Acne Medicines

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Fret no more: These dermatologist-backed OTC acne treatments work wonders against pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads so you can finally forego layers on layers of concealer.

“This is an all-in-one user-friendly pad that we recommend our patients use twice a day, ” says Lily Talakoub, M.D., of McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center. First, the glycolic acid removes dead surface skin, and lifts away debris and oils carrying nasty bacteria. The pad also has antioxidants like green tea to smooth skin and witch hazel to tone. What you’re left with is balanced skin that can operate normally without bacterial intrusion, she says.

Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment From La Roche Posay To Germany. Cosmostore Germany

For the ultimate all-natural acne-fighting potion that works double duty to spot-treat zits and combat oily skin, look no further. “This product contains multiple antioxidants like [organic] aloe vera, grape juice and witch hazel, and natural lavender oil, ” says dermatologist Gary Goldenberg, M.D., of Goldenberg Dermatology in NYC. He says its tea tree and thyme component help fight signs of aging, too. (Just spot-test first, since tea tree oil can be irritating to some skin types.)

The best over-the-counter product for acne is benzoyl peroxide cream, says Marisa Potter, M.D., a dermatologist with Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Aventura, Florida. The active ingredient (which fights the bacteria that can cause painful pimples) is more important than the brand, but Clearasil is a tried-and-true product. Potter recommends using a small amount once per day for acne (though, be warned: it can bleach your clothes and pillowcase).

“This product has found a permanent home in my medicine cabinet, ” says New York City dermatologist Lian Mack, M.D. “Containing sulfur, salicylic acid, and calamine, it easily eliminates my random breakouts, ” she adds.

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“This is a great tool for exfoliating the face to effectively remove pore-clogging dead skin cells, ” says New York City-based cosmetic dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, M.D. You also get the bonus benefit of reducing the excess sweat and oil that may lead to acne. “Using the Clarisonic will also help increase the efficacy of the skincare products you apply, ” he adds. Score.

With a medicated gel cleanser, clarifying solution, and acne treatment, this takes care of acne from all angles. “This is the best system, ” says Elizabeth Tanzi, M.D., founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and associate clinical professor at the George Washington University Medical Center. “Just like the other popular acne systems, it has salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, but the 'secret' ingredient that makes this a winner is the LHA micro-exfoliator. It helps to gently clean pores without irritation, ” she says.

This is a common derm favorite, and New Orleans dermatologist Deirdre Hooper, M.D., of Audubon Dermatology, is just one of the dermatologists who swears by it. “I love Differin for acne and off-label for brown spots and texture, ” she says. Thanks to the retinoid adapalene, it unclogs pores and calms inflammation. Since it can be drying, she recommends using a pea-sized amount and blending it with a moisturizer before applying.

Best Otc Acne Treatments Dermatologists Use To Fight Pimples, Blackheads

This is one product derm Jennifer MacGregor, M.D. regularly uses in the morning. This gentle glycolic acid-based cleanser is ideal if you have oily skin and are susceptible to getting blocked pores, she says. Use it in the morning, and follow up with a light oil-free sunscreen moisturizer, she recommends.

Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, resorts to this uber-gentle serum because acne-prone skin “doesn’t like to be overly scrubbed, she says. Its salicylic and azeliac acid content treats blackheads and whiteheads by promoting healthy skin turnover and dissolving clogged pores. It also contains plumping moisturizer hyaluronic acid and anti-aging peptides, to attack signs of aging, too.

, makes a case for using probiotics for acne, too. She loves this serum because it combines skin-balancing probiotics with prebiotics (to feed the good bacteria and help them do their job) and postbiotics (byproducts of probiotics) in order to help strengthen skin’s immune system and restore its healthy balance.

Acne Medication Market Size & Share

Jessica Migala is a health writer specializing in general wellness, fitness, nutrition, and skincare, with work published in Women’s Health, Glamour, Health, Men’s Health, and more. She is based in the Chicago suburbs and is a mom to two little boys and rambunctious rescue pup.

Marissa Miller has spent a decade editing and reporting on women’s health issues from an intersectional lens with a focus on peer-reviewed nutrition, fitness trends, mental health, skincare, reproductive rights and beyond, and currently holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell. She is an avid yoga practitioner, half-marathon runner, snowboarder, and former dance coach and choreographer. In addition to Women’s Health, her work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, NBC News, GQ, Vogue, CNN Style, and more. Marissa lives in Montreal with her two cats. She is represented by Howland Literary and her debut novel PRETTY WEIRD will be published by Skyhorse Publishing in 2021.

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Clean & Clear Persa Gel 10 Acne Medication, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Unspecified

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This is one product derm Jennifer MacGregor, M.D. regularly uses in the morning. This gentle glycolic acid-based cleanser is ideal if you have oily skin and are susceptible to getting blocked pores, she says. Use it in the morning, and follow up with a light oil-free sunscreen moisturizer, she recommends.

Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, resorts to this uber-gentle serum because acne-prone skin “doesn’t like to be overly scrubbed, she says. Its salicylic and azeliac acid content treats blackheads and whiteheads by promoting healthy skin turnover and dissolving clogged pores. It also contains plumping moisturizer hyaluronic acid and anti-aging peptides, to attack signs of aging, too.

, makes a case for using probiotics for acne, too. She loves this serum because it combines skin-balancing probiotics with prebiotics (to feed the good bacteria and help them do their job) and postbiotics (byproducts of probiotics) in order to help strengthen skin’s immune system and restore its healthy balance.

Acne Medication Market Size & Share

Jessica Migala is a health writer specializing in general wellness, fitness, nutrition, and skincare, with work published in Women’s Health, Glamour, Health, Men’s Health, and more. She is based in the Chicago suburbs and is a mom to two little boys and rambunctious rescue pup.

Marissa Miller has spent a decade editing and reporting on women’s health issues from an intersectional lens with a focus on peer-reviewed nutrition, fitness trends, mental health, skincare, reproductive rights and beyond, and currently holds a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell. She is an avid yoga practitioner, half-marathon runner, snowboarder, and former dance coach and choreographer. In addition to Women’s Health, her work has appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, NBC News, GQ, Vogue, CNN Style, and more. Marissa lives in Montreal with her two cats. She is represented by Howland Literary and her debut novel PRETTY WEIRD will be published by Skyhorse Publishing in 2021.

What To Buy During The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale The 16 Best Skin-Tightening Creams For Lax Skin How To Improve Uneven Skin Texture Best Electric Razors For Women In 2023, Per Derms

Clean & Clear Persa Gel 10 Acne Medication, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Unspecified

How To Identify A Spider Bite The Best Dark Spot Remover For Every Skin Type The 8 Best Melasma Treatments The 12 Best Oil-Free Moisturizers

20 Best Botox In A Bottle Skincare Products The Best Cellulite Creams & Treatments, Say Derms 8 Ways To Get Rid Of Butt Acne, Per Experts 20 Retinol Serums Derms Swear By