The best products for treating adult acne

For a thorough clean, you can’t go past Mary Kay Clarifying Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin. With two per cent salicylic acid, this lightweight foaming cleanser leaves skin clean and refreshed, with the acne-fighting formula controlling breakouts and keeping dead skin from collecting in pores.

Dr. LeWinn’s Reversaderm Glycolic Clarifying Cleanser is made with 12 per cent glycolic acid. The AHA cleanser removes makeup and daily residue, improving the overall appearance of your skin without drying the skin out or causing irritation.

Natio Acne Clear Daily Purifying Body Cleanser is a gel cleanser that works to minimise blemishes and acne on the body. It contains tamanau and salicylic acid to clear pores and horse chestnut to remove excess surface oil.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Shine Control Daily Scrub contains salicylic acid to target breakouts, and rice proteins to absorb excess oil for up to eight hours.

glō.therapeutics Clear Complexion Pads are facial pads formulated to gently break down excess sebum and balance oily skin types. It contains salicylic and citric acids and spearmint to help to prevent the growth of acne-causing bacteria. 

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense is the two-in-one acid blend combining two per cent dioic acid, perfect for preventing the formation of acne, minimising blemishes, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

For an added kick of anti-ageing benefits with your acne treatment, try Dermaviduals Vitamin A Nanoparticles. Not just an excellent topical ingredient for treating acne, vitamin A helps support the formation of collagen and promote the regeneration of mature skin.

Vitamin C is a cure-all ingredient and Paula’s Choice Resist C15 Super Booster contains 15 per cent vitamin C for brightening your complexion, fading your brown spots and improving overall skin tone. Plus, ferulic acid boosts antioxidant benefits to defend against photo-ageing. Just add a few drops into your moisturiser or serum.

The HydroPeptide 5x Power Peel is a pack of resurfacing pads for clarifying, brightening and smoothing skin. They’re packed with glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids, exfoliating peptides and mushroom enzyme, to combat clogged pores, excess oils and redness.

Alpha-H Balancing and Pore Refining Mask is an aromatic clay mask, which effectively draws out embedded toxins and impurities without stripping or dehydrating the skin. It contains antibacterial lavender, pore cleansing white clay, zinc oxide to accelerate post-acne healing and vitamin A to improve skin integrity.

It may be tempting to skip the moisturising step to avoid that greasy film on oil-prone skin, but hydrated skin can better handle acne treatments (which can often be very drying on the skin). Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream has a humectant, like glycerin, which binds moisture to skin and the gel consistency will feel refreshing on your skin.

Bioelements Pore Rescue Acne Gel is a one per cent salicylic acid acne treatment gel that penetrates facial pores to control acne breakouts and help prevent whiteheads and blackheads from forming.

Pevonia Botanica Spot Treatment contains highly concentrated, powerful ingredients that stop bacterial formation and activity to soothe skin. It unclogs pores and heals the skin for a clearer complexion.

The Jojoba Company Acne Attack Pack contains five acne-fighting products to help you get healthy, blemish-free skin. It includes: 100% Natural Australian Jojoba, Blemish Control Serum, and Spot-on Pimple Treatment.

e.l.f. Acne Fighting Foundation is a lightweight foundation that works to disguise skin imperfections such as redness, blemishes and uneven skin tone. The foundation has been formulated with salicylic acid, witch hazel, camphor, tea tree and aloe to prevent and treat acne and blemishes, all while you’re concealing breakouts.