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The Best Acne Products

Who Makes the Best Acne Products?

Given that acne is the most common skin condition in the country, affecting as many as 50 million Americans at any given time, it's no wonder that there's such a market for effective products. Whether your skin troubles began in puberty or have struck for the first time in your 40s, you're probably searching for a solution that will get you looking and feeling better - as soon as possible.

There are many different approaches that acne products may take, and the right one for you often depends on the type of breakouts you're experiencing. Are you seeing occasional white- and blackheads, or large, painful blemishes that cover most of your face? Is your skin oily all the time, or does it fluctuate with hormonal changes and/or stress? Is acne affecting just your face or other areas of your body too, like your back and chest?

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Acne Product Reviews

Zenmed Review Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award 5 Star Rating

Zenmed

5 Star Rating Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Zenmed should be the first brand you consider when looking for acne solutions. Whether you've got sensitive, dry, oily, or combination skin - or you even have rosacea thrown in the mix - there's a routine here for you. You can also get a complimentary product recommendation from Zenmed's in-house estheticians. All products are made in small batches, delivering the highest possible potency and freshness, and they're always backed by a 60-day, 100% satisfaction guarantee. This is still our #1 pick among acne products.

Curology  Review 4.5 Star Rating

Curology

4.5 Star Rating

Whether your skincare goals are to even out your skin tone, reduce acne, or prevent fine lines, Curology has a custom formula for you. Simply take their skin quiz, upload a few well-lit photos, and your personalized, dermatologist-prescribed formula will be on its way to your door. And, if you've been wanting to try out tretinoin but aren't sure how to get a prescription, look no further than Curology. Best of all, your first 30 days using Curology are completely free. All of that makes Curology an acne product we're excited to recommend.

Paula's Choice Review 4.5 Star Rating

Paula's Choice

4.5 Star Rating

Paula's Choice puts love, care, and science into all of their skincare products - without adding many ingredients that can be an irritant (like essential oils and alcohol). We recommend scheduling a complimentary 20-minute consultation with one of their experts to get the right routine for your unique skin. People swear by Paula's Choice products, finally getting clear skin after many competitor products have failed. Excellent products, amazing customer service, and a 180-day return policy are just a few of the reasons you should give this brand a try.

Murad Review 4 Star Rating

Murad

4 Star Rating

Murad takes a four-pillar approach to total skin health: eat your water, awaken your body, be kind to your mind, and nourish your skin - with their high-performance skincare products, of course. Take advantage of a 25-minute video consultation to get a customized recommendation for an acne-fighting regimen, knowing that you've got a 60-day window to get a refund if needed. Although some customers have had issues getting support in recent months, Murad still has an "A+" from the BBB and thousands of five-star reviews. These acne products are expensive, but loyal Murad customers would tell you they're well worth the money.

Mighty Patch Review 4 Star Rating

Mighty Patch

4 Star Rating

Hero's Mighty Patch can reduce your pimples to just about nothing - overnight or discreetly as you go about your day. Over 100,000 people have given Mighty Patch a perfect five-star score, and there's lots of positive feedback for the other acne products in the Hero line. They come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and the company offers several different ways to save money (like a free rewards program and subscribe-and-save buying options). This is a solid option for fighting acne, particularly if you've got a breakout looming before picture day or big date.

Dermala Review 4 Star Rating

Dermala

4 Star Rating

Dermala fights acne by balancing your body's microbiomes - not just on your skin but also in your gut. You'll start by getting a customized #FOBO kit (short for Fear Of Breaking Out) based on your age, gender, and current skin problems, and your subsequent recommendations will shift based on the results you enter in the Dermala app. There's a lot of science behind this acne product, and preliminary customer feedback is really positive. It's on the spendy side, and Dermala doesn't spell out the details on their refund policy, but we still feel comfortable recommending it as an acne option to try.

Proactiv Review 3.5 Star Rating

Proactiv

3.5 Star Rating

Proactiv is one of the best-known names in over-the-counter acne products, with over 20 million users worldwide. This multi-step skincare routine can help break the acne cycle and heal your skin. We give Proactiv props for making improvements since our last review, giving customers more for their money. But, some people still report problems with canceling subscriptions or getting help with incorrect product shipments.

Truly Clear Review 3.5 Star Rating

Truly Clear

3.5 Star Rating

Tired of multi-step acne products that take an hour out of your day? Try Truly Clear. It's a foaming bar of soap that can be used to fight acne on your face - and on the rest of your body - in just five minutes, once or twice daily. The company also sells cleansing pads and acne patches to round out your acne-fighting options. This brand is a little newer on the market, but most people who use Truly Clear give it five stars, and all purchases are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. It's not the right fit if you need a more personalized acne regimen, but it's a good option if you want to try a one-step routine.

Exposed Skincare Review 3 Star Rating

Exposed Skincare

3 Star Rating

Exposed Skincare has been fighting acne for 20+ years. Their products combine natural extracts like tea tree oil with well-known acne-fighters (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid) to heal your skin, prevent future breakouts, and calm redness. Although this used to be one of our favorite brands for acne products, a less-than-friendly approach to customer service recently has dropped Exposed Skincare in our rankings. Watch out for purchase options that sign you up for automatic future shipments, and be aware that the 1-year refund policy only applies to your first kit here.

Clearpores Review 2.5 Star Rating

Clearpores

2.5 Star Rating

ClearPores is a Skinception product and it comes with a three-step acne routine: cleanse, supplement, and protect. We like that it has a 67-day money-back guarantee, more than enough time to see how your skin responds. But, prices have gone way up on this acne product: you'll pay over $100 for a one-month supply. There's just not enough compelling customer feedback to convince us that ClearPores will be worth it. Circle back to ClearPores if you try our higher-ranked acne solutions without any improvements, but don't make this your first choice.

Acnease Review 1.5 Star Rating

Acnease

1.5 Star Rating

AcnEase is an all-natural, herbal supplement designed to deal with the root causes of acne. This is one of the more expensive products in our review, especially if your condition is so severe that you need to take the highest recommended dose: 18 tablets a day for six weeks. Results vary, and that's a problem if you don't see changes and can't get AcnEase's parent company, Herborium Group, to honor their 60-day refund policy.

CleaRx Review 1.5 Star Rating

CleaRx

1.5 Star Rating

CleaRx is your standard three-step acne regimen: cleanse, moisturize, apply. There's nothing all-natural, unique, or particularly compelling about this acne regimen. You can only buy it as a two-month supply (or longer) that will be set to renew automatically. That's a risky proposition when the company is hard to reach - and seems to have gone "radio silent" after 2020. Spend your money on a more reliable provider of acne products.

Acnezine Review 1 Star Rating

Acnezine

1 Star Rating

Acnezine uses a topical cream and an oral supplement to deal with acne. What's in those products? Great question -because this company doesn't tell you until you get the package in the mail. It gets worse: when you call the contact number listed on the Acnezine site, they tell you they don't have a product by that name. Mystery acne product with no customer support? No thanks. Try a more reputable product from our review.

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Continued from above...

Another factor when choosing an acne product is your experience with products in the past. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are two of the most common ingredients in over-the-counter remedies: they're very effective for some, while others experience dry skin or rashes when using products that contain them. Also consider if you have any known sensitivities to natural ingredients like tea tree oil, aloe vera, or other botanicals. Check the ingredients list of any acne product you're considering to make sure it doesn't contain anything that's a known irritant for you.

A word of warning: know how they say that sometimes things get worse before they get better? No matter which acne product you use, you may find that your acne actually increases at first. It's a process known as "skin purge" , and according to Medical News Today, it can happen as people use new products with ingredients that accelerate exfoliation and bring new skin to the surface. You might just have dry, flaky skin - or even more blemishes than before.

Fortunately, many effective acne products give you 60 days (or longer) to let the skin purge run its course and reveal your new, healthy skin underneath. You just need the patience to ride it out. Of course, if you're showing signs of an allergic reaction (rash, hives, stinging or burning sensation, itchy or watery eyes, and so on), discontinue use and check in with your doctor before trying a new product.

With so many different acne products on the market, you might be feeling confused about where to start. Not to worry. Here are some criteria you can use to narrow down the options and zero in on the ones that will likely be your best bet:

  • Regimen. Be honest with yourself. Are you going to follow a skincare routine faithfully, morning and night, for up to 90 minutes a day? If the answer is "Yes!" , you should have no hesitations about a multi-step acne product. If it's "probably not" , choose an option that has just one or two steps to follow, once or twice a day. Your ideal acne routine is one that you'll actually stick to.
  • Ingredients. Are there any acne-fighting ingredients that you've had experience with, good or bad? Use that knowledge to choose (or avoid) products.
  • Cost. Some acne products are budget-friendly, while others are expensive enough that you might want to hold them in reserve as a last resort. Look not just at how much you'll pay to get started, but how long each product will last. In other words, paying $100 might sound like a lot, but when you realize it's for a two-month supply, it starts to look pretty appealing compared to the $60 product that might last you 30 days.
  • Expert Help. Some providers of acne products go the extra mile to help you get a customized routine. You might be able to schedule a 20-minute video consultation with an esthetician or send in photos of your skin, and then get recommendations unique to you.
  • Refund/Return Policy. There's not a single acne product that works for 100% of users. The best brands recognize that, and they offer generous return policies that let you get your money back if you give it your best shot and don't see the improvements you hoped for.
  • Reputation. What do users say about the products - and the company backing them? Can you count on the business to live up to its promises?

To help you get the clearest skin possible, TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked today's most popular acne products. We're confident that this information will make it easy to find the right solution - and at the right price!

The Best Acne Products Compare Acne Products Compare Acne Product Reviews What are the best Acne Products Best Acne Product Reviews

Acne Product FAQ

Typically, acne kits include a facial cleanser, clearing tonic, acne serum, clear pore serum, moisture complex, or more. If you are not wanting a ton of products to solve your acne issues, then we suggest considering a 3-step plan that requires less product application.
When searching for your perfect acne product, most companies allow you to refine your search by acne product type. Product types can include, but are not limited to, cleansers, toners, exfoliants, serums, moisturizers, acne, anti-aging, and best sellers.
If you are unsure if you are allergic or have sensitive skin, you can just follow these two simple steps. One place the product in an area below your ear for a few minutes. Two if the area becomes red or irritated then you should use a different product. If no reaction occurs, you are good to begin using the product.
On every product there is a batch code that will provide you the expiration date. Some companies use codes that you will have to get the key from customer service. Shelf life for a product that is unopened and unused is typically 3 years.
Concerned with shell fish allergies? When choosing a product make sure the ingredient list does not contain Chitosan. This ingredient has been linked with shellfish and could cause a reaction. Some companies offer a list of products to avoid if you have a shellfish allergy in the customer service and FAQs section.
If you follow a skin application plan without interruptions, and avoid acne causing foods, you should see improvement in as little as 2 - 4 weeks. For those that have non-inflamed acne, improvement may take up to 7 months to become clear since this form of acne is deeper and more resistant.
Shipping normally takes 2 - 5 business days depending on the type of shipping selected. Most companies offer free shipping in general or require a minimum purchase cost to be met. Depending on the site, the minimum purchase cost can be $49+ or have a low shipping rate for the type of shipping you choose.
Of course, most companies offer a 100% money back guarantee within a 30 - 60-day trial return period. Some companies even offer a 1-year satisfaction guarantee for a kit purchase that includes a full refund (without shipping costs). If you are skeptical, be sure to choose a product with a generous return policy.

Compare Acne Products

Select any 2 Acne Products to compare them head to head

best-acne-products
  • Zenmed
  • Curology
  • Paula's Choice
  • Murad
  • Mighty Patch
  • Dermala
  • Proactiv
  • Truly Clear
  • Exposed Skincare
  • Clearpores
  • Acnease
  • CleaRx
  • Acnezine
Zenmed vs Curology Zenmed vs Paula's Choice Zenmed vs Murad Zenmed vs Mighty Patch Zenmed vs Dermala Zenmed vs Proactiv Zenmed vs Truly Clear Zenmed vs Exposed Skincare Zenmed vs Clearpores Zenmed vs Acnease Zenmed vs CleaRx Zenmed vs Acnezine Curology vs Paula's Choice Curology vs Murad Curology vs Mighty Patch Curology vs Dermala Curology vs Proactiv Curology vs Truly Clear Curology vs Exposed Skincare Curology vs Clearpores Curology vs Acnease Curology vs CleaRx Curology vs Acnezine Paula's Choice vs Murad Paula's Choice vs Mighty Patch Paula's Choice vs Dermala Paula's Choice vs Proactiv Paula's Choice vs Truly Clear Paula's Choice vs Exposed Skincare Paula's Choice vs Clearpores Paula's Choice vs Acnease Paula's Choice vs CleaRx Paula's Choice vs Acnezine Murad vs Mighty Patch Murad vs Dermala Murad vs Proactiv Murad vs Truly Clear Murad vs Exposed Skincare Murad vs Clearpores Murad vs Acnease Murad vs CleaRx Murad vs Acnezine Mighty Patch vs Dermala Mighty Patch vs Proactiv Mighty Patch vs Truly Clear Mighty Patch vs Exposed Skincare Mighty Patch vs Clearpores Mighty Patch vs Acnease Mighty Patch vs CleaRx Mighty Patch vs Acnezine Dermala vs Proactiv Dermala vs Truly Clear Dermala vs Exposed Skincare Dermala vs Clearpores Dermala vs Acnease Dermala vs CleaRx Dermala vs Acnezine Proactiv vs Truly Clear Proactiv vs Exposed Skincare Proactiv vs Clearpores Proactiv vs Acnease Proactiv vs CleaRx Proactiv vs Acnezine Truly Clear vs Exposed Skincare Truly Clear vs Clearpores Truly Clear vs Acnease Truly Clear vs CleaRx Truly Clear vs Acnezine Exposed Skincare vs Clearpores Exposed Skincare vs Acnease Exposed Skincare vs CleaRx Exposed Skincare vs Acnezine Clearpores vs Acnease Clearpores vs CleaRx Clearpores vs Acnezine Acnease vs CleaRx Acnease vs Acnezine CleaRx vs Acnezine
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