{"id":17796,"date":"2023-04-19T10:47:31","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T17:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=17796"},"modified":"2023-05-24T13:15:27","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T20:15:27","slug":"best-drugstore-skin-care-routine-for-acne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/best-drugstore-skin-care-routine-for-acne","title":{"rendered":"The 16 Best Drugstore Acne Treatments, According to a Derm"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you’ve been battling breakouts for years or are just dealing with a single pesky pimple, acne can be one of the toughest skin conditions to address. Finding what works for your skin can take some trial and error, but there are plenty of cleansers, toners, masks, and spot treatments that can help prevent and treat acne—and adding them to your daily routine doesn’t always have to cost a pretty penny. Most of the ingredients known to fight acne-causing bacteria and to clear skin are available in the aisles of your local drugstore.<\/p>

We asked Dr. Hadley King<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, to create the ultimate acne shopping list to take with you on your next CVS run.<\/p>

Interested in skin care?<\/small><\/div>Find Doctors Near You<\/a><\/div>

Best drugstore acne treatment: cleanser<\/strong><\/h2>

Dr. King believes there’s nothing better to have in your acne-fighting arsenal than salicylic acid. “It’s an excellent pore-clearing ingredient because it exfoliates the surface of the skin and penetrates pores to remove oil,” she explains. “This helps to prevent pores from becoming clogged and can help remove clogs that have already formed.”<\/p>

Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash<\/strong><\/a> ($15)<\/strong><\/h3>
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\"Neutrogena<\/figure><\/div>

While there’s no shortage of salicylic-based cleansers on the market, she recommends this acne wash. Ideal for anyone with oily or acne-prone skin, it helps to prevent the formation of comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads). “It gently cleanses with maximum-strength salicylic acid, and it’s non-comedogenic,” Dr. King says. <\/p>

PanOxyl Creamy Acne Wash<\/strong><\/a> ($10)<\/strong><\/h3>
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\"PanOxyl<\/figure><\/div>

For those struggling with more inflammatory acne, she suggests using a benzoyl peroxide cleanser like this one, which contains 4% benzoyl peroxide. “Benzoyl peroxide has mild comedolytic properties compared to salicylic acid, but it has antibacterial powers, which makes it a great choice for both comedonal and inflammatory acne,” Dr. King notes. <\/p>

Best drugstore acne treatment: toner<\/strong><\/h2>

Toners have a lot of functions: They can balance pH, hydrate skin, and even remove excess oil. For acne-prone skin, however, consider a toner that has exfoliating properties, which can keep pores clear without irritating skin.<\/p>

Versed Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Solution<\/strong><\/a> ($18)<\/strong><\/h3>
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The ingredient list of this daily toner reads like a greatest hits of pore-clearing exfoliants, including glycolic acid, lactic acid, and azelaic acid. Alongside vitamin C, they also have the additional advantage of helping to fade the dark spots that appear post-blemish.<\/p>

Differin Pore-Minimizing Toner<\/strong><\/a> ($11)<\/strong><\/h3>
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For those with combination skin, consider this toner; not only does it use witch hazel (a natural astringent) to reduce excess sebum, but it’s also infused with vitamin B, aloe, and chamomile, to nourish and soothe skin. In other words, it won’t leave skin feeling stripped or dry.<\/p>

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