We’ve all experienced the absolute rage that waking up with a pimple can cause. They seemingly appear out of nowhere, glaring and red, without warning. At other times, it feels like something is lingering just below the surface in the moments before it makes its fateful appearance. While there’s no magical solution to zapping away blemishes on your skin’s surface for good, spot treatments can help protect your complexion from the threat of a breakout.
For a better idea of how to find the perfect spot treatment for our skin needs and piece together an edit to help you shop, we reached out to two board-certified dermatologists for their guidance. Your skin will look better in no time!
What Are Spot Treatments, and How Do They Address Blemishes?
Since there has been a recent influx of products labeled as spot treatments all over the aisles of beauty retail stores and touted as “the best” by influencers and skincare specialists, I decided to go straight to the experts and ask them why anyone dealing with blemishes to consider spot treatments. According to Ava Shamban, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, and founder of Ava MD, SkinFive, and Althaea Skin, the idea of a spot treatment is, “a more intense, targeted high dose of an acne-fighting ingredient to blast a blemish or breakout stopping it in its tracks.”
When it comes to using spot treatments, less is more, as a small amount of product applied directly to the site and left for several hours can get the job done. While there are both gel and cream formulas, pimple patches and hydrocolloid patches that use antibacterial ingredients have also become a popular option. She also warns that these spot treatments do not necessarily work on closed lesions or comedones since they don’t clean out pores.
What Ingredients Should Be Spot Treatments?
With so many products on the market, it can be challenging to decide which spot treatments will offer all the benefits you’re after. Luckily, we also tapped board-certified dermatologist Hadley C. King, MD, FAAD, for her guidance on what to be on the hunt for while shopping for a spot treatment. “Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, and clay are all ingredients commonly found in spot treatments,” says King. “The formulation should also contain emollient ingredients to support the skin barrier so that it does not get too dried out.”
While benzoyl peroxide works to kill bacteria and clear pores, salicylic acid helps exfoliate the surface of the skin and penetrates the pores to remove oil while sulfur has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and drying properties. Shaban adds that these ingredients often work well with azelaic acid, tea tree oil, hemp seed oil, and witch hazel, but that they may irritate sensitive skin. If your skin responds negatively to any of the above, consider looking for one with aloe vera for calming effects.
To apply a spot treatment, wash the area with a gentle cleanser, ice the blemish, and then dab the treatment to the area without applying much pressure. To avoid applying the product anywhere but the blemish, a Q-Tip can be used. When using spot treatment patches, warm water can help loosen the seal for easy removal.
Ready to add a spot treatment to your skincare lineup? Keep reading to see the top expert-approved picks from dermatologists and beauty editors.
The Best Spot Treatments for Acne, Listed
M-61 PowerSpot Clear
This daily transparent formula targets and prevents blemishes using a unique blend of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and witch hazel. I love how the PowerSpot Clear blemish treatment helps reduce redness and imperfections without stripping your skin of all the essential oils needed that to support a healthy barrier.
Customer Review: “I love PowerSpot Clear. It has never failed to reduce the size and duration of time that I have a pimple. I try to put it on as soon as I feel one surfacing. It does not irritate my skin and is very effective.”
Pros: Transparent gel spot formula is fast-working and easy to use
Cons: None
Product Specs: 0.1 oz tube
Perricone MD Acne Relief Maximum Strength Spot Gel
Perricone MD
Acne Relief Maximum Strength Spot Gel
Another fast-working spot gel I used to target and prevent future blemishes is the Acne Relief Maximum Strength Spot Gel. Like the M-61 gel, this option absorbs excess oil without stripping the skin of its essential oils but also kills acne-causing bacteria and unclogs pores.
Customer Review: “I just got the spot treatment and I am so thankful I did. Perfect for occasional breakouts, which I get. Had a blemish I used it on and woke up the next day with 80% of the blemish gone. A must-have for your skincare routine.”
Pros: Can be used to address acne, oiliness, and redness
Cons: May leave a light residue on the application area that peels off
Product Specs: 0.5 oz tube
RéVive Acne Reparatif Acne Treatment Gel
RéVive
Acne Reparatif Acne Treatment Gel
A big price tag doesn’t always mean big results, but that’s the case for this fast-acting acne treatment gel by RéVive. This product uses anti-acne and anti-aging ingredients like salicylic acid to help clear the skin and prevent the development of new blemishes.
Customer Review: “I love that this helps treat my acne without overdrying my skin. A little goes a long way with this product. Started to notice results within a couple of days which I am very happy about.”
Pros: Helps diminish the appearance of enlarged pores
Cons: Product is offered at a high price point
Product Specs: 1.0 oz bottle
Face Reality Sulfur Spot Treatment
Face Reality
Sulfur Spot Treatment
If you haven’t already added a sulfur-based product to your skincare routine to help combat blemishes from developing on your skin, you’re missing out on the peptide’s benefits. Face Reality’s Sulfur Spot Treatment, for example, features a gentle yet potent combination of 6% sulfide to instantly fix acne that is red and inflamed.
Customer Review: “This works great to get pimples out effectively and also helps some of the cystic acne come to the surface quicker than other products I have tried. Will continue using it for those annoying acne breakouts and when you want to relieve it quickly and painlessly. Great product!”
Pros: Can be used on blemishes day or night
Cons: Not ideal for dry skin, as the treatment is drying
Product Specs: 1.5 oz tube
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment
According to Shamban, this acne treatment by La Roche-Posay uses a formula featuring a “tried and true” micronized benzoyl peroxide and a lipo-hydroxy acid to help exfoliate the skin. This product helps to penetrate deeper into the blemish to unclog pores and reveal smooth, radiant skin. It’s also nondrying, oil-free, and has a fast-absorbing texture.
Customer Review: “Nondrying, oil-free, fast-absorbing texture. Can be used as an Acne spot treatment or all over the face. Reduces 60% of acne in ten days and provides visible results in less than three days! Also unscented!”
Pros: Offers light exfoliation that helps clear away cellular debris and oil
Cons: Potentially drying and irritating for sensitive skin
Product Specs: 0.7 oz tubes
Caudalie Vinopure Color Correcting Spot Solution With Salicylic Acid
Caudalie
Vinopure Color Correcting Spot Solution with Salicylic Acid
I’ve used this Caudalie Color Correcting Spot Solution for years and have yet to find another one that checks all my boxes. Not only does it help even out my skin tone, but it also uses natural salicylic acid, tea tree, and niacinamide to visibly reduce breakout size in hours. Plus, the cream can be worn alone or under makeup to help disguise redness.
Customer Review: “Another Caudalie win! I’ve used their Vinopure serum in the past but I wanted to try something more budget-friendly. I’ve used this product on a few pimples, usually leave it overnight, and it works like magic!
Pros: Can visibly reduce breakout size in as little as four hours
Cons: Has a noticeable fragrance
Product Specs: 0.5 oz tube
Garnier SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector
Garnier
SkinActive Clearly Brighter Dark Spot Corrector
King highlights this Garnier classic as a great option for combating pimples and any discoloration left after a pimple. Its formulated vitamins C and E (both with potent antioxidant properties to defend against free radicals), as well as salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid gently exfoliate to increase cell turnover, shed discoloration, and reveal brighter skin underneath.
Customer Review: “This product is great, I already see a reduction in some of my acne scars. I also love the wonderful scent and the flawless application. All around this is a 10 for me.”
Pros: Promotes surface cell turnover to reveal more radiant skin
Cons: None
Product Specs: 1.0 oz
Dr Barbara Sturm Clarifying Spot Treatment
Dr Barbara Sturm
Clarifying Spot Treatment
Dr Barbara Strum has several helpful products dedicated to targeting pesky pimples, but its Clarifying Spot Treatment stands out to me because it addresses imperfections and impurities at the source. This anti-spot gel immediately reduces the appearance of redness and the size of blemishes using an active macular biofluid complex, tea tree oil, and zinc oxides.
Customer Review: “I tend to experience hormonal acne flare-ups. This tinted spot treatment is great for clearing my breakouts/spots I think will become acne and also providing some coverage. I don’t even feel the need to wear makeup.”
Pros: Reduces the appearance of redness and the size of blemishes
Cons: High price point
Product Specs: 0.5 oz tube
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta on the Spot Eliminator
Dr Dennis
Skincare Alpha Beta on the Spot Eliminator
If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to eliminate pimples quickly, it’s time to start using this Dr Dennis favorite. The Skincare Alpha Beta on the Spot Eliminator is infused with 2% salicylic acid, glycolic and azelaic acids, green tea, mushroom, bisabolol, and centella extracts to gently exfoliate the skin while calming irritation and redness.
Customer Review: “This spot treatment was pretty impressive and fast acting in a couple of days my break out has gotten smaller and dried up to be less noticeable. It’s definitely effective can’t wait to continue using it.”
Pros: Dissolves dead skin cells and oil with glycolic and azelaic acids
Cons: None
Product Specs: 1.0 oz tube
Avène Cleanance Acne Medicated Clearing Treatment
Avène
Cleanance Acne Medicated Clearing Treatment
Individuals with cystic acne may see fast results with this medicated acne treatment by Avène. It’s ideal for use on sensitive and oily skin types and has been clinically proven to fight and prevent annoying blemishes, blackheads, and breakouts without irritation with a nondrying and quick-absorbing texture.
Customer Review: “I love this treatment. I woke up with a pimple on my temple and decided to use this treatment on my skin. Within a day, the pimple was gone. Like literally gone. I like the texture of both the spot treatment and the cleanser.”
Pros: Helps maintain a balanced skin microbiome
Cons: The treatment is formulated with BHA, which can be drying
Product Specs: 1.3 oz bottle
Typology Targeted Blemish Treatment 1% Bakuchiol + Tea Tree Oil
Typology
Targeted Blemish Treatment 1% Bakuchiol + Tea Tree Oil
I always end up with a sprinkling of acne on my forehead and temples at the end of each month, but they disappear in days when I apply the Typology Targeted Blemish Treatment to them. This is created with 1% bakuchiol and tea tree oil and helps dry out blemishes and minimize post-breakout marks with a cooling, soothing texture.
Customer Review: “I use it in the evening on a persistent pimple I’ve had since the first time I wore a mask. Extraordinarily effective for this kind of persistent pimple. A tiny dab in the evening after removing makeup and cleansing my face with the unifying cleansing gel. The pimple disappeared.”
Pros: Works well for dry, oily, normal, and combination skin types
Cons: Takes consistently using the product over several days for results
Product Specs: 0.5 oz tube
First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel
First Aid Beauty
FAB Pharma BHA Acne Spot Treatment Gel
Another one of my favorite spot treatment gels to use on my monthly acne flare-ups is this one by First Aid Beauty. Its rapid-action formula uses a blend of 2% salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and aloe to target breakouts by unclogging pores, fading post-acne marks, and nourishing the skin while minimizing redness and irritation.
Customer Review: “This definitely reduces any sudden pimples that pop up. The tiniest bit goes such a long way and I only use it for spot treatments, so I can’t ever imagine using this up. But it works and the price isn’t bad!”
Pros: Formula features exfoliating and resurfacing acids and fruit enzymes
Cons: None
Product Specs: 0.8 oz tube
Vichy Normaderm SOS Acne Spot Corrector
Vichy
Normaderm SOS Acne Spot Corrector
I’m so glad I took my coworker’s advice and tried the Vichy Acne Spot Corrector. I’ve had it in my skincare lineup for a few months now and have noticed how much smoother my skin feels. Its formula of 10% sulfur, niacinamide, and glycolic acid is behind it, which reduces moisture loss and helps to control acne.
Customer Review: “The texture on this is nice and thick, so it won’t slide off your face under a mask or at night. The Sulfur and glycolic acid are a dream team in this. Draws out impurities, while exfoliating the top layers of the skin. I find it helps flatten acne within days and no flaking or drying.”
Pros: Formula features a fast-absorbing, lightweight texture
Cons: The product has a noticeable fragrance
Product Specs: 0.7 oz tube
SkinMedica Acne Clarifying Treatment
SkinMedica
Acne Clarifying Treatment
To help keep the threat of blemishes at bay, I use the Acne Clarifying Treatment by SkinMedica. It’s infused with a powerful blend of encapsulated 2% salicylic acid, 2% niacinamide, and the brand’s Seabum Balance Complex. I can bet that any acne that does rise to the surface will be gone in a matter of days if I use this.
Customer Review: “This is a new product for me. I do like that it seems to ease the acne breakout when I have acne. I don’t have breakouts all the time, but when I do, these products seem to help with shrinking and reducing the redness too. I also use the ABA cleanser from SkinMedica and I really love it for a daily wash.”
Pros: Expertly formulated to target discoloration and redness
Cons: High price point
Product Specs: 2.0 oz bottle
The Inkey List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment
The Inkey List
Succinic Acid Acne Treatment
The Inkey List has a treasure trove of products for all skin types, and this has quickly become one of my favorites. This nondrying acne treatment targets blemish spots quickly using succinic acid, salicylic acid, and hyaluronic acid to boost the skin’s natural exfoliation process to combat clogged pores and reduce redness for clearer-looking skin.
Customer Review: “This cream has no smell and it isn’t visible on the skin which I like. I find it works well on pimples that are under the surface that pimple patches aren’t able to get to. It’s not a must-have product, but I give it 5 stars since I haven’t been able to find anything else that works as well”
Pros: Can be layered under makeup for fast-working results
Cons: Formula does not quickly improve cystic acne
Product Specs: 0.5 oz tube
Murad Acne Relief Acne Spot Treatment
Murad
Acne Relief Acne Spot Treatment
When I’m asked which spot treatment works on all forms of acne in hours, this fast-acting product by Murad comes to mind. In addition to exfoliating and cleansing the pores for smoother skin, it also reduces blemish size and redness for all skin types. My sensitive, hyperpigmentation-prone complexion has never looked better.
Customer Review: “This is hands down the best acne product I’ve ever used. I’ve been struggling with severe acne for years and after using this for about a week now, I see a dramatic improvement.”
Pros: Effectively clears pores and smoothes the skin
Cons: None
Product Specs: 0.5 oz tube
Dr Barbara Sturm The Ultimate Stinky Pimple Treatment
Dr Barbara Sturm
The Ultimate Stinky Pimple Treatment
Is it any surprise that another Dr Barbara Sturm spot treatment has landed itself on this list? Its newest release, the Ultimate Stinky Pimple Treatment, combines shale oil, tiger grass, prebiotics, and probiotics to boost your skin’s sebum production and fight acne-creating microbes. The formula also has less than 1% synthetic fragrance, making it safe for sensitive skin types.
Customer Review: “I have been looking for something my entire life that doesn’t dry my skin out! This product actually heals the acne versus treating the acne. My skin is glowing and I don’t wear makeup after decades of acne.”
Pros: Designed with oily and combination skin in mind
Cons: Formula feels slightly sticky upon initial application
Product Specs: 1.0 oz tube
More Acne-Fighting Products
Hero Cosmetics
The Original Mighty Patch
Zitsticka
Killa Deep Zit Microdart Acne Pimple Patch
TruSkin
Niacinamide Facial Serum
Mario Badescu
Drying Lotion
Althaea Skin
Cara Multi-Modal Tool + Active Mask
Explore More:
