Best acne treatments for teens

Teenage growing pains are wide and plenty, with one of the most annoying struggles being frequent breakouts. Acne plagues an estimated 80% of people between ages 11 and 30 at some point, according to The National Institutes for Health. And acne can take a toll on teens’ self esteem: Adolescents and young adults who suffer from acne have higher rates of anxiety and depression than those who do not, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.

SKIP AHEAD Best face cleansers for teen acne | Best spot treatments for teen acne | How to treat teen acne

Fortunately, there are options for teens to improve acne and breakouts. To help you find the right products for you, we spoke to dermatologists about teen acne treatments and ingredients to look for. Experts also told us their top picks for the best acne-fighting products.

Below, we gathered expert-recommended face washes and spot treatments that can help improve teen acne. All of the following products are non-comedogenic — meaning they won’t clog pores — and include acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and adapalene.

La Roche Posay, Effaclar Gel Facial Wash for Oily Skin

Dr. Adnan Mir, assistant professor at New York Medical College and dermatopathologist at Dermpath Diagnostics in Port Chester, New York, recommended looking for non-comedogenic products because they won’t block pores. Recommended by Dr. Mona Gohara, a dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut, this foaming cleanser is both non-comedogenic and contains zinc pidolate, which has astringent, anti-inflammatory properties shown to improve acne.

Avéne Milk Cleanser

This gentle skin cleanser from French skin-care company Avéne is formulated with Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, so it’s “hydrating to keep the skin barrier healthy, yet not pore-clogging,” said Gohara. The no-rinse cleanser works to remove makeup, dirt and oil while providing moisture, according to the brand.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin

“Foam-based cleansers are better for those with oily skin,” said Dr. Samer Jaber, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Washington Square Dermatology in New York City, who recommended this one from CeraVe. The brand says it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to preserve the skin’s natural moisture and niacinamide, which helps to calm the skin. It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and should remove any excess oil, dirt or makeup from the skin, according to the brand.

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

“Differin gel is the only OTC retinoid available without a prescription and was a prescription medication for years,” Jaber noted. This treatment contains 0.1% adapalene, which experts told us works to regulate the turnover of cells lining the pores to reduce clogging. “If there’s one thing to pick to do for your acne, start using Differin gel at bedtime. Wash with a gentle cleanser, dry, and apply a pea size of Differin onto the entire face,” Jaber added.

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment Gel

This spot treatment got a mention from both Gohara and Jaber for its strong, zit-zapping properties. It contains 10% benzoyl peroxide, which inhibits the growth of the bacteria that causes acne, experts told us. Neutrogena says the spot treatment can reduce the size and redness of acne in just two hours.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, Glass Bottle Drying Lotion

Jaber recommends this tried and true quick-drying formula to those who are allergic to benzoyl peroxide. It contains salicylic acid to fight acne and calamine to calm irritated skin, according to the brand.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

Gohara recommended these facial pads from First Aid Beauty because they’re made for sensitive skin and can gently exfoliate using its alcohol-free (non-drying) formula, according to the brand. It also contains hyaluronic acid and white tea extract to hydrate and protect your skin, First Aid Beauty says. The brand recommends using this product in the morning and in the evening after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Combating acne can be tough, and finding the root cause — whether that’s hormones, stress or genetics — can help you find the best solution. The experts we spoke to said there are generally two ways to treat teen acne and pimples: preemptive face-washing with appropriate cleansers and spot-treating breakouts.

It’s important for teens to remove any makeup before bed, and also to wash their face every day — twice a day if they have oily skin or if their face gets dirty throughout the day, like after a workout, according to Jaber.

When it comes to face cleansers, teen acne sufferers should look for gentle, non-comedogenic products, which means they won’t block pores, said Mir. And “cleansers with ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can be very helpful for those with acne,” said Jaber, “but be careful as they can be irritating and drying.”

All three dermatologists recommended teens spot treat pimples, from the second they start to develop until they’re just about gone. Look for a product containing a retinoid (a form of vitamin A that helps unclog pores), benzoyl peroxide (a topical antiseptic) or salicylic acid (an exfoliant that removes dead skin and unclogs pores), according to the experts.

At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Dr. Adnan Mir is the former committee chair for the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. He is an assistant professor at New York Medical College and dermatopathologist at Dermpath Diagnostics in Port Chester, New York

Dr. Mona Gohara is a board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut.

Dr. Samer Jaber is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Washington Square Dermatology in New York City.

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