THESE ARE the best acne treatments (ever)

LET'S CLEAR SOMETHING UP (AHEM, YOUR SKIN).

- ERIN REIMEL

There are certain clear skin truths we all subscribe to: Wash your face every day. Apply your products with clean fingers. Never fall asleep with makeup on. And those are great…until, despite your dedication to your multi-step skincare routine, the zits you’re fighting just fight back harder.

Whether you get a pimple now and then or you’re constantly dealing with breakouts, treating and preventing acne is work (especially since choosing the wrong treatment can result in even more irritation and eruptions, big yikes).

So how do you decide what’s best for you among all of the skin-clearing products? Sure, there are the tried ‘n’ trues (hi, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide), but the good news is that there’s now a whole plethora of new pimple banishers in the aisle.

And while instant blemish busters don’t exist just yet (when they do, we’ll be the first ones to let you know), these trendy new treatments get pretty dang close.

THE NEW DRUGSTORE DARLINGS

Whether you’re facing a momentary breakout or struggling with moderate acne, these advanced (and incredibly effective) ingredients are available without a prescription.

AZEL AIC ACID

WHAT IT IS: Unlike other acne-busting acids, azelaic acid doesn’t *just* clear out pores— it prevents them from getting clogged in the first place.

BEST FOR: Your whole face, especially where your zits always pop up.