Key ingredients: azelaic acid (10%), niacinamide, allantoin | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dark Spots: SkinFix Acne+ 2% BHA Spot Treatment
Why it’s worth it: With the SkinFix Acne+ 2% BHA Spot Treatment, an Allure 2022 Best of Beauty winner, you can target inflamed blemishes while preventing new ones from appearing—thanks to its exfoliating star ingredient, salicylic acid. This pimple-reducing formula also contains azelaic acid, a lesser-known ingredient that has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Niacinamide steps in to help tackle active pimples and help minimize acne scars, which makes this product especially helpful if you’re prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (AKA dark spots).
Key ingredients: salicylic acid (2%), azelaic acid (10%), niacinamide | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Reducing Redness: Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment
Why it’s worth it: Intended for angry red zits, this spot treatment uses a combination of ingredients to soothe and calm the area, making it less noticeable and easier to conceal. This 6%-sulfur formula decreases inflammation while peptides (specifically, palmitoyl tripeptide-8), allantoin, and bisabolol help to soothe the skin and reduce redness. “This is a great spot treatment for inflamed pimples,” says Dr. King. “It goes on sheer and it contains ingredients that’ll hydrate the skin.”
Key ingredients: sulfur (6%), bisabolol, allantoin | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Under Makeup: The Inkey List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment
Why it’s worth it: Chicago-based dermatologist Kristin Lee told Allure, “Succinic acid has exfoliative properties, in addition to antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.” Lucky for us, The Inkey List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment serves up just that. The creamy, acid-powered formula can be layered under (and over) makeup without flaking, and it unclog pores in the name of preventing future breakouts. If you want to wear it with makeup or other skin care products, let the treatment dry on your skin for five minutes before applying the rest of your routine.
Key ingredients: succinic acid, sulfur powder, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do acne spot treatments work?
There are so many acne treatments on the market, which makes it essential to understand precisely the issue you’re looking to tackle and why you reach for the product you do. “A good acne spot treatment should halt the inflammation so it prevents the pimple from getting large and painful, and keep it contained so it goes away quicker,” David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City, tells Allure. “This will also help minimize the risk for acne scars.” Acne spot treatment shouldn’t replace washing your face with a cleanser, but because of its higher potency of ingredients, it’s a great option to supplement your existing routine.
When should I use acne spot treatments?
If you’re adding a new product to your acne-clearing regimen, figuring out when and why to use a spot treatment is extremely helpful. Because the trajectory of a breakout isn’t always predictable, Dr. Kim says it’s best to use [acne spot treatments] as soon as you see a pimple forming. This way, the spot treatment can work its magic from the very start of a flare-up. “The goal is to keep it small and contained so it doesn’t get large and painful,” he adds. Still, while acne spot treatments can be hugely helpful, they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. “When [a breakout is] large and cystic, there is little you can do to make it go away quicker.”
