10 Best Acne Treatments For Teens That Can Help Prevent Breakouts

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.

10 Best Acne Treatments For Teens That Work

1. Best Oil-Free Formula: Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment 

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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 reduce the pimple size, swelling, and redness without drying your skin. To understand the nuances of the product in detail, you can check out this review.

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.

2. Best For All Skin Types: Tree Activ Acne Eliminating Face Cleanser 

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 peppermint essential oil that helps the skin control oil production. It 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.

Pros

• Suitable for all skin types
• Paraben-free
• Sulfate-free
• Phthalate-free
• Mineral oil-free
• Formaldehyde-free
• No harmful chemicals
• Contains natural ingredients
• Visible results and improvements

Cons

• Expensive

3. Best Cruelty-Free Formula: NxN Acne Edit System

The Acne Edit System is an entire acne range by NxN. It is made using their Acne Edit Complex that contains advanced natural extracts, probiotics, and proven acne fighters like salicylic acid, willow bark, and witch hazel extracts. It also contains green tea extracts 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.

Pros

• Recommended and tested by dermatologists
• 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

4. Best Affordable Option: Keeva Organics Acne Treatment Cream

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. It also helps to balance oil production and prevent future breakouts. 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.

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.

5. Best In Easy-To-Use: Neutrogena Rapid Clear Treatment Pads

These treatment pads are easy to use. They help clear breakouts fast and also prevent any further breakouts. 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. This helps reduce the pimple size, swelling, and redness associated with the breakout.

Pros

• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Dries out pimple/acne fast
• Visible and quick result

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.

6. Best Dermatologist-Developed Acne Treatment: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 

The Differin Gel contains 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. It also reduces the chances of getting blemishes and keeps the skin pores clean. It 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.

Pros

• FDA-approved
• Dermatologist-developed
• Quick results
• Clears acne fast

Cons

• Contains parabens

7. Best Gentle Formula: Exposed Skin Care Facial Cleanser

This face cleanser contains skin-clearing ingredients and is a special formulation of AHAs and BHAs along with olive leaf extract. It contains salicylic acid, pro-vitamin B5, and sage extracts that help clear skin pores, regulate oil production, and prevent dryness and irritation. It is a rich but gentle face cleanser that prevents blemishes caused by acne.

Pros

• Paraben-free
• Sulfate-free
• Phthalate-free
• No harmful chemicals
• Helps to reduce blackheads

Cons

• Can be drying, follow up with a moisturizer

8. Best For Blackheads: Acne Free Blackhead Removing Exfoliating Face Scrub

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. It also helps to remove blackheads, tighten the skin pores, and keep the skin blemish-free.

Note: Use with caution and once or twice a week. Over-exfoliation worsens acne.

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.

9. Best Lightweight Formula: Touch Acne Treatment Gel

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. It is a lightweight gel and can be used for face and body acne. It helps to prevent future breakouts and reduces redness.

Pros

• Made in FDA-inspected facility
• Cruelty-free
• Paraben-free
• Sulfate-free
• Phthalate-free
• No fragrance
• No synthetic color

Cons

• May take time to show results for stubborn acne

10. Best Cruelty-Free Formula: Amire Drying Lotion 

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 applicated area. It helps reduce redness, inflammation, and pain caused by acne and breakouts.

Pros

• Formulated in FDA registered laboratory
• Never tested on animals
• Paraben-free
• Sulfate-free
• Phthalate-free
• No harmful chemicals
• Non-irritating

Cons

• Might leave a thin residue on the skin

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.

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, as they 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. Make her wash the face twice daily with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water to remove any dirt and buildup from 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.

Recommended Articles

• Essential Skin Care Tips For Teenagers
• Essential And Simple Beauty Tips For Teenage Girls To Look Flawless
• Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Open Pores On Skin
• Best Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Blemishes On Face

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Shiboli ChakrabortiEditor

 

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with three years of experience. As an editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content. She loves reviewing skin care and hair care products and constantly endeavors to provide value...more