Why it's great: Gone are the days when you needed a prescription for Differin — now it's available over the counter (and it's quite affordable to boot). While users warn that the preventative treatment can cause some dryness, they're just as quick to note that it "definitely shortens the life of pimples."
Why it's great: At this point, this sulfur-based drying lotion is pretty much iconic. "This product works like magic," says one reader. "Within one week of use, there was a dramatic decrease in my acne. Another reviewer agrees, saying, "It has the highest level of sulfur I could find, 10 percent, and clears up a pimple in a day or two for me."
The best acne products are essential for adults suffering from bad skin. While some women are lucky enough to outgrow teen acne (or skip it entirely — jerks), the rest of us need help dealing with the recurring blemishes in our 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond. That's when this list of the best acne products — along with the ones you should avoid — becomes especially handy. With it, we can navigate the endless acne treatment options out there and hone in on the best acne products that will help us treat everything from cystic acne and the occasional monster zit to chin acne or recurring breakouts.
Of course, products aren't the only acne solution. That's why we talked to Doris Day, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the New York University Langone Medical Center. She gave us these tips on how to prevent zits from popping up in the first place:
• Get seven to eight hours of sleep at night, which is the time needed for skin to recoup and heal any damage done during the day.
• Cut out dairy. The additional androgen hormones in cow's milk can cause hormonal imbalances in women and result in breakouts.
• Eat antioxidant-rich cranberries, pomegranates and blueberries to help your face (and body) heal faster.
• Change your pillowcase daily to remove any bacteria or leftover makeup residue.
Then, try these reader-tested acne products that reviewers say turn acne into a distant memory — just like that cheesy haircut (and equally cheesy boyfriend) that you had in high school.
