We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
11 best spot treatments for clearer, healthier skin, tested on 280 people
We've found the top gels, patches and creams to banish breakouts
Tested by Denny DailyFormer Beauty and Grooming Tester
We can follow all the skincare advice to keep blemishes at bay, but even with the best intentions, there’s no avoiding the odd breakout. Especially when our hormones get involved.
But before you reach for your magnifying mirror, though, remember that the worst thing you can do is pick a spot – as tempting as it may be. It can prolong the healing process, cause scarring and result in further breakouts.
Help is at hand though. While you may have resorted to home remedies in the past – such as toothpaste, Sudocrem and that old bottle of antiseptic lingering in your first aid kit – thankfully, the beauty industry has developed more science-backed solutions.
Not sure where to start? The Good Housekeeping Institute recruited a panel of 280 testers to put a range of market-leading spot treatments to the test, to find those that targeted blemishes quickly and effectively.
Best spot treatments
These are our top-rated spot treatments at a glance, but keep reading for our full reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Upgrade your routine with more tried and tested skincare: Best acne face wash cleansers | Best niacinamide serums | Best day creams | Best night creams
What causes spots and breakouts?
Hormones can be one of the main causes of spots; generally, hormonal spots will appear around week four of the menstrual cycle, as the overproduction of sebum risks blocked pores. Hormonal imbalances during perimenopause and menopause can also play havoc with your skin (be sure to check out our best menopause skincare roundup if that's a concern). Stress, diet, pollution and medication changes can all cause breakouts too.
If you struggle with acne, Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics skin clinics, advises against using harsh traditional spot creams that contain a lot of alcohol. “Yes, they can dissolve grime and make your skin feel squeaky clean, but they can also be exceptionally harsh on your skin, causing irritation and in turn more oil production that may in fact worsen your acne,' he says.
Instead, try a targeted spot treatment that tackles breakouts without stripping the skin's protective moisture barrier.
How do spot treatments work?
“Spot treatments work in different ways,” says Dr Perry. “Key ingredients to look out for include benzoyl peroxide to kill the bacteria that causes acne, remove excess oil from the skin and slough away dead skin cells; salicylic acid to prevent pores becoming blocked; and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to remove dead skin cells and reduce inflammation.”
Our tried and tested spot treatments typically contain a powerful combination of the above to target blemishes at the source (often, before they have the chance to surface). However, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and Dr Perry warns that most skincare products require time and patience to be effective.
When buying a spot treatment, keep your skin type in mind. If you have an oily complexion, then you may want a higher concentration of acne-fighting ingredients, while those with sensitive skin may want to opt for a lower dose, with the addition of hydrating actives such as hyaluronic acid.
How to prevent spots
Other than finding the right spot treatment for you, Dr Perry has a few other dos and don'ts when it comes to preventing acne.
- Do drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated – aim for at least eight glasses a day.
- Do eat a healthy diet consisting of leafy greens, fish and probiotics, such as yoghurt, kefir and kimchi, which contain “friendly bacteria” that can help reduce inflammation.
- Do cleanse every morning and night and exfoliate a couple of times weekly to unclog pores.
- Do use an oil-free daily SPF30 as the sun can also spark breakouts.
- Do seek advice from your GP if you have moderate to severe acne and over-the-counter products haven't worked. If acne is making you depressed or anxious, don't hesitate to seek medical advice.
- Don't keep touching your face, especially your chin, which naturally produces more oil and sebum, and definitely don't squeeze!
- Don't drink a lot of alcohol or smoke cigarettes.
How we test spot treatments
We recruited over 280 panellists to try one of 19 spot treatments over a four-week period. Each treatment was assessed on its ease of application, texture and effectiveness at tackling breakouts, with the highest scores given to those that both combatted redness and reduced the size of spots.
Testers also closely monitored the frequency of future breakouts, and noted whether the product caused any irritation or sensitivity.
Back in the Good Housekeeping Institute beauty lab, our experts used a VISIA complexion analyser to check for any significant skin improvements. Panellists had before and after lab appointments on the first and final days of the trial.
These are the spot treatments that came out on top.
Score: 90/100
Our winning spot treatment from popular science-backed skincare brand, Medik8, wowed testers with its quick, targeted results – everyone agreed that it reduced the overall appearance, size and redness of their blemishes.
Not only that, but panellists praised the easy application and lightweight feel of the formula, adding that it had no noticeable scent and didn't leave a sticky residue, which means you can wear it under makeup.
Key specifications
| Volume | 15ml |
|---|---|
| Skin types | Suitable for all |
| Type | Gel |
Score: 87/100
These small yet mighty preventative stickers are powered by microdart technology. Sound confusing? All you need to know is that they dissolve deep into the skin to target blemishes before they reach the surface.
Our panellists found them easy and effective to use overnight and the healing process is “incredibly quick”, with most reporting a reduction in redness and irritation almost immediately.
Key specifications
| Type | Stickers |
|---|---|
| Number | 4 |
| Skin types | Suitable for all |
Murad Deep Relief Blemish Treatment
Score: 87/100
Deeper blemishes are notoriously difficult to treat, as most spot serums only work at surface level. But not Murad’s Deep Relief Acne Treatment, which uses an invisible film-forming polymer to lock in active ingredients (such as salicylic acid) for more effective results.
Designed to clear skin, reduce redness and offer a boost of soothing hydration, the majority of our panellists experienced an improvement in the appearance and size of their blemishes, with one praising the “smooth, cooling and easy-to-apply formula.”
Key specifications
| Type | Serum |
|---|---|
| Volume | 30ml |
| Skin types | Oily, combination, dry |
Kate Somerville Microbiome Blemish Mark Fading Gel
Score: 84/100
Our testers found this gel treatment luxuriously silky to apply and effective at soothing redness (helpful if a spot decides to appear just as you're heading out for the night...).
They reported clearer skin, improved texture and fewer breakouts, with many commenting on the “truly amazing” scent. Though expensive, only a small dose is required with each use, so it should last you a while.
Key specifications
| Type | Gel |
|---|---|
| Size | 30ml |
| Skin types | Suitable for all |
CeraVe Blemish Control Gel
Score: 83/100
Having built a reputation for budget-friendly, results-driven skincare, it’s unsurprising that CeraVe performed so well in our tests.
Enriched with three essential ceramides and a powerful blend of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids – including glycolic acid, lactic acid and 2% salicylic acid (which is proven to reduce swelling and redness) – this gel busted blemishes and suited all skin types, with none of our participants reporting any stinging, irritation or dryness after regular use.
It’s lightweight and easy to apply, too, while the large 40ml tube promises weeks (if not months) of treatments.
Read more: GH editors' share their favourite CeraVe products
Key specifications
| Type | Gel |
|---|---|
| Volume | 40ml |
| Skin types | Blemish-prone, combination |
Score: 83/100
Frequent flyer? These nifty spot patches are perfect for packing in your best suitcase without compromising your baggage allowance. Our testers found them particularly effective for overnight use, saying they stayed in place, resulting in a noticeable improvement in the size and redness of spots by the morning.
The only drawback? Some would have liked larger patches for bigger blemishes, but that wasn’t enough to put panellists off continuing to use them post-trial.
Key specifications
| Type | Stickers |
|---|---|
| Number | 32 |
| Skin types | Suitable for all |
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Score: 82/100
This water-based, 2% salicylic acid solution works hard to target textural irregularities, reduce congestion and clear skin. Don’t just take our word for it, though; almost all our testers noticed an improvement in the appearance, size and redness of blemishes after use, adding that it improved the healing time and led to fewer future breakouts.
The glass dropper made the product “easy to dispense,” while the formula was quick to absorb and left no visible residue. All in all, this is a skincare steal for the price.
Key specifications
| Type | Serum |
|---|---|
| Volume | 30ml |
| Skin types | Oily, blemish-prone |
Dr. Barbara Sturm The Ultimate Stinky Pimple Treatment
Score: 82/100
Dr. Sturm's treatment contains anti-inflammatory shale oil (used mainly in the treatment of skin problems, such as acne or psoriasis), which has anti-microbial and sebum-regulating properties. It also contains lactic acid to help unclog pores and even out skin tone.
It didn't cause any irritation or dryness for our testers, but it did dry out their spots a treat, speeding up their healing time.
Key specifications
| Type | Serum |
|---|---|
| Volume | 30ml |
| Skin types | Oily, acne-prone |
Origins Super Spot Remover Blemish Treatment Gel
Score: 82/100
This purifying formula from Origins contains powerhouse skincare ingredients such as salicylic acid and saw palmetto to fight, fade and help prevent blemishes long-term. Our testers loved how easy it was to apply and absorb, meaning they could keep their skincare routine quick and streamlined on time-poor mornings.
“I have recurring acne and texture on my forehead that typically takes weeks to fade, but this left my skin completely clear after just two days,” said one tester. How’s that for convincing?
Key specifications
| Type | Gel |
|---|---|
| Volume | 10ml |
| Skin types | Suitable for all |
The Inkey List Succinic Acid Blemish Treatment
Score: 81/100
This spot formula contains 2% succinic acid, which works by gently exfoliating the skin, clearing pores and balancing excess oil production to keep blemishes at bay. One panellist particularly liked the “lightweight yet creamy” texture, which was quick and easy to apply (even under makeup).
There was no drying or flaking throughout the day, with most testers reporting an improvement in the appearance of blemishes. At this price, it’s well worth adding to your daily regime.
Key specifications
| Type | Cream |
|---|---|
| Volume | 15ml |
| Skin types | Suitable for all |
Avène Cleanance Localised Drying Emulsion
Score: 80/100
Our testers were big fans of this lightweight, fragrance-free formula, which – unlike many other spot treatments – absorbed quickly and left no visible residue post-application.
Overall, Avène’s treatment was highly effective in targeting blemishes, with most participants reporting a reduction in the size of their spots, while most saw a reduction in redness too (without any painful stinging or irritation).
Key specifications
| Type | Cream |
|---|---|
| Volume | 15ml |
| Skin types | Oily, blemish-prone |
These treatments also passed...
- Emma Hardie Lotus Flower Blemish Treatment, £20; 79/100
- Garnier Pure Active SOS Anti-Blemish Stick, £5.99; 78/100
- REN Clean Skincare Non-Drying Spot Treatment, £20; 78/100
- Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, £20; 78/100
- Florence by Mills Spot a Spot Blemish Patches, £15; 75/100
- Glowhub Zit Zap Wand, £6.40; 73/100
9 April 2025: We updated this article to reflect the latest prices and stock levels. We also added in links to other relevant skincare articles from our beauty experts.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Denny our Former Beauty and Grooming Tester has an in-depth knowledge and background in beauty and PR. She has spoken on panels with Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) and has worked with many beauty brands as a commercial model. Since joining in October 2022, she has worked on numerous testing categories including over 18 different brands for vitamin C serums, scalp scrubs, shampoos for dry hair and many more. She has over 20k followers on TikTok where she shares beauty and fashion tips otherwise better known as Denny Daily.
The best luxury hand soaps and creams
The best LED face masks, tested by 170 people
Best bronzers for a sun-kissed glow
The best concealers, tried and tested
