The best acne products in the UK 2023

In a world where appearance matters a lot, everyone wants flawless skin. This is much easier said than done. For those struggling with acne, talking to a dermatologist is a great first step, but you can get an acne product right away when it first appears. Don't have time to do a lot of research? We've put together this comprehensive buying guide for you.

Acne product - Zinc Nutrimea 1
9/10

Editor's Choice

Acne product - Zinc Nutrimea

Best acne product in 2021

Without allergens, neither GMO, neither gluten, nor stearate, Nutriméa Zinc is a zinc supplement presented in the form of capsule. You can also take it to fight against acne.

11,92 £ on Amazon

The Nutriméa Zinc supplement, made in the UK, comes in capsule form. 100% vegetable, each capsule is composed of a single excipient, namely maltodextrin. It intervenes mainly in the enzymatic reactions and gives you the possibility of treating your acne problems effectively. In the same way, this zinc supplement helps in the healing of a wound.

It is necessary to take 1 capsule/day (an intake of 12.5 mg of Zinc (Zn) per capsule) for 1 to 2 months depending on your needs. Note that the bottle contains 120 capsules, enough to follow up to 2 cures. We also advise you to take a break of 2 to 4 weeks between each treatment to avoid overdosing on zinc.

Topicrem Acne Cream 2
7/10

Best entry-level

Topicrem Acne Cream

Best entry-level acne product

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 product

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.

Tea Tree Oil The Body Shop 4
8/10

Excellent

Tea Tree Oil The Body Shop

Excellent acne product

This tea tree oil acne product from The Body Shop will give your skin a clearer appearance. It will only work as part of a regular regimen.

8 £ on Thebodyshop

To treat acne, this tea tree oil serum by The Body Shop works in three different ways: it eliminates excess oil without drying out the skin, helps remove impurities, and brightens the skin. The anti-acne serum comes in a 10ml squeezable clear bottle that has a flip-top cap, tight enough to ensure the bottle seals.

When applied to the face, this serum provides a relaxing, fresh feeling. This product is perfect for oily skin, but can be used on all skin types. It effectively treats acne without leaving a soapy layer or uncomfortable dryness.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best acne product

Any specific needs?

Best acne product in 2021

Best entry-level acne product

Best premium acne product

Excellent acne product

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best acne products

The best Inexpensive Top of the line Excellent
Acne product - Zinc Nutrimea 5
9/10
Topicrem Acne Cream 6
7/10
TreeActiv Acne Cream 7
9/10
Tea Tree Oil The Body Shop 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Acne product - Zinc Nutrimea
Topicrem Acne Cream
TreeActiv Acne Cream
Tea Tree Oil The Body Shop
Without allergens, neither GMO, neither gluten, nor stearate, Nutriméa Zinc is a zinc supplement presented in the form of capsule. You can also take it to fight against acne.
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.
This tea tree oil acne product from The Body Shop will give your skin a clearer appearance. It will only work as part of a regular regimen.
Presentation size
Capsules
Cream
Cream
Serum
Container size
37.8 g for 120 vegetarian capsules
40 ml
15 ml
10 ml
Main ingredient
Zinc
Association of active ingredients AHA
Salicylic acid
Tea tree oil
Skin type
All
Greasy
Sensitive
Grease
Daily use
1 capsule
1 to 2 applications
Thin layer
1 to 2 drops

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Buying guide - acne product

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How to choose your acne product

Acne products contain mainly chemical compounds including salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and adapalene. It's important to know which compound is best for your skin. Here are our tips on what to look for when buying an acne product.

#1 - Skin type

If you want to find the best acne product, you must first understand the ins and outs of your skin. Determining your skin type is the top priority, according to dermatologists. People with sensitive or acne-prone skin need different products than those with oily skin. Otherwise, you increase your chances of triggering a rash or irritating your skin. If you're not 100% sure what type of skin you have, it's worthgoing to the dermatologist to confirm it.

#2 - Composition

Acne control can be difficult, depending on the severity of your condition, but it's not impossible. Dermatologists swear by a few ingredients, including salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and adapalene. While they vary in their chemical compounds, each ingredient can help you achieve your acne removal goals.

#3 - Order of ingredients on the label

Onceyou 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. 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 product at all costs.

#4 - Texture

Acne products can come in a variety of textures. In particular, you'll have a choice of gel, cream or foam. Gels usually have a creamy texture. Acne creams are ideal for dry skin. They are often richer than gels and contain moisturizing ingredients. Finally, foams are distinguished by their lightness and softness.

#5 - Moisture capacity

Itis always recommended to choose an acne product that alsoincreases 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 it balanced.

What are the active ingredients in acne products?

Acne products work in different ways, depending on the active ingredients in the product. Some acne products work by killing the bacteria that cause acne inflammation. Others remove excess oil from the skin or speed up the growth of new skin cells. Some acne products do a combination of these things.

Here are the most common active ingredients found in acne products.

  • Benzoyl Peroxide: This ingredient kills acne-causing bacteria, helps remove excess oil from the skin and removes dead skin cells, which can clog pores. Benzoyl peroxide in acne products are available in concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 10%.
  • Salicylic acid: This ingredient helps prevent pores from clogging. Salicylic acid in acne products is available in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5%.
  • Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): The two types of alpha hydroxy acids used in acne products are glycolic acid and lactic acid. Alpha hydroxy acids are synthetic versions of acids derived from fruits containing sugar. They treat acne by helping to remove dead skin cells and reduce inflammation. Alpha hydroxy acids also stimulate the growth of new, smoother skin. This helps improve the appearance of acne scars and makes pores appear smaller.

Sulfur: Sulfur removes dead skin cells that clog pores and helps eliminate excess oil. It is often combined with other ingredients, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or resorcinol.

The different types of acne products

Acne products can be categorized according to the type of skin they are intended for. Thus, there are mainly acne products designed for oily, dry and sensitive skin. Let's take a closer look!

Acne products for oily skin

Acne products for oily skin contain mainly alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs. These shrink enlarged pores, while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Just be sure to wear sunscreen when applying this type of product. Only use this product every other day at a concentration of 10-15%.

Hyaluronic acid goes hand in hand with vitamin C in acne products. Products containing these substances hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. It moisturizes the areas of the face that need it. For people with oily skin, these products restore firmness and wrinkles to areas affected by acne.

Acne products for dry skin

Dry skin is sensitive, requiring specific products to avoid a bad reaction. That's why dermatologists recommend acne products that contain lactic acid or shea butterfor people with dry skin.

Lactic acid is a type of AHA, which means it moisturizes your skin while exfoliating it. Moisturizing is extremely important for dry skin. Lactic acid products restore your skin while giving it a healthy, plumped-up look.

Acne products for sensitive skin

Anacne product containingaloe vera is your best choice when you have sensitive skin. Products that contain it provide hydration without irritation. That's because the vitamins and nutrients in aloe vera nourish the skin. It is an essential part of sensitive skin care.

Acne products or antibiotics?

Acne products

Acne products are used to locally treat mild to moderate skin breakouts. Typically, acne products come in the form of serums, creams, cleansing gels, soaps, lotions, oils and even capsules. These products mainly contain benzoyl peroxide, retinoid, AHA and sometimes zinc or sulfur. Most of these consumer acne products can be purchased 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 keep acne at bay.

Antibiotics for acne

Antibiotics for acne are prescription-only treatments and 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 product with a topical antibiotic can reduce these risks.

Why buy a good acne product?

Because it works!

The acne product effectively eliminates acne breakouts. It unclogs pores, exfoliates the skin, and reduces inflammation and redness from acne. With regular use, your skin will begin to clear up.

To prevent acne breakouts

A good acne product prevents breakouts from reoccurring. Once it does its job by treating your current acne and cleansing your skin, it will prevent acne breakouts from happening again. If you still get new breakouts, they will be milder than before.

Because it's gentle on the skin

The best acne products are gentle on the skin. They won't do any harm while treating acne. They also don't cause allergies and inflammation that could make acne breakouts worse. When choosing an acne product, just make sure you choose the right one for your skin type.

Because it nourishes the skin

By choosing a good acne product, the other benefit you can get is well-nourished skin. After unclogging the pores and removing the dirt, the acne product will nourish the skin so that the acne clears up. It also prevents future breakouts.

Because you have a choice

Acne products can now be purchased freely online. This was not always the case. You can now have a wide range of products to choose from.

The best brands of acne products

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

Neutrogena
Nutrimea
The Body Shop
TreeActiv
QRxLabs

Neutrogena is the #1 dermatologist recommended skin care brand. It offers a wide range of skin and hair care products. Neutrogena acne products take advantage of the brand's latest innovations.

Createdin 2012, Nutrimea is a French brand that specializes in the manufacture of organic dietary supplements and essential oils. The brand also offers acne products in the form of dietary supplements. The dosage of their formula has been controlled to offer the best results with the least amount of side effects.

TheBody Shop is a British cosmetics, skin care 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 products, including effective acne products starting at €10.

It's 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 products. For example, they are guaranteed palm oil, paraben-free and GMO-free.

Createdin 2016, QRxLabs is a company specializing in skin care products. Its products are developed in the United States by a team of specialists, combining natural ingredients with the best of science, completely free of parabens and silicones. The QRxLabs catalog includes top of the line acne products.

What is the price for an acne product

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 10 £
Mid-range
10 £ to 20 £
High-end
more than 20 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Start with less potent acne products.

This can help minimize redness, dry skin and other skin problems. If necessary, slowly increase the strength of the product you use and the frequency with which you use it over several weeks. This helps your skin gradually adjust to the acne treatment you are using.

Use products with different active ingredients to treat severe acne

Acne ingredients work in different ways, so you may find it helpful to use different products and ingredients to treat a severe breakout. Apply one product in the morning and another at night to avoid skin irritation.

Don't forget to moisturize your skin

Skin oil and skin moisture are two separate issues. This means it's possible to have both oily and dehydrated skin, especially if you regularly use an irritating acne product. Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer, so it doesn't further clog your pores, before applying an acne product for best results.

"Organic" doesn't always mean better

Theterms "natural" and "organic" on the label of an acne product is sometimes more of a marketing gimmick than anything else. Because these terms are not regulated and there are no specific industry standards governing them, they can offer empty promises. Sometimes a product will be labeled as "organic" with reference to only one or two of the ingredients in the list of components.

Be patient

Treating acne with such products takes time and patience. To see successful results with an acne product, it usually takes one to three months of daily use.

FAQ

How do I get rid of acne pimples without a product?

Although conventional treatments, such as the use of acne products, can clear up pimples, 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. This will mainly involve a localized application of one of these natural products to the affected area of the face.

Why won't my acne go away?

Skin eruptions that last for months despite theuse of acne productsmay have a genetic origin. This type of persistent acne is called tardive acne. In addition, researchers have also found other possible causes such as hormonal disorders, smoking or stress.

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

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

Can I use an acne product if I have sensitive skin?

Yes. If you have sensitive skin, there are acne products on the market with a mild pH. Be careful to choose the right product, because there are acne products for men that are made with strong ingredients and can cause irritation.

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. Face Care Others - Toxic Substances in Cosmetics Comparison, Quechoisir.org
  3. Complete Guide to Acne: Causes Treatments Myths and Realities | Natura, Naturabrasil.fr
  4. Acne Treatment: How to Get Rid of Pimples, Qare.fr
  5. Acne: How to Get Rid of Acne as Fast as Possible?, Topsante.com
  6. Effective treatments for acne on the face, Optiondermasante.com
  7. Best Acne Treatment: Spot Creams and Solutions, Glamourmagazine.co.uk
  8. Acne Treatment Reviews, Consumerreports.org
  9. How to Get Rid of Acne (Pimples) Causes Symptoms & Home Remedies, Medicinenet.com
  10. Natural remedies for acne: what really works?, Patient.info
  11. Acne Treatment & Medication for Pimples Blackheads & Whiteheads, Webmd.com
  12. The best skin care products for acne-prone skin according to dermatologists, Nbcnews.com
  13. The best products to fight acne ..., cosmopolitan.fr
  14. The most effective products for adult acne ..., marieclaire.fr
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  17. Adult acne: 15 effective products against pimples, mariefrance.fr
  18. Acne: effective treatments against acne - Doctissimo, doctissimo.fr
  19. Acne products | notino.fr, notino.fr
  20. How to get rid of acne: 5 natural recipes ..., marieclaire.fr
  21. Creams and products for acne and facial blemishes, easyparapharmacie.com
  22. 13 effective home remedies for acne | Selection.ca, selection.ca
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  24. Adult acne: 10 targeted products to take action ..., ellequebec.com
  25. Best Acne Product 2021 [Comparison], selectos.eu
  26. What fruits to eat for acne - 4 steps, beaute.toutcomment.com
  27. The Ordinary - Deciem - Anti-acne advice (my routine since ..., vicoudamour.com
  28. Accumulative acne: which active ingredients to choose against ..., madmoizelle.com
  29. Acne in teens: how to treat acne? - Magicmaman.com, magicmaman.com
  30. Teenage acne : causes hygiene advice and ..., santemagazine.fr
  31. Acne treatment [Solved] - Journal des Femmes, sante-medecine.journaldesfemmes.fr
  32. Acne : How to get rid of it ? - natural solutions ..., aroma-zone.com
  33. The best products to treat acne - Reviews ..., drsoleil.fr
See more

Updates

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

See more
Our selection
Acne product - Zinc Nutrimea 9
Acne product - Zinc Nutrimea
Topicrem Acne Cream 10
Topicrem Acne Cream
TreeActiv Acne Cream 11
TreeActiv Acne Cream
Tea Tree Oil The Body Shop 12
Tea Tree Oil The Body Shop

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