

Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct blue vial on white background

Hero Cosmetics

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 hits” list of acne-clearing ingredients. The salicylic acid, lactic acid, and azelaic acid gently exfoliate to bring blind or budding pimples to a head quickly. Then, 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 telling tenderness.

Editor Tip: The silicone tip is washable and can be cleaned and disinfected.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, tea tree oil, lactic acid | Who It's For: People who get the occasional zit

Best for Last-Minute Fixes: Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief

Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief white tube on white background

Proactiv

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. It's probably not the best option for super-sensitive skin, so, as always, do a patch test.

Editor Tip: While spot treatments are handy in a pinch, Dr. Engelman reminds folks that "always using an ongoing regimen of treatment, cleanser, and moisturizer" is critical to preventing breakouts in the long run.

Key Ingredients: Benzyol peroxide, allantoin | Who It's For: People who need a quick turnaround

Best for Post-Acne: SkinFix Acne+ 2% BHA Spot Treatment

Green tube of SkinFix Acne+ 2% BHA Spot Treatment on white background

SkinFix

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 — thanks to its exfoliating star ingredient, salicylic acid. This pimple-reducing formula also contains azelaic acid, a lesser-known ingredient that has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Niacinamide steps in to help tackle active pimples and help minimize acne scars, which makes this product especially helpful if you're prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (AKA dark spots).

Editor Tip: It's been formulated to avoid stressing out the skin's microbiome.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide | Who It's For: People prone to acne scarring

Best for Reducing Redness: Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment

Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment white tube on white backgorund

Face Reality

Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment

Why It's Worth It: Intended for angry red zits, this spot treatment uses a combination of ingredients to soothe and calm the area, making it less noticeable and 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."

Editor Tip: Since it's invisible, you can use it during the day beneath makeup.

Key Ingredients: Sulfur, bisabolol, allantoin | Who It's For: People prone to inflammatory acne who want to avoid salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide

Best for Nighttime Use: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

Clear bottle of Mario Badescu Drying Lotion on white background

Mario Badescu

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

Why It's Worth It: This iconic lotion (which has spurred countless 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. This lotion may be better suited as an overnight treatment than a quick daytime fix because of its pink hue and pasty texture.

Editor Tip: Stock up on cotton swabs, which you need to reach the paste at the bottom of the bottle.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, sulfur, zinc oxide | Who It's For: Anyone with a whitehead or pustule

Best Pimple Patch: Peace Out Acne Patches

A box of Peace Out Acne Spot patches on white background

Peace Out

Peace Out Acne Patches

Why It's Worth It: Hydrocolloid patches are popular for a good reason: They stay in place for hours, ensuring that the sticker's zit-zapping salicylic acid soaks into a blemish, protecting it 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.

Editor Tip: As with most pimple patches, these work best on whiteheads that have come to a head.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, retinol, aloe vera | Who It's For: People tempted to pick at their zits

Best for Mature Skin: SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense on white background

SkinCeuticals

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense

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. However, the 2% dioic acid sets it apart, which helps reduce excess sebum — taking a significant factor in zit formation out of the equation.

Editor Tip: Since acne can persist with age, this is a good option for anyone targeting breakouts and wrinkles.

Key Ingredients: Dioic acid, salicylic acid, lipo-hydroxy acid | Who It's For: Oily and mature skin types

Best for Sensitive Skin: Rael Miracle Clear Soothing Spot Gel

Rael Miracle Clear Soothing Spot Gel light green acne spot treatment pen on white background with red Allure BoB seal in the top right corner

Rael

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. 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.

Editor Tip: Cica reduces redness, making zits easier to conceal with makeup.

Key Ingredients: Succinic acid, tea tree extract, cica extract | Who It's For: People with reactive skin or those prone to dryness

Best for Oily Skin Types: Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment

Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment, 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide squeeze bottle on white background

Neutrogena

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.

Editor Tip: It doesn't contain any moisturizers, so it could be irritating for dry and sensitive skin types.

Key Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide | Who It's For: People with naturally oily skin

Best Value: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution glass tincture with white cap on light grey background

The Ordinary

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

Why It's Worth It: Pimple-havers love The Ordinary's Salicylic Acid 2% Solution for its low price and high-level results. In 2022, Allure commerce writer Jen Hussein wrote, "What makes this treatment, in particular, stand out from its skin-care comrades, is its gentler approach to acid-based exfoliation, which has a reputation for irritating sensitive skin types." She noted that not only did the serum help her acne subside, but it also worked wonders on the post-blemish dark spots.

Editor Tip: Use it as the first post-washing step in your skin care routine.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Who It's For: People with breakouts and dark spots

Best for Post-Breakouts: Paula's Choice Triple Active Total Repair Serum

Paula's Choice Triple Active Total Repair Serum blue bottle on light grey background

Paula's Choice

Paula's Choice Triple Active Total Repair Serum

Why It's Worth It: If another spot treatment effectively wiped out your pimple, but now you're dealing with a pesky dark spot that won't budge, Paula's Choice Triple Active Total Repair Serum might be your new best friend. It's formulated with a potent blend of hexylresorcinol, retinoid, and niacinamide to save your skin after your breakout is over. Go ahead and apply it once or twice daily after you've cleansed, toned, and exfoliated.

Editor Tip: JSYK, Paula's Choice is an Allure favorite. The brand has won its fair share of Readers' Choice and Best of Beauty Awards.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide⁠, hexylresorcinol⁠, retinyl propionate⁠, tocotrienols⁠, Castanea sativa leaf extract⁠ | Who It's For: People who have just recovered from a breakout


Frequently Asked Questions

How do acne spot treatments work?

There are so many acne treatments on the market, which makes it essential to understand precisely the issue you're looking to tackle and why you reach for the product you do. "A good acne spot treatment should halt the inflammation so it prevents the pimple from getting large and painful, and keep it contained so it goes away quicker," David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City, tells Allure. "This will also help minimize the risk for acne scars." Acne spot treatment shouldn't replace washing your face with a cleanser, but because of its higher potency of ingredients, it's a great option to supplement your existing routine.

When should I use acne spot treatments?

If you're adding a new product to your acne-clearing regimen, figuring out when and why to use a spot treatment is extremely helpful. Because the trajectory of a breakout isn't always predictable, Dr. Kim says it's best to use [acne spot treatments] as soon as you see a pimple forming. This way, the spot treatment can work its magic from the very start of a flare-up. "The goal is to keep it small and contained so it doesn't get large and painful," he adds. Still, while acne spot treatments can be hugely helpful, they aren't a one-size-fits-all solution. "When [a breakout is] large and cystic, there is little you can do to make it go away quicker."

When it comes to OTC solutions for cystic acne, Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, says the best treatment uses a combination of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. In 2023, Dr. Zeichner told Allure that this two-pronged approach works because of how different the ingredients are from one another. Remember that benzoyl peroxide can be drying, so always prime your skin with a light moisturizer.

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing every product that’s included in every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our review of the best acne spot treatments, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors — all of whom have different skin types, kinds of breakouts, and current/future concerns they're looking to treat. Testers considered performance across formula strength, efficacy (whether for blackheads, whiteheads, dark spots, etc.), and results while keeping the price in mind. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.