"My Acne Is Gone": 18 Acne Products That Actually Work

I always try to be as open and honest as possible when it comes to writing about and recommending the best products for acne. The thing is, acne can be a deeply personal journey and what works for one person might not work for another.

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(Image credit: @eleanorvousden)

I used to experience hormonal cystic acne around my chin and jaw before taking spironolactone and finding products that work for my skin.

For me, skincare products are just one piece of the puzzle when treating acne. I've tried countless acne products over the years, but I only saw lasting change when I was prescribed spironolactone by my dermatologist to get my hormonal, cystic acne under control. That being said, products played—and continue to play—a huge role in keeping my skin balanced while helping to prevent and treat acne. Sure, they're not miracle workers, but anything that can help a troublesome skin condition certainly helps matters, and building a good skincare routine can go a long way. Especially if you also want to treat the acne scarring that breakouts leave in their wake.

Skincare expert Tijion Esho, founder of the Esho Clinic, is a firm advocate of long-term routines when it comes to treating acne. "One-off treatments can give skin a temporary boost, but we know that with conditions like acne, it's a journey; not an overnight cure," he explains. "Patients need successive cumulative treatments tailored to them personally using the correct ingredients for their skin type." But with acne affecting nearly 80% of the population at some point during their lifetime, it's not surprising that many of us want quick-fix solutions.

What are the best products for acne?

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(Image credit: @eleanorvousden)

My skin now after getting my acne under control.

So, while I'm not going to promise that these products will change your life or magically transform your skin if you have acne, I can say that these products will help to calm breakouts, soothe redness and assist with the healing of your spots. I've tried hundreds of acne products over the years and these are the ones that I keep in my regular skincare rotation and know I can trust.

Ahead, keep scrolling to shop the 16 best acne products that actually work. From supplements to serums and devices to cleansers, here are the products that have worked for me.

1. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

2. Starface Hydro-Stars Spot Stickers

3. CeraVe Blemish Control Face Cleanser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide

4. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ SPF 30

5. SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Cleansing Gel

6. Murad Clarifying Oil-Free Water Gel

7. Heliocare 360 Gel Oil-Free SPF 50

8. Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Accumax

9. Dermatica Adaplene

10. Caudalie Instant Detox Mask

11. ZitSticka Killa Clarifying Microdart Patch Kit

12. Codex labs Shaant Balancing Oil Control Cream

13. Nars Soft Matte Concealer

14. Déesse Pro LED Phototherapy Mask

15. Medik8 Crystal Retinal

16. Avène Clearance Mask

17. Ziip Halo Facial Toning Device

18. SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF Serum

Up Next, 7 Key Skincare Trends That Experts Predict Will Be Huge This Year

Beauty Editor, Who What Wear UK

Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor of Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at beauty website Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections with written and styling work.

Working as a beauty journalist since 2015 after graduating in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, she has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards and also contributed to Powder, winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards for her work in beauty journalism.

Eleanor’s journalistic focus is to provide readers with honest and helpful beauty content. Through words, video and live broadcast, she has interviewed several celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and top dermatologists throughout her career. She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. She has also amassed a large collection of fragrances and can never say no to a new candle.

When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty product or treatments, she’s on the seafront in her hometown of Brighton and Hove, where she lives with her partner.