6 Best Anti-Acne Ingredients & Products That Dermatologists Recommend 2025

• The Best Anti-Acne Ingredients & Products 

| Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is known to be the most effective OTC acne treatment out there—you probably know it well from the ingredient label of nearly every pimple product you've ever used. Benzoyl peroxide is helpful for treating acne not only because it kills bacteria that contribute to acne, but because it helps prevent and clear out clogged pores. In general, you’ll want to look for products that contain anywhere from 2.5 to 10% of this ingredient.

Product to try:

1. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment

($29.99/40ml, up to 8% cashback at La Roche-Posay)

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment with Benzoyl Peroxide is the only acne treatment available with micronized benzoyl peroxide (5.5%) and Lipo Hydroxy Acid (0.4%) to treat acne deep in the skin. 

Micronized benzoyl peroxide, with much smaller particles than the traditional formulations, penetrates the pores more deeply to destroy acne-causing bacteria and regulate oil. Lipohydroxy acid (LHA) has been shown to exfoliate six times more effectively, but far more gently, than the regular salicylic acid from which it's derived. 

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2. Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion

($56/50ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)

This intensive acne formula targets pores to help clear existing acne, minimize excess oil production and eliminate blackheads without irritation or over drying. 5% benzoyl peroxide is delivered via a microscopic particle to affected areas, helping to diminish pimples and maintain a clear complexion.

| Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is probably one of the most common active ingredients in anti-acne products. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that removes the top layer of dead skin cells. It is able to do this by deeply penetrating the pores, thereby unclogging them. It can also help rid your skin of excess oil, thereby preventing new pimples. 

Product to try:

1. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

($29.50/118ml, up to 7% cashback at Paula's Choice)

Formulated with 2% BHA (salicylic acid), the exfoliator removes dead skin cells both on the skin's surface and within the pore. Combined with its anti-inflammatory properties, this helps to reduce blemishes and blackheads for a more clarified complexion. 

Aiding salicylic acid in its blemish-clearing mission, methylpropanediol enhances absorption so you can get the most out of each and every ingredient, while simultaneously boosting hydration levels, and green tea extract delivers a hefty dose of antioxidants to soothe and protect.

2. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque

($12/50ml, up to 10% cashback at LOOKFANTASTIC US)

This mask targets the removal of dead skin cells on the surface of oily and blemish-prone skin, with the purpose of revealing more radiant skin beneath. Charcoal and clays are ingredients renowned for their deep cleansing abilities; they aid the removal of facial impurities that would otherwise remain on the skin's surface and clog pores. Salicylic Acid exfoliates deep into the pores, promoting a smoother and clearer complexion. This rinse off mask is perfect for a pamper evening or as a rescue treatment for when your skin is feeling congested.

| AHAs

Alpha Hydroxy Acids or AHA as most call it refers to a group of acids that are naturally found in, among other things, fruit, milk and sugar cane. These include mandelic acid, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid and glycolic acid. The top dogs in this category are Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid. 

AHA is water soluble and acts on the skin's surface. It acts as an exfoliator and retains water in the skin, more commonly suited for normal or dry skin.

Product to try:

1. Pixi Glow Tonic 

($15/100ml, up to 10% cashback at Pixi Beauty)

Reveal radiant skin with PIXI Glow Tonic, a light and nourishing toner that balances the complexion. Enriched with 5% glycolic acid, this gentle, exfoliating formula dissolves the bonds binding dulling dead cells to skin's surface, to reveal the 'new' healthy skin cells underneath. Aloe vera, ginseng, and botanical extracts work together to improve the look of dewy luminosity, creating the illusion of a lit-from-within glow that looks soft and smooth to the touch.

2. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum

($90/30ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)

Diminish the signs of ageing and nurture a more refined complexion with the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, a high-tech gel that helps to resurface skin and enhance the absorption of other products.

Formulated with a dream team AHA/BHA blend including glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric and salicylic acids and blended with raspberry extract, T.L.C. Framboos sinks in easily and delivers the most effective and precise level of chemical exfoliation without the harsh side effects like dryness or sensitization. Fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration and other signs of aging will be greatly diminished, along with excess oiliness and the appearance of pores. Horse chestnut, bearberry and white tea help to calm and soothe while improving the appearance of broken capillaries.

| Adapalene

Adapalene is the first OTC retinoid, and it's available in 0.1-percent and 0.3-percent strength. It's a multi-benefit, dermatologist-recommended retinoid specifically used for clearing acne. Adapalene treats acne deep in the pores at the source, prevents new acne from forming and, as a result of reduced acne, restores your skin's natural texture and tone. 

Product to try:

1. Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

($15.99/15g, up to 4% cashback at Walgreens)

Differin contains the first OTC Rx-strength acne-fighting retinoid. Formulated with 0.1% adapalene, it clears breakouts where they start (deep in the pores), prevents acne before it begins, and as a result, restores skins texture and tone. It also treats acne and helps to improve scarring.

In clinical studies, Differin Gel provided up to an 87% reduction in acne lesions after 12 weeks, which continues to improve with further use. 

2. La Roche Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1%

($29.99/1.6 oz., up to 7% cashback at Dermstore)

Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Retinoid Acne Treatment from La Roche-Posay is an FDA-approved prescription-strength retinoid acne treatment. The dermatologist-recommended retinoid in this acne treatment helps support skin cell renewal and exfoliation to reduce the frequency of clogged pores, blackheads and whiteheads. Regular use helps treat your existing acne while also preventing future breakouts for a clearer complexion over time.

| Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid that's synthesized by yeast naturally; now it's made from products like barley and wheat. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it effective in the treatment of skin conditions like acne and rosacea. The acid can prevent future outbreaks and clean bacteria from your pores that causes acne.

Product to try:

1. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 

($10/30ml, up to 8% cashback at Skinstore)

Suitable for all skin types, the Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 30ml is a versatile, multi-functioning gel that will leave users with a uniform and glowing complexion. This high-purity azelaic acid concentration is smoothed onto the complexion in a lightweight cream-gel that feels comfortable against the skin. Promoting a brighter appearance, the treatment also helps improve the texture while working to reduce uneven pigment and blemishes for a more even tone.

2. Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster 

($38/30ml, up to 7% cashback at Paula's Choice)

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster is a multitasking cream-gel formula that reduces the look of blemishes, smooths bumpy texture, calms redness, and steadily fades uneven skin tone and post-breakout marks. Specially formulated with azelaic and salicylic acids, this lightweight cream aims to reduce the appearance of blemishes and post-breakout marks, while licorice root extracts work to nourish the skin and calm irritation. 

| Sulfur

As a topical acne treatment, sulfur works similarly to benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. But unlike these other acne-fighting ingredients, sulfur tends to be gentler on your skin. Sulfur removes the top layer of skin by drying it out and allowing it to easily peel off. This helps slough away a layer of dead skin, keeping pores unblocked and allowing fresh new layers of skin to grow in its place. Sulfur also has antibacterial properties, which help to combat the presence of any lingering bacteria on the skin that may cause infections under the skin's surface. 

Product to try:

1. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion 

($17/29ml, up to 5% cashback at Macy's)

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is a legendary on-the-spot solution that helps dry up surface blemishes overnight. Formulated with salicylic acid, sulfur, calamine, and zinc oxide, this product will shrink blemishes overnight without drying or irritating even sensitive skin. 

The treatment is super easy to use; just dip a cotton swab into the pink sediment at the bottom of the bottle and apply a dab to clean skin. Do not rub in - instead, let dry and rinse off in the morning. 

2. Kate Somerville Eradikate Acne Treatment 

($28/30ml, up to 1% cashback at Kate Somerville)

One of Kate Somerville's bestselling formulas, EradiKate Acne Treatment helps you put up a formidable fight against acne. Formulated with the highest possible level of sulphur (10%) this effectively fights blemishes and helps to reduce future ones, while salicylic acid reduces the appearance of enlarged pores and zinc oxide – a natural mineral – provides oil control by absorbing excess sebum. The result is clearer skin that lasts and, if you have a spot brewing under the skin, EradiKate will help to prevent it from rearing its unwelcome head. 

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