The Best Acne Treatment In The US: Which Treatments Actually Work?

March 23, 2023

If you suffer from acne, knowing which acne treatment to get can be overwhelming — there are so many choices out there. Acne is said to affect nearly 10% of all people worldwide, so it’s no wonder that the acne treatment market is so vast. But what is the best acne treatment?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of some of the very best acne treatments for sale in the US, and broken them down into what they’re best used for too. Keep reading to discover the best acne treatments that can actually work.

Types of acne treatment

There are many different types of acne treatment, and the type that works for you will depend on the cause of your acne.

You also need to take how severe your acne is into account — some milder treatments won’t make a difference to your skin if you suffer from moderate to severe acne.

The most common acne treatments are emollients or topical creams that are applied directly to the skin.

How do acne treatments work?

Although treatments may contain different active ingredients to treat acne, most of the time, their main goal is to reduce oil production and swelling, as well as treat any bacterial or fungal infections that may have developed.

They can also help to remove dead skin cells and calm inflammation, making the skin appear smoother and feel better.

Let’s take a look at the best acne treatment options out there.

Best over-the-counter acne treatment

Differin Gel is often considered the best over-the-counter acne treatment, as it contains a prescription-strength retinoid, and these are most commonly used to treat acne. Retinoids are said to be able to treat all types of acne — from whiteheads to moderate acne, they can do it all.

Differin Gel doesn’t require a prescription, but it’s the strongest product you can get without one. This treatment is anti-inflammatory, so it should also provide you relief from swelling and soreness too.

When applying, you only need to use a pea-sized amount once a day, meaning one tube will last you a while and see you through any future flare-ups.

Best hormonal acne treatment for teenagers

When treating acne in teenagers, it’s important to help them establish a good skincare routine, so starting off with a cleanser for acne can be a great place to start.

A cleanser like the La Roche Posay, Effaclar Gel Facial Wash for Oily Skin is non-comedogenic, which means it won’t block the pores. It also contains zinc pidolate which can help to stop the overproduction of oil and reduce inflammation.
Combining this cleanser with a spot treatment like Mario Badescu Drying Lotion could work well to help soothe and clear up acne. The Mario Badescu treatment contains salicylic acid and can be applied directly to spots to dry them out. It also has calamine added as this is said to help calm and soothe irritation.

Best back acne treatment

Acne doesn’t just appear on the face, and having acne on your back can be quite hard to deal with. Not only can you not reach it properly, but the acne can be widespread and stubborn. However, there are products out there that are targeted specifically towards back acne, and a great example of this is the Versed Back-Up Plan Acne-Control Body Mist.

This treatment is a spray made up of salicylic acid, witch hazel, and tea tree oil to help fight back acne and stop the overproduction of oil. The brilliant spray mechanism means that you can spray the bottle upside down — ensuring that you can reach your entire back with ease. The spray disperses the product widely, so you’ll know that you’ve covered your whole back.

So, if you’re struggling with back acne and can’t ever seem to get your treatments where you need them, this spray could be just the thing for you.

Best cystic acne treatment

Cystic acne can be extremely tough going, as these spots don’t really come to the surface of the skin. In fact, they linger beneath the surface, causing pain and inflammation. Treatment for cystic acne needs to be slightly different, as it needs to penetrate deep into the skin.

The PCA Acne Cream is made from benzoyl peroxide and lactic acid so that the skin can be hydrated and exfoliated at the same time. It also contains natural botanical extracts to reduce inflammation, which is exactly what you want with cystic acne.

With the help of PCA Acne Cream, your cystic acne could soon be a thing of the past.

Best drugstore acne treatment

Neutrogena On-The-Spot acne treatment is available at many drug stores across the US, and for good reason.

As well as containing the acne-banishing benzoyl peroxide, it’s also oil-free — meaning that it won’t clog the pores and lead to more breakouts. It won’t dry your skin out either, as it has moisturizing properties that work to protect and nourish the skin.

With this treatment, all you need to do is apply the cream directly to the acne twice a day for the best results. This product is also dermatologist recommended and has the maximum strength of ingredients so that it treats your acne as soon as possible.

Best acne treatment US: key takeaways

Treating acne can take some trial and error, as you need to find what works best for your skin.

However, the cause and type of acne can also impact how well a product works too. For example, the PCA cream may work well for cystic acne, but not as well for small, surface whiteheads. Alternatively, something may work wonders for mild acne, but do nothing for cystic acne.

With all of this in mind, you should be able to find the right treatment for your acne, and soon have the clear skin that you want.

Sources

Cedric Rousseau

Experienced medical communicator