The best acne creams in the UK 2023

Do you have acne? Use an acne cream to remedy it. Don't worry, these pimples affect both adults and young people. Which acne cream should you choose among the hundreds of products available on the market? What criteria should you take into account? In this guide, we present a selection of the best acne creams.

Acne cream Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc 1
9/10

Editor's Choice

Acne cream Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc

Best acne cream in 2021

More than a simple matifying moisturizing cream, Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc offers here a real cream against acne. It is suitable for oily skin as well as for sensitive skin with an acneic tendency.

8,80 £ on Amazon

This Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc acne cream is presented in a 40 ml tube. Its formula is composed of 78% pure thermal spring water from Mont Blanc. The repairing properties of this water have been proven for centuries. It also has healing and soothing properties. This cream also contains extracts of alpine fireweed.

This is an endemic flower that grows only at an altitude of 2500 meters. It is known for its antiseptic and soothing properties. It is not surprising that Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc used it to fight against all skin imperfections. This cream has a gel-cream texture that gives a fresh feeling and dries quickly. You can apply your makeup routine right away. It is a hypoallergenic formula dermatologically tested and guaranteed without parabens.

Topicrem Acne Cream 2
7/10

Best entry-level

Topicrem Acne Cream

Best entry-level acne cream

Topicrem Acne Cream is specially designed to fight pimples and blackheads on acne-prone skin in adults and teenagers.

6,08 £ on Amazon

Topicrem acne cream is recommended for skin that suffers from severe breakouts. The formula of this product against the acne associates several complementary credits with the properties sébo-correctrices, keratolytic and antibactériennes for a tolerance and an optimal effectiveness. It participates in the elimination of the buttons and the black spots, alleviates the rednesses and reduces the residual marks.

To obtain the best results, it will be necessary to carry out an application morning and/or evening on the face and the neck. In addition to its primary characteristics, this cream, suitable for adults and teenagers, soothes and moisturizes oily skin for a clear result and smooth skin.

TreeActiv Acne Cream 3
9/10

Best high-end

TreeActiv Acne Cream

Best premium acne cream

This acne product will be completely invisible on your skin. It can be used on the go and applied under makeup. Thanks to its highly concentrated formula, TreeActiv acne cream heals acne quickly.

19,56 £ on Amazon

This acne cream from TreeActiv is the quick solution whenever your skin is experiencing breakouts and you need an effective, invisible method. It stays clear and is absorbed into the skin without leaving a residue. This acne product can be used anytime and for people on the go. It is a localized remedy that can be applied under makeup.

It is basically made of salicylic acid, tea tree oil and aloe vera. As you can see, the formula is a blend of essential oils and botanical solutions that will take care of your skin without exposing you to harmful synthetic products and toxins.

JoliSkîn Acne Cream 4
8/10

Excellent

JoliSkîn Acne Cream

Excellent acne cream

With JoliSkîn acne cream, be attractive and seductive! Use this new acne cream to get smooth and healthy skin.

11,19 £ on Amazon

JoliSkîn acne cream penetrates deep into the skin and will kill all the acne bacteria on your face thanks mainly to its fast acting formula. Indeed, it is enriched with 4% of an anti-inflammatory ingredient called Nicotinamide. In fact, it is an ingredient obtained from a synthesis of vitamin B3. This substance is proven to be effective in eliminating acne.

Dermatologically tested, this anti-acne cream is clinically proven and has been developed in collaboration with dermatologists. It guarantees brighter, clearer skin from the very first day of application. The cream can be used not only on the face, but also on the back, neck, arms and legs.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best acne cream

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Best acne cream in 2021

Best entry-level acne cream

Best premium acne cream

Excellent acne cream

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Comparison table of the best acne creams

The best Inexpensive Top of the line Excellent
Acne cream Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc 5
9/10
Topicrem Acne Cream 6
7/10
TreeActiv Acne Cream 7
9/10
JoliSkîn Acne Cream 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Acne cream Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc
Topicrem Acne Cream
TreeActiv Acne Cream
JoliSkîn Acne Cream
More than a simple matifying moisturizing cream, Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc offers here a real cream against acne. It is suitable for oily skin as well as for sensitive skin with an acneic tendency.
Topicrem Acne Cream is specially designed to fight pimples and blackheads on acne-prone skin in adults and teenagers.
This acne product will be completely invisible on your skin. It can be used on the go and applied under makeup. Thanks to its highly concentrated formula, TreeActiv acne cream heals acne quickly.
With JoliSkîn acne cream, be attractive and seductive! Use this new acne cream to get smooth and healthy skin.
Application area
Face
Face
Face, neck
Face, neck, arms, legs
Content
40 ml
40 ml
15 ml
15 ml
Main ingredient
Thermal Water
Association of active ingredients AHA
Salicylic acid
Nicotinamide
Skin type
Fine layer
Greasy
Sensitive
All
Application
1 to 2 applications
Thin layer
Fine layer

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Buying guide - acne cream

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How to choose your acne cream

In a world where appearance is important, everyone wants flawless skin. This is much easier said than done. To make your choice easier, here are some important criteria to consider.

#1 - Skin type

To find the best acne cream, you must first understand how your skin works. Identifying your skin type is essential before buying any acne cream.

People with sensitive or acne-prone skin will need different specific ingredients than people with oily skin, and vice versa. If you don't make this distinction, there is a great risk of rash and skin irritation.

#2 - Formulation

Acne can be easily or difficult to treat, depending on its severity. But in any case, any type of acne can be treated. Narrow your choice by looking at the active ingredients. The most effective acne creams contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

The former addresses mild to moderate acne, while the latter treats mild breakouts and blackheads. When used together, these ingredients are very effective against severe forms of acne.

#3 - Concentration of active ingredients

The active ingredients present in acne creams come in different strengths. Salicylic acid is present at levels of 0.5 to 2%. The most effective creams will contain 2% salicylic acid.

Lower concentrations are good for people with sensitive, acne-prone skin, but will not be as effective.

Benzoyl peroxide is available in concentrations ranging from 2.5% to 10%. A high concentration of benzoyl peroxide does not always guarantee better results. A cream with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide may be just as effective as one with a 10% concentration, but with fewer side effects.

#4 - Order of ingredients on the label

Once you know which main ingredients to look for, you need to pay attention to where they fit on the ingredient list.

As a general rule, it is recommended that you look at the first five ingredients, as they often make up about 80% of the product's composition. The ingredients will be listed in order from highest to lowest concentration.

So, if there is a problematic or potentially irritating ingredient among the first five listed, avoid that cream at all costs.

#5 - Moisturizing ability

It is always recommended that you choose an acne cream that also increases the skin's moisture level. Indeed, a product with a good hydration capacity guarantees the absence of irritation. Moreover, it nourishes it in depth to maintain the ph of the skin well balanced.

How do you properly apply an acne cream?

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Whatever type of acne cream you decide to buy, it's important to understand how to use it properly in order to get the best results. That's why we've listed the essential steps on how to apply the cream to help you beat acne and feel great about yourself.

Wash and dry the affected area of your skin

While many of us have pimples on our face, especially in our T-zone (forehead, nose and chin), you can have acne on any part of your body. In particular, you can have acne on your neck, shoulders, back, chest and buttocks.

No matter where your breakouts occur, the first step is always to wash and dry the affected area of your skin. Depending on the severity of your acne, you may want to consider using a gentle cleanser free of irritants and harsh exfoliants.

Put a pea-sized amount of cream on your finger

One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to treat acne is using too many products. When using an acne cream, it is very important not to apply too much.

Even if you have acne on large areas of your skin, always start with a small pea-sized amount on your finger.

Dab the cream onto the affected areas

Next, use your finger to gently dab the cream onto the affected areas. You can apply directly to the blemishes themselves, carefully spreading the pea-sized amount over the entire area.

If you have large areas of acne, such as on your back, space out where you dab the pea-sized amount so you use a small amount of product for the entire area.

Perform a massaging motion

Once you've evenly distributed the pea-sized cream over your acne, gently massage and spread it over the entire affected area. You'll end up with a very thin layer of acne cream over the affected area, not just individual blemishes.

Because acne starts inside your pores, it's helpful to spread the cream in a thin, even layer to help prevent acne formation.

The different types of acne creams

Acne creams can be differentiated according to your skin type. For example, there are acne creams designed specifically for oily, dry and sensitive skin.

Acne creams for oily skin

For oily skin, the best creams are those containing alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), hyaluronic acid or benzoyl peroxide. AHAs shrink enlarged pores, while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Just be sure to wear sunscreen when applying this type of cream. You'll want to start by using this product every other day at a 10-15% concentration.

Hyaluronic acid goes hand in hand with vitamin C in skin care products. Products containing these substances hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. For example, acne creams for oily skin moisturize areas of the face that need it.

They restore firmness and wrinkles to damaged areas.

Acne creams for dry skin

When skin tends to be dry, it is very sensitive, and requires specific ingredients to avoid serious side effects. For acne treatments dermatologists recommend creams that contain lactic acid or shea butter.

Lactic acid is a type of AHA, which means that it moisturizes your skin while exfoliating it. Hydration is extremely important for dry skin.

Lactic acid creams restore your skin's glow while giving it a more youthful, invigorated look.

Acne creams for sensitive skin

Acne creams that contain aloe vera are perfect for people with sensitive skin. Acne creams with aloe vera provide excellent hydration without irritating the skin. This is because the vitamins and nutrients present in aloe vera nourish the skin.

This is an essential element for any sensitive skin care product.

Creams or antibiotics for acne?

Acne creams

Acne creams are intended to treat localized skin eruptions with mild to moderate severity. Typically, benzoyl peroxide, retinoid, AHA and sometimes zinc or sulfur are found in acne creams. Most acne creams are available without a prescription.

In most cases, it takes at least four weeks for this type of product to show significant improvement and it must be used continuously to clear up acne permanently.

Antibiotics for acne

Antibiotics for acne are prescription-only treatments that can be used on the skin (ointment) or taken orally (capsules or tablets). Antibiotics work by ridding the skin of acne-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation.

Topical antibiotics are limited in their ability to penetrate the skin and clear deeper acne, while oral (systemic) antibiotics travel throughout the body and into the oil glands.

Verdict

In short, the use of one or the other depends primarily on the severity of the rash. Usually, topical antibiotics are not recommended alone as a treatment for acne, as they can increase the risk of antibiotic resistance in skin bacteria.

However, using a benzoyl peroxide acne cream with a topical antibiotic can reduce these risks.

Why buy a good acne cream?

Because it's effective

Acne treatment in the form of a cream is effective against all types of skin breakouts. It is able to unclog pores, and at the same time exfoliate the skin, while reducing the inflammation and redness of acne. Regular use of an acne cream will allow your skin to clear up.

Because it can prevent breakouts

A good acne cream reduces the risk of breakouts coming back. Once it does its job by treating your current acne and clearing your skin, it will prevent acne breakouts from happening again. If you still get new breakouts, they will be less aggressive than before.

Because it's gentle on the skin

The best acne creams are generally gentle on the skin. They are painless and also don't cause allergies or inflammation that could make breakouts worse. When choosing an acne cream, just make sure you choose one that suits your skin type.

Because it gives the skin the right nutrients

Acne creams do more than just make unwanted pimples disappear from your skin. By choosing the right acne cream, the other benefit is that your skin will be well nourished. After unclogging the pores and removing the dirt, the acne product will nourish the skin so that the acne disappears and clears up.

Because there are so many products to choose from

If a few years ago you had trouble finding the right product for your teenager, now the multitude of choices has allowed the price of products to drop. Acne creams can now be purchased freely online. Moreover, the big groups have taken to the web and offer their products on their website or a sales platform, often with discounts.

The best brands of acne creams

In our opinion, the best brands of acne creams in 2022 are :

TreeActiv
The Body Shop
Topicrem
Neutrogena
Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc

This is a company that makes high quality, organic skin care products at a reasonable price. The brand offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, including on its acne creams. For example, they are guaranteed palm oil, paraben-free and GMO-free.

The Body Shop is a British cosmetics, skincare and fragrance company founded in 1976. It was acquired by L'Oreal in 2006. Contrary to what one might think, The Body Shop offers very affordable acne creams.

TOPICREM is the dermatological branch of the Mayoly Spindler pharmaceutical laboratories, a key player in the health industry since 1909. Pioneers of the French pharmaceutical industry since the 20th century, Mayoly Spindler laboratories first focused on plant extract-based medicines. Today, the group manufactures care products for common and chronic diseases, but also offers probiotics and dermo-cosmetic products in its catalog.

Neutrogena is the No. 1 skin care brand recommended by dermatologists. It offers a wide range of skin and hair care products. Neutrogena acne creams benefit from the brand's latest innovations.

Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc is a French company offering a wide selection of thermal water-based dermo-cosmetic products. Its range of acne products, including creams, are hypoallergenic and perfectly suited for sensitive skin.

What is the price for an acne cream

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
5 £ to 14 £
Mid-range
14 £ to 22 £
High-end
more than 22 £
Price range diagram

Tips

You don't have to stick to one acne product

Create your own three-step treatment routine, such as a medicated cleanser, an astringent, and a leave-on acne treatment (cream). Choose products with different active ingredients for even better results.

Give an acne cream time to work

Trying a new acne cream every week or so can irritate your skin, which can cause breakouts. Give the acne cream you choose time to work. You should use a product for at least 6 to 8 weeks.

That's how long it takes to start seeing improvements. If you don't see any improvement by then, you can try another product. Complete clearance usually takes 3 to 4 months.

Spread a thin layer of cream evenly over your skin

It makes sense to treat what you see, but this approach fails to prevent new breakouts. To prevent new blemishes, spread a thin layer of acne cream evenly over your acne-prone skin.

For example, if you tend to get breakouts on your forehead, nose, and chin, you should apply acne cream evenly all over your face.

Don't sleep with your makeup on

Even non-comedogenic makeup can cause acne if you sleep in it. Remove your makeup before you go to bed. This goes for any type of makeup. If you're too tired to wash your face, use a makeup remover wipe. Just make sure it's a non-comedogenic wipe.

Hydrate your skin

Acne-prone skin is oily, so it can be tempting to apply astringent and acne treatments until your face is dry. This is a bad idea. Dry skin is irritated skin.

Every time you irritate your skin, you risk getting more acne. Use your acne cream as directed. If your skin is dry, first apply a moisturizer designed for acne-prone skin. You'll need to apply the moisturizer twice a day, after washing your face.

FAQ

Can I wear makeup if I have acne?

Of all the tools in your beauty arsenal, makeup is one of the best for masking acne. In addition, you'll want to look for products with non-comedogenic, oil-free formulas to make sure you don't clog your pores. In addition, many makeup products have been created with acne-fighting ingredients and can even help you eliminate the appearance of an embarrassing blemish while hiding it.

What acne cream for adults?

Acne does not stop after puberty. In fact, excess oil can occur at any time in life. Exposure to various factors such as stress, poor diet or pollution are all factors that can lead to acne. To remedy this, you can wash your face frequently or if the problem persists, use an acne cream. To do this, take the time to read the product's instructions and choose those suitable for adults and teenagers or only for adults. To learn more, check out our comparison.

How will I know if the acne product I bought is working?

You usually have to wait at least four weeks to see the first results. You should also expect that your acne may get worse after using the product for the first time. Stop using the acne cream if you see rashes and an allergic reaction on your skin.

Is it possible to fight acne without using products?

Although conventional treatments, such asusing acne creams, can effectively treat acne, they are often associated with side effects such as skin irritation and dryness. If you don't want any side effects, you can turn to natural alternatives like green tea, essential oils, or aloe vera. It will mainly be a localized application of one of these natural products on the concerned area of the face.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. Choosing Your Acne Scar Cream, Maisonroyer.fr
  2. Complete Guide to Acne: Causes Treatments Myths & Realities | Natura, Naturabrasil.fr
  3. Acne Treatment: How to Get Rid of Pimples, Qare.fr
  4. Acne: How to Get Rid of Acne ASAP?, Topsante.com
  5. Effective Acne Treatments for the Face, Optiondermasante.com
  6. Best Acne Treatment: Spot Creams and Solutions, Glamourmagazine.co.uk
  7. Acne Treatment Reviews, Consumerreports.org
  8. How to Get Rid of Acne (Pimples) Causes Symptoms & Home Remedies, Medicinenet.com
  9. 9 Best Acne Treatments for Men in 2021 (Guide for Every Type of Acne), Primandprep.com
  10. 12 Best Creams for Acne 2021, Greatist.com
  11. Everything You Need to Know About Starting a Skin-Care Routine | SELF, Self.com
  12. Best Acne Creams: TOP 3 with your reviews your ..., beaute-test.com
  13. Acne Cream: Best Anti-Acne Medication Very ..., healthnbeauty24.fr
  14. Two Effective Acne Treatments - Doctissimo, femmezine.fr
  15. Acne Treatment | ameli.fr | Insured, doctissimo.fr
  16. Local acne treatments - VIDAL, ameli.fr
  17. Anti redness cream acne cream anti blemish - Nocibé, vidal.fr
  18. Oral acne treatments - VIDAL, nocibe.fr
  19. Creams and products for acne and facial blemishes, vidal.fr
  20. The most effective products against adult acne ..., easyparapharmacie.com
  21. Niaouly Organic Acne Cream - effective against acne, marieclaire.fr
  22. Acne : 5 products to get rid of it - madmoiZelle.com, biobey.be
  23. DIY - How to Make Your Acne Day Cream ..., madmoizelle.com
  24. Acne : How to get rid of it ? - natural solutions ..., bienvenuechezvero.fr
  25. Acne creams are great anti-agers., aroma-zone.com
  26. Acne cream : effectiveness choice of anti-acne cream ..., medecin-esthetique-visage.com
  27. Buy acne treatment without a prescription ..., acne.ooreka.fr
  28. Acne skin care | Eau Thermale Avène, aihus.fr
  29. Teenage acne : causes hygiene advice and ..., eau-thermale-avene.fr
  30. Teenage acne : how to choose the treatment ..., santemagazine.fr
  31. Hormonal acne : a new molecule soon to be available ..., blog.soin-et-nature.com
  32. Anti-acne cream & blemishes at the best price | E.Leclerc, beaute-test.com
  33. , e.leclerc
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Acne cream Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc 9
Acne cream Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc
Topicrem Acne Cream 10
Topicrem Acne Cream
TreeActiv Acne Cream 11
TreeActiv Acne Cream
JoliSkîn Acne Cream 12
JoliSkîn Acne Cream

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