The 23 Best Acne Spot Treatments

Behold, a drugstore staple that starts working in as little as four hours. Salicylic acid and witch hazel pair together to clear out clogged pores and calm inflammation for smooth, blemish-free skin.

The OG spot treatment that still reigns supreme. Formulated with salicylic acid, witch hazel, and oat extract, this bestseller rapidly unclogs pores to erase existing breakouts and prevent emerging pimples from surfacing.

Ideal for on-the-go use, this rollerball gel has salicylic acid, tea tree oil, witch hazel, and aloe. All things to help combat breakouts, keep swelling at bay and heal skin in the process. You’ll probably want to buy several to keep one in your bag, desk, bathroom…literally everywhere.

There's nothing more annoying than noticing a dark spot post-pimple. Thanks to licorice and niacinamide, this targeted treatment gets rid of blemishes fast, while simultaneously fading hyperpigmentation to reveal zero trace of a breakout.

This treatment tingles, but don't be alarmed—it won't trigger irritation, thanks to the soothing effects of cucumber extract and red algae, which reduces redness. You'll notice breakouts disappear within two to three days, with no lingering signs of scarring.

Whiteheads don’t stand a chance with this sulfur, bentonite, and kaolin clay spot treatment. The formulation dries on the pimples to suck out any gunk and reduce irritation. A little goes a long way with this magic, so the best application is achieved with a q-tip and a bit of product. 

This one is a bit different, but it works just as well. An overnight treatment that's packed with clay, sulfur, azelaic acid, and willow bark…yeah willow bark. The grey clay adheres to skin to reduce sebum, target blemishes, and get rid of redness. This formula does flake so make sure to add a nice layer and wash in the morning with your favorite gentle cleanser. 

Going on the tech side, this is that device that sends electroids to your blemishes to kill the bacteria that is caused by acne. It also helps prevent any future breakouts with its high-frequency electrical current.  

This acne treatment puts in the work. With 2% salicylic acid, the spot cream works best for oily to combination skin as it can be extremely drying. The recommended use is three times a day, but, honestly, once in the morning and once at night on even the most cystic pimples will reduce swelling and whiteheads after a few uses.

Your whiteheads and blackheads will be a thing of the past with this high-powered, yet gentle spot treatment. Salicylic and glycolic acids, papaya, and willow bark extract team up to unclog congested pores and quickly resurface the skin to reveal bright and glowing skin.

Here's a gentle spot treatment that uses succinic acid to quickly shrink pimples and absorb excess sebum. In addition, salicylic acid and sulfur work to exfoliate and prevent new blemishes from popping up.

This drying lotion is a triple threat for banishing breakouts. It's comprised of salicylic acid to unclog pores, sulfur to kill bacteria, and calamine to calm inflammation. While it goes on a bit intense, many have witnessed its blemish-erasing results after just one night of use.

With a universal tint that seamlessly blends in with all skin tones, this spot treatment can be applied under or over makeup. It's formulated with tea tree oil and salicylic acid to quickly clear blemishes, plus soothing botanicals like chamomile and fennel to calm irritation.

FYI: Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that does amazing things when applied to a blemish. This lightweight serum penetrates deep into the pores to extract impurities and ward off bacteria from forming. The result is a fresh and renewed glowing appearance.

Do away with mild breakouts in no time with this acne-fighting gem. The fast-acting treatment is powered by sulfur, which works to reduce excess sebum, kill bacteria, and promote exfoliation for a clear, blemish-free glow.

This pink solution contains 10 percent sulfur to effectively clear out pimples without drying out the skin or causing more irritation. Simply dip a Q-Tip into the solution and tap it on to the area in question. Prepare to witness results in as little as one hour.

The beauty in this clarifying spot treatment is that it isn't chalky or drying and comes untinted and in seven different tinted options—something for every skin tone. Tea tree oil and zinc are blended together with hydrating hyaluronic acid to simultaneously fight breakouts and keep the skin glowing.

PCA is best known for offering an array of acne diminishing treatments and this strong and mighty gel is no different. It boasts salicylic and mandelic acids to gently exfoliate the skin, erase current breakouts, and prevent future impurities. Plus, this gel is safe to use as a spot treatment or as a preventative treatment all over the face.

Dealing with breakouts and age spots? Look to this dynamic product. Dermalogica's AGE Bright Spot Fader clears blemishes in no time and smoothes away signs of aging without stripping the skin of its needed oils.

These hydrocolloid patches are a beast when it comes to drawing out impurities and soothing irritation. For best results, cover up your unexpected pimple(s) with these mini patches before bed and awake to a renewed complexion in the a.m.

Thanks to the combination of sulfur, zinc, bentonite, and niacinamide, those annoying pimples and clogs don't stand a chance against this skincare hero. The fast-acting treatment zaps away zits and prevents new ones from forming, all while minimizing the appearance of pores.

Trust us when we say that this skin perfector will rapidly reduce the most stubborn pimples. This treatment is loaded with salicylic acid to draw out imperfections and glycerin to keep the skin bouncy and hydrated.

This invisible gel does wonders for penetrating the skin to target existing breakouts and diminish acne-causing bacteria. For optimal results, cleanse the affected area before applying a thin layer of the treatment.