Zits be gone! Arm yourself with these acne treatments to keep pimples, blemishes and spots at bay.
Suffering from regular adult acne? Or ever woken up with a giant zit a day before (or worse, on the day of) a highly anticipated occasion? Keep calm. We’ve picked a range of highly effective acne treatments in Singapore to target all sorts of acne and end all your skin woes, from angry red pimples to small clusters of zits. But let’s be honest – not all zits vanish overnight. Trust the process, do not pick on the zit, and you’ll be rewarded with no fuss and no marks.
Best acne treatments that target pesky pimples
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil
Most of the Honeycombers editorial team swear by The Bodyshop’s tea tree oil for zits, so you know this one’s a winner. Famous for its anti-bacterial properties to tackle newly formed pimples, tea tree oil helps to soothe inflammations and reduce the pimple quickly without overdrying your skin. To apply, dab it directly onto your skin, but always remember to keep your usage limited – think a drop or less to each spot.
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil, $20 for 10ml, available at The Body Shop stores islandwide and online.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
A godsend for acne-prone skin, Mario Badescu’s drying lotion zaps up cystic acne. The paraben-free solution has salicylic acid, camphor, sulfur and calamine to reduce redness, bumps and acne scars. Some may not be used to the smell but we find it quite calming. It usually does the job in three to four days so just trust the process. We only wish we had known about this miracle bottle during our adolescent days (ahh, puberty).
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, $36, available at Sephora.
Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Pad
This highly rated acne patch promises overnight results and the countless positive reviews can vouch for that. The clear hydrocolloid patch sucks out all the pus and oil from pimples and soothes the area so you’re left with no acne scars. Plus, it also comes in various sizes cos let’s face it – those nasty buggers can go big sometimes.
Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Pad, $5.90, available at Watsons.
T3 Pimple Gel
We all know that tea tree oil pairs perfectly with that pesky pimple aka your uninvited guest on your face. T3 Pimple Gel infuses the anti-inflammatory oil into a lightweight gel so you’re left with a non-greasy feel.
T3 Pimple Gel, from $6.50, available online and at Watsons and Guardian
Mentholatum Acnes Anti-Bacterial Acne Patch
By day, we use a camouflaging topical treatment but by night, it’s alright to go all unglam – we’re talking contacts off, hair tied up in a bun and an array of skincare products on your face. We also go in with these ultra thin but mighty acne patches that not only soak up all the pus and sebum from pimples, but also stop acne bacteria and protect the skin from other nasties.
Mentholatum Acnes Anti-Bacterial Acne Patch 0.03cm for Night, from $6.50, available at Shopee, Guardian and Watsons
My Clarins Clear-Out Targets Imperfections
There’s no need to worry about pesky zits. Just slather this gel-like formula onto the targeted spot and your blemish will be dried up and relieved in no time – or one to two days, max. Ingredients such as meadowsweet and purslane extract have purifying and soothing properties, which are the perfect SOS for your skin.
My Clarins Clear-Out Targets Imperfections, $28, available at My Clarins outlets.
Nexcare Acne Patch
If you’re the type who can’t resist popping your pimples, you need Nexcare’s Acne Patch. It acts as a protective cover while doubling up as a sponge to soak up all that nasty oil and pus. You can even see it working – the patch will begin to change colour as it begins the absorption process.
Nexcare Acne Patch, $6.15, available at Watsons stores islandwide.
Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions Maximum Strength Spot Treatment Cream
This popular Burt’s Bees acne solution contains liquorice root extract to soothe redness, as well as willow bark extract to unclog your pores. It’s best recommended for oily skin, so those with dry skin best stay away, lest you dry it out any further.
Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions Maximum Strength Spot Treatment Cream, $29.90, available at Sephora.
Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel
Clinique has always been one of the best sources for blemish solutions. Its clearing gel is no exception. Great for almost all skin types (with the exception of sensitive skin), it contains salicylic acid to battle blemishes instantly upon application and keep new ones from forming.
Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel, $35 for 15ml, available at Clinique counters at Isetan, Sephora, Tangs, Robinsons and BHG.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment
This dual action treatment doesn’t just reduce the visibility and severity of blemishes; it also sinks deep into pores to clear out blackheads and whiteheads. Plus, it contains micro-exfoliating LHA to thoroughly exfoliate skin cells, smoothing any roughness and purging your complexion. Be warned that this can dry out skin, so be sure to load up on lightweight moisturiser after application.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment, $42.90, available at Guardian and Watsons stores and online.
Foreo Espada Acne-Clearing Blue Light Pen
Tried everything but still can’t get rid of your acne? It’s time to break out the big guns, and by that, we mean bacteria-busting light technology. All it takes is 30 seconds for the pen’s blue light to penetrate below your skin’s surface and deep into follicles to kill acne-causing bacteria. Bonus: It’s made with Foreo’s antibacterial and medical-grade silicone covering to reduce the spread of germs on skin.
Foreo Espada Acne-Clearing Blue Light Pen, $209, Available from Sephora.
Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment
This powerful mud is a hard worker – it fights everything from breakouts and skin discolouration to blackheads and in-grown hair. The secret’s in the six-acid blend, which visibly brightens and softens skin, as well as activated charcoal, which gives your pores a deep cleanse.
Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment, $39 for 15g, available at Sephora stores and online.
Origins Super Spot Remover Treatment Gel
Got a nasty red pimple that just won’t disappear? Dab this Origins gel onto your spot and feel it instantly heal, thanks to salicylic acid. The combination of caffeine and red algae help to soothe and relieve redness as well as skin irritation.
Origins Super Spot Remover Treatment Gel, $34, available at Origins stores and Sephora.
