Acne is frustrating. The search for effective treatment can feel endless, with countless products promising clear skin but often delivering disappointing results. The best acne products depend on your skin type, acne type, and personal preferences. Understanding which ingredients work and how to use them properly can make the difference between persistent breakouts and genuinely clear skin.

At Honeydew, we understand this struggle. We've helped thousands of patients find effective solutions by combining evidence-based treatments with personalized care. Whether you're starting with over-the-counter options or need prescription-strength medications, the right approach exists for your skin.

Starting with Over-the-Counter Acne Products

If you're unsure which acne product to buy, begin with nonprescription products containing benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, or both. These are among the most effective and well-tolerated treatments available without a prescription.

Benzoyl Peroxide: A Powerful Antibacterial Agent

Benzoyl peroxide is one of the best acne treatment products available over the counter. It works through three mechanisms: killing bacteria that cause acne, removing excess oil from the skin, and eliminating dead skin cells that clog pores. This triple action makes it effective for various types of acne.

Nonprescription benzoyl peroxide products are available in strengths from 2.5% to 10%. Studies show that lower strength products (2.5%) are as effective as higher strength preparations. Starting with a lower strength water-based product reduces the risk of side effects like dryness and irritation while delivering the same results.

Adapalene: The Over-the-Counter Retinoid

Adapalene is a retinoid that helps unclog pores and prevents new breakouts. Until recently, retinoids were available only by prescription, but adapalene gel (Differin) can now be purchased over the counter at a strength of 0.1%. This makes it one of the top acne products for treating blackheads and whiteheads.

Adapalene works by normalizing skin cell turnover, preventing dead cells from accumulating and blocking follicles. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness and swelling associated with acne.

Combining Benzoyl Peroxide and Adapalene

Either benzoyl peroxide or adapalene is effective when used alone and is usually well tolerated. However, some studies show that these two ingredients are more effective when combined. Using one product in the morning and another at night can help prevent skin irritation while maximizing results.

For stubborn acne, using more than one product, each with a different active ingredient or combination of ingredients, might be helpful. This multi-targeted approach addresses different aspects of acne formation.

Other Effective Nonprescription Acne Treatment Products

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a nonprescription acne product that may help unclog pores and prevent new breakouts. Available in strengths from 0.5% to 2% as both leave-on and wash-off products, salicylic acid penetrates into pores to dissolve the mixture of oil and dead skin cells. It's particularly effective for blackheads and whiteheads.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid helps prevent pores from becoming plugged and is mildly antibacterial. Nonprescription azelaic acid products are available in 10% strength. Beyond treating active acne, azelaic acid helps correct dark spots that can linger after acne clears (postinflammatory hyperpigmentation). This dual benefit makes it one of the good acne products for those dealing with both breakouts and residual marks.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid and lactic acid) treat acne by removing dead skin cells and calming inflamed skin. They also spur the growth of new, smoother skin, which helps improve the look of acne scars and pores. These ingredients offer benefits beyond acne treatment, improving overall skin texture and tone. However, do not overuse alpha hydroxy acids, as they can be irritating or cause skin damage.

When to Consider Prescription Treatments

The best acne products for many people are prescription-strength medications. A licensed provider can prescribe treatment if it's right for you after evaluating your specific skin concerns. Prescription treatments offer stronger concentrations of proven ingredients and access to medications not available over the counter.

Prescription Topical Treatments

Prescription topical medications include stronger retinoids like tretinoin, which is highly effective at normalizing skin cell turnover and preventing clogged pores. Topical antibiotics like clindamycin reduce acne-causing bacteria and inflammation. These are often combined with benzoyl peroxide to enhance effectiveness and prevent bacterial resistance.

If your acne is primarily papules, pustules, and redness, a treatment with tretinoin and clindamycin might be the best option. A dermatologist can examine your acne and prescribe the right treatment for you.

Custom Compounding for Simplified Treatment

Custom prescription treatments are available for mild to moderate acne. An acne prescription cream can be a custom blend of up to 5 ingredients, including prescription-only tretinoin. This approach simplifies your routine by combining multiple active ingredients into a single formulation tailored to your skin's needs. Custom compounding at Honeydew makes treatment more convenient and often more effective.

Oral Medications for Persistent Acne

For more widespread or severe acne, oral medications may be necessary. People with an overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria may respond best to topical clindamycin cream or oral doxycycline. Honeydew also offers Duricef and other oral antibiotics as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Hormonal Acne: A Different Approach

Women may take spironolactone, a diuretic with anti-androgen properties. Spironolactone blocks androgen receptors that cause certain types of hormonal acne.

While not right for all women's acne, dermatologists can help you figure out which treatment is going to work best for your specific acne. The key to getting rid of adult acne, and all acne, is to determine the root cause of your acne breakouts and treat the cause.

Isotretinoin: The Most Effective Treatment

For any type of acne, especially persistent acne that doesn't respond to other treatments, oral isotretinoin (found in brands like Accutane and Absorica) may be the answer. A dermatologist can look at your skin and prescribe clinical-strength medication, either topical or oral, which can treat your cystic acne and keep it away.

Isotretinoin is the only medication that addresses all major factors contributing to acne: excess oil production, clogged pores, bacterial growth, and inflammation. While it requires medical supervision, isotretinoin offers the possibility of long-term clear skin, even after treatment ends.

At Honeydew, we specialize in personalized isotretinoin treatment, including innovative low-dose Accutane regimens. These approaches can minimize side effects while still achieving excellent results. Our providers manage your entire treatment online with regular monitoring to ensure safety and progress.

Your Partner in Clear Skin: Honeydew

If you're not satisfied with your current acne treatment, Honeydew offers personalized treatments designed to maximize results while minimizing side effects. Our providers can manage, adjust, and recommend treatments completely online to ensure you get the clear skin you're looking for.

We use proven methods to track skin progress and adjust treatment plans as needed. You connect with a licensed provider over video through your phone or computer, receive your treatment plan right to your house or pick it up at your local pharmacy, and track your progress with photos shared with your care team online. You can access your care team around the clock for ongoing support, refills, and lifestyle coaching.

Honeydew's treatment plans may include prescription creams, oral medication, and various over-the-counter products. We work with you to build a comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plan. We'll run prescriptions through your insurance to help find the lowest costs, and our membership fee and products are eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement.

Finding Your Path to Clear Skin

The best acne products for you depend on your individual skin characteristics and the type of acne you're experiencing. Starting with well-studied nonprescription options like benzoyl peroxide and adapalene is a reasonable first step for mild acne. If these don't provide adequate results after consistent use, prescription treatments offer more powerful solutions.

Remember that effective acne treatment takes time, consistency, and often a combination of approaches. With the right guidance and access to proven treatments, clear skin is an achievable goal. Whether you're just beginning your journey or feeling frustrated with past attempts, personalized care can make all the difference.

At Honeydew, we're committed to making great treatments more accessible and helping you take control of your skin. Our 100% online care means you can get expert dermatology treatment without the hassle of in-person appointments. If you're ready to find an acne treatment that actually works, we're here to help.