This post was reviewed and updated by Sarah Otto, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Otto Skin Goods on May 13, 2026.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are plenty of over-the-counter products that can help reduce and treat acne. This is great news! These products tend to be inexpensive and pretty convenient to find—as long as you know what to look for.
The key to a successful acne treatment plan is selecting products that a) reduce oil, b) decrease inflammation, c) unclog pores and d) kill bacteria.
So, where can you find a product that does all of the above?
Sadly, no such product exists. That’s why it’s essential to use a combination of products that target each cause.
But don’t expect overnight results. Treating breakouts—even mild ones—is hard work. Expect your routine to take a minimum of six to eight weeks to really notice improvement. You might even notice that your breakouts get worse before you start seeing any improvement.
Let’s dive in. I’ve put together this user-friendly guide to help you navigate the best active ingredients to use on acne. It’s time to make peace with those little red bumps, once and for all.
Active Ingredients that Fight Bacteria
Benzoyl peroxide
Why it works: Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most widely known active ingredients responsible for killing bacteria. Specifically, it kills p.acnes, which is the bacteria that causes acne. It’s also been shown to control acne and reduce flares when used daily.
Where to find it: Try Neutrogena® Clear Pore Cleanser Mask. This is a great product to use as a daily cleanser or a few times a week as a face mask. It combines the bacteria-killing power of benzoyl peroxide, kaolin and bentonite clays to reduce oil and unclog pores. Other great products include CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser and PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash.
Sulfur
Why it works: Sulfur is what’s known as a bacteriostatic agent—this helps to prevent pimple development, suppressing the bacteria and preventing it from multiplying. It also helps unclog your pores. This is a very targeted remedy that is better to be applied as a spot treatment.
Where to find it: Try JOESOEF SKIN CARE Sulfur Soap. This pH balanced formula penetrates skin to kill all bacteria and fungus on contact. It's great for rosacea, blackheads, acne vulgaris, eczema, oily skin, fungus, bacteria and more.
Active Ingredients that Reduce Oil + Unclog Pores
Adapalene
Why it works: a derivative of vitamin A, Retinol/Adapalene helps to reduce oil production and unclog pores by exfoliating the dead layer of skin cells off the surface of your skin. Retinol/Adapalene can be very irritating so it is best to go slow and increase to nightly use as tolerated. These products should be used only at night and sunscreen should be used daily because it does increase sun sensitivity.
Where to find it: This best over-the-counter retinol product for treating acne is Adapalene or Differin Gel 0.1%. If this product isn’t helpful, consider seeing a dermatologist for a prescription-strength version at a higher percentage. Keep in mind that all retinol products are not created equal and not always strong enough to treat acne. So if it claims anti-aging, it’s probably not going to work as well.
Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy Acids)
Why it works: Also known as a beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid is an oil-soluble ingredient, which means it can get deep into your skin to do its job: exfoliating and removing the dead layer of skin cells on the surface—the main culprits that clog pores.
Bonus: In addition to unclogging pores, salicylic acid also works to ease inflammation.
Alternatives: Keep in mind, salicylic acid tends to be drying. If you want something more gentle, try CeraVe Blemish Barrier Patches. These hydrocolloid blemish patches activate ceramides and niacinamide to soothe and reduce the appearance of blemishes.
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)
Why it works: While AHAs, or Alpha Hydroxy Acids, aren’t quite as effective in unclogging pores as salicylic acid, glycolic is still a close second. You also might want to consider lactic or fruit acids if you have more sensitive skin.
Where to find it: Otto's Multitasker Night Serum contains niacinamide to improve the appearance blemished skin, a multifruit complex and azelaic acid to gently exfoliate for a brighter, clearer and more even skin tone.
Active Ingredients that Decrease Inflammation
Niacinamide
Why it works: Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, helps to soothe irritation and inflammation caused by acne. In addition, it also fades PIH, or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation—aka, those pesky little red marks left after a breakout has resolved.
Where to find it: Otto's Multitasker Night Serum contains niacinamide and exfoliating fruit acids which help to exfoliate, unclog pores, reduce oil production and decrease inflammation. Use at night and wear sunscreen daily.
Acne Devices to Consider
Light Therapy
Light therapy has emerged as a promising, non-invasive option for acne-prone skin, with blue and red wavelengths each targeting different aspects of the condition. Blue light (typically in the 415–430 nm range) works by penetrating the pores and destroying Cutibacterium acnes (formerly known as Propionibacterium acnes) by activating compounds within the bacteria that become toxic when exposed to that wavelength. Red light (around 630–700 nm) penetrates more deeply into the skin, where it helps reduce inflammation, promote healing, and support collagen production, making it especially useful for calming active lesions and minimizing post-acne redness. If this is something you'd like to explore, try Omnilux Clear!
Cleansing Cloths
My favorite cleansing cloths are made by Clean Skin Club. It's easy to overlook your face towel as a potential acne trigger, but a reusable cloth towel can harbor bacteria, dead skin cells, and moisture between uses. These single-use, disposable face towels eliminate the bacterial buildup that accumulates on traditional multi-use towels, giving you a fresh, clean surface every time you pat your skin dry. For acne-prone individuals, this small swap can make a meaningful difference: you're no longer undoing the work of your carefully chosen cleanser by wiping your face with a towel that's been sitting damp in your bathroom for days.
Natural Ingredients to Consider for Treating Acne
Clay
I’m a huge fan of clay—specifically of the bentonite, kaolin and french green variety. These are best used as a mask to help control oil and unclog pores. My favorite is the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay.
Charcoal
This on-trend ingredient is gaining popular acclaim, and for good reason, too. This detoxifying ingredient is best incorporated into your routine as a bar soap or face mask. Bonus: it may also help reduce oil, if used daily. The best charcoal cleansing bar I’ve come across is the Primally Pure Clarifying Bar.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to acne, keep in mind that less is always more. One to two products that treat acne on different levels should be your goal. Unfortunately, while it may be tempting to layer on multiple products and wash your face every time you feel the least bit oily, excessive product use can stress out skin and worsen acne. Resist this! Cleansing too often can also be irritating for your skin. My rule of thumb? Limit cleansing to morning and night or after exercising.
The most important takeaway with acne treatment is that over-the-counter products take a minimum of four to eight weeks to start improving your skin. However, if you’re not noticing an improvement by week eight, you should follow up with a board-certified dermatologist or dermatology nurse practitioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to see results from my acne treatment?
Patience is key. Expect a minimum of six to eight weeks before noticing meaningful improvement. You may even experience a temporary worsening of breakouts before things start to clear up. If you're not seeing progress by week eight, it's worth consulting a board-certified dermatologist or dermatology nurse practitioner.
Do I need one product that does everything, or multiple products?
Multiple products. No single product can reduce oil, decrease inflammation, unclog pores, and kill bacteria all at once. The most effective approach is a simple combination of one to two products that target acne on different levels.
What's the best ingredient for killing acne-causing bacteria?
Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most widely used and effective options for killing C. acnes, the bacteria responsible for breakouts. Sulfur is another solid choice, particularly as a spot treatment to prevent bacteria from multiplying.
What should I use to unclog pores and reduce oil?
Salicylic acid is a go-to for deep pore exfoliation, though it can be drying. Adapalene (Differin Gel) is another strong option that also reduces oil production; just introduce it slowly, use it only at night, and always apply sunscreen during the day. AHAs like glycolic or lactic acid are gentler alternatives worth considering, especially for sensitive skin.
Can my face towel be making my acne worse?
Yes, reusable towels can harbor bacteria, dead skin cells, and moisture between uses, reintroducing all of that to freshly washed skin. Single-use towels, like those made by Clean Skin Club, are a simple swap that can help prevent that bacterial re-exposure.
Is light therapy worth trying for acne?
It can be a helpful addition to your routine. Blue light targets and destroys acne-causing bacteria, while red light works deeper to reduce inflammation and support healing. They're most effective used together, and devices like Omnilux Clear make in-home treatment accessible.
Can I wash my face more often if my skin feels oily?
It's actually better not to. Over-cleansing can irritate skin and worsen acne. Stick to cleansing morning and night, and after workouts. That's it.
When should I see a dermatologist instead of relying on over-the-counter products?
If you've been consistent with your routine for eight weeks and aren't seeing improvement, that's your cue to follow up with a board-certified dermatologist or dermatology nurse practitioner for a more targeted treatment plan.
