We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A bottle of Paula's Choice Salicylic Acid exfoliant useful for clearing out pores and evening your skin's texture and tone. It's gentle enough to use daily, unlike those other gritty face scrubs that feel like you're sandblasting your skin.
You'll want to ease your way into using this exfoliant just to see how your skin will react to the product.
Promising review: "If you have stubborn, acne-prone skin, look no further. I’m 50 and have used about everything on the market and still have acne, sometimes cystic acne. I started using this at bedtime. Do as the directions say. Put it on after you cleanse and tone and don’t wash it off. After three weeks of using this I no longer have any acne. I use it nightly and it is now a permanent part of my nightly skin care. If I could give it 10 stars I would. Just get it, you won’t regret it." —Shari L. Carey
Get it from Amazon for $13+ (available in two sizes).
2. A 50-count box of disposable towels since reusing a washcloth is basically smearing bacteria all over your face and can potentially make your acne *worse*. So, using a fresh towelette every time you wash your face means no bacteria buildup and a better chance of fighting off stubborn acne.
Promising review: "I have super sensitive acne-prone skin. I started using Clean Skin disposable towels to wash and dry my face instead of washcloths and towels, which carry bacteria even after laundering. Within 30 days my skin drastically cleared up as seen in my before and after photos." —Jennifer
Get it from Amazon for $17.95+ (available in five pack sizes, plus travel packs).
3. A dual-action acne spot treatment because pimples are like uninvited guests: They always show up at the worst time. This treatment contains benzoyl peroxide that penetrates deep into your pores to kill acne-causing bacteria. It also reduces the number of blemishes while also clearing out blackheads and whiteheads.
Promising reviews: "I have tried everything over the years to treat my cystic acne: spot treatments, face washes, changing pillowcases and diets, the whole nine yards. After using this product 1–2 times daily, I noticed my acne reduced by 50% minimum, I’d say more like a 75%–85% reduction, and it helps prevent it too. The left side of my face is now down to one spot, where it would normally have 5–8 minimum. I recommend pairing this with a moisturizer because over time if you use it 2–3 times daily it can cause a little dryness, just slow down if it does. It might cause slight irritation in the first few days-week of use, but stick with it and you will be very happy you did.
"I also use their other product, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser (2% salicylic acid acne medication) as my daily face wash, which has also helped immensely. Wash your face, then gently rub the spot treatment in (and then moisturize if you wish) and you will see results in 1–2 weeks maximum." —Hunter
Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in two sizes).
4. Humane Acne Wash, aka the Thor's hammer of the skincare world. It packs a punch against those stubborn blemishes while unclogging pores and soothing redness. *Plus* it's also vegan and cruelty-free! You can feel good about using it while you save the world (aka your face), one pimple at a time.
Pro tip: Since this is a maximum strength benzoyl peroxide, reviewers HIGHLY recommend using a hydrating moisturizer after this face wash.
Promising review: "This is a miracle product for adult acne! I've spent so much money on different products and prescriptions throughout the years, and nothing has consistently worked. To my great surprise, I started seeing improvements in my face within the first three days of using this. Three weeks later, I could cry because I'm so happy with how my skin looks!" —Frances25
Get it from Amazon for $25.95.
5. A CeraVe retinol serum that works magic by minimizing and unclogging pores to prevent future breakouts. This serum also helps to exfoliate the top layer of your skin, revealing a smoother texture.
Promising review: "2020 was a horrible year for many reasons. I never broke out as badly as I did that year. I tried so many things and I was so glad that everywhere was quarantined and closed because I felt so embarrassed to go out in public because of how bad my acne was. It hurt to wear a mask. I tried so many face washes and went to a dermatologist who couldn’t tell me why this happened to me. I searched for things that might help me and this worked wonders. If you are feeling skeptical about it, get it!!! I have a super oily face and it helped me out so much. Patience is necessary though. The first three pictures were taken in April, June and July. You can see the progress my skin had. The last photo I took April 22, 2021. A WHOLE YEAR LATER." —Elena
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
6. A pack of 40 acne patches to shrink your problems overnight. OK, I'm not talking about student loans or awkward first-date type of problems, but it does help with pimples! These patches not only cover up your zits, but they also suck out all the gross gunk, leaving your skin looking clear.
Avarelle is a small business that aims to make the best skincare that's also honest and affordable. All their products are vegan and cruelty-free!
Promising review: "I have very acne-prone skin that was under control until the pandemic. I'm a healthcare worker and masks are [affecting] my face. Painful pimples and cysts covered my jawline. I was desperate and read about these so thought I'd give them a try. I was shocked!! I'm writing this review after only one night of wear and these are a game changer! I saw gunk on a few, other brought the pimple up for easy extraction, and most of them completely flattened out. I ordered four more packs, I am that impressed." —Jamie
Get a 40-pack of the small patches from Amazon for $6.79.
7. A Panoxyl foaming wash over 39,000 reviewers have given 5 stars. This maximum-strength face wash contains 10% benzoyl peroxide, the highest over-the-counter concentration you can buy. It's also antimicrobial, which means it's fighting off the bacteria that causes acne in the first place and preventing new breakouts from forming.
Promising review: "This stuff works like magic. I’m 33 and I’ve dealt with bad back acne since I was a teenager. After one week of using this, my back is night and day different. Just remember to not wash it off immediately. Let it sit on your skin for about two minutes for it to work. —Filburt_Turtle
Get it from Amazon for $9.77.
8. An antibacterial butt acne-clearing lotion for when you switched laundry detergent and broke out everywhere, even on your bum. This lotion has no harsh chemicals and contains plant extracts that make it moisturizing, reparative, and gentle on the skin.
Promising review: "This product really is effective! Immediately, I noticed softer and smoother skin. After several uses the bumps and redness started to improve as well! It has a great smell, is easy to apply like lotion, and doesn’t leave any sticky or unsatisfying residue. I will most definitely continue to use the product!" —Lauren Erickson
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
9. An eight-in-one treatment mask if you don't mind looking like a zombie for 15 minutes in exchange for cleared breakouts and improved skin texture. The key ingredient (albumin) is extracted from egg whites and tightens enlarged pores to give the effect of a full facial in 30 minutes. Reviewers also say they've noticed a significant improvement in their skin's brightness and a reduction in fine lines.
Promising review: "I am in love with this face mask. I have struggled with acne for a while, specifically whiteheads and blackheads. I've been using it 3 times per week, and after the first week, I noticed how good my face looked! This mask helped clear my skin, and will keep ordering it! The smell is fine, I don't mind it. Cool process for mixing the two together. I'm just happy my skin is clear now :) It's fun to mess around with people when they see your face in the mask. Love it.
"Update: It’s been almost more than a year since I discovered this mask, and I still love it. Saving my skin!" —Daria Z
Get it from Amazon for $25+ (available in three-pack sizes).
10. The cult-favorite Cosrx Essence, formulated with 96.3% snail secretion that's perfectly lightweight and hydrating for all skin types. This essence leaves a nice glow and keeps skin visibly smooth after a few uses. No wonder it has over 30,000 5-star ratings!
Promising review: "I saw this product on Instagram. I’ve been using it for about a month now and absolutely love it. It’s become a part of my skincare routine and I don’t plan on getting rid of it anytime soon. This leaves your skin looking glossy and smooth, while also helping with bumps and dry skin. I’ve noticed my skin has been hydrated and clear of any acne since I’ve used this product! Give it a try! Works like a charm." —Iva Juka
Get it from Amazon for $21.17.
11. Or the SeoulCeuticals Snail Repair Cream made to reduce the appearance of acne scarring. It contains shea butter, aloe, and jojoba oil to help your skin feel smoother and more rejuvenated than ever.
Promising review: "I love this cream! It has a very light citrusy smell that fades quickly. It makes my skin soft and plump. I’ve been dealing with a random bout of adult cystic acne though I’ve never had it before, and this has calmed my skin down and faded my spots quickly. There is a large amount in this little tub, and it goes a long way. I will definitely be repurchasing when I run out, it’s one of my new staples." —beachbug
Get it from Amazon for $15.95.
12. An acne-fighting face and body wash containing the powerhouse micro-benzoyl peroxide (10%) to penetrate deep into your skin and fight off face, back, and butt 🫢 pimples without leaving your skin feeling tight and dry.
Dr Song is a Kbeauty brand that creates cruelty-free skincare and beauty products made from effective ingredients straight from the lab.
Promising review: "For years I have struggled with back acne. I was a field hockey goalie in high school (gross, sweaty pads on my body) and played lacrosse in college (constant sweating under the hot Florida sun). Even after college, my back acne continued and left scars. Now I’m 25 and still work out a lot, so my back acne is persisting. All I ever wanted to do was wear a low open-back dress and feel comfortable. And unfortunately, I don’t have health insurance so going to the dermatologist was out of the picture. About to give up and get laser treatment for my back, I ran across this wash and decided to give it a try. And WOW. I actually wish I had taken a before picture. Now I NEVER get back breakouts and it’s even healed some of my scarring! I’m so happy I found this product!! I wish I had found it years ago!" —joanna youssef
Get it from Amazon for $24.92.
13. Bio-Oil, a cult-favorite serum packed with all the good stuff like vitamin E, chamomile, and lavender oil to help fade acne scars while helping hydrate and smooth the skin. But don't worry, it won't clog your pores and leave you feeling greasy like a slice of pizza. It's not an overnight miracle, but if you use it twice a day, you could see results in no time.
Promising reviews: "I've always struggled with acne and my skin was always super oily and textured, yet always dehydrated no matter how much I kept up on drinking water. I was scared to put this on my already oily face but I'm so glad I did and wish I had a lot sooner. My acne started clearing up, now I only have like one or two pimples. My skin feels baby smooth, no more bumps under my skin. My pores closed up, my overall tone is improving, and my skin isn't ridiculously oily anymore!" —sebastian hall
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two sizes).
14. A jar of Honeyskin Ultimate Face and Body Cream Winnie The Pooh would want to get his hands on. This cream contains manuka honey and coconut oil to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and acne scars to help even out skin tone. This cream also soothes a wide array of skin conditions like eczema and rosacea, helping reduce dryness and redness.
Promising review: "This is my fourth time buying Honey Skin. I love this stuff! I use it as my twice-daily face moisturizer and on my elbows and knees. An unexpected bonus, it cleared up adult acne along my jawline that I'd been plagued with for years. I love that there's basically no scent, so it doesn't compete with my perfume. As long as they keep making it, I'll be a customer for life. A little goes a long way and it lasts for a long time." —Cyndi Snyder
Get it from Amazon for $19.10+ (available in watermelon and two other scents).
15. A tone-evening glycolic acid peel, aka a powerful skincare cocktail containing potent extracts like green tea, cucumber, and chamomile ~enhanced~ with retinol to exfoliate skin, even skin tone, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Promising review: "I LOVE this product. I suffer from bouts of cystic acne and regular breakouts on a usual basis, unfortunately. I use this to help clear the dead skin cells off the surface and unclog my pores. Not only does it hinder the breakout cycle, but this product also makes my skin look luminous, pore-free, and more even-toned. I also love that I'm paying $30 instead of $130 for the same peel I'd get in a medi-spa. Whether you have clear skin or problematic skin, this product really does give instant results. I use it at least 2x a month, and always looks instantly better after the applications." —ANR18
Get it from Amazon for $29.95.
16. A vitamin C serum that's like giving your skin a refreshing glass of OJ. This serum contains niacinamide and retinol to help fight dullness and uneven skin texture, leaving you with a ✨glowing✨ complexion.
Eva Naturals is a family-owned small business located in South Louisiana that makes skincare products with botanicals and science-based ingredients.
Promising review: "Love this product. I've been using it for about four years and it's a crucial part of my daily routine. Love the natural ingredients. Before I started using Eva Naturals, I had cystic acne all over my face from my birth control. I tried everything. This product helped clear it and keep it gone. I pair it with the hyaluronic acid moisture and serum, eye gel, and peptide complex. Everyone has been telling me since I started using this how glow-y my skin looks. Can't recommend enough. Photos are from before Eva Naturals five years ago, and a photo from today." —Kira
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes).
17. A fast-working calming cream starring two main ingredients: guaiazulene, a natural extract from chamomile oil that calms skin, along with centella asiatica, an herb that hydrates and helps relieve redness. It can be good to use after laser treatment, long-term sun exposure, or post-shaving.
Promising review: "This product is a GAME changer!! I have very sensitive skin and am allergic to lots of ingredients. This probably was the best thing I have ever bought; with the fastest results I have ever seen. I had a horrible breakout; cystic acne all over my chin and neck. I used this as a spot treatment only on my acne and BOOM💥 – a big difference within ONE use!!! I recommend this to everyone, especially those who suffer from acne, that cannot leave the damn pimple alone, like me!! Buy this cream people!!!!!!!!!!!" —Mary Coffie
Get it from Amazon for $24.50+ (available in two sizes).
18. A rosewater mist to provide a refreshing burst of hydration to the face. FYI, rosewater contains anti-inflammatory properties that promote radiant skin and reduce redness and irritation.
SimplifiedSkin is a family-owned skincare company that makes cruelty-free products made with simple and natural ingredients.
I've personally bought two bottles of this rosewater and the third one is on its way from Amazon now. I not only use it in my morning skincare routine, but I also use it throughout the day when my face needs a quick refresh in this hot Georgia weather.
Promising review: "Started using this product on my face and stomach for eczema and my skin has cleared and stayed cleared. Use night and mornings and I have noticed a major difference in my skin. No dryness or dark spots, skin is firmer and I love the scent. It's refreshing. I no longer have to apply lotion after using this spray. I have not tried on my hair yet, but along with the eczema I also have had issues with adult acne. This rosewater has really made my adult acne clear up. In just 4 days of use, my face and belly are clear of blemishes and dryness from eczema. I do recommend this water." —India
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
19. CeraVe's Hydrating Cleanser with a hydrating trio of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin your skin will just drink up. It's gentle enough to use day or night, on any skin type. So if you're a morning person who likes to wake up with a refreshing cleanse or a night owl who prefers to wash off the day before hitting the hay, this cleanser has got your back (or, in this case, your face).
20. And CeraVe's salicylic acid body wash, aka tiny scrubbing bubbles for your skin. Salicylic acid exfoliates deep within your pores, removing all the gunk that can lead to acne breakouts while smoothing out bumpy skin.
Promising reviews: "I always struggled with acne on my back and sometimes on my chest. After I found this body wash my skin changed for GOOD!!! It's acne-free and very soft I don't need to use any other exfoliant. Note: In winter I used extra lotion after this body wash (Cerave as well) because my skin tends to dry a lot." —Noe8890
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
21. And! First Aid Beauty's KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub — with the combined power of glycolic and lactic acids, your skin will be left feeling fresh and rejuvenated with a radiant glow. This product is typically used to help with keratosis pilaris (or "chicken skin") but reviewers say it was able to help with their body acne.
Glycolic acid lactic acids may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun so make sure to wear SPF.
Promising review: "Save yourself the time and just buy the big bottle. If you’re like me and buying the small bottle to “try” it, just buy the big one. This product is a game changer. It’s reduced the KP bumps on my arms significantly like 60%! Also has almost completely cleared up the rough skin and acne on the backs of my thighs. It’s made my skin so smooth! I can not remember a time when my arms were this smooth. It’s been like 20 years. I feel so much more confident and comfortable. I LOVE this product." —Whitney Schaeffer
Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in four sizes and a two-pack).
22. An exfoliating scrub mitt that will keep body acne at bay. This mitt is made from plant-based viscose fiber that's rough enough to slough off dead skin cells, unclogging pores and allowing your acne-fighting products to penetrate more deeply.
Promising review: "I wish I had this my entire life! You can see all the dead skin with every single scrub! It’s helping with my back acne tremendously! Fading scars and clearing my pores!" —Austin Tyler Deschamp
Get it from Amazon for $7.999 (also available in a set of two).
23. An all-natural skincare oil formulated with the powerful ingredients of black cumin, blue tansy, and rosehip oil. Not only does it help to fade away acne scars, but also reduces the redness and inflammation. Now you can feel more confident knowing that people are actually making eye contact with you and not the pimples on your forehead.
Blume is a woman of color–owned small business that specializes in skincare and period care products.
See it on TikTok here.
HuffPost Shopping writer Haley Zovickian says, "I have had hormonal, cystic acne since adolescence and still deal with painful hormonal acne, plus skin that's somehow dry *and* oily. On top of that, my skin has somehow become more sensitive with every passing year so I'm very careful about what I put on my face. I was initially skeptical that an oil of all things would help my skin, but I LOVE this thing. It is somehow so lightweight while feeling truly nourishing. My breakouts have cleared up since starting this product, and my skin is less oily and more even, like the oil has been balanced out. I've been looking everywhere for a skincare product with black cumin seed oil (a v underrated antibacterial and anti-inflammatory oil that helps fade pigmentation and is gentle enough to calm even eczema), so I was delighted that it was a main ingredient in this. I am so glad I gave this a shot and will definitely be buying another when I run out. Also, can I just say the product's push-down (instead of squeezing) dropper packaging is ingenious?!"
Promising review: "The absolute best facial oil I’ve ever used. It soothes and heals my mid-40s skin like no other product. Hormonal breakouts are no longer a problem. I keep at least one spare bottle at all times so I never run out!" —Rachel B
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.