9 Best Acne Treatments to Get Rid of Pimples Fast

You immediately use the strongest spot treatment to combat that pimple. The result is a dry, irritated, peeling mess that’s almost impossible to hide. Spot treatments typically contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in varying amounts.

Salicylic acid, in a nutshell is a powerful chemical exfoliator. «Once it penetrates the skin, it dissolves certain of the intercellular glue that holds skin cells together,» Randy Schueller, a cosmetic chemist, previously stated to Allure. It’s also great for treating blemishes due to clogged pores (blackheads and whiteheads).

Benzoyl peroxide, on the other hand, kills bacteria that causes zits. It is therefore a great active for treating acne blemishes. Spot-squelching products that work well combine zit-zapping actives, such as those mentioned above, with skin-soothing components to avoid dry-out.

Here are best products that can quickly treat breakouts without stripping the skin.

SkinFix Acne+ Spot Treatment 2% BHA

The SkinFix Acne+ 2 % BHA Spot Treatment is an Allure 2022 Best of Beauty winner. It targets inflamed blemishes and prevents new ones from arising with its exfoliating star ingredient, salicylic acids. Azelaic acid is another ingredient in this pimple-reducing product that targets and reduces the appearance of blemishes.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

Effaclar Duo by La Roche-Posay uses a micronized version of benzoylperoxide. This means that it contains smaller particles and can penetrate pores deeper than other formulas. The second component of the spot-fighting ingredients duo, lipohydroxy acid, gently exfoliates pores to prevent irritation.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion contains salicylic acid to combat acne-causing bacteria, sulfur for disinfection, and calamine in order to reduce the redness caused by just-comes-to-surface pimples.

Warning: This lotion is better suited for nighttime use due to its pasty texture and pink hue.

Be calm about Acne Patches

The Hydrocolloid patches are a hot trend because they stay put for hours. This means that the dot’s zit-zapping Salicylic Acid soaks into any blemish and the bandage-like sticker pulls out impurities. The Peace Out Acne patches, which won the 2019 Best of Beauty Award for Best of Beauty, are also infused in vitamin A and aloe Vera to speed up healing and reduce skin irritation.

Clean& Clear Advantage Spot Treatment

Apply a thin layer Clean & Clear’s Advantage Spot Therapy, which is formulated with 2 percent salicylic acids and witch hazel, should be applied as soon as you notice a breakout. Your skin will not feel stripped or reddening the next morning.

St. Ives Solutions Acne Control Spot Therapy

St. Ives’s Solutions Acne Treatment Spot Treatment is a drugstore treasure that unclogs pores using exfoliating tea tree oil and bacteria-blasting salicylic acid. The 2021 Best of Beauty-winning formula contains moisturizing glycerin and soothing niacinamide, which prevents skin from drying out and leading to more breakouts.

First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma BHA Acne Treatment

First Aid Beauty’s FAB Pharma BHA Acne Treatment Clears Up Blemishes, Whiteheads and Blackheads. It uses our dear friend, Salicylic Acid. A soothing trio of oatmeal, bisabalol and aloe reduces redness and soothes irritation.

Florence by Mills: Spot Acne patches

These Florence by Mills Spot a Spot Acne patches come in adorable shapes, but our favorite is the cloud. The 2021 Best of Beauty-winning hydrocolloid spot treatment contains blemish-clearing salicylic Acid and inflammation-calming Tea Tree Oil to help pimples disappear overnight.

Rosen Skincare Breakout

Dab Rosen Skincare’s breakout can be applied to active blemishes. The opaque formula will completely cover the bump. The powerful combination of peppermint oil, apple cider vinegar, zinc oxide and peppermint oils provides an antibacterial and astringent treatment that will fade breakouts overnight.