10 Best Expert-Approved Acne Treatments For Teens – 2024
Gentle formulations to protect and maintain the smooth, soft texture of teenage skin.
Reviewed by Oscar Velazquez, Makeup ArtistOscar VelazquezMakeup Artist
Oscar Velazquez is a professional makeup artist who specializes in a wide range of makeup styles, including bridal, editorial, fashion, and special effects. His deep understanding of different skin tones and facial features helps him tailor his makeup applications to enhance and highlight his clients’ unique beauty.
Written by Shiboli Chakraborti, MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach shiboli chakrabortiMA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care CoachExperience: 4 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Edited by Krati Darak, MBA, Certified Skin Care Coach krati darakMBA, Certified Skin Care CoachExperience: 3 years
Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.
Fact-checked by Medha Deb, Integrated MA medha debIntegrated MAExperience: 5 years
Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.
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Being a teen with acne is quite a common affliction for the age range. However, When you are a teenager, facing acne can affect your mental, emotional, and physical health. However, acne is a normal process that all teenagers go through. In this post, we discuss the best acne treatments for teens. There are prescription treatments available that you can take once you consult a doctor. But there are other non-prescription products that you can try at home to help reduce and manage your acne breakouts. These products soothe inflammation and reduce acne lesions. Keep reading to check out the boons and banes of each of the listed products.
This is an extremely effective gel for spot treatment and severe acne. It helps to dissolve the surface oil on the skin. Once the oil is cleared, the clinically proven acne medication in this gel penetrates the skin pores and starts clearing the acne or pimple. It contains 2% salicylic acid (maximum strength) that helps combat acne, dark spots and reduce pimple size, swelling, and redness without drying your skin. To understand the nuances of the product in detail, you can check out this review.
Skin Type: Oily, Normal, Dry, Combination | Product Dimensions: 1.9 x 1.1 x 4.9 inches | Weight: 0.4 Ounces
Pros
Contains 2% salicylic acid (maximum strength for OTC products)
Paraben-free
Sulfate-free
Contains witch hazel
Oil-free formula
Prevents scarring
Suitable for oily and combination skin
Not too drying
Cons
Is a bit strong for sensitive skin (consult a dermatologist)
Caution
This product has salicylic acid that may make your skin sensitive to the sun. Therefore, apply sunscreen and wear protective clothing after using this treatment during the day to prevent sunburns.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 1,253 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
This face wash contains a blend of sulfur and activated charcoal. These two components work as natural exfoliants that refine the skin pores and deeply cleanse them. It also contains natural skincare ingredients such as peppermint essential oil, which helps with oil control. The non-drying cleanser also helps reduce acne as it has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that fight inflammation and redness.
Note: This product contains peppermint essential oil. Do an allergy test/patch test before using it.
The Acne Edit System is an entire acne range by NxN that is dermatologist-recommended. It is made using their Acne Edit Complex, which contains advanced natural extracts, probiotics and proven acne fighters like salicylic acid, willow bark, and witch hazel extracts. It also contains calming botanical ingredients like green tea extract to soothe your skin and reduce inflammation. The Acne Edit System consists of a cleanser, a toner, a spot treatment, and an overnight treatment for taking care of your acne. The effectiveness of this formula has earned multiple positive reviews on the internet along with a loyal customer base.
Pros
Dermatologist-tested
Cruelty-free
Gluten-free
Organic ingredients
Naturally extracted fragrance (no synthetic fragrances)
Hypoallergenic
Not tested on animals
Paraben-free
Sulfate-free
Affordable
Cons
Less quantity. May last only a month
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 2,027 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
This is an anti-acne face cream and contains tea tree essential oil, one of the potent acne-fighting ingredients. It has a potent formula, which is a blend of sesame, olive, rosehip seed oils, and milk thistle extract. This formula has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help reduce inflammation and prevent blemishes by killing bacteria in the skin pores. The oil-free moisturizer also helps to balance oil production and promote acne prevention. Check out this YouTuber’s review of this product.
Note: It might give you a mild tingling sensation, which is common. Also, do a patch test as it contains essential oils. Tea tree oil may not give the same results for all.
Skin Type: All | Product Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 4 inches | Weight: 4.16 Ounces
Pros
Contains natural ingredients
Paraben-free
Sulfate-free
No harmful chemicals
Cons
Expensive
Pro Tip
Apply this cream to your affected area twice daily after washing the face with a mild cleanser to quickly heal acne.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has made it to our top favorite list with more than 2,585 rave reviews on Amazon.
These treatment pads are easy to use. This treatment for teens helps clear breakouts fast and also prevent any further breakouts, making it ideal for addressing a variety of skin conditions. These are soft, oil-free acne pads developed with MicroClear Technology that dissolve oil and help deliver acne-fighting ingredients (salicylic acid) deep into the pores, leaving you with clearer skin. This teen-friendly product helps reduce pimple size, swelling, and redness associated with breakouts with proven efficacy.
Skin Type: Acne-prone | Product Dimensions: 2.93 x 2.93 x 2.72 inches | Weight: 4.8 Ounces
Pros
Oil-free
Non-comedogenic
Dries out pimple/acne fast
Visible and quick result
Dermatologist-recommended
Clinically-proven
Cons
Contains alcohol denat (dries skin quickly, so use cautiously just on the affected area)
Quick Tip
Start by applying this product once every day, then gradually increase it to three times daily. If you experience itchiness or skin peeling, reduce its application to once a day.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With 11,121 positive reviews on Amazon, this product has become a bestseller.
The Differin Gel is a topical acne treatment containing the Retinoid adapalene. This medicine is a potent anti-acne agent and was first available only with a doctor’s prescription. However, now it is available as an OTC medicine, so it is the first over-the-counter active ingredient (topical retinoid) that you can use. It helps prevent breakouts, including acne, pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. This is an effective over-the-counter treatment that also offers blemish control, keeps the skin pores clean, and helps to restore skin tone and texture by clearing acne.
Note: Consult the doctor before using it. It might be strong for some. Also, apply it only on the acne.
Skin Type: Sensitive | Product Dimensions: 4 x 5 x 7 inches | Weight: 1.12 Ounces
This face cleanser contains skin-clearing ingredients and is a special formulation of AHAs and BHAs along with olive leaf extracts that help soothe irritated skin. It contains salicylic acid, pro-vitamin B5, and sage extracts that help clear pores, regulate oil production, and prevent dryness and irritation. This teen skincare product is a rich but gentle face cleanser that prevents blemishes caused by acne.
Product Dimensions: 9 x 22 x 33 inches | Weight: 4 Ounces
When it is about cleaning the skin pores, scrubbing really helps. This scrub contains 2% salicylic acid that helps to clean the pores thoroughly and prevent acne. by effectively removing dead skin cells. It also helps to remove blackheads, tighten the skin pores, and keep the skin blemish-free.
Note: Use this exfoliating treatment with caution and once or twice a week; over-exfoliation worsens acne.
Skin Type: Oily, Acne-prone skin, Dead skin | Product Dimensions: 2 x 3 x 6 inches | Weight: 5.01 Ounces
Pros
Contains charcoal extracts
No synthetic fragrances
Dermatologist recommended ingredients
No irritation
Improves skin texture
Cons
None
Pro Tip
Use the Acne Free Caolin Face Mask with this facial scrub to effectively detox and purify your pores and inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
This acne gel contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel, which is an effective remedy for acne. It provides fast-acting acne treatment without causing dryness and irritation. This treatment for acne is a lightweight gel and can be used for face and body acne. This pimple treatment product helps to prevent future breakouts and reduces redness.
The brand claims this product to be “overnight acne drying” treatment. It is a spot treatment lotion that reduces the appearance of acne and whiteheads. If you have severe acne, this product might help. It contains acne-fighting super-ingredients, such as salicylic acid, sulfur, camphor, and zinc oxide, that quickly dry the applied area. This effective treatment reduces inflammation, soothes redness, and relieves pain caused by acne and breakouts.
Skin Type: All | Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 1.5 x 5.75 inches | Weight: 5 Ounces
*The prices provided in this article are based on the latest available information. However, they may vary due to changes in pricing by the seller and/or promotional offers.
The Bottom Line
Dealing with acne-prone skin can be a challenge because you need to be picky about the products that you choose to buy for your skin. Acne breakouts can make you feel bummed, and that is why you need to get your hands on the best acne treatment products. The Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment is perfect for effective and easy spot treatment. But if you are looking for an FDA-approved product that prevents blackheads, try the Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment, whereas the Keeva Organics Acne Treatment Cream is ideal for those looking for an eco-friendly and organic option for their skincare routine. These products effectively keep all the acne and pimple-causing bacteria at bay. In addition, they help soothe skin inflammation and help to manage your acne breakouts. The reviewed options are devoid of any synthetic ingredients, and they address all the acne-related skin concerns. From facial cleansers, scrubs, acne gel treatments, and creams, you get to choose from a range of options according to your preference. However, if you have extremely sensitive skin, consult a medical professional for clinically verified options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are teenagers more prone to acne breakouts?
It is mostly because of the increase in androgen levels during puberty that teenagers get breakouts.
Can you do anything about teenage acne?
Yes. Stress is a common reason for acne flare-ups in teenagers. Therefore, managing stress is essential to control breakouts. Also, the increase in the level of androgen causes acne. Use OTC or prescription anti-acne products to treat acne and promote healing. These products have oil-absorbing properties and help clear the trapped dirt, sebum, and grime while regulating the oil balance in your skin.
How can I help my teenage daughter with acne?
Ask your teenage daughter to use OTC acne products rich in benzoyl peroxide in her acne control regimen. Ask her to wash her face twice daily with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water to remove any dirt and buildup from the pores.
Is teenage acne curable?
Yes. Teenager acne is treatable.
When should I see a doctor for teenage acne?
Consult a doctor when your acne is painful, leaving scars, or affecting your mental health.
What foods cause teenage acne?
Foods rich in high sugar and carbohydrates may cause teenage acne. Also, consuming too much processed food develops those irritating zits all over your face.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach and loves to help her readers find the right skincare products. She understands that acne is a grave concern among teenagers, so she researched to make a list of the best acne treatments for teens. These listed products are a must-have as they can soothe inflammation and limit your acne.
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Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.
Oscar Velazquez is a professional makeup artist who specializes in a wide range of makeup styles, including bridal, editorial, fashion, and special effects. His deep understanding of different skin tones and facial features helps him tailor his makeup applications to enhance and highlight his clients’ unique beauty.
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.
Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.
Caution
Pro Tip
Quick Tip
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.