We’ve all been there: you wake up ready to start your day, head to the bathroom, turn on the light, look in the mirror, and bam! You’re greeted by an unwelcome visitor on your face. Breakouts happen to all of us, whether you get the occasional zit or you have acne-prone skin. From painful cystic acne to pesky blackheads, acne can be a bummer. But there’s no need to give up hope—in fact, many options can help stop pimples in their tracks.
We scoured the internet for the best acne spot treatments, from drying lotions to pimple patches, evaluating each based on factors like active ingredients, efficacy, and packaging. Just to be extra certain we found the best recs possible, we consulted board-certified dermatologist Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, M.D., to share her expert insights. Without further ado, find the best acne spot treatments to heal your breakouts fast.
Our Top Picks Best Overall: $18 Best Budget: $10 Best Pimple Patches: Best for Hyperpigmentation: $28 Best for Daytime: $18 Best Overnight Treatment: $37 Best LED Treatment: $69 Best With Tea Tree Oil: $55 Best With Salicylic Acid: $45 Best With Benzoyl Peroxide: SALE $36 $30
Best Overall
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
What We Like
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Quick results
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Comes in a glass bottle
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Treats one spot at a time
What to Consider
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Can be drying if over-applied
Type: Lotion | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, sulfur, and calamine | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
There’s a reason this formula is one of the go-to spot treatments for celebrities and beauty editors alike, including here at Byrdie HQ. In short? It actually works (and fast!) to dry up whiteheads and reduce the appearance of pesky breakouts overnight. Dr. Levin cites the sulfur in this product as an ingredient with both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. “The sulfur and salicylic acid is a great combination,” she says.
Simply dab a bit onto the problem spot before bed, let it dry, and then hit the hay. When you wake up, rinse off the lotion and the spot should be significantly improved. It's that easy. It can be drying, so make sure you only use a tiny bit and follow up with a moisturizer.
Best Budget
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
What We Like
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Affordable and easily accessible
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Won't strip skin
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Reduces redness
What to Consider
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It takes some time to absorb
Type: Serum | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Size: 1.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
As cheap as this is, it’s also effective and gentle on skin—which is exactly what you’d hope to find in an acne treatment. The Ordinary’s solution contains acne-fighting salicylic acid as well as a milder form of witch hazel, an anti-inflammatory botanical extract that doesn’t over-dry skin. Thanks to its exfoliating and soothing properties, the solution clears blackheads, and whiteheads while reducing redness, even balancing oily skin.
Best Pimple Patches
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
What We Like
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Multiple patch sizes
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Prevents picking
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Easy to store
What to Consider
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Sizes vary in the pack
Type: Patch | Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Size: 24 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes
These pimple patches from Cosrx are ideal for sucking the gunk out of pimples and healing picked-at skin. These patches are your friend when you get too enthusiastic about extracting a pimple and accidentally create a small wound, or if you’re always touching your face. The protective covering reduces bacteria transfer while healing the skin. The way they work is simple: Once you smooth on the patch, it gradually draws out all the oil and bacteria inside the blemish while keeping other contaminants out. Associate commerce editor Caitlyn Martyn always keeps these on hand in the event of a breakout. “They’re basically clear and are (almost) undetectable, so you can feel good about slapping one on and going about your day,” she adds. “It grows opaque as it clears out the pimple and a white dot becomes visible at the center to let you know when to remove it.”
Best for Hyperpigmentation
Tula Acne Spot Treatment
What We Like
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Fades acne spots
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Dries clear
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Can be used day or night
What to Consider
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Can be drying
Type: Gel | Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, probiotic extracts, licorice, niacinamide, azelaic acid, tea tree oil | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Nobody loves dark marks that exist as a constant reminder of the pimples that once were, and this effective spot treatment does an awesome job of getting rid of them. Licorice and niacinamide work to even hyperpigmentation, while benzoyl peroxide (a favorite ingredient of Dr. Levin’s) clears up acne fast. It also has tea tree oil to soothe the skin, and we especially love that it dries completely clear—so it’s perfect for day or night.
Best for Daytime
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Invisible+
What We Like
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Almost completely invisible on skin
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Heals whiteheads quickly
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Safe for all skin types
What to Consider
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Thin patch can be tricky to apply
Type: Patch | Active Ingredients: Hydrocolloid | Size: 39 patches | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you find that pimple patches are really effective for you but you don’t like feeling self-conscious in the grocery store if you want to wear them while running errands, we highly recommend the practically invisible patches from Hero Cosmetics. They draw out pus from whiteheads just like their original hydrocolloid patches, but they're much thinner and more seamless-looking on the skin. They are a bit harder to apply than the original ones given how delicate they are, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be hooked.
Best Overnight Treatment
Renée Rouleau Night Time Spot Lotion
What We Like
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Quick results
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Can also use on back and chest
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Also works on whiteheads
What to Consider
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Small bottle
Type: Lotion | Active Ingredients: Camphor, sulfur, zinc oxide | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For those times when an angry bump rears its head practically before your eyes, Renée Rouleau’s fast-acting acne spot treatment is invaluable. Specifically formulated for surface-infected blemishes, it uses a down-to-business approach with potent blemish-clearing ingredients like zinc oxide, sulfur, and camphor. We wish this came in a larger size so we could always have this blemish-fighting formula on hand.
Best LED Treatment
Solawave Bye Acne Pimple Spot Treatment
What We Like
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Small and portable
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Easy to charge
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Has a self-timer
What to Consider
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Takes consistent use to see results
Type: LED therapy device | Active Ingredients: Blue and red LED lights | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This FDA-cleared LED therapy device is unique compared to our other recommendations and is also a great alternative to creams and pimple patches. It’s powered by blue and red LED light for a two-pronged approach—blue light fights acne-causing bacteria while red light reduces inflammation and redness. Just place it directly onto your breakout spot, hold the power button, and keep it there for three minutes (the device will shut off automatically). Continue use and you’ll see a reduction in redness, inflammation, and pimple size within a few days.
Best With Tea Tree Oil
Dr. Barbara Sturm Untinted Clarifying Spot Treatment
What We Like
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Contains tea tree oil
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Quickly reduces appearance of dark spots
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Lightweight, un-tinted gel formula
What to Consider
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May irritate sensitive skin
Type: Gel | Active Ingredients: Complex of maclura bioflavonoids, tea tree oil, and zinc oxides | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If dark spots have got you down, consider reaching for this solution from Dr. Barbara Sturm. This spot treatment is designed to reduce the appearance of dark spots, redness, and spots from the very first application. Tea-tree oil is known for its pimple-fighting abilities and anti-inflammatory properties so we love to see that ingredient paired with the zinc oxides that will protect your skin from sun damage.
Best With Salicylic Acid
Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment with 2% Salicylic Acid
What We Like
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Nondrying formula
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Lightweight on skin
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Nonirritating
What to Consider
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Takes some time to absorb
Type: Lotion | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, phytosteroid | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
People who suffer from cystic breakouts know just how painful they can be. If you’re looking for an over-the-counter product to help heal a deep pimple, this is a fantastic option. It’s formulated with salicylic acid, which Dr. Levin notes is a beta hydroxy acid that both exfoliates and helps unclog pores. It also contains amino acid technology to target bad bacteria and phytosteroid to hydrate, soothe, and reduce redness. Unlike a lot of spot treatments, we love that this one isn’t overly drying on the skin.
Best With Benzoyl Peroxide
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
What We Like
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Potent form of benzoyl peroxide available OTC
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Fast-absorbing cream
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Oil-free
What to Consider
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May irritate sensitive skin
Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, lipo-hydroxy acid, glycerin | Size: 1.35 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Blackheads overstaying their welcome? Give this La Roche Posay cream a whirl. Dr. Levin says, “This is my go-to benzoyl peroxide product recommendation and it also has a gentle but effective exfoliating ingredient in the lipo-hydroxy acid.” It’s actually a derivative of salicylic acid and has skin-renewing properties and it’s balanced out with glycerin, which hydrates the skin. It’s also fast-absorbing, affordable and oil-free.
Best for Redness Relief
Paula’s Choice Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment
What We Like
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Calms visible redness
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Matte finish
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Works for all skin types
What to Consider
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May take time to see results
Type: Lotion | Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, bisabolol, allantoin | Size: 2.25 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you notice that your acne also causes redness and irritation, this Paula’s Choice treatment is one to consider. With a mix of ingredients to target acne (benzoyl peroxide), calm redness (allantoin), and soothe skin (bisabolol), you’ll find this product not only helps to shrink those zits but also reduce any visible signs that there was ever a pimple in the first place.
Best With Niacinamide
Caudalie Vinopure Color Correcting Spot Solution
What We Like
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Reduces redness
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Lightweight cream formula
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Gluten-free and cruelty-free
What to Consider
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Takes time to see results
Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, tea tree oil, niacinamide | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If visible redness and irritation bother you even more than the zits themselves, we recommend this Caudalie product to address two birds with one…cream. Powerful salicylic acid combats acne, tea tree oil purifies the origin of the spot, and niacinamide rounds out this ingredient trio by calming redness and tightening pores. Plus, the formula is tinted green to add an additional visible color-correcting property while the ingredients work beneath the surface.
Best for Sensitive Skin
Avène Cleanance ACNE Medicated Clearing Treatment
What We Like
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Good for sensitive, highly-reactive skin
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Creamy formula
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Fragrance-free
What to Consider
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Takes time to see results
Type: Cream | Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, glycerin | Size: 1.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
If your skin requires some extra TLC but you still want the benefit of a highly effective ingredient to target acne like benzoyl peroxide, Dr. Levin suggests this treatment from Avène. She says, “this is my recommendation for a spot treatment that contains benzoyl peroxide for those with more sensitive skin.” She cites the addition of glycerin and thermal spring water as the hydrating ingredients that balance out the benzoyl peroxide, which tends to result in dry skin, making it more tolerable for those of us who tend to experience sensitivity in response to acne treatments.
Best for Teens
Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief
What We Like
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Safe for teens and adults
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Transparent gel formula
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Absorbs excess oil
What to Consider
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Not a lot of product for price
Type: Gel | Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, allantoin | Size: 0.33 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Proactiv has been a top name in the acne game for good reason: their products work. We love that this formula can help anyone dealing with unwelcome blemishes, from teens to adults. Once again we come across this ingredient pairing of benzoyl peroxide to zap zits, balanced out with allantoin to moisturize and soothe skin. It’s simple and effective—now we just need it in a bigger tube.
Best Early Stage
Peace Out Early Stage Acne Dot
What We Like
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Made with microneedles
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Works for all skin types
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No parabens or sulfates
What to Consider
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Only a few patches in each box
Type: Pimple patch | Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, hydrocolloid, niacinamide | Size: 8 in a pack | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The only thing worse than waking up and realizing a pimple has appeared out of nowhere is when you can feel it coming. Instead of waiting for the inevitable, we now have a way to stop acne in its tracks. The Peace Out Skincare Early Stage Acne Dots are made with microneedles to attack blemishes beneath the skin’s surface and prevent a zit from seeing the light of day. These tiny but powerful pimple patches are made with self-dissolving microneedles, hydrocolloid polymer technology, and salicylic acid.
What to Look for in Acne Spot Treatments
- Acne Type: First and foremost, consider the type of acne you have. There are several different types of acne, ranging from whiteheads and blackheads to cysts and nodules. The kind of acne you’re experiencing will dictate the kind of treatment you should use. For example, cystic acne does not typically respond to surface acne treatments, while whiteheads and blackheads do.
- Treatment Type: Consider the treatment type. Some spot treatments are used overnight, while others can be used under makeup. Creams containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil work wonderfully at drying out acne, but you may want to reserve them for nighttime use since they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Hydrocolloid patches are great for daytime, since they protect the spot from external factors and eliminate the desire to pick at them.
- Active Ingredients: Various active ingredients can be used in acne spot treatments. You’ll likely find several options containing anti-inflammatory and skin healing ingredients such as zinc, bacteria-killing, tried-and-true salicylic acid, and blemish-shrinking benzoyl peroxide. You should also consider tea tree oil, camphor, witch hazel, and willow bark if you prefer gentle or natural ingredients. In the case of hydrocolloid patches, the active ingredient works by pulling sebum, dead skin cells, and pus from the congested pores.
FAQ
- Can you get rid of zits overnight?
One of the best ways to get rid of zits overnight is by using a hydrocolloid acne spot treatment patch. These patches will draw out the pus filling the blocked pore and reduce the size and appearance of the zit. Drying lotions can also get rid of zits overnight by drying out the blocked pore.
- How do you get rid of acne and spots fast?
Get rid of acne and spots fast with acne spot treatments. Patches, drying lotions, and medicated treatments with salicylic acid or tea tree oil work well. Be sure not to pick or pop your acne spots since this can lead to more breakouts and scarring.
- How long should someone test an acne treatment to see if it is effective?
Dr. Levin recommends testing a new acne treatment for 4-8 weeks to give the product time to do its job. However, she says, if you get an immediate reaction of itching, redness, or swelling, you should stop using the product.
- What are the best ways to prevent future breakouts?
One of the best ways to prepare for the future is to look to the past and learn from it. Dr. Levin says, “it's important to address the multiple root causes of acne, which can be influenced by factors such as hormones, genetics, excessive oil production, clogged pores, prolonged occlusion, etc.” Everyone’s skin is different, which is why having an understanding of the current state of your skin can be helpful for stopping breakouts before they start. She adds, “preventative treatments involve a consistent skincare routine that includes gentle cleansing, appropriate moisturizing and sun protection, and the use of targeted medications such as retinoids, anti-inflammatories, and exfoliants.”
Why Trust Byrdie
Austen Tosone is a beauty writer and content creator based in New York City. She is determined never to let a breakout ruin her day. She’s not afraid to run errands with a pimple patch on and she also loves spot treatments that aren’t overly drying and that quickly and effectively shrink zits. For this story she consulted:
- Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, M.D., an NYC-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough acne spot treatments from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
Article Sources Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
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- Scott AM, Stehlik P, Clark J, Zhang D, Yang Z, Hoffmann T, Mar CD, Glasziou P. Blue-Light Therapy for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ann Fam Med. 2019;17(6):545-553. doi:10.1370/afm.2445
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Li WH, Fassih A, Binner C, Parsa R, Southall MD. Low-level red LED light inhibits hyperkeratinization and inflammation induced by unsaturated fatty acid in an in vitro model mimicking acne. Lasers Surg Med. 2018;50(2):158-165. doi:10.1002/lsm.22747
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Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, et al. Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD011154. Published 2020 Mar 16. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011154.pub2
