What the best acne treatments have

  • Proven ingredients in safe and effective concentrations. There is a lot of research showing benzoyl peroxide (up to 10 percent), salicylic acid (1 to 2 percent), retinol and (to a lesser degree) tea tree oil and sulfur to be effective at treating acne.
  • Gentle, non-irritating ingredients. Alcohol, menthol, fragrances and other potentially irritating ingredients are common in acne treatments because the tingling and other sensations give consumers the impression the product is working, but they are especially drying and can cause unnecessary irritation for skin that is already inflamed.
  • Other ingredients that benefit skin. Acne-prone skin can benefit from ingredients like antioxidants, which help to protect and repair skin, and anti-irritants, which help reduce redness and irritation caused by acne and/or acne medications.

Know before you go

How severe is your acne? Mild to moderate acne typically responds well to over-the-counter topical treatments, but severe and/or cystic acne require professional care and prescription treatments.

What treatments have you tried in the past? Because there is no single product or combination of products that is right for everyone, it may take some experimentation to find the right treatment for you.

Do you currently have active blemishes on your skin? Not all acne treatments treat existing blemishes; many work to prevent new blemishes from forming.

Do you have realistic expectations? It can take six to eight weeks to see results from any particular product, and in some cases, conditions may get worse before they get better.

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