For many, the sight of a breakout is more than just a skin issue—it can feel like a source of stress, and a confidence crusher. This reality hits close to home for many Canadians—including myself. I suffered with acne for years, even into adulthood.
In fact 1 in 5 women suffer from adult acne compared to 3 per cent men.
September is Acne Awareness Month in Canada—as the conversation around acne continues to evolve, the range of products on the market does too. Whether you’re looking for a targeted treatment, cleanser, moisturizer, or pimple patches, there are tons of acne products for every skin type and concern.
We scoured the internet to create the ultimate acne products guide for you featuring new launches and fan-favourites.
Here’s a close look at the best acne treatment products on the market. —Farah Khan
Peace Out Skin Acne Gel Moisturizer 2% Salicylic Acid ($49)
A medicated moisturizer with 2% salicylic acid that targets and prevents acne while boosting hydration and protecting the skin barrier with the ceramide complex, another key ingredient in the mix.
Marcelle Clari-T Skin Balancing Gel-Cream with 2% Salicylic Acid + Niacinamide ($25)
A lightweight moisturizer that minimizes blemishes and pore while hydrating and soothing skin. The formula reduces excess sebum, exfoliates, and reveals clearer skin.
Skinfix acne+ adapinoid Gel with Niacinamide + Squalane ($65)
Created for acne-prone skin, this is the first-ever Adapinoid retinoid that reduces blemishes and redness while boosting hydration ensuring it is gentle on the skin barrier especially for those who can’t handle traditional retinols.
Kiehl’s Since 1851 Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Pimple Patch with Salicylic Acid ($41)
If you’re a fan of pimple patches, you’ll want to check this out. This is an invisible liquid pimple patch made with 2% salicylic acid. It creates a breathable seal around the pimples to shrink size and reduce post-blemish marks. You can wear it under your SPF or makeup.
Vivier Acne Treatment System ($130)
Known for their premium pharmaceutical skin care line up, this is a medicated 2-step acne treatment system with a face wash and acne treatment lotion. It’s effective in clearing pimples in as little as 2 weeks.
PanOxyl Clarifying Exfoliant ($16)
A leave-in liquid exfoliant treatment that’s great for the most sensitive acne-prone skin. It’s lightweight and gentle yet effective enough to target acne and clear pores with 2% salicylic acid.
Vichy Normaderm Anti-Acne Purifying Cleansing Gel ($27)
This fan-favourite face cleanser with 0.5% salicylic acid is great for targeting acne and oiliness without drying the skin. It’s the perfect fit for acne-prone and sensitive skin if you’re looking for something effective yet it’s gentle on the skin.
Blume Buds – Power Patches for Acne-Prone Skin ($20)
Vegan hydrocolloid patches that are clinically tested to work within 6 hours targeting acne, blemishes, redress, and absorbing fluids.
Alphascience Alpha Night Peel ($170)
This soothing serum is perfect for targeting blemish-prone skin and what’s great is that it is designed for dry to oil skin types including acne-prone skin types. It reduces imperfections, acne scars, and evens out complexion.
Avène Cleanance Comedomed Anti-Blemish Concentrate ($24)
A blemish control serum made to fight blemishes while soothing and calming the skin with the Avene thermal spring water. It works hard to clear skin and maintain a healthy skin balance overall for oily and blemish-prone skin types.
Burt’s Bees Clear and Balanced Skin Balancing Gel Cream ($18)
A lightweight gel moisturizer that hydrates and replenishes oily to acne-prone skin types without causing breakouts. It has squalane and prebiotics that support a healthy skin barrier while preventing new breakouts.
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum ($57)
An AHA and BHA salicylic acid serum designed to address breakouts, clear skin, while soothing and hydrating skin with hyaluronic acid. The Clarity Acid Complex works hard to treat blemishes and target pores while ensuring skin is soothed.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ ACNE Cream (Sale $26)
A 24-hour lightweight hydrating lotion designed to treat and prevent acne and suitable for sensitive skin too. It has salicylic acid and niacinamide that treats and heals the skin at the same time.
Omy Lab Blemish Control Serum (Sale $55)
A lightweight, non-greasy 1% salicylic acid serum that reduces blemishes and redness while targeting skin with anti-inflammatory properties and natural prebiotics to heal and protect the barrier. Omy has personalized serums as well to target your specific needs.
Saje Claritea Blemish Care ($21)
Different from your traditional acne treatments, this is an oil blend roll-on spot treatment specifically for oily to acne-prone skin. It works to reduce redness, clarify pores, and minimize breakouts on the face and body.
Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads ($65)
Acne pads that target the toughest of breakouts and chemically exfoliate the skin with 2% salicylic acid and 10% glycolic acid. It also has aloe and allantoin to soothe the skin. It’s best to start off using every other day or once a day only.
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