We Tested Hundreds of Acne Spot Treatments and These 11 Actually Cleared Our Breakouts
These formulas are basically zit-fighting magic.
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Maturing is realizing that picking and popping a pimple to the point of irritation and scarring is only gonna exacerbate your skin. Now, my saving grace every time I get an annoying breakout is slapping on an acne spot treatment and healing it with zit-busting ingredients. Because as frustrating as a breakout is, it’s important to remember that acne is totally normal and natural, and stressing TF out over it is counterproductive!
And after years of dealing with hormonal breakouts, I’m here to tell you that not all acne treatments are created equal. Using one that’s too harsh or drying can actually end up making your pimples and cystic acne even worse. But don’t panic. Cosmo tested and reviewed dozens of acne spot treatments to bring you this list of the best options.
Our top picks for best acne spot treatments of 2024:
Best Spot Treatment Patch for Early Pimples
Peace Out 2% Salicylic Acid Early Stage Acne Dot
Read more
Keep reading for the entire list of the 11 best acne spot treatments for all skin types and breakouts. You’ll find everything from fast-acting gel treatments for whiteheads to overnight pimple patches and more. Truly, there’s an option for everyone, so go ahead and add one of these to your acne skincare routine ASAP.
Pros
- A small amount goes a long way
- Reduces future blemishes by fighting bacteria
Cons
- Sulfur scent is on the stronger side
Face Reality’s Sulfur Spot Treatment is a 2024 Cosmo Acne Award winner and for good reason. The 6 percent sulfur formula effectively shrinks a breakout and minimizes inflammation with a single application. "This spot treatment helps calm down my acne so much by helping to kill bacteria and reduce more zits from forming too," says beauty editor Beth Gillette. "I dabbed this on a breakout twice a day and it seriously went away like magic."
Type: Paste
Key ingredients: Sulfur, allantoin, glycerin
Glowing customer review: "This works great to get pimples out effectively and also helps some of my cystic acne come to surface quicker than other products I have tried. Will continue using for those annoying acne breakouts and when you want to relieve it quickly and painlessly."
Pros
- Filled with soothing ingredients to repair skin barrier
- Can be used during day or overnight
Cons
- Some reviewers say the edges of the patch tend to lift up and lose their stick
Another 2024 Cosmo Acne Award winner, “these hydrocolloid pimple patches hold the power to shrink a massive pimple literally overnight," says Gillette. And not only are they formulated with the typical pore cleaners like hydrocolloid and salicylic acid, but they also help soothe breakouts with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and plant extracts too.
Type: Patch
Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid, salicylic acid, niacinamide
Glowing customer review: "These things are great. They work really well, especially since they keep me from being able to touch blemishes with my filthy fingers. And because they're clear, they are *almost* unnoticeable, in case you want to wear them all day."
Pros
- One dot covers a large surface area
- 2024 Cosmo Acne Award winner
Cons
- On the pricier side
You know that annoying feeling of a pimple that’s sitting under your skin but it’s not quite ready to come to the surface yet? Yeah, same. Luckily these patches from Peace Out are formulated with exfoliating salicylic acid and precise micro-needles to target early stage breakouts. “These are great for stopping a pimple before it happens,” says editor Olivia Truffaut-Wong. “When I feel an angry breakout forming, I just stick this on, massage in the micro darts, and let it do its magic overnight. It won't keep the pimple from coming, but it does accelerate the process, which makes it way less painful in the long run. It also adheres really well to the skin, so it doesn't come off even if you toss and turn at night.”
Type: Microneedle patch
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, succinic acid, niacinamide
Glowing customer review: "Peace Out makes my favorite pimple patches. They are the most generous in size and they never slip or fall off my face. These early stage ones are great for those breakouts you feel coming, but deep under the skin. I love the micro needle technology."
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Spot Treatment
Pros
- Lightweight gel formula absorbs into skin quickly
- The best spot treatment we tested
Cons
- Some reviewers said it made their skin feel dry initially
A favorite among dermatologists, editors, and skincare gurus, this acne spot treatment from La Roche Posay is fast-acting without being overly irritating thanks to benzoyl peroxide (it’s a derm-favorite ingredient for reducing acne-causing bacteria on the skin), exfoliating lipohydroxy acid, and hydrating glycerin. The lightweight gel formula can be applied either as a spot treatment on specific breakouts or as a thin layer over the entire face depending on the kind of acne you’re dealing with.
- Type: Gel
- Key ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide, lipohydroxy acid, glycerin
Glowing customer review: “I have been using this stuff for almost three months and it has made a huge difference for my skin. I suffered from awful acne during pregnancy and it decided to hang around even after I gave birth. When my regular skin care products failed, I turned to this and I’m so glad I did.”
Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm + Red Correct Post-Blemish Recovery Cream
Pros
- Helps even out redness and soothe irritated pimples
- Doesn’t dry out my skin like other spot treatments
Cons
- Might have a slightly white-ish cast on deep skin tones
Sometimes, the only way to help a cyst is to take down some of the red or purple hue, which is where this green color corrector from Hero Cosmetics comes in. It’s actually not makeup though; the consistency is much richer (like a cream moisturizer). Plus, it’s filled with soothing allantoin like to help calm down an inflamed pimple, as well as moisturizing shea butter, panthenol, and peptides to strengthen your skin barrier and get rid of any crusty post-acne remnants.
TBH, I actually gave one of these to my best friend who hates wearing foundation but likes to gently cover up any red zits on her face. She promptly went through the entire tube, then ordered a jumbo size because she swears by it. According to her, it’s the easiest way to cover up a zit without actually adding coverage to her face (she’s a no-foundation girl—what can I say, opposites attract).
- Type: Cream
- Key ingredients: Allantoin, shea butter, panthenol, peptides
Glowing customer review: “Love this product, was so glad when I saw it came in a larger size. I use this product instead of wearing makeup on my skin. Let’s me get a little coverage and even out redness while helping my skin heal at the same time.”
Pros
- I love the teeny-tiny size for throwing in my bag
- Completely clear, so great to dab on throughout the day
Cons
- Have to make sure to apply to your finger, then on your pimple, to avoid any bacteria spread
Anyone with persistent breakouts knows how frustrating it is to check your makeup midday and notice a raging whitehead on your chin roughly the size of Rhode Island (or is that just me?). In those moments, I just pull this gel pen out of my bag and dab it right onto my pimple. It’s got cica to help soothe any major inflammation plus succinic acid and tea tree extract, which both have antibacterial properties to help decrease the bacteria that leads to breakouts and further irritation.
- Type: Gel pen
- Key ingredients: Succinic acid, cica, tea tree extract
Glowing customer review: “I get redness, drying, and irritation from most pimple spot treatments. Salicylic acid was my go-to before, but this works better. It will usually zap baby pimples overnight, and for bigger ones, it calms and prevents them from worsening and they go away in two to four days. It is clear, easy to apply, and has no odor.”
InnBeauty Project Pimple Paste Overnight Blemish Drying Paste
Pros
- Helps soak up excess oils with kaolin and sulfur
- I notice my zits are flatter the next day
Cons
- Might stain your linens if you crawl into bed before it dries
On a girls’ trip a few years ago, I was the only one who remembered to bring spot treatment (ofc!), and turns out, everyone had a sudden breakout. We began passing this acne spot treatment around every night, and legit, everyone ended up buying their own tubes when we got back because they loved the results.
I just dab a dot of this on a zit before bed as the last step in my routine (skip face oils and slugging, FYI), let it dry, then go to sleep. In the mornings, I notice my pimples are way less inflamed, and usually, whatever whitehead was there has gone away—no popping required. It’s filled with kaolin clay and sulfur to help soak up the oils on my skin (basically like a pimple patch), while willow bark extract exfoliates dead skin and azelaic acid soothes irritation and reduces redness.
- Type: Clay mask/paste
- Key ingredients: Kaolin clay, willow bark extract, sulfur, azelaic acid
Glowing customer review: “I’ve been using this product for roughly a week and it’s so good! It disappeared two huge pimples that I had on my face in a matter of days, without leaving any scarring. I definitely recommend this to anyone who is struggling with acne!”
Pros
- Generally safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some reviewers say it didn’t work for larger breakouts
This gentle acne spot treatment from First Aid Beauty is a solid choice for anyone with sensitive skin that’s also acne-prone. Why? Well, it uses 2 percent salicylic acid to reduce breakouts as well as a trio of soothing ingredients (shoutout to aloe vera, bisabolol, and oatmeal) to curb any potentially drying or irritating side effects.
- Type: Gel
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, bisabolol, oatmeal, aloe
Glowing customer review: “This is my new go-to spot treatment! In the past, I’ve noticed spot treatments tend to burn at least a little bit and would take several applications to work. I noticed clearer skin immediately with this treatment, and had absolutely no issue with stinging or burning.”
Skinfix Acne+ 2% BHA and Azelaic Acid Acne Spot Treatment
Pros
- Helps reduce redness and discoloration with azelaic acid
- Uses salicylic acid to dissolve dead skin and reduce clogged pores
Cons
- Some reviewers said it has a weird, chemical-y scent they didn't love
If your breakouts tend to resemble angry red sirens, this is the acne spot treatment for you. It’s got 2 percent salicylic acid to de-gunk pores and shrink your breakout plus a dose of azelaic acid (the ingredient is commonly used for people with rosacea) to dramatically reduce redness, discoloration, and inflammation. IMO, this is great for slathering on my nose, which is prone to clogged pores and redness. I’ll lightly rub a pea-sized dot on my nose a few nights a week before moisturizer, and I notice my nose looks a bit clearer.
- Type: Cream
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, azelaic acid
Glowing customer review: “A really effective spot treatment! It helps prevents acne scars and gets rid of acne very quickly. I would definitely recommend the entire Skinfix acne line—it is all very good even if it is a little pricey.”
Pros
- Most inexpensive option on the list
- Contains succinic acid, which is a gentle-ish exfoliator
Cons
- Some reviewers said they didn’t notice a visible difference after using
Even though this is the most inexpensive acne spot treatment on the list, it doesn’t skimp on quality or efficacy. It contains 2 percent succinic acid (a gentle exfoliating ingredient that can help reduce bacteria that causes acne) with salicylic acid and oil-absorbing sulfur powder to help clear up breakouts. It’s fairly gentle too, making this a great addition to your routine if most spot treatments just dry tf out of your skin.
- Type: Gel
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, succinic acid, sulfur
Glowing customer review: “I have been using this product for a week now and I love the way it has cleared up my acne and dark spots. I will say I don’t love the smell, but I do like the outcome.”
Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 Maximum Strength Acne Medication
Pros
- Those who can tolerate the intensity love the results (AKA me!)
- I love the clear, gel formula
Cons
- Way to strong for anyone who is new to benzoyl peroxide or has sensitive skin
Let me start by saying this acne spot treatment is STRONG. It contains 10 percent benzoyl peroxide—the maximum amount of the ingredient used in over-the-counter acne products. If you have “tough” skin or have been using medicated acne products for years, feel free to give Persa-Gel 10 a try—otherwise, skip this one.
- Type: Gel
- Key ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide
Glowing customer review: “This got rid of a painful pimple within 12 hours, but if you use too much it will dry out your skin. I had some leathery skin on my chin after using too much Persa-Gel, but if you use just a dot on a zit, it will do the trick without over-drying (at least in my experience).”
How to choose an acne spot treatment:
Consider the active ingredients.
Most acne spot treatments contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and/or sulfur to help clear up breakouts. A spot treatment that contains salicylic acid or sulfur is great for unclogging pores and reducing whiteheads and blackheads, while benzoyl peroxide is a better choice for treating inflammatory acne, like cysts and blind pimples.
Pay attention to the percentages.
At the first sign of a zit, I bet you’re tempted to reach for the most concentrated spot treatment you can find. But guess what? Stronger doesn’t mean better. Studies show that 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide is proven to be just as effective as higher concentrations (like 5 or 10 percent) but is less drying or irritating. Same goes for salicylic acid—if you’re new to the ingredient look for an acne spot treatment that contains 1 or 1.5 percent as opposed to 2 percent.
Always follow the directions.
Not all spot treatments work the same way, and the key to getting the best result (and minimal irritation) from whatever one you decide to buy is following the directions. That means you shouldn’t be using a rinse-off spot treatment overnight or wearing your pimple patch for just five minutes as opposed to all day.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan and writes about all the best products you can add to your cart—including skincare products. As an acne-prone editor, she takes her skincare routine very seriously, making sure to research and review the most effective formulas.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has been writing about skincare for more than five years, with stories like the best ice rollers and pore-clogging ingredients. She’s constantly interviewing dermatologists about acne, both for her job and also for personal use, as she’s dealt with frustrating hormonal acne for over a decade.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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