Acne Treatments That Really Work, According to Dermatologists

When it comes to finding the right acne treatments, there are a million products out thereand they're not all created equal. From acne washes to creams and spot treatments, the options can be overwhelming, making it impossible to tell which is truly the best acne treatment for you.

Even more frustrating? The fact that we're still dealing with acne at all. Seriously, we thought the breakouts would be over soon after AP Calculus. But adult acne is a thing, and it's actually something that can affect people in their 20s and 30s, and even well past their 50s.

And if you thought blackheads and whiteheads were annoying, the deep painful pimples that often pop up in adult acne are much more aggravatingand harder to get rid of. We talked to dermatologists to find out which acne treatments are the most effective on all types of pimples. Keep reading to learn what causes acne in the first place, plus the best acne treatments and acne medications worth spending your hard-earned dollars on.

What causes acne?

Pimples form when the oil and dead skin cells on your skin combine to form a plug that blocks the pores. Usually your skin naturally sheds its dead cells. But if your body produces a lot of sebum (oil), those cells can get stuck in your pores, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

The treatments you'll find below work to exfoliate dead skin cells, suck up excess oil, stop inflammation, and kill the C. acnes bacteria. There are even a few treatments that target hormonal acne specifically.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to acne.

First, your derm will examine your skin to determine the severity of your acne to give it a grade (grade 1 is mild; grade 4 is severe) and figure out which type (or types) you have, the AAD explains. Then, they'll see which type of treatment would work best: topical or oral (or both). Here's the difference between each, per the AAD:

Topical acne treatment: This is the most common type of acne treatment. Some work by killing acne-causing bacteria while others get rid of acne by decreasing oil. The ingredients in topical acne treatments may include retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, or salicylic acid.

Oral acne treatment: These medications, which work internally, are prescribed when you have red, swollen pimples (acne cysts and nodules). They can come in different forms such as antibiotics (which kill bacteria and decrease inflammation), birth control pills (which helps with hormonal acne), and isotretinoin (commonly referred to as Accutane, even though that specific brand has been discontinued). Below are the best acne treatments for occasional, mild, and some moderate acne.

1. Salicylic acid

Oh, hello, old friend. Salicylic acid is the go-to fix for pimply preteens. And cruising through the aisles at the drugstore, you'll find it as the active ingredient on the majority of products labeled acne wash or spot treatment. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that works by dissolving excess oil and gently exfoliating dead skin cells.

Salicylic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties to help with inflamed cystic breakouts that can occur when blockages deep in the hair follicles rupture beneath the skin. Although it's totally fine to use salicylic acid in a face wash, you may find that you have better results when using it as a toner, moisturizer, or leave-on spot treatment because these give it more time to do its work. And keep in mind, salicylic acid can dry out the skin if over-applied, so it may be wise to choose only one product with the ingredient to use every day.

2. Glycolic acid

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates the skin, helping to get rid of the dead skin cells that can clog pores. As with salicylic acid, you can find glycolic in washes, peels, moisturizers, and serums at your local beauty store or drugstore.

3. Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial ingredient, and it's very effective at killing the C. acnes bacteria that causes breakouts. But benzoyl isn't without its downsides. The leave-on creams and cleansing treatments can dry out sensitive skin and bleach clothing if you aren't careful. Board-certified dermatologist Eric Meinhardt, M.D., previously told ishonest that it's best to stick to formulations that have no more than 2% benzoyl peroxide listed on the active- ingredients chart; stronger concentrations are harder on your skin without being any tougher on bacteria.

4. Lactic Acid

Like glycolic acid, lactic acid is an AHA, which means it works like a chemical exfoliant on the skin. However, it's generally gentler than glycolic acid, so it's a good option for people who want to use an exfoliating acid but have more sensitive skin. Lactic acid is also a humectant, which means it draws water to itself and can be hydrating. So for those with dry or sensitive skin, exfoliants with lactic acid would work well without being too irritating.

5. Retinol

You've probably heard of the benefits of retinoid creams for antiaging, but these forms of vitamin are also efficient at clearing up acne. [Retinoids] cause skin cells to turn over at a faster rate, decrease oil production, and help skin exfoliate, board-certified dermatologist Rita Linkner, M.D., tells ishonest. Another benefit: Acne is inflammation, and retinoids are anti- inflammatory.

Shah often recommends over-the-counter retinol or prescription retinoids to her acne-prone patients. I find that, compared with other treatments, they are beneficial for not just treating acne but also preventing new acne from forming as they help prevent that initial stage of the follicle getting clogged, she says. They can also help with some of the post-acne [problems], such as hyperpigmentation.

But keep in mind that retinoids can also be irritating, and if you have sensitive skin (or a skin condition like psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea), even an over-the-counter option may be too strong. So it's important to always start with a low concentration of retinol (even as low as .01%) to see how your skin reacts. Your dermatologist can also recommend an over-the-counter retinol with a low concentration or a low-concentration version of prescription retinoids, which you might be able to tolerate more easily.

Retinol also isn't a quick fix. It takes time to see results (possibly a few months), and it's something you'll have to keep using to maintain its benefits.

6. Retinal

Retinol isn't the only over-the-counter retinoid out thereor the gentlest. In fact, some experts recommend that those with sensitive skin opt for products containing retinal (also called retinaldehyde) instead of traditional retinol. Like retinol, this compound is a naturally occurring retinoid that the body converts to retinoic acid. And, as ishonest explained previously, it has been shown in a few studies to be just as effective as retinol and other retinoids with fewer side effects.

7. Adapalene

Adapaleneoften known by the brand name Differinis a synthetic retinoid that used to be available only via a prescription. But it recently became available over-the-counter, which makes it a great, strong acne medication that you can access without a prescription. And because it's synthetic, it was formulated to be gentler than other prescription acne medications. For those who've graduated beyond over-the-counter retinol but aren't quite ready for the full intensity of a prescription retinoid, adapalene is a perfect choice.

8. Sulfur

Warning: Sulfur smells like rotten eggs. But it is an effective ingredient at drying up pus-filled pimples and whiteheads (you've gotta take the good with the bad). It works by sucking up the oil. Sulfur is typically mixed with other active ingredients to get the most efficacy and with fragrances to mask the strong scent. You can often find it in masks and spot treatments.

9. Bakuchiol

This ingredient, which is a plant-based extract often billed as a retinol alternative, is not actually a retinoid at all. But in a few limited studies, it did show promise in managing things like skin texture and fine lineswithout the side effects we usually associate with retinoids. Today it might show up in a product all on its own or be paired with a low concentration of retinol to help boost the acne-fighting and antiaging effects without increasing the risk for side effects.

And here are the best acne treatments for more severe acne.

10. Dapsone gel

Another prescription option your dermatologist might prescribe for acne is dapsone gel, such as the brand-name version Aczone. Dapsone is both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, and it's proven to help with blackheads, whiteheads, and deeper painful pimples. Oftentimes dapsone is used alongside other acne treatments. And as with many of those other remedies, this can cause skin to dry out.

11. A cortisone shot

Cortisone is a quick fix for acne emergencies, especially large cystic acne bumps. Go to the dermatologist's office for a shot of this corticosteroid, and the pimple will dramatically lessen and possibly even disappear in 24 to 48 hours. The treatment works to curb inflammation, which makes it best for cystic breakouts and can be really good at combating hormonal flare-ups.

However, if done incorrectly, a cortisone shot can leave a small depression in the skin that lasts about eight weeks. It's a rare side effect that happens if dosage of cortisone is too high, Linkner explains. You want to go to someone who knows what they're doing. So this method is best saved for those rare emergencies and should not be considered a long-term treatment for your acne.

12. Birth control pills

If you notice that you're breaking out right around your period every month, your acne might be linked to hormones. A sensitivity to the hormones called androgens manifests in the form of cystic acne, Linkner says. Androgens, namely testosterone, cause the skin to produce more sebum. More sebum equals more acne. Combination hormonal birth control, which contains the hormones estrogen and progestin, helps keep hormones balanced and skin clear. Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Estrostep, and YAZ are all FDA-approved as acne treatments.

13. Spironalactone

Sometimes birth control alone isn't enough to really make a difference in hormonal acne. That's when your doctor might recommend adding in an androgen blocker such as spironalactone. Spiro (as it's often called) minimizes the amount of androgen hormones in circulation by blocking the receptors that bind with testosterone. When these pills are taken at the same time as an oral contraceptive, many women see an improvement in breakouts, according to Linkner. The drug is sometimes prescribed to women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) to relieve androgen-related symptoms like excessive hair growth, hypertension, oily skin, and acne.

14. Tazarotene

Also known by the brand name Tazorac, this is another powerful prescription retinoid, but it's synthetic. Like other retinoids, it can cause side effects like dryness and irritation, so you should always follow your dermatologist's instructions for when and how to use it. Interestingly, it can also be used to help manage plaque psoriasis and may be combined with other topical medications, like corticosteroids, to do just that.

15. Isotretinoin

Isotretinoin (formerly sold as Accutane) is a particularly strong retinoid. It has a mixed reputation, but among dermatologists it's the finisher for patients with severe acne. If you have an acne patient that doesn't respond to anything, [isotretinoin] can really be a game changer, board-certified dermatologist Adam Friedman, M.D., tells ishonest. Commonly referred to as Accutane even though that particular brand was discontinued, isotretinoin is an oral retinoid, and it has all the benefits of a topical retinol but is even more effective.

It's especially good for cystic acne in women and body acne in men. Oral vitamin A basically shuts down your sebaceous glands. If you suppress [them] for a long enough period, you can cure someone of their acne, and about 50% do hit that cure rate, Linkner says. A course of isotretinoin can take six to nine months. Sometimes patients need to repeat the course at a higher dosage in order to truly eliminate acne.

But isotretinoin has mixed reviews for a reason. It makes the skin super dry and sensitive, which means it's important to keep moisturizers and lip balm nearby while you're on the treatment. Oh, and don't even think about waxing your eyebrows (just imagine your skin ripping off).

There's another downside to isotretinoin: It requires a lot of paperwork and office visits. Since isotretinoin can cause birth defects, you have to come into the dermatologist's office once a month to get a pregnancy test and take a lengthy survey with questions about your sex life to prove that you are using sufficient birth control. These precautions are intense, but dermatologists agree that the final results for isotretinoin are like no other. This is one of the few medicines that I can look [patients] in the eye and guarantee them it will work, Friedman says.

16. Azelaic acid

Dermatologists aren't sure why azelaic acid is so effective at clearing up inflammation, but it's often used as an option for sensitive skin or pregnant patients. The ingredient is good at treating melasma, acne, and the bumps associated with rosacea, Linkner says. Your dermatologist can prescribe products with high concentrations of azelaic acid, and you can find over-the-counter options with lower concentrations of this active ingredient.