Anti-acne.

Top picks (Strong tier)

• Ad

  Adapalene

  Anti-acne

  A gentler prescription retinoid that focuses on clogged pores and acne. Better tolerated than tretinoin for most skin.

• Az

  Azelaic Acid

  Anti-acne · Brightening · Anti-inflammatory

  Calms redness, fades acne marks, and clears bumps, all without aggravating sensitive skin. Pregnancy-safe.

• Bp

  Benzoyl Peroxide

  Anti-acne

  Kills the bacteria that cause inflammatory acne. The first thing to reach for when you have red, painful pimples.

All anti-acne ingredients (16)

• AdapaleneStrong evidenceRx only

  A gentler prescription retinoid that focuses on clogged pores and acne. Better tolerated than tretinoin for most skin.

• Azelaic AcidStrong evidence

  Calms redness, fades acne marks, and clears bumps, all without aggravating sensitive skin. Pregnancy-safe.

• Benzoyl PeroxideStrong evidence

  Kills the bacteria that cause inflammatory acne. The first thing to reach for when you have red, painful pimples.

• Salicylic AcidStrong evidence

  Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.

• TretinoinStrong evidenceRx only

  The prescription-strength version of retinol. Same goals (smoother, more even skin), but works faster and is more irritating. Needs a doctor.

• Zinc PyrithioneStrong evidence

  The active in classic anti-dandruff and anti-Malassezia formulas. It is an FDA-approved OTC antidandruff active, and RCTs show it reduces flaking and the look of dandruff about as well as leading medicated washes. The reason your medicated body wash actually works.

• HeartleafModerate evidence

  A calming K-beauty botanical that's also antibacterial, so it pairs well for acne-prone, sensitive skin.

• HoneyModerate evidence

  An ancient humectant and antimicrobial ingredient with a long research track record. Its sugar matrix and flavonoids help draw in moisture and support skin comfort; formulas pairing honey with beeswax and olive oil have shown improvement in dry, irritation-prone skin in controlled trials.

• Hydroxypinacolone RetinoateModerate evidence

  The retinol-without-the-irritation active marketed as Granactive Retinoid. It works on fine lines and acne-prone texture with far less flaking than prescription-style retinoids, which makes it beginner-friendly. Use at night, with daytime SPF.

• Hypochlorous AcidModerate evidence

  A "molecule your own immune cells make," now bottled. Kills surface bacteria without nuking the barrier, soothes the feeling of itch and redness on reactive skin, and gives compromised or post-procedure skin a clean reset, gentle enough to spray around eyes.

• Linoleic AcidModerate evidence

  An essential fatty acid your sebum runs short on if you're acne-prone, and topping it up topically literally shrinks clogged pores. Also rebuilds the lipid mortar between skin cells. Found concentrated in safflower, hemp, and rosehip oils.

• PropolisModerate evidence

  A bee-made resin that's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Calms breakouts and hydrates at the same time.

• Tea Tree OilModerate evidence

  A natural acne spot-treatment that kills the bacteria behind red, painful pimples. Slower than benzoyl peroxide but with fewer side effects when used at 5%.

• HydrocolloidAnecdotal evidence

  A sticker you put over a spot overnight. It pulls out the gunk and excess oil and, just as importantly, stops you picking at it, which is half the battle with scarring. Works best on whiteheads that have come to a head, but the no-touching benefit helps any spot you'd otherwise pick at.

• Lauric AcidAnecdotal evidence

  A fatty acid from coconut oil with striking antimicrobial activity against acne bacteria. In lab tests it outperforms benzoyl peroxide at lower concentrations. The research is promising but limited to in vitro and animal models; no large human RCT yet. Worth noting: the concentrations used in the studies are far higher than what arrives via a coconut-oil facial oil, so look for formulas that list it as a dedicated active if you want the therapeutic dose.

• Witch HazelAnecdotal evidence

  A botanical astringent backed by real anti-inflammatory evidence. Extracts genuinely calm acne-related inflammation by blocking the same NF-κB pathway that redness-causing cytokines depend on. Honest caveat: most shelf-ready witch hazel toners are distilled water with trace tannin; look for "Hamamelis virginiana extract" rather than "hamamelis water" on the label if you want the active fraction.