The 7 best acne spot treatments, from creams to pimple patches

Key takeaways

• Spot treatments help with individual pimples, but the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests applying acne medicine in a thin layer over the whole area prone to breakouts, not just on spots you can see.

• Our top pick is The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment: 2% sulfur, 1% salicylic acid and 2% succinic acid in a non-drying cream, for $15.

• For stubborn blackheads and bumps, Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING BHA 9 Treatment has 9% salicylic acid for targeted use.

• Hydrocolloid pimple patches can help flatten a pimple and stop you picking at it.

• See a dermatologist for painful nodules or cysts, which over-the-counter products are unlikely to treat effectively.

How to choose an acne spot treatment

The right ingredient depends on the kind of pimple. The AAD suggests:

• Blackheads and whiteheads: a retinoid, like over-the-counter adapalene, plus a benzoyl peroxide wash. Our guide to retinal vs retinol explains how retinoids differ.

• Red, inflamed pimples: benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. The AAD says to resist the temptation to pop them.

• Deep, painful nodules and cysts: these need a dermatologist’s help.

Strength matters too. The AAD suggests starting benzoyl peroxide at 2.5% to avoid dryness or burning, and Cleveland Clinic notes that retinoids “aren’t spot treatments and must be used on the entire area of skin affected by acne.”

Pimple patches work differently. In a small 2006 pilot study of 20 people with mild to moderate acne, hydrocolloid dressings improved acne severity more than plain skin tape over a week, with no significant side effects.

We compared each product on its Drug Facts label or published ingredient list, not on hands-on testing. We looked at its active ingredients and strength, format, whether fragrance or potential irritants are listed, and the price.

1. The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment: best overall

The INKEY List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment is a spot cream with 2% succinic acid, 2% sulfur, 1% salicylic acid and 0.4% hyaluronic acid. The INKEY List calls it a non-drying spot treatment, and in a four-week consumer trial of 22 people, 95% said their blemishes looked visibly improved within 12 hours.

Key features:

• Three blemish ingredients. Sulfur and salicylic acid are both used for acne, paired with succinic acid.

• Gentle feel. In the same trial, 100% said it felt gentle on their skin.

• Up to three times a day. The INKEY List says it can go on blemishes as needed.

Tradeoff: it may have a slight sulfur smell, and The INKEY List advises using it separately from AHAs, BHAs and retinol.

Best for: everyday pimples on most skin types, including sensitive skin.

Price: $15 for 15 ml.

2. Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING BHA 9 Treatment: best for stubborn blackheads and bumps

Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING BHA 9 Treatment is a concentrated leave-on treatment with 9% salicylic acid. Paula’s Choice calls it “an excellent spot treatment” for stubborn concerns, including blackheads and white bumps, and says regular use can help fade pink, red or brown acne marks.

Key features:

• 9% salicylic acid. It’s much stronger than the 2% BHA exfoliants, and Paula’s Choice recommends it for concerns that haven’t responded to 2% BHA.

• Targeted use. Paula’s Choice suggests starting on small, stubborn areas before using it more widely.

• Sensitive-skin guidance. For sensitive skin, Paula’s Choice says to start once daily or a few times a week, in the evening.

Tradeoff: it’s strong, so stop or cut back if you see flaking or dryness, and always wear SPF 30 or higher in the daytime.

Best for: stubborn blackheads, bumps and acne marks that 2% salicylic acid hasn’t helped.

Price: $45.

3. La Roche-Posay Effaclar BPO Multi-Target Acne Treatment: best benzoyl peroxide

La Roche-Posay Effaclar BPO Multi-Target Acne Treatment has 5.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide with glycerin. La Roche-Posay labels it fragrance-free, and in a clinical study it reports an average 46% reduction in inflammatory acne after one week.

Key features:

• 5.5% benzoyl peroxide. It’s a middle strength, above the 2.5% the AAD suggests starting with.

• Micronized form. Benzoyl peroxide is milled into smaller particles.

• Two sizes. It comes in 20 ml and 40 ml.

Tradeoff: benzoyl peroxide can dry skin and bleach fabric, and at $39.99 it’s one of the pricier picks here.

Best for: red, inflamed pimples on skin that tolerates benzoyl peroxide.

Price: $39.99 for 40 ml.

4. Kate Somerville EradiKate 10% Sulfur Acne Treatment: best sulfur treatment

Kate Somerville EradiKate 10% Sulfur Acne Treatment is a drying lotion with 10% sulfur, zinc oxide and salicylic acid. In a 32-person clinical study, Kate Somerville reports that 94% showed visible improvement in breakouts within an hour.

Key features:

• 10% sulfur. Sulfur is an over-the-counter acne ingredient.

• Targeted application. Kate Somerville says to dip a cotton swab to the bottom and apply only the pink sediment to affected areas, as needed.

• Published study figures. In the same study, 97% saw less redness and inflammation after two days.

Tradeoff: its ingredient list starts with isopropyl alcohol and includes camphor, and Kate Somerville says not to use it on very sensitive skin.

Best for: oily skin with occasional inflamed spots.

Price: $29 for 1 fl oz.

5. Starface Hydro-Stars: best pimple patch

Starface Hydro-Stars are star-shaped pimple patches made of 100% hydrocolloid, sold in a reusable compact. In a 23-person clinical study over five days, Starface reports that 87% saw a noticeable difference in six hours.

Key features:

• Hydrocolloid only. There’s no active drug ingredient.

• Stops picking. A patch covers the spot so you don’t touch it.

• Refills available. Refill packs cost $10.99.

Tradeoff: they don’t contain an acne medicine, so they’re a cover and a picking deterrent more than a treatment for deep or painful bumps.

Best for: whiteheads and pimples you’re tempted to pick.

Price: $14.99 for 32 patches.

6. ZitSticka KILLA Kit: best microdart patch

ZitSticka KILLA Kit patches have 24 tiny self-dissolving microdarts with salicylic acid, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate and a peptide, for early, under-the-skin pimples. In a consumer study of 20 people, 85% said it reduced the color and size of their zits.

Key features:

• Microdarts. They’re designed for pimples that haven’t come to a head yet.

• Salicylic acid and niacinamide. Both are in the patch.

• Cleansing swabs included. Each patch comes with a prep swab.

Tradeoff: the included swab contains tea tree leaf oil, and each patch is more expensive than a plain hydrocolloid dot.

Best for: early, deep-feeling pimples that haven’t surfaced.

Price: $9.99 for 4 patches.

7. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion: best budget drying lotion

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is a two-layer lotion with sulfur, salicylic acid, calamine and zinc oxide. You dip a cotton swab into the pink sediment at the bottom and dab it on a pimple overnight. In a four-week consumer study of 25 people, 92% said their skin looked cleared and more refined after use.

Key features:

• Sulfur and salicylic acid. Both are used for acne.

• Overnight use. It’s left on while you sleep.

• Lower price. At $18, it costs less than Kate Somerville’s sulfur lotion in the same 1 oz size.

Tradeoff: its ingredient list starts with isopropyl alcohol and includes camphor. Mario Badescu says not to use it on broken skin and warns it may increase sun sensitivity.

Best for: occasional pimples on oily skin, on a budget.

Price: $18 for 1 oz.

How to use a spot treatment

• Start with a clean face. Our list of face washes for acne covers gentle options.

• Use a thin layer. For regular breakouts, the AAD suggests a thin layer over the whole breakout-prone area rather than just visible spots.

• Don’t combine too many actives. Acne drug labels warn that dryness and irritation are more likely if you use more than one topical acne medicine at once. Our guide to AHA vs BHA explains how acids fit in.

• Don’t pop or pick. The AAD and Cleveland Clinic both warn against it, since it can make acne worse and leave marks. If marks stay, our guide to fading dark spots covers what helps.

• Be patient. The AAD says to give acne treatment six to eight weeks to work.

When to see a dermatologist

The AAD says deep, painful nodules and cysts need a dermatologist, and says products you can buy in a store are unlikely to treat them effectively. It’s also worth seeing one if your acne hasn’t improved after six to eight weeks, if it’s leaving scars or dark marks, or if you’re pregnant and want to treat acne. The AAD advises pregnant readers to talk to a dermatologist before treating acne on their own.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most effective acne spot treatment?

It depends on the pimple. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid work for red, inflamed pimples, a retinoid, like adapalene, works for blackheads and whiteheads, and cysts need a dermatologist.

Do pimple patches actually work?

They can help. In a small pilot study, hydrocolloid dressings improved mild to moderate acne more than plain tape over a week. They also stop you from picking.

Can you put a spot treatment on overnight?

Yes. Many, like sulfur drying lotions, are designed to be left on overnight. Stop if your skin burns, peels or gets very dry.

Is it better to use a spot treatment or treat the whole face?

For regular breakouts, the AAD suggests applying acne medicine to the whole area where you break out, not just the spots you can see. Spot treatments are useful for the occasional pimple.

Should I pop a pimple before using a spot treatment?

No. The AAD advises against popping pimples, since it can make acne worse and lead to scarring.