If you’re dealing with breakouts or the annoying dark spots and scars they leave behind, consider our 2023 Acne Awards your new skincare bible. This year, we’ve highlighted 58 standouts in the acne space—all tested, reviewed, and hand-selected by six beauty Cosmo editors with temperamental skin just like yours.
What you can expect to see below? Forty-one skincare finds for your face and body, nine pore-friendly makeup picks, three actually-worth-it at-home tools and devices, and four dermatologist-approved treatments that deliver big-time on results. Down at the very bottom, you’ll hear more from our testers and their favorite skin tips plus a detailed look at how we selected all of our winners. So go ahead and start scrolling/browsing/shopping...your skin deserves it.
The best facial cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and more
“I wash my face with this gentle cleanser twice a day—both morning and night—and it leaves my skin feeling clean but not stripped because the formula is designed to keep your skin’s microbiome intact.” —Beth Gillette, beauty editor
“I’ve tried so many acne cleansers in the past and they’ve always left my skin dry and flaky, but Avène’s gentle formula does exactly the opposite. It has 2 percent salicylic acid to degunk pores and keep the cystic acne around my chin from flaring, and it’s also filled with hydrators to keep my skin barrier intact.” —Daisy Maldonado, associate shopping editor
“I love the idea of micellar water but hate how so many formulas leave a greasy residue on my skin. This one is awesome because it literally feels like water (no oily film) and removes my makeup without irritating my sensitive, acne-prone skin.” —Siena Gagliano, associate editor
“Adding this exfoliating toner to my daily skincare routine has been a total game changer. After a month of testing, the tiny bumps along my chin and jawline have practically disappeared and the rough, uneven texture on my cheeks dramatically softened.” —Lauren Balsamo, deputy beauty director
“If you struggle with redness, this will be your new BFF. It’s thicker than I expected, with a gel-like consistency but goes on smooth and doesn’t feel heavy once it absorbs. With consistent use, my skin felt more moisturized and resilient—and my chronically red cheeks looks less angry and irritated too.” —Olivia Truffaut-Wong, editor
“No lie, I’ve been religiously exfoliating with these pads twice a week and my skin has never looked smoother. They’re so effective at keeping my acne scarring and texture issues at bay, courtesy of glycolic, mandelic, and polyhydroxy acids.” —BG
“There’s a bit of a learning curve with this pore-minimizing powder, but once you get the hang of it, expect impressive results. After using it on my nose, I immediately noticed my pores and blackheads looked smaller. Plus, it works great as a spot treatment on breakouts.” —OTW
“What I love about this product (aside from the fact that it basically erased my stubborn blackheads) is how easy it is to use. Just swipe it on, rub it in for quick exfoliation, or let it sit for a few as a mask, and then wash off. And the fact that it’s super travel friendly doesn’t hurt either.” —OTW
“File this liquid pimple patch under ‘genius.’ It shrinks my whiteheads into nonexistence and fades my post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Plus, it can be worn seamlessly under makeup because it dries down completely clear.” —Julee Wilson, beauty editor-at-large
“I’ve tried every serum, cream, and lotion for hormonal cysts, and nothing compares to the results from spironolactone. The oral Rx medication reduces the oil-producing effects of androgens in the skin to prevent deep, painful cysts from happening in the first place.” —LB
“I despise putting concealer directly over an angry, ultra-inflamed pimple. Which is exactly where this camphor- and sulfur-spiked gel comes in. I just dab it over my zit and wait about a minute and it helps instantly calm the bump and smooth it out a bit so makeup goes on evenly.”
—BG
“If you want to speed up the recovery process, look no further than this cream. It kick-starts your skin’s healing, reduces the likelihood of scarring and bumpy textures, and tones down any redness and flaking. I even use it after plucking or shaving to stop any potential irritation.” —OTW
“You’ve probably heard of Adapalene, an over-the-counter retinoid for acne-prone skin, but what about Adapinoid? This precursor to Adapalene is a bit gentler than the OG, and it happens to be the hero in this Skinfix gel. My skin looks clearer and smoother (and zero percent irritated) after using it every other night for three months.” —BG
“I’ve tried so many antioxidant serums with vitamin C, and without fail, they always seem to break me out. But this option from Doctor Rogers had the total opposite effect. It makes my skin clear and glowy, and it helps protect from free radical damage. I’ve been using it as the first step in my morning routine and my skin loves the brightening and smoothing effects.” —LB
“Billie Eilish and Miley Cyrus are fans of this serum, and now so am I. It’s perfect for dry, dehydrated skin types or the winter season thanks to soothing plant peptides and hyaluronic acid, but unlike many other hydrating serums I’ve tried, it won’t clog pores or exacerbate breakouts.” —LB
“This stuff kicks my post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation’s butt. The kojic acid helps brighten my dark spots and marks, and my skin barrier is highly protected thanks to plenty of ceramides and panthenol in the formula.” —JW
“My derm recommended sulfur-based skincare to help reduce a particularly bad acne flare, and after using this mask every other night for a week, my skin looked 100 percent better. My pimples were dried out and my face looked less bumpy and inflamed overall. It’s a miracle product—I’m obsessed.” —SG
Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Overnight Repair Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Pads
“The idea of an acne pad might feel old-school, but I’m telling you they will be your blemish-fighting secret weapon—especially these bbs! Each pad is pre-soaked in a trio of acids (specifically salicylic, glycolic, and mandelic) to clean out pores to perfection.” —JW
“The ultra-thin beveled edge on these clear pimple patches make them nearly undetectable, which is exactly why I love them for daytime use. They really help sunk the gunk out of a zit and minimize inflammation.” —BG
“Unlike other pimple patches that just protect your skin from inflammation, these actually target active acne with salicylic acid–spiked microdarts for faster results. And I love that they comes with tea tree oil wipes to clean the skin on and around breakouts before popping on the patch too.” —DM
“Hormonal acne = deep scars that stay with me forever. Fun! But since I started sticking one of these microdart patches on top (filled with niacinamide, licorice root extract, and vitamin C), my dark spots fade a lil bit faster.” —BG
“I don’t play about moisturizing and even more so when I’m breaking out since some spot treatments can make my skin feel like sandpaper. Thankfully, this cream smooths and soothes with hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and vitamin E.” —JW
“I obsessed with all things French skincare, including this face moisturizer from Filorga. The gel-cream texture is a dream for my combo skin (not too heavy, not too light, and never pore-clogging), and it creates the softest, smoothest base for makeup.” —SG
“Moisturizer is always a bit scary for someone with oily skin, but this ultra-light gel feels amazing on my face. It provides the hydration I need without clogging my pores or making my skin feel like a grease slick. It’s my new go-to.” —DM
“Like a warm hug for your skin, this gentle moisturizer cocoons skin in a layer of moisture while soothing irritation and toning down redness.” —LB
“This is the best SPF I tried in 2023, and it happens to be perfect for anyone with acne-prone skin or acne scarring. In addition to ultra-sheer zinc oxide, it’s got niacinamide, silymarin, licorice root extract, and tranexamic acid to combat free radical damage and brighten up your skin tone too.” —LB
“I’m not a morning person, so when I’m running out of the door, the easier the better. Enter: Daybird’s tinted sunscreen that I use as my foundation, moisturizer, and SPF in one. It totally disguises any redness from my breakouts and doesn’t feel oily on my skin at all.” —SG
“I used to scoff at the idea of ‘clean’ or ‘natural’ acne products, but this stuff is the real deal. The combo of bakuchiol (a plant-based alternative to retinol), glycolic acid, niacinamide, and elderberry extract help visibly smooth, brighten, and clarify skin.” —LB
“After taking a quick yet thorough quiz about my skin and lifestyle and sharing some previous health history, I got a tretinoin and azelaic acid prescription from Ro for way less $$$ than from my doc’s office. I’ve been slathering my custom formula on every night, and my acne is hating it!” —BG
“Sure, these products are great on their alone, but when you use them together? That’s when the real skin-clearing magic happens. I’m obsessed with the fact that this cleanser also acts as a spot treatment too.” —DM
Everything you need to clear up your bodne
“When you treat your skin with acne products day in and day out, it’s inevitably going to get dried out. That’s where this lightweight lotion comes in handy. The gel-like formula is deeply hydrating (thanks to vitamin b5) and helps repair my skin’s moisture barrier with no greasy residue.” —SG
“This ultra-lightweight gel is packed with salicylic acid to help exfoliate and smooth my bumpy, zit-prone chest and back—without feeling sticky or heavy on my skin. I slather it on at night before bed and I’m consistently pleased with how clear and bright my skin looks in the morning.” —BG
“This body wash leaves my skin feeling *so* smooth and soft. It’s a gentle cleanser with a slight fragrance that def makes your skin feel more hydrated immediately after the first use.” —DM
“My bacne was soooo bad over the summer (I blame sweaty sports bras and hormones) and I’m telling you this bar soap is the only thing that cleared it up. The 10 percent benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation, and unclogs pores for a breakout-free bod.” —LB
“The moment I started using this body exfoliator is the moment I started getting my body acne in check. The AHA serum-boosted formula gently cleans out my pores and leaves my skin amazingly soft.” —JW
“I used to freak out about putting SPF on my breakout-prone back and chest, but then I found this stuff. It’s a lightweight spray that’s so easy to apply and barely needs to be rubbed in. And most importantly, there’s no greasy feel or white cast.” —BG
“I love that I can hop out of the shower, spray this on my shoulders and chest, and go about my morning. It soaks right into skin in seconds—you literally don’t even have to rub it in—and thanks to salicylic acid, zinc PCA, and niacinamide, it treats and prevents pimples and fades dark marks from old breakouts.” —LB
Makeup that won’t break you out (promise)
“I am so picky when it comes to foundation. I want serious coverage but my skin to still look like skin. At the top of my short list of favorites is this serum-like foundation from BareMinerals. It feels like nothing on my skin and is zero percent cakey but completely covers any hyperpigmentation, blotchiness, or breakouts I’m dealing with.” —SG
“This is truly the first skin tint that hasn’t made my acne-prone skin look greasy or slippery. Instead, it has a weightless feel with a soft, velvety finish that seamlessly helps cover up my acne scars and active zits.” —BG
“This stuff has turned me into a powder foundation convert. It goes on smoother than any powder foundation I’ve previously tried and I love how it gives my skin a blurred, natural-looking finish. The sponge applicator it comes with is great too, btw.” —DM
“If there’s one thing I’m putting on my face before I leave the house in the morning, it’s this do-it-all tinted moisturizer. It’s got antioxidants and SPF 30 to protect from environmental and UV damage, squalane to moisturize, and a buildable tint to camouflage dark spots and breakouts.” —LB
“The phrase ‘hydrating concealer’ sounds like an oxymoron, which is why this find is so spectacular! I can actually cover my breakouts and post inflammatory dark spots without my skin getting all dry, tight, and flaky.” —JW
“My post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from old breakouts is so dark that my regular concealer can’t fully cover it on its own. That’s where this color corrector comes in handy. The peachy pigments neutralize purplish marks without having to gob on a ton of product.” —LB
“I am fully in love with this primer. Not only does it keep my makeup looking fresh for hours and prevent it from settling into my pores, it mattifies my T-zone area without drying me out. You only need a little bit to work, and while it feels very silicone-y when applying, it absorbs in seconds so it feels like you’ve got nothing on your face.” —OTW
“Oil blotters are a must for when I’m out and about and these sheets are the GOAT. They’ve been around forever, but they get the job done (aka nix excess grease without messing with my makeup) and are super affordable too.” —DM
“Most setting sprays leave my makeup looking broken up and splotchy on my oily skin, but this one gives me a natural finish (read: not matte nor shiny) and actually uses some soothing green tea extract and aloe to slightly help reduce irritation on my skin too.” —BG
Top-rated tools, DIY devices, and trending treatments
“The difference this blue- and red-light mask has made for my angry, hormonal breakouts is remarkable. Consistency is key—I use it for 10 minutes every day. If you’re willing to commit, I promise you’ll be wowed by how calm and clear your skin looks.” —LB
“Whenever I feel a cystic zit coming on, I zap it with this high frequency wand for a few seconds and I swear it cuts the healing time in half. The combo of argon and neon gases emitted from the tip are excellent at killing acne-causing bacteria on the skin and minimizing inflammation.” —LB
“I love how gentle this cleansing device is on my acne-prone skin. I pair it with the brand’s salicylic acid-spiked cleanser, and it makes my skin feel so squeaky-clean but not at all dried out or irritated like some other cleansing brushes I’ve tried in the past.”’ —BG
“This facial is like a magic eraser for blackheads and clogged pores. During a treatment, a microdermabrasion wand with suction powers is passed over the skin to exfoliate dead cells, gently suck gunk from pores, and infuse skin with a targeted SkinMedica serum for your skin’s specific needs.” —LB
“These are the most incredible chemical peels for acne-prone individuals. Your provider can completely tailor the treatment to your specific skin care needs and you don’t need to shed layers of skin for days to see a get a good result. My provider blended the Hydroquinone Free peel with the Hydroquinone & Resorcinol peel and it gave me the clearest, smoothest skin with minimal downtime.” —SG
“AviClear is basically my good skin secret weapon at this point. The laser suppresses your oil glands, which reduces pore-clogging and pimples. After three treatments spaced one month apart, I only get a hormonal breakout on my period these days. It’s *bliss.*” —BG
“Before the Moxi laser, I had purple acne marks all over my cheeks and chin. After one session? They were practically totally faded. Yes, it’s a lil painful, but I only had a few days of downtime and the results were majorly worth it.” —BG
“I’ve tried all of the microneedling treatments out there, and this is by far the best option for anyone with acne scars. After three sessions spaced a month apart, the bumpy texture on my cheeks was totally smooth and the little indents and bumps on my chin from old cysts were barely noticeable. As long as you numb for 30 minutes pre-treatments, it’s truly painless too.” —LB
Meet the testers
Lauren Balsamo
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing acne content. She regularly tests and analyzes acne products and treatments for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists and estheticians to assess new formulas, brands, and technologies.
Acne type:
Hormonal with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Her MVP skincare tip:
“I used to be quick to write off products if I didn't see instant results, but the reality is that topicals take weeks, sometimes months, to make a visible difference in your skin. Patience is everything.”
The one skincare step she'd never skip:
“No many how many glasses of wine I have at dinner, I always wash my face before bed. It’s critical for keeping pores clear and preventing breakouts.”
Beth Gillette
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has more than five years of experience writing about all types of acne and acne products, including the best scalp-acne shampoos and the best moisturizers for acne-prone skin. She’s constantly interviewing dermatologists and cosmetic chemists to uncover the best and newest ingredients, products, and treatments in the acne space.
Acne type:
Hormonal with cystic breakouts.
Her MVP skincare tip:
“If your over-the-counter products aren’t cutting it, see a derm (whether virtual or in-person) for a prescription.”
The worst acne advice she’s ever heard:
“Growing up, my mom told me if I started wearing thick, matte, full-coverage foundation, it would dry out my pimples and make them go away. Nope, lol.”
Julee Wilson
Julee Wilson is the beauty editor-at-large at Cosmopolitan. Previously, Julee was beauty director at Cosmo and global beauty director at Essence and has held various editorial positions at Huffington Post and Real Simple. She counts herself lucky AF that she gets to play with beauty products for a living and tell dope stories.
Acne type:
Whiteheads
The one skincare step she'd never skip:
“I’m serious about moisturizer—I never go a day without it.”
The worst acne advice she’s ever heard:
“That washing your face several times a day will help with acne. In reality, you'll just strip your skin and trigger more oil production. Acne-prone skin needs to be gently cleansed in the morning and not overly washed or scrubbed.”
Olivia Truffaut-Wong
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan with 10 years of experience. She has researched and written about all things beauty, from the best shampoo bars to the best tinted sunscreens. She is always on the hunt for new skincare products to try and review, especially when it comes to acne, which she has personally struggled with since she was 10.
Acne type:
Hormonal.
Her MVP skincare tip:
“DO NOT POP PIMPLES. I repeat, DO NOT POP. And if you have poked or prodded a pimple, clean the area and use a pimple patch right after.”
The worst acne advice she’s ever heard:
“That people ‘grow out’ of their acne once they’re no longer teenagers. Adult acne is very much a thing and we shouldn’t lie about it!”
Siena Gagliano
Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan with more than three years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces. She’s an expert in the acne space, with stories ranging from the best retinol body lotions for body breakouts to the best toners for acne-prone skin.
Acne type:
Hormonal with congestion around the chin and mouth.
Her MVP skincare tip:
“Keep your routine simple—9 out of 10 times, overdoing it with a bunch of different products and steps will just aggravate your skin and leave it dry, flaky, and pissed off.”
The one skincare step she’d never skip:
“Double-cleansing, I live by this—oh, and SPF, ofc.”
Daisy Maldonado
Daisy Maldonado is the associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan with more than three years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories that range from the best viral lip stains to deep-dive hot tool reviews. She’s an authority in all beauty categories but an expert when it comes to acne, thanks to her personal experience with hormonal breakouts.
Acne type:
Oily skin with hormonal breakouts.
Her MVP skincare tip:
“Even if you have oily skin, don’t skip moisturizer! Opt for a lightweight gel cream to hydrate your skin without heaviness.”
The worst acne advice she’s ever heard:
“That spending hundreds of dollars on a trendy product will fix your skin. Everyone’s skin is different, and you don’t need the most luxe skincare items in your cabinet to treat your acne. Narrow it down to a few items with good ingredients and you’ll be solid.”
Our methodology
May 2023: Cosmo’s team of beauty editors and writers begin researching, testing, and reviewing more than 500 products, medications, and treatments—all designed to prevent and treat various forms of acne and acne scarring.
July 2023: Cosmo editors nominate 174 finalists across 58 different categories spanning skincare, bodycare, makeup, tools, and pro treatments.
September 2023: After eight weeks of testing and reviewing, Cosmo editors select a winner among the nominees in every category. Selects are made based on various factors, including efficacy, ease of use, accessibility, affordability, and dermatologist insights.
October 2023: We share our list of winners—complete with first-person reviews and tester notes—with you!
Photographer: Myrthe Giesbers. Beauty director: Lauren Balsamo. Digital creative director: Abby Silverman. Producer: Ruben Chamorro. Digital designer: Khadija Horton. Assistant visual editor: Berkeley Brooks. Hair: Taichi Saito. Makeup: Mark de los Reyes. Manicure: Elizabeth Garcia. Models: Nkiru Emelle and Celia Pardo.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
