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The best spot treatments for clearer, healthier skin, tested by 330 people
We've found the top gels, patches and creams to banish breakouts
Tested by Juliet HeatonBeauty Innovation 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.
Help is at hand though, as the best spot treatments will help to calm and clear blemishes. While you may have resorted to home remedies in the past – 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 330 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 2026
These are our top-rated spot treatments at a glance, but keep reading for our full reviews.
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Best for reducing swelling
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Advanced Clearing Gel
Read review - 3
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It can be hard to know which ones actually work just from reading the ingredients list, but we were able to analyse before and after pictures using our specialist machines in the lab. Combined with detailed feedback from over 330 testers with spot-prone skin who used each treatment for a minimum of four weeks, we found the formulas that made a real difference. Read more about our testing process below the reviews, along with advice from leading dermatologists on what to look for when you shop.
But first, there are the spot treatments that came out on top.
Medik8 Blemish SOS
Medik8 Blemish SOS
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 |
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Advanced Clearing Gel
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Advanced Clearing Gel
Score: 88/100
The most bulbous spots always seem to crop up at the wrong time (not that there’s ever a right time), but this treatment from Clinique may come in handy when a big blemish appears on the day of your first date/wedding/interview. It was a hit with our panellists for its ability to quickly reduce the size and swelling of a spot without drying out the surrounding skin.
The salicylic acid and witch hazel blend can be applied directly onto spots or as an all-over treatment. Either way, the two work to gently buff away dead skin cells and leave behind a clearer complexion, treating existing blemishes while preventing new ones forming.
Key specifications
| Volume | 10ml |
|---|---|
| Skin types | All, and at any point during your cycle |
| Type | Gel |
BYOMA Blemish Clearing Paste
BYOMA Blemish Clearing Paste
Score: 87/100
For those wanting a quick fix, this paste was rated by our testers for its ability to dry spots out, fast. How? It’s down to the ‘Clearamide’ complex, a patent-pending formula you’ll find throughout BYOMA’s blemish-clearing range.
It contains the all-important salicylic acid to help target active blemishes as well as any post-blemish pigmentation. Kaolin clay also helps to draw out impurities from the skin and leave it looking clearer.
“It instantly calms spots and provides a light cover to disguise redness,” said one panel member, referring to the formulation’s sheer tint, which helps to reduce the signs of breakouts.
Key specifications
| Volume | 15ml |
|---|---|
| Skin types | All |
| Type | Cream |
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
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 |
Caudelie Vinopure Salicylic Spot Solution
Caudelie Vinopure Salicylic Spot Solution
Score: 85/100
This green colour-correcting tint is the perfect antidote to red, angry skin – the shades sit opposite each other on the colour wheel, so they cancel each other out.
It’s a clever concept executed extremely effectively – many of our panellists said it helps reduce signs of breakouts straight away. “I appreciated the immediate reduction in redness, which helped blemishes look less visible,” said one tester. The brand says the subtle green solution works as a great colour fix corrector underneath your makeup, too.
But it doesn’t just disguise the breakout; it also fights the blemish itself thanks to the salicylic acid in the formula – the oil-soluble exfoliant works to unclog pores.
Key specifications
| Volume | 15ml |
|---|---|
| Skin types | Particularly acne prone |
| Type | Cream |
Kate Somerville EradiKate 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 |
Starface Hydro-Stars
Starface Hydro-Stars
Score: 83/100
Frequent flyer? These nifty spot patches are perfect for packing in your 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
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
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
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 |
These spot 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, £17.80; 78/100
- Glowhub Zit Zap Wand, £8; 73/100
- Perricone MD Blemish Relief, £12; 73/100
How we test spot treatments
We recruited over 330 panellists to a wide range of spot treatments and formulas for at least for weeks before giving us detailed feedback on the areas that matter. Each treatment was assessed on its ease of application, texture and, of course, 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 after the testing period. Panellists had before and after lab appointments on the first and final days of the trial.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We’ve been testing products at the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 100 years. And thousands of skincare products have been tested in our beauty lab, from the best retinol serums to the best day creams.
Our beauty testers use specialist machinery to determine how effective these spot treatments really are at reducing the appearance and size of blemishes, checking panellists’ skin on the first and final day of the trial period. Our beauty tester, Juliet Heaton, also worked with panel members to collate their honest feedback on each product via a detailed survey.
Our senior beauty writer, Florence Reeves-White, then used all this feedback and data to create the most accurate and honest reviews. She has written skincare, makeup and haircare product reviews across multiple titles for several years now and has used many of the products herself.
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.
What clears spots up fast?
“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 help 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 do require time and patience to be effective.
What is the most effective pimple spot treatment?
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.
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The verdict on the best spot treatments
When it comes to our skincare tests, Medik8 often performs well. And the Medik8 Blemish SOS Gel is our winning spot treatment overall, scoring top marks for reducing the size and appearance of spots.
The ZitSticka Killa Kit Acne Patches comes in a close second and are a good pick if you want the convenience of spot stickers. They help with the healing process, and ward off any temptation to pick!
The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid Solution is both cost-effective and spot-eradicating-effective, helping to calm breakouts for just £6.
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
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Juliet has masters degrees in both chemistry and cosmetic science, and has worked in formulation development for both Dove and The Body Shop. She has an in-depth knowledge of ingredients and tests used in the beauty industry, as a result of working in research and development for five years.
She uses this all this experience and learning to test products against their claims in the GHI beauty lab. She loves working with our reader panel directly to hear about their experiences with the many products we test.
