New Products To Soothe & Calm Acne-Prone Skin (From $7)

The skincare world can be tricky to decode when it comes to acne, especially with the number of new formulas hitting the shelves every month. That’s why we’ve done the research and picked the best formulas loaded with blemish-busting ingredients and five-star ratings to help soothe acne-prone skin. Whether you’re looking for zit-zapping spot treatments or a pore-purifying toner, these products have you covered.

1. Kinship Naked Apple Oil-Free Blemish Control Gel Cleanser, $23

Source: Kinship

To sum it up, this cleansing gel is great at purifying pores; it doubles up as a makeup remover AND is a #greenbuy (recyclable packaging, yaass!). It’s loaded with antioxidants that hydrate the skin while its hero ingredient, niacinamide, balances oil production to keep breakouts at bay. Shoutout to exfoliating lactic acid and their plant-based Kinbiome™ technology that strengthens the epidermis (the outer layer of your skin). Finally, thank moisturizing apple extract for that addictive baby-soft smoothness.

2. Skinfix Acne+ 2% BHA and Azelaic Acid Acne Spot Treatment, $30 

Source: Skinfix

Knock knock, who’s there? A killer trio of azelaic acid, niacinamide, and kaolin clay to soothe pimples, fade scars, and intercept future breakouts. If that wasn’t enough, this quick spot treatment uses THE pore-nixing ingredient, salicylic acid, to regulate any excess oil on your radar. Plus, it’s specifically formulated without any ingredients known to trigger fungal acne.

3. Sweet Chef Carrot Ginger Blemish Rescue Patch, $16  

Source: Sweet Chef

These zit-zapping stickers get to work while you go about your day (or night) as they slowly draw out excess fluid trapped in pimples. They’re also infused with antioxidant-rich ginger and beta carotene to revive and smooth skin, and pore-cleansing salicylic acid to really get the job done.

4. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution, $7 

Source: The Ordinary

Enriched with 2% salicylic acid, this solution nixes pores while gently exfoliating your skin. Although combined with soothing 4-t-butylcyclohexanol and squalane to help balance its active punch, it’s still pretty strong, so we wouldn’t recommend it for sensitive skin.

5. Bliss Pro 11.8% AHA, BHA, PHA Liquid Exfoliant, $20

Source: Bliss

Skincare junkies, WYA? This clever cocktail uses an 11.8% blend of exfoliators, including salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and polyhydroxy acid. It’s also powered by their patented PRO 3™ Soothing Antioxidant Complex that uses plant-based resveratrol, soothing chamomile, and nourishing ceramides to protect your skin from environmental damage.

6. Hyper Skin Even Fade & Glow AHA Mask, $48

Source: Hyper Skin

Don’t be fooled by its appearance; this itty-bitty sized mask is a force to be reckoned with. Blending eight ingredients, including dead skin cell destroyers, mandelic acid, and glycolic acid, it clears the road (and your pores) for a healthier complexion. Next, niacinamide and bearberry extract clarify uneven skin tone, while salicylic acid and sea buckthorn oil keep breakouts at bay. On top of that, anti-bacterial turmeric, papaya extract, and brightening vitamin E combine to protect your skin and amp up your glow. OBSESSED!

7. Algenist Skincare GENIUS Liquid Skin Resurfacing 2% BHA Toner, $40

Source: Algenist Skincare

This exfoliating toner uses some real boujee skincare heroes. First up, azelaic acid and salicylic acid cleanse your pores while balancing oil for even skin tone and texture. Next up, hydrating collagen and patented alguronic acid smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and restore healthier-looking skin… Which 100% of the participants in a 4-week study confirmed.

8. The INKEY List Mandelic Acid Treatment, $11

Source: The INKEY List

Tiny yet mighty, this treatment corrects, hydrates, and smoothes simultaneously. Mandelic acid softens the appearance of post-blemish marks while glycerin seals in moisture. But its star ingredient is the 0.1% encapsulated retinol that aids your skin’s healing process because it naturally supports skin cell turnover.

9. Skin Gym Revilit LED Light Therapy, $80

Source: Skin Gym

A holy grail for #SelfLoveSundays, this tool features not one but THREE types of LED light therapy to target a wide range of complexion concerns. Choose between its red, blue, and green modes and simply glide across your skin for the most luxe skincare facial whenever and wherever – no, really, it’s wireless (and handbag friendly), so you can *actually* take it everywhere! As for the skin concerns it addresses: Pimples? Check. Redness on the radar? Check. Pigmentation? Check.

10. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare™ Alpha Beta® Pore Perfecting Moisturizer, $68

Source: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare™

This is THE holy grail moisturizer for oily skin because it locks in moisture and helps trap bacteria out. It’s enriched with Farnesol, willow bark extract, and Alpha Beta® acids that purify your pores by dissolving dead-skin debris that lies within. The mega-moisturizing combo of squalane and ceramides seal hydration for softer skin, while glycolic acid smooths fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots for even tone and texture.

On a budget? Got ya! Here are five bomb drugstore products for acne-prone skin.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. Although some brands allow affiliate links, we never take payment to review products, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.