Whenever I’m dealing with a breakout, my first instinct is to touch, poke and pick at my pimples until they either pop or crust over (a habit that usually leaves behind an annoying acne scar or two). Over the years, I’ve learned that the best solution is using an acne spot treatment, which helps to heal my spots and stop my picking habit right in its tracks.
I spoke to a dermatologist and an esthetician about everything you should keep in mind when shopping for an acne spot treatment, including the most effective ingredients. I also rounded up their product picks, along with options tested by NBC Select staff.
What is an acne spot treatment?According to Tiara Willis, a New York-licensed esthetician and skin care influencer, acne spot treatments are products made with highly concentrated active ingredients to target breakouts. Pimple patches aren't the only type — some acne spot treatments are formulated as lotions, gels or creams too. When using an acne spot treatment, Willis says you can expect it to help reduce the size and redness of breakouts, and speed up the overall healing process. Dr. Emmy Graber, a board-certified dermatologist and founder and president of The Dermatology Institute of Boston, recommends only using acne spot treatments occasionally, as they run the risk of drying out your skin due to their strong ingredients.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best acne spot treatments | The best acne spot treatments in 2024 | Who should use an acne spot treatment? | How to shop for acne spot treatments
Selected.Our top picks
Our experts recommend spot treatments with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, sulfur, and benzoyl peroxide, which help to heal and reduce the appearance of breakouts. Listed below are products featuring these active ingredients, all of which come recommended by experts and NBC Select staffers who have tested them.
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Best overall acne spot treatment: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment
What we like
- Fast acting
- Long-lasting tube
NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio says this is her favorite acne spot treatment — she dabs it on whenever a breakout pops up, and says it’s almost completely gone within a day or two. This treatment has benzoyl peroxide and lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA), which help to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, according to La Roche-Posay. For best results, the brand recommends using the treatment once or twice daily, however, the strength of the treatment may be too intensive for sensitive skin types. While my skin wasn’t bothered by the treatment (which cleared my last breakout in less than two days), Godio’s sensitive skin is a different story. “I’m glad it works fast because the high concentration of benzoyl peroxide usually irritates and dries out my skin, so I have to limit how often I use it,” she says. “But it’s worth it!”
Formula type: Lotion/cream
Best retinoid acne spot treatment: Differin Acne Treatment Gel
What we like
- Gentle on skin
- Easy to use
- Preventative treatment
Something to note
- Works best over time
Differin gel is an NBC Select staff favorite and Wellness Award winner for best acne treatment — it contains 0.1% adapalene, which is an over-the-counter retinoid often used to treat acne breakouts and blackheads. In our guide to cystic acne, experts told us that adapalene can help fix inflammation, deep clean pores and prevent new breakouts. Although her skin doesn’t usually handle retinoids well,NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson says this product is different: “Differin is gentle and effective on my acne,” she says.
Formula type: Gel
Best overnight acne spot treatment: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
What we like
- Works quickly
- Easy to apply
Something to note
- Leaves residue
- Can be drying
Both Swanson and NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin swear by Mario Badescu's acne spot treatment, which Malin calls “a miracle worker.” Its quick-drying formula is best applied by dipping a cotton swab into the bottle — all the way to the bottom — and directly dabbing it onto your skin, according to the brand. “I put it on all my breakouts before I go to bed, and in the morning, they’re significantly less red, less inflamed and smaller in size,” says Malin. Because of the pink, chalky residue it leaves behind, she prefers to use it as an overnight treatment, and also likes that one bottle lasts her a long time. “I’m a lifelong Mario Badescu customer because of this product,” she says.
Formula type: Lotion
Best salicylic acid acne spot treatment: Murad Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment
What we like
- Fast-working
- Clear formula
- Leaves no residue
Something to note
- More costly
Graber recommends this gel treatment from Murad, which uses salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin and clear up blemishes, according to the brand. After applying this to your acne spot, you’ll start to see a decrease in the size and redness of your breakout in as little as four hours, says Murad. It has a clear formula that lets you wear it discreetly throughout the day, and it has extracts from thyme and pine to help keep dryness at bay.
Formula type: Gel
Best acne spot treatment gel: Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment Gel
What we like
- Fast-acting
- Non-greasy
Something to note
- Could irritate sensitive skin
This spot treatment, which comes recommended by both Swanson and Graber, can reduce the size and redness of your breakouts in as little as two hours, according to Neutrogena. Once applied, the treatment uses a maximum-strength, 10% concentration of benzoyl peroxide to not only treat your current breakouts, but to also prevent future ones from occurring. For best results, the brand recommends covering the affected area with a thin layer of the gel one to three times daily.
Formula type: Gel
Best sulfur acne spot treatment: Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment
What we like
- Fast-acting
- Gentle formula
Something to note
- Pricier than others
- Some scent
Willis recommends this acne spot treatment — one of her favorites — for its combination of active ingredients. “It uses 6% sulfur and peptides which reduces inflammation, oiliness, and acne causing bacteria,” she says. It dries invisibly, and acts quickly to decrease the size of acne spots in as little as one night, according to the brand.
Formula type: Cream
Best acne spot treatment for sensitive skin: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch
What we like
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Clear formula
- Great for whiteheads
Something to note
- Not great for deep breakouts
NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez tried these patches for our Wellness Awards, and says they are effective at minimizing pimples. Instead of potent acne-fighting ingredients, these patches use only hydrocolloid gel, which helps to draw sebum, dirt and debris from your skin — a great option for sensitive skin types.
Formula type: Pimple patch
Best acne spot treatment pimple patches: ZitSticka Killa Kit
What we like
- Works quickly
- Hydrating
- Cleaning swab included
Something to note
- Patches sometimes slip
This Zitsticka kit has everything you need to treat your acne spots, which is why we chose it as our favorite pimple patch. It comes with priming cleaning swabs to use before applying the patch, which clear the area of dirt, bacteria and other products, so the patches can work at max effectiveness. They’re a go-to of both myself and Swanson; after receiving some from the brand to try, I used the patches overnight and woke up to a significantly smaller, less red pimple than I’d gone to bed with. The microdarts are filled with salicylic acid and niacinamide, which helps with redness and discoloration. The patches also have hyaluronic acid, which can re-hydrate and balance your skin against the drying effect of salicylic acid.
Formula type: Pimple patch
Best early acne spot treatment pimple patches: Peace Out 2% Salicylic Acid Early Stage Acne Dot
What we like
- Easy application
- Works for early acne
- Non-drying
Something to note
- Longer wear time
Another favorite of Malin’s are these acne dots from Peace Out, which are formulated to stop below-the-surface breakouts before they become more visible. Malin, who struggles with cystic acne, uses these as soon as she feels acne about to pop up. “They do such a great job of targeting pimples that are below the skin’s surface, and I really feel like they prevent my breakouts from growing and becoming more painful,” she says. The patches should be worn every two to three days for at least six hours at a time, as needed, according to the brand.
Formula type: Pimple patch
Best daytime acne spot treatment pimple patches: Differin Acne-Prone Skin Patches
What we like
- Stays on all day
- Suitable for day and night
Something to note
- May curl at edges
“These are my favorite pimple patches to wear during the day because they’re super thin and pretty invisible on my skin — they have great stick and stay on for hours,” says Malin. Using these patches also prevents her from picking at her breakouts, a common issue that experts say causes further inflammation and leads to scarring. Each box comes with 36 patches, half large and half small, for different breakout sizes. These patches are also makeup-friendly, waterproof and sweatproof, according to the brand.
Formula type: Pimple patch
Best gentle acne spot treatment pimple patches: Starface Hydro Star + Salicylic Acid Pimple Patches
What we like
- Not drying
- Fun design
Something to note
- Slower healing time
If you’re looking for an acne spot treatment with some fun and color, Starface has you covered. We already love their regular Hydro-Star patches, but for more stubborn breakouts, I prefer to use this salicylic acid version that the brand sent me to try. They’re great for reducing redness and the size of my acne spots, and have a gentle formula that doesn’t dry out or irritate my skin. Although the instructions say to apply them overnight, I like using these as a daytime treatment while I’m out running errands — they cover my breakouts from the sun, keep me from picking my spots, and turn my annoying breakout into a cute facial accessory, all at once.
Formula type: Pimple patch
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Acne spot treatments are a solid tool for ridding yourself of stubborn breakouts, but experts say they may not be the best option for everyone. Willis recommends acne spot treatments “mostly for those who aren’t dealing with acne all over the face” and are just looking to heal a few pimples and spots, since some of the active ingredients used in spot treatments can be too drying for the entire face. Graber suggests acne spot treatments especially for those who have a tendency to touch or pick at their acne.
However, she emphasizes that acne spot treatments aren’t effective at controlling or preventing acne before it happens, which is important for those with acne-prone skin. If you’re having to use a spot treatment more than a few times a month, she suggests seeing a dermatologist to help you create a regimen that addresses preventing acne, rather than individually treating spots as they crop up. In those cases, “prevention is key, and much more effective than spot treatments,” she says.
How to shop for acne spot treatmentsShopping for an acne spot treatment comes down to preference, according to the experts. Although skin type factors into most decision making around products, that’s not the case when it comes to acne spot treatments — “generally all skin types can use the same acne spot treatments,” says Willis, since they’re only being applied to individual breakouts, rather than the whole face. Instead of focusing solely on skin type, experts recommend considering the ingredient list and the formula type of your potential purchase to make the best decision.
- Ingredients: When shopping for acne spot treatments, experts recommend choosing products made withkey ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) which helps unclog pores and shed the top layers of dead skin, while benzoyl peroxide helps stop the growth of acne-causing bacteria; sulfur helps exfoliate skin and remove excess oil. When choosing an active ingredient, it’s important to take your skin’s sensitivity level and reaction to that ingredient in mind. Willis also recommends avoiding acne spot treatments made with fragrances and essential oils. “These can be inflammatory and irritating for the skin, which can prevent healing from the breakout,” she says. She also advises keeping away from products with only “natural” active ingredients and DIY skincare treatments, because of the lack of evidence to prove their effectiveness — “stick with proven treatments,” she says.
- Formula type: The formula of acne spot treatments can vary from product to product (cream, gel, patch etc.), but Willis says that it doesn’t necessarily impact their effectiveness. When picking a formula, it’s best to go with whichever you think works best for your routine and habits. For example, Graber suggests pimple patches or acne dots if you tend to touch and pick at your breakouts.
Frequently asked questions
Acne is a complex issue that can be triggered by many factors, including environment, genetics, medications and more, says Willis. Breakouts specifically are a result of excess natural oil (sebum) production, inflammation, the presence of C. acnes bacteria (a bacteria that’s present on everyone’s skin), and the process of hyperkeratinization, which is the clogging of pores from an overproduction of skin cells.
Acne spot treatments don’t directly treat dark marks, but Willis says that using treatments to heal breakouts faster may help to lower your chances of dark marks being left behind. However, Graber warns that in some cases, spot treatments can also worsen hyperpigmentation by excessively drying out your skin.
Willis suggests incorporating your spot treatment into the end of your skincare routine. Start by using a q-tip to wipe off the area, “to make sure that it’s being applied directly to your skin, rather than on top of your other skin care products.” If you’re using a nighttime spot treatment, she says you should wait at least 15 minutes before going to bed to prevent the treatment from shifting during your sleep.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Tiara Willis is a New York-licensed esthetician and skin care influencer, specializing in skin care for people of color.
- Dr. Emmy Graber is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in acne and cosmetic dermatology and founder and president of The Dermatology Institute of Boston.
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select, covering skin care, wellness, and more. For this piece, she interviewed a dermatologist and an esthetician about the best acne spot treatments, including how to use them and how to shop for one of your own.
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Ashley Morris
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for Select on NBC News.
