Acne Treatment Review: Best Acne Treatments

Best daily acne treatment

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment

*Est. $8/2 ounces Compare Prices

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment contains 2% salicylic acid, an exfoliant that helps treat acne before it emerges by unclogging pores and sloughing off dead skin cells. Critics say… it has a light, non-greasy formula that helps moisturize skin, and also contains antioxidants and anti-irritants in the form of aloe, cucumber and green tea which help control redness. A few users complain that the product aggravates breakouts instead of healing them, but this may be due to a silicone or salicylic acid allergy.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me: Skin-care expert Paula Begoun claims that Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment is one of only ...

Allure: Allure editors along with cosmetics chemists and dermatologists choose Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating ...

Shape magazine: Editors of Shape magazine discuss some of the latest acne remedies, recommending Neutrogena Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating ...

Marie Claire: Products are not rated or compared for this article, but instead are recommended for the specific ailments discussed. Neutrogena ...

MakeupAlley.com: A few consumers at MakeupAlley.com claim that Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment does not ...

Drugstore.com: The majority of consumers posting to Drugstore.com say that Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne ...

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Amazon Marketplace

for $9.99

Spot treatment for acne

Clean & Clear Advantage Invisible Acne Patch

*Est. $10 for a 2-pack Compare Prices

Clean & Clear Advantage Invisible Acne Patch is a 2% salicylic acid spot treatment that covers blemishes with a film-forming polymer. When it dries, the film forms an invisible layer that smoothes over the pimple's… appearance and allows you to apply makeup or concealer. The film also deposits salicylic acid which helps treat the pimple. One expert points out that this product contains alcohol, which can irritate skin. Still, alcohol is fairly low on the ingredient list and, therefore, may not be a problem for all skin types.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me: Paula Begoun bases her review of Clean & Clear Advantage Invisible Acne Patch on scientific research of its ingredients. She ...

Health: Top dermatologists rate beauty products for Health magazine's annual Healthy Beauty Awards. Clean & Clear Advantage Invisible ...

InStyle: Clean & Clear Advantage Invisible Acne Patch is chosen as the best acne spot treatment for InStyle's annual beauty awards. ...

Real Simple: This article discusses the causes of acne as well as various treatment options. Products, including Clean & Clear Advantage ...

MakeupAlley.com: The overwhelming majority of consumers here are not impressed with Clean & Clear Advantage Invisible Acne Patch. Many claim that ...

Drugstore.com: The majority of consumers posting to Drugstore.com is dissatisfied with Clean & Clear Advantage Invisible Acne Patch, stating ...

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Top-rated acne-treatment kit

Proactiv Solution 3-Step System

*Est. $50 for 3-bottle kit Compare Prices

Proactiv Solution 3-Step System is a 3-product kit containing Renewing Cleanser, Revitalizing Toner and Repairing Lotion. The system uses benzoyl peroxide, a proven topical disinfectant that kills acne-causing bacteria.… Both the cleanser and the lotion contain a 2.5% solution of benzoyl peroxide, which several experts prefer because it is less drying than higher concentrations but just as effective. The toner uses glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates the skin. While many users swear by Proactiv, we also read some reports that while it's effective at first, it loses its effectiveness over time for some users.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me: Paula Begoun gives each of the products included in Proactiv Solution 3-Step System a reasonable rating based on the solid ...

Good Housekeeping: Dermatologists evaluate five acne-control kits based on ingredients and claims. Proactiv Solution 3-Step System is chosen as the ...

About.com: Julyne Derrick, beauty guide at About.com, lists seven facts about adult acne and recommends several products associated with the ...

MakeupAlley.com: Consumers at MakeupAlley.com give Proactiv Solution 3-Step System an overall rating of 2.8 (out of five) based on 1,811 reviews. ...

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for $39.89

Prescription-strength treatment for severe acne

Differin Cream or Gel

*price varies with prescription Compare Prices

Adapalene is the active ingredient in Differin, a retinoid that is available in a cream or gel form by prescription. Studies show that retinoids are effective in treating mild to severe cases of acne, especially when… combined with other topical treatments. Experts agree that Differin is more tolerable than other retinoid forms and causes fewer side effects, although some mild discomfort may occur at the beginning of use. Those with mild cases of acne may see similar results from an over-the-counter treatment like Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment or the Proactiv Solution 3-Step System. A prescription is needed to purchase Differin. It is not available in a generic form.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Dermatology Times: This article cites a study which shows that topical retinoid adapalene gel 0.1 percent (Differin, Galderma) hastens the clearing ...

Dermatology Times: This article documents the results of a study that compared adapalene 0.1%, tazarotene 0.1% and a combination of the two retinoid ...

CosmeticsCop.com: Paula Begoun cites scientific studies that prove the efficacy of retinoids for the treatment of acne. She claims that the ...

Good Housekeeping: The editors of Good Housekeeping magazine recommend prescription-strength retinoids for the treatment of adult acne, but suggest ...

Acne.org: Consumers posting to Acne.org claim that Differin is very effective at treating acne. While a handful of them did not see any ...

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Acne Treatments: Reviews

Best daily acne treatment

Spot treatment for acne

Top-rated acne-treatment kit

Prescription-strength treatment for severe acne

Acne Treatments by Price Range


	ThermaClear Acne Treatment Device from Amazon.com Average Customer Review: