18 Best Acne Treatments Dermatologists Swear By

In an ideal world, Serena Williams could teach you how to serve, Law Roach would teach you how to shop, and Dr. Pimple Popper hosted free webinars. Unfortunately, this is the real world we’re dealing with, and getting advice from the pros isn’t always so easy. For anyone with acne-prone skin, that means navigating the aisles of products formulated for breakouts is especially tricky. Luckily, we found the beauty equivalent: top dermatologists across the country are sharing the best at-home acne treatments that can give you clearer skin.

Even better news for people who can’t swing Kim Kardashian’s $630 skin-care budget (so, everyone?), the drugstore is bursting with effective, affordable options. In the slides ahead, you’ll find a plethora of tried-and-true acne fighters with proven ingredients that skin-care experts recommend on the regular — including a few wildcards, like an antidandruff shampoo, and even an LED mask — so you can stock up safely (and effectively).

As for what to avoid, we’ve got that too: “Essential oil-based acne treatments and charcoal masks because of their lack of effectiveness and risk for allergic reactions,” dermatologist Laura Haygood, MD, FAAD, tells PS. Otherwise, for the best bacteria-busting tools to spot treatments and everything in between, keep scrolling. Doctor’s orders.

Experts Featured in This Article

Laura Haygood, MD, FAAD is a dermatologist based in Texas.

Jennifer Peterson, DO, FAAD is a dermatologist.

Charlotte Birnbaum, MD is a dermatologist.

Susan Bard, MD is a dermatologist.

Marisa Garshick, MD is a dermatologist.

Tina Kinsley, MD is a dermatologist.

Jennifer Kitchin, MD, FAAD is a dermatologist.

Kathryn Dempsey, MD is a dermatologist.

Stephanie Daniel, MD is a dermatologist.

Raja Sivamani MD, is a dermatologist, ayurvedic practitioner and director of clinical research at Integrative Skin Science and Research.

Caroline Robinson, MD, FAAD is a dermatologist.

Kristina Collins, MD, double board-certified is a dermatologist and founder of foy by Dr. Collins.

Nikki Tang, MD is a dermatologist.

Jordana Schachter, MD is a dermatologist.

Papri Sarkar, MD is a dermatologist.

Lauren Bonati, MD is a dermatologist.

Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MD FAAD is a dermatologist.

Robert Finney, MD FAAD is a dermatologist.

Sandra Lee, MD, AKA Dr. Pimple Popper, is a dermatologist.

Erin Gilbert, MD is a dermatologist.

Shari Marchbein, MD is a dermatologist.

Claire Chang, MD is a dermatologist.

Ellen Marmur, MD is a dermatologist.