Over-the-counter treatments that really work
When breakouts start to push their way through the surface of the skin, many of us enter attack mode. Forget letting it run its course. It’s all about acting fast and breaking out the heavy artillery. Usually, this means applying one of the best acne spot treatments we can get our hands on.
However, know that spot treatments work best on pustules (traditional pimples filled with pus). If you have cystic acne or papules (inflamed red pimples that haven’t quite reached the surface), spot treatments won’t cut it. (For more info on how to treat other kinds of pimples, check out our foolproof guide.) But if you’re dealing with a pesky pustule, we’ve got the best hard-hitting products that will shrink your skin’s new resident in no time. We combined extensive research and our editors’ personal experiences with many of these options to bring to you a comprehensive list of our recommendations based on how well these formulas perform and how they feel on the skin.
Keep scrolling to see the best acne spot treatments your money can buy.
Best Overall: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
There’s a reason this formula is one of the go-to spot treatments for celebrities and beauty editors alike, including here at Byrdie HQ. In short? It actually works (and fast!) to dry up whiteheads and reduce the appearance of pesky breakouts overnight. Simply dab a bit of the formula—containing a hard-hitting combo of salicylic acid, sulfur, and zinc oxide—onto the problem spot(s) before bed, let it dry, and then hit the hay. When you wake up, rinse off the lotion and the spot should be significantly improved. It’s that easy.
Best Drugstore: Clean & Clear Advantage Spot Treatment
This drugstore classic is available almost anywhere. The gel formula contains witch hazel and salicylic acid and comes in a tapered squeeze tube. The applicator helpfully dispenses small doses without splattering everywhere, which helps to ensure you achieve targeted application. The spot treatment dries clear and sinks in quickly as it stops developing pimples and calms ones that have already popped up.
Best Gel: Origins Super Spot Remover Acne Treatment Gel
This gel spot treatment has everything—salicylic acid, red algae to (ironically) remove redness, and exfoliants to flush out dead skin cells and excess sebum. It’s every pimple-busting weapon wrapped into one.
Breakouts clear within two to three days, with minimal scarring. Some reviewers prefer to use this at night, though the clear, unassuming gel also works during the day. As with most spot treatments, a little goes a long way. There’s even a slight tingle if you like to feel products working.
Best Budget: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
As cheap as this is, it’s also effective and gentle on skin—nowhere near a clumsily formulated acid bath. The Ordinary’s solution contains acne-fighting salicylic acid as well as a milder form of witch hazel, an anti-inflammatory botanical extract that doesn’t over-dry skin. Thanks to its exfoliating and soothing properties, the solution clears closed comedones, blackheads, and whiteheads while reducing redness, even balancing oily skin.
Best Pimple Patches: COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
These hydrocolloid patches from Cosrx are ideal for sucking the gunk out of pimples and healing picked-at skin. These patches are your friend when you get too enthusiastic with extracting a pimple and accidentally create a small wound, or if you’re always touching your face. The protective covering reduces bacteria transfer while healing the skin.
The way they work is simple: Once you smooth on the patch, it slowly draws out all the oil and bacteria inside the blemish while keeping other contaminants out. They’re not meant to work instantly, gradually shrinking blemishes through the least invasive means possible. The translucent patch grows opaque as it clears out the pimple, and a white dot becomes visible in the center to let you know when to remove it.
Best for Redness: TruSkin Tea Tree Oil Super Serum For Face
In case of angry, inflamed pimples, dot this on. While labeled a serum, the fast-absorbing formula works just as well as a spot treatment and is particularly ideal for helping to soothe the skin. The dropper bottle contains a potent mix of antibacterial tea tree oil, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and even niacinamide. Together, they bring down swelling and redness, brighten, and refine skin texture while preventing future pimples from forming.
Best Classic: Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment
You’ve probably seen this product’s characteristic pink formula dotted all over people’s faces on Instagram. Housed in a vaguely medical-looking glass bottle, the EradiKate Acne Treatment uses sulfur and AHAs to reduce existing pimples while preventing new ones. As the treatment shrinks pimples overnight, zinc oxide absorbs excess sebum to control oil, which helps keep the area clear. Without shaking the bottle, dip a Q-Tip into the bottle, pick up the thick pink solution, and apply it to your blemish. Using a cotton swab to apply it isn’t only functional, but it’s also great to avoid transferring bacteria.
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Tula Go Away Acne Spot Treatment
Nobody loves dark marks that exist as a constant reminder to the pimples that once were, and this effective spot treatment does an awesome job at getting rid of them. Licorice and niacinamide work to even hyperpigmentation, while benzoyl peroxide clears up acne fast. It also has tea tree oil to soothe the skin, and we especially love that it dries completely clear — so it’s perfect for day or night.
Best for Deep Acne: Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment with 2% Salicylic Acid
People that suffer from large, deep breakouts know just how painful they can be. If you’re looking for an over-the-counter product to help heal a deep pimple, this is a fantastic option. It’s formulated with salicylic acid to heal and prevent breakouts, as well as amino acid technology to target bad bacteria and phytosteroid to hydrate, soothe, and reduce redness. Unlike a lot of spot treatments, we love that this one isn’t overly drying on the skin.
Best for Daytime: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Invisible+
If you find that pimple patches are really effective for you but you don’t like wearing them during the day because of how obvious they look on the skin, we highly recommend the practically invisible patches from Hero Cosmetics. They draw out pus from whiteheads just like their original hydrocolloid patches, but they’re much thinner and more seamless-looking on the skin. They are a bit harder to apply than the original ones given how delicate they are, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be hooked.
Best Overnight Treatment: Renée Rouleau Night Time Spot Lotion
For those times when an angry bump rears its head practically before your eyes, Renée Rouleau’s fast-acting acne spot treatment is invaluable. Specifically formulated for surface-infected blemishes, it uses a down-to-business approach with potent blemish-clearing ingredients like zinc oxide, sulfur, and camphor.
Best Mask: White Willow Sleep Mask & Spot Treatment
You get the best of both worlds with this powerful blemish banisher. It improves the overall look and texture of your skin while soothing and protecting your skin’s essential barrier. The all natural formula acts as a gentle exfoliant, sloughing off dead skin cells and reducing the appearance of dark marks. Use it overnight as a spot treatment or apply it all over as a clearing mask.
Best with Benzoyl Peroxide: Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment
This heavy-duty spot treatment (with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide) shrinks blemishes like no one’s business. It’s excellent for diminishing whiteheads and oily breakouts, however, it’s quite potent, so a little goes a long way.
Best LED Treatment Solawave Bye Acne: 3-Minute Pimple Spot Treatment
This obviously isn’t the same type of spot treatment as the others on this list, but this FDA-cleared LED therapy device is a great alternative to creams and pimple patches. It’s powered by blue and red LED light for a two-pronged approach—blue light fights acne-causing bacteria2 while red light reduces inflammation and redness.3 Just place it directly onto your breakout spot, hold the power button, and keep it there for three minutes (the device will shut off automatically). Continue use and you’ll see a reduction in redness, inflammation, and pimple size within a few days.
Best for Under Makeup: Eve Lom Dynaspot
Formulated to suit all skin tones, this cream can be used applied underneath makeup to target breakouts. It’s lightweight and doesn’t create a residue, so makeup applies smoothly on top. It’s also moisturizing, so you can forget about dried-out, flaky patches.
Final Verdict
Our favorite acne spot treatment is the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. It’s easy and hygienic to apply, it works to dry out pimples quickly, and it comes in a glass bottle. But if you’re looking for a non-drying option that helps soothe and heal painful breakouts, the Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment with Salicylic Acid is for you.
What to Look For in Acne Spot Treatments
Treatment Type
Consider the treatment type you’d prefer when looking for an acne spot treatment. Some spot treatments are used overnight; others can be used under makeup. Drying lotions and hydrocolloid treatments are often used overnight and work to pull out and dry up congestion in the pores.
Other treatments include active ingredients that kill bacteria and shrink acne spots, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and tea tree.4 Different products use anti-inflammatory and skin healing ingredients to reduce the appearance of acne. Some of these treatments may work better for you than others.
Consider whether you have sensitive skin, in which case benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid may be too harsh. In this case, choosing a treatment such as hydrocolloid patches or zinc-based serums may be best.5
Active Ingredients
Various active ingredients can be used in acne spot treatments. For instance, anti-inflammatory and skin healing ingredients like zinc, bacteria-killing tried and true salicylic acid, and blemish-shrinking benzoyl peroxide.6The Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment is a great option if you’re looking for something with benzoyl peroxide.
Try tea tree oil, camphor, witch hazel, and willow bark if you prefer gentle or natural ingredients.7 In the case of hydrocolloid patches, the active ingredient works by pulling sebum, dead skin cells, and pus from the congested pores.
Acne Type
Some types of acne spot treatments work better on specific types of acne. Look for an acne spot treatment formulated for your particular kind of acne. Cystic acne does not typically respond to surface acne treatments. Hormonal acne responds to some types of spot treatments, while others are better for surface pimples.
FAQ
Do spot treatments work for acne?
Spot treatments can be very effective for acne that is already occurring. They are not usually used to prevent acne, although some products can do both. If you have cystic acne, spot treatments are less effective.
Can you get rid of zits overnight?
One of the best ways to get rid of zits overnight is by using a hydrocolloid acne spot treatment patch. These patches will draw out the pus filling the blocked pore and reduce the size and appearance of the zit. You will likely still be left with a bit of redness. Our favorite pimple patch is the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch. Drying lotions can also get rid of zits overnight by drying out the blocked pore.
How do you get rid of acne and spots fast?
Get rid of acne and spots fast with acne spot treatments. Patches, drying lotions, and medicated treatments with salicylic acid or tea tree oil work well. Try a few spot treatments to see which ones work best for you without aggravating skin. Be sure not to pick or pop your acne spots since this can lead to more breakouts and scarring.
