Teen Vogue Editors Share Their Top 10 Acne Fighting Products
Acne is the most common skin condition in the world, yet there's a lot of stigma around it — and people ask a lot of questions when it comes to getting rid of it. How do you treat acne? How do you prevent it from cropping up? OK, but how exactly do you pop a zit if you really need to? (For that one, look no further than this guide; if you're really going to pick, make sure you're doing it safely.) And while we regularly test hundreds of acne-fighting products to bring you the best of the best, there are some acne treatments that our editors keep coming back to for one simple reason: Because they work.
We tapped the team at Teen Vogue HQ to offer their Top 10 acne-fighting buys, for all different kinds of blemishes, whiteheads, zits... you name it. Whether you're looking to dissolve a cystic flare-up or want to prevent pimples before they start, chances are there's an editor who gets it. The next time you break out, take a deep breath, remind yourself it happens to everyone, and then grab one of these proven products. Clear skin, is that you?
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1/10Murad Acne Control Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment
"I can actually see the difference this makes. I have pretty clear skin, but once in a while I get a cyst or some hormonal acne, so I put this on at the first sign of a pimple. It starts reducing redness and shrinking it within a few hours." — Hanna Howard, Lifestyle Features Editor
- Shop Now: Murad Acne Control Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment, $22, available at Sephora.
2/10Glossier Solution
"Glossier's Solution is a super easy way to maintain my acne. I just apply it nightly and it works while I sleep (the dream, TBH). (I also use it with a facial cleanser and I'll apply CVS Spot Treatment to blemishes that are super painful and stubborn.) I have struggled forever to find a product that would prevent my hormonal cystic acne. Since adding Solution into my routine, I have noticed that I don't break out nearly as often and my acne isn't as painful. (It took a few weeks for this work for me, so be wary!)" — Lauren Rearick, Contributing Editor
- Shop Now: Glossier Solution, $24, available at Glossier.
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3/10Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil
"Typically, I try to keep the products I use on my face under $50, but Sunday Riley's UFO is worth every single penny. I've struggled with cystic acne for the past two years and this is the only acne product that's managed to control my breakouts. I use this product almost every night. Meanwhile, I use Corsx acne patches for smaller pimples. I wear these around the house and even to bed. They help draw out the icky stuff in my pores, preventing me from picking my face (a bad habit!)." — Marilyn La Jeunesse, Newsletter Editor
- Shop Now: Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil, $80, available at Sephora.
4/10COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
"While not technically intended for acne, this sticky snail mucin is super hydrating and has ingredients like hyaluronic acid that keep my skin hydrated and calm it down when I do bad things like binge-pop the whiteheads on my chin until the bottom half of my face is bright red. When combined with an exfoliator (I use Neogen Exfoliating pads in lemon), I'm convinced these are the products that help keep my face relatively free of random acne flare-ups, and also even out my naturally ruddy complexion. I'll use it after cleansing, exfoliating, and using a drying serum like a Vitamin C." — Claire Dodson, Entertainment News Editor
- Shop Now: Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, $21, available at Dermstore
5/10Eve Lom Dynaspot
"I have cystic acne and whiteheads, and this works quickly — sometimes overnight. Make sure to wear SPF over it if you're applying it on skin that's exposed to the elements, however." – Vera Papisova, Wellness Features Editor
- Shop Now: Eve Lom Dynaspot, $34, available at Sephora
6/10Peace Out Acne Healing Dots
"A confession: I wear these patches with the express intent of popping whatever zit lurks beneath them. I know, I know: picking at pimples is bad! But if you're going to do it, do it right. For me, this means using one of the hydrocolloid dots — which look like weird, plasticky, tiny bandages — overnight, and then extracting whatever has risen to the surface. It works every single time." — Ella Cerón, Deputy Edtior
7/10Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
"This liquid exfoliant has completely changed my skin for the better. I used to suffer from a lot of clogged pores and random breakouts but since I've started using this, not only has my skin cleared up but now it even glows! I noticed the change after 6 weeks of steady use — I use it every night before bed for maximum results." — Michaela O'Shaughnessy, Social Media Producer
Shop Now: Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid, $29. Paulaschoice.com.
8/10Dr. Brandt's Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner
"This product is so lightweight and easy to use, and great for my oily skin. I usually use it for spot treating blemishes, and it feels like such a relief to my skin after using. I don't get massive breakouts, but I do get the periodic blemish, mainly in the form of whiteheads. I use this product like a mask and let it sit for 10 minutes after washing and exfoliating my face." — Tommy Tsao, Producer
Shop Now: Dr Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner, $44. Ulta.com.
9/10Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
"I get hormonal acne, and this is the only thing that has actually reduced the size of my pimple in a few hours." — Alyssa Hardy, Fashion News Editor
10/10Osea Blemish Balm
"I don't have a lot of really intense breakouts or acne scars, but I have redness and consistent problem areas (especially my chin and hairline) that tend to harbor the kind of stand-alone cystic zits that betray an otherwise clear face. Oh, and period zits: I usually know that my flow is about three days away when one or two of the world's biggest honkers arrives — and usually on my cheeks, where there's nowhere to hide! This product is light, effective, and smells fantastic. I noticed subtle, but awesome, changes to my complexion after using it consistently. It also has this great tingly sensation that makes you feel like it's getting right to work the minute it hits your skin!" — Alli Maloney, News + Politics Features Editor
Shop Now: Osea Blemish Balm, $44. Follain.com.
