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Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and Adapalene can help a lot with acne.

What are the best skincare products for acne-prone skin? Look for ones that are non-comedogenic, which means they won’t clog your pores. You should think about the following types of goods:

By Mili Godio

Acne is generally thought of as one of the worst things about being a teen, but more and more adults are also having this issue. It’s also worse for women: A study that came out in 2014 in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that 22% of women in the U.S. have adult acne, but only 3% of men do.

Acne can be hard to control, but it’s not impossible. It depends on how bad things are for you. The doctors we talked to told us about skincare ingredients that can get rid of acne, redness, and dark spots to make your skin clear. We also made a list of some of the best acne treatments they suggested.

When you put on sunscreen, does it itch? You might want to try these instead.

The 2023 best skincare Products for Acne-Prone Skin

We talked to dermatologists who said that people whose skin gets acne should look for the best products for acne-prone skin salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, Adapalene, and azelaic acid (more on that below). These ingredients are in a number of face washes, moisturisers, sunscreens, spot treatments, and face masks. Below is a list of other acne-fighting ingredients, like niacinamide and zinc oxide, that experts say you should also use. Professionals said that the following brands and items were good.

Neutrogena Acne Wash Without Oil and Salicylic Acid

This salicylic acid cleanser from a brand that dermatologists love was recommended by Dr Eileen Deignan, who is a board-certified dermatologist and the head of dermatology at Emerson Hospital.

My favourite Neutrogena makes your pores look cleaner and pimples less painful. Dr. Emmy Graber, head of The Dermatology Institute of Boston and a board-certified dermatologist, says that LHA is a better way to treat acne because it is gentler. Because it doesn’t have any oils, chemicals, or parabens, the company that makes it says it’s good for most skin types.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

CeraVe is the brand that Deignan recommends as a softer benzoyl peroxide wash. Our experts also like this brand. There is 4% benzoyl peroxide in Deignan that helps get rid of acne, hyaluronic acid that keeps the skin moist, and niacinamide that naturally lowers inflammation.

Effaclar Acne Gel Face Wash from La Roche-Posay

What you see here is the La Roche Posay Effaclar medicated gel cleaner.

Dermatologists really like the brand name La Roche-Posay, and this acne face wash from them has no smell and 2% salicylic acid. Dr Tracy Evans, medical director of Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology and a board-certified dermatologist, said that the brand put the ingredient in with LHA to “balance the cleanser” and make it better for the skin. Steve taught us that glycerin is an AHA that helps keep the face calm and moist.

Evans said that this face wash can help people with oily skin because it makes the skin dry. That brand’s Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is better for sensitive skin because it doesn’t dry out as much, has niacinamide, and “cleanses the skin while hydrating it.”

Face Mask with Clear Pores by Neutrogena

Neutrogena Face Cleanser and Mask for Clear Pores

The Neutrogena lotion with 3.5% benzoyl peroxide that Graber recommended has been very helpful. The brand says it can be used every day to clean your face or once a week as a mask to kill germs and keep best products for acne-prone skin from coming back.

EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 face sunscreen

EltaMD UV Clear and Niacinamide are two of Deignan’s best products for acne-prone skin sunscreens. Niacinamide is a natural pain reliever that doesn’t have any heavy moisturisers that might block pores. An SPF of 46 mineral-based sunscreen from EltaMD has zinc oxide in it, which experts say blocks UVA and UVB rays and makes the face feel better. Our experts also said that EltaMD’s tinted version of this product was one of the best-tinted sunscreens for people with dark spots or other skin issues.

Mario Badescu Mask for Skin That Is Dry

Sulphur is “the oldest known ingredient to help with skin inflammation,” and Mario Badescu’s face mask has it. As Mario Badescu says, the sulphur and zinc oxide in this mask get rid of oil and dirt. The calamine and cucumber can cool the skin and keep it from becoming sensitive afterwards. It can be used twice or three times a week, and the company that makes it says it can also be used to treat acne that just won’t go away.

Paula’s Choice’s 2% BHA liquid exfoliant makes skin look better.

This liquid leave-on wash from Paula’s Choice gets rid of dead skin cells and opens up pores. It has 2% salicylic acid in it. The company also says that the green tea in it can help calm red, itchy skin and slow down the ageing process.

Treatment for acne with 0.1% Differin Adapalene Gel

1. Caren Campbell, a board-certified physician,

 Recommended this over-the-counter retinol in our guide to retinol. Retinoids are said to speed up the change of skin cells and lower inflammation. This cleans pores deeply and stops acne from starting up again. From what the brand says, put a thin layer of gel treatment on the areas that need it after you wash, tone, and moisturise your face.

Use Azelaic Acid Serum Every Day

Brightening Cream with Azelaic Acid 10% from The Ordinary.

 Graber said that she often tells her patients to try The best products for acne-prone skin Ordinary Azelaic Acid Serum because it can help with both acne and dark spots. There are no animal tests on the serum, and the company that makes it says it is safe to use up to twice a day. 10% azelaic acid is in it to help your face get lighter.

Apply CeraVe PM Facial Moisturiser to your face.

Best products for acne-prone skin that moisturise and don’t contain oil can be very helpful for acne.” One example is CeraVe’s everyday moisturiser. The brand’s oil-free nighttime moisturiser has niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and other ceramides that, according to the brand, keep the skin moist all night. This brand also makes an SPF 30 facial moisturiser that you can buy.

Cetaphil Lotion for Dry Skin

We were told that Cetaphil is a good brand for people with acne by Dr. Lindsey Bordone, who is a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center. The company that makes this face and body cream says that it is non-greasy, paraben-free, and doesn’t have any extra scents added so that people with sensitive skin won’t get sick. You can keep your skin wet for up to 24 hours with Cetaphil balm. It ranges in size from 4 ounces to 20 ounces.

These are the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Cream.

A board-certified doctor named Dr. Erum Ilyas used to recommend this La Roche-Posay face moisturiser because it makes the best products for acne-prone skin feel better and keeps it moist. It’s said that the cream will keep skin moist for 48 hours and can be used on the face, neck, and hands.

What Works Best Products for acne-prone skin?

Doctors told us that salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, Adapalene, and azelaic acid are four important acne-fighting ingredients. People with really bad acne can get these prescription drugs, but you can also find a lot of over-the-counter medicines with smaller amounts of these ingredients.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA) are two more ingredients that can be found in over-the-counter products that help clear up acne. This mixture can “help with clogged pores like blackheads and can make the top layer of dead skin cells shed,” says Dr Mary Stevenson, an assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health who is on the board of certification. But everyone agreed that you should talk to your doctor about what will work best for your face and not hurt it or make your acne worse.

This acid is salicylic.

Salicylic acid gets rid of dead skin cells because it is a BHA. “It helps get rid of the top, dead layers of skin and can help with inflammation,” he said. “Unclog pores that are the cause of some acne lesions and help to remove excess oils,” says Deignan of these products, which usually come in the form of a lotion, wash, or cream. Evans said that you should only use salicylic acid the best products for acne-prone skin every other day or twice a week at first because they can dry out your skin, especially if it is sensitive.

Another name for lipohydroxy acid (LHA) is salicylic acid salt. It works a lot like salicylic acid to clean out pores and get rid of dead skin cells. But Graber says LHA is kinder and less annoying.

The peroxide of benzoyl

The redness and sores that people with acne see are generally caused by the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) that live on the skin. The spread of P. acnes can be stopped with benzoyl peroxide. Evans said that this part can really help with red and swollen acne.

Graber said that a lot of items that contain benzoyl peroxide only have 10% of the item. She did say, though, that stronger acne treatments have never been proven to work better. “Higher strengths only irritate the skin more, so you should look for a lower strength,” she told them, especially since they had never used it before. Evans also said that people with sensitive skin should not use skin problems like acne or rosacea. Don’t forget that benzoyl peroxide can also whiten your clothes and pillows.

Adapalene to Take

Adapalene is a type of retinoid that is used to treat acne and scars. This medicine has two strengths: 0.1% and 0.3%. The first over-the-counter (OTC) retinoid acne treatment has been given the green light. Deignan says it works to keep the cells that line the pores from changing, which keeps them from getting plugged. Evans said that Adapalene could make the skin very dry, so it should be used with a mild cleanser and a moisturiser that doesn’t contain oil.

The azelaic acid is

Like salicylic acid and Adapalene, azelaic acid can make pores bigger. He says that if you have sensitive skin, it might be better for you because it’s not as strong as glycolic acid and Adapalene.

“It can also lighten the brown spots that people with darker skin often have left over from acne,” said Graber. It comes in prescription forms at 15% and 20% strengths, but you can also find it in over-the-counter meds at a 10% strength, she said.

What doctors say about how to treat and keep adult acne away

What you should know before you buy products for Acne-Prone skin

Acne-fighting products can be used every day if your skin can handle them, according to experts. For example, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid can be used in the morning and at night.

Because it’s “more stable than older retinoids,” Adapalene can be used during the day, says Bordone. Adapalene can make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays, so it’s best to use it at night if you’re going to be out in the sun a lot during the day. Bordone said that people with sensitive skin should only use acne-fighting products every other day at first and test them on a small area of skin to make sure they don’t cause an allergic response.

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can help with mild to moderate acne, but “they usually take three months of daily use to show results,” Deignan said. It’s also safe to use all of the above acne-fighting ingredients at the same time, but keep in mind that this can be very irritating. Also, Graber says that putting products on top of each other won’t make them work better.

When using skin care products for acne-prone skin, the doctors we talked to told us about a few other things to keep in mind.

Try to find things that won’t clog your pores.

 For people who get acne, our experts said to look for a mark that says “non-comedogenic.” In other words, the item won’t block pores.

Take good care of your skin.

 No matter what kind of product you use, our experts say you should always be gentle when you wash your face and put on makeup. Deignan said, “Avoid scrub washes and tools that scrub your teeth mechanically.” Things like these can make acne worse instead of better because they irritate the face more.

Put on some sunscreen.

 After using a product to get rid of acne, you should use sunscreen and lotion that won’t clog your pores in the morning. Graber stated, “I always tell people to wear sunscreen, but a lot of these ingredients make the top layer of skin thinner, which makes people more likely to get sunburned.” Stevenson also says that sunscreen can help fade dark spots and stop new ones from showing up after a breakout. They say that you should use a natural sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher during the day.

What Makes You get Acne?

Anyone, from kids to adults, can get acne. Many things can cause it. Evans said, “Acne is a complicated disease with many causes, such as genetics, hormones, and bacteria.” Acne can be caused by hormonal changes and swings (especially during puberty or menstruation), eating certain foods like cheese, or having a lot of stress. All of these things can make your skin make more oil, which blocks your pores and lets the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria grow too much, which makes your skin red and swollen.

Meet our Experts.

If you want to work for Select, you can only hire pros who have had the right training and have a lot of experience. On top of that, we make sure that all expert advice and views are given without any bias or hidden financial ties.

Board-certified in dermatology, Dr. Mary Stevenson is an associate professor in the Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone Health. She is an expert in Mohs treatment and works as a dermatologist. as well as laser and cosmetic procedures.

Board-certified in dermatology, Dr. Eileen Deignan is the head of dermatology at Emerson Hospital. She also teaches dermatology to people who are in training programs at Harvard Medical School.

The medical head of Pacific Skin and Cosmetic Dermatology is Dr. Tracy Evans, who is a board-certified dermatologist. She also specialises in skin cancer and has been trained as a trainee Mohs surgeon.

Dr. Emmy Graber is the founder and head of The Dermatology Institute of Boston and a dermatologist who has been certified by a board. She is an expert in treating pimples and making skin look better.

Dr. Lindsey Bordone is an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center and a dermatologist whom a board has qualified. She is an expert in general dermatology for adults and treats all skin, hair, and nail problems.

FINAL THOUGHT 

In the end, if you want to control your products for acne-prone skin, you need to be very careful when picking skincare items that work with your skin type and don’t make it worse or cause more breakouts. Some of the best products are gentle cleansers, toners that don’t contain alcohol, scrubs that work well, and sunscreens and creams that don’t clog pores. For the most part, focused treatments like masks and spot treatments also work really well to get rid of acne. Before adding new skincare items to your routine, make sure to test them on a small area of skin first. You should see a doctor to get a personalised treatment plan if your acne is bad or won’t go away. If you use the right skin care items, it can be easier and more effective to take care of skin that gets products for acne-prone skin.