The 15 Best New Acne Products to Try in 2017
Whoever said acne was a teenage problem—and that after adolescence, you've got smooth, clear skin forever—was totally lying. Acne lingers long beyond puberty and is caused by a myriad of common skin problems. Pimples may pop up if acne runs in your family or because it's right before that time of the month. Blemishes may even appear after a day's worth of oil and bacteria build up on your face. While genetics and hormones are beyond your control, what you can rein in is your skin-care regimen. It's time to step away from that same tube of spot cream you've been using since high school because there's a slew of new items in the beauty aisle to help clear up your skin.
Related: 12 Acne Treatments That Really Work
Courtesy of Sephora1A cleanser that's oil-free and non-drying.
The Erno Laszlo Anti-Blemish Beta Wash ($45, sephora.com) has an antiseptic ingredient that helps clear away the bacteria behind your breakouts. There's also salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin. Consider this the sophisticated version of the acne wash you used as a teen.
Courtesy of Sephora2An all-natural clay mask to dry up blemishes.
Tata Harper is known for her natural skin solutions, and this Clarifying Mask ($68, sephora.com) has salicylic acid, lactic acid, and alpha hydroxy acid to exfoliate the skin—all derived from natural sources. There are also very fine crystals that exfoliate the skin while it cleanses. The best part about this mask is that it doesn't dry up and crack like most clay masks, so it won't leave your skin feeling tight and dry.
Courtesy of Ulta3A charcoal mask that targets clogged pores.
Yes to Tomatoes 2-Step Nose Kit ($4, ulta.com) feeds on every blackhead removal fantasy you've every had. The first step is to apply a charcoal mask that helps loosen up pores, then you apply the pore strip to pull out all the gunk. So satisfying!
Courtesy of Sephora4A self-warming scrub that will give you at-home spa vibes.
Ole Henriksen Pore-Balance Facial Sauna Scrub ($28, sephora.com) is made with volcanic sand and neem seed oil to help clear pores. But what will keep you applying this product again and again is the temperature change. It starts out as a warming scrub and then it quickly gives the skin one last cool shot before your rinse.
Courtesy of Ulta5A clarifying serum that loosens blackheads.
Any dermatologist will tell you that the key to eliminating blackheads is to exfoliate. This BHA Blackhead Power Liquid serum ($22, ulta.com) has a powerful ingredient called betaine salicylate that helps remove the dead skin cells that clog pores in the first place. Apply this leave-on treatment after cleansing and before moisturizer.
Courtesy of Sephora6A spot treatment to get rid of pimples in a pinch.
The Murad spot treatment is an old favorite. But this new formula has salicylic acid instead of benzoyl peroxide. The Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment ($22, sephora.com) is completely clear, so it will dry out your whiteheads without being too obvious. You can just layer under your favorite concealer.
Courtesy of Target7A benzoyl peroxide treatment that you can fit in your clutch.
Every time you're tempted to reach out and pop your pimple, halt! Pull out this Oxy On-the-Go Acne Stick ($6, target.com) instead. It's got 5 percent benzoyl peroxide and it goes on clear. You can keep this discrete pen stashed in your bag for breakouts that start lurking under the skin around lunch.
Courtesy of Amazon8A protective patch that your can wear under makeup.
If you have any kind of inflammatory acne—think red, puss-filled bumps—these stickers are life changing. Nexcare Acne Absorbing Covers ($8, amazon.com) are thick, gel covers that work like a sponge, absorbing oil and puss. You can actually see it working because the translucent patch turns white when the dressing needs to be changed. Bonus: It'll keep you from touching your zit, and you can even apply makeup over it, too.
Courtesy of Tria9A handheld LED light that kills acne-causing bacteria.
When Mindy Kaling talks, we listen. And after she waxed poetic about the Tria Acne Clearing Blue Light ($299, triabeauty.com), we knew it had to be a total bump-blaster. While dermatologists have been using LED light in-office to treat acne for over a decade, it's only recently that the FDA cleared the same technology for hand-held, at-home use. "The P. acne bacteria produce special light-sensitive compounds called porphyrins," Dr. Whitney Bowe, a board certified dermatologist in New York City, tells SELF. "When you shine specific wavelengths of these compounds, the porphyrins are excited and then killed."
Courtesy of Renee Rouleau10An acid-packed product that deflates cystic breakouts.
"Nodules and cysts are deeper than any other type of acne lesion," says Dr. Bowe. "They're filled with a combination of puss and fluid, but don't try to pop them." By doing so, you'd be rupturing their contents deep in the skin and could likely cause scarring. For angry zits like these, Renee Rouleau Anti-Cyst Treatment ($42.50, reneerouleau.com) is a miracle worker thanks to lactic acid and ethyl lactate, which help dissolve cell-blocking pores and decrease bacteria, respectively. Within hours of using, you'll see that big, bad cyst slowly creeping its way back down.
Courtesy of Ulta11A cleanser with the pH-balancing properties of baking soda.
If blackheads are the bane of your existence, it's likely because of enlarged pores. Get the gunk out and shrink 'em with the proven power of baking soda, which is known to dry out any greasy spots. Instead of whipping up your own DIY recipe, try the new Biore Baking Soda Liquid Pore Cleanser ($7, ulta.com). Not only does this "scrub" deep clean without irritating skin, but since baking soda is amphoteric—meaning it's pH neutral—it helps to balance your skin's pH, another possible cause of acne.
Courtesy of Target12A salicylic acid spot treatment that won't dry out your skin.
Benzac Intensive Spot Treatment ($12, target.com) is the best spot treatment we've ever used, which is some seriously high praise. Not only does it contain the classic salicylic acid, which exfoliates and decreases inflammation, says Dr. Bowe, but it also contains sandalwood oil to calm inflammation and counteract any dryness from the active ingredients. This treatment is a major steal: It's super affordable and it works on every type of zit including blackheads, whiteheads, and even angry papules.
Courtesy of Sephora13A charcoal mask that clears out clogged pores.
Boscia Charcoal Pore Pudding Intensive Wash-Off Treatment ($38, sephora.com) contains activated charcoal (duh) that absorbs all kinds of impurities and clears out clogged pores. It also contains willowherb, an ultra-soothing ingredient to reduce any post-treatment inflammation. The spatula for application that comes with it makes the whole treatment feel, well, pretty luxurious. Keep a jar of it for a rainy spa day at home.
Courtesy of Appriya14A zinc-infused serum that controls oil.
Appriya Mineral Complex Serum ($239, appriya.com) is basically perfect skin bottled. Because it's a serum, the formula has several hydrating ingredients like aloe and horse chestnut extract. But it's also got zinc, which reduces sebum production, along with evening primrose seed extract, a natural anti-inflammatory. Just one or two drops does the trick, so here, a little goes a very long way.
Courtesy of Skin Laundry15And an anti-microbial pillowcase that keeps bacteria at bay.
We do most of our acne fighting in our sleep—after all, we're usually too busy covering it up during the day to actual heal any zits. A lot of acne happens because our pillowcases get covered in bacteria, which causes breakouts. That's why you should change or wash your pillowcase at least once a week. Or, you could go one better and buy a SleepCycle Clean Sleep Pillow Case ($30, skinlaundry.com) from NYC facial bar SkinLaundry. It's charged with negative silver ions, which give it anti-microbial properties. Although there's no way to measure the difference, your skin will be noticeably smoother after sleeping on one for a few nights. Plus, it lasts up to 50 washes—that's almost a whole year of good skin.
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
