The Cosmetics Cop’s Best Acne Products
Before beauty blogging infiltrated the internet, there was one source many beauty-product-buying consumers looked to for in-depth product reviews–Paula Begoun aka The Cosmetics Cop. Her thick books that reviewed thousands of makeup, skin care, and hair care products were always on my Christmas list because her advice was always on point.
Now she brings us a list of the Best Acne-Fighting Products. Check it out:
- Alpha Hydrox Face Wash ($5.99 for 6 ounces)
- Boots Expert Anti-Blemish Cleansing Foam ($5.29 for 5 ounces)
- Boots No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Cleanser, for Oily/Combination Skin ($7.99 for 6.6 ounces)
- Clean & Clear Daily Pore Cleanser, Oil-Free ($5.49 for 5.5 ounces)
- Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser, Sensitive Skin ($5.49 for 8 ounces)
Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild Formula ($15 for 6.7 ounces)- Dior Self-Foaming Cleanser ($29 for 5 ounces)
- Dove Cool Moisture Foaming Facial Cleanser ($6.49 for 6.76 ounces)
- Good Skin Perfect Balance Gel Cleanser ($12.50 for 6.7 ounces)
- Jan Marini Bioglycolic Bioclean Cleanser ($29 for 8 ounces)
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser, For All Skin Types ($17.50 for 5 ounces)
- Laura Mercier Oil-Free Gel Cleanser ($35 for 8 ounces)
- Laura Mercier One-Step Cleanser ($35 for 8 ounces)
- Mary Kay Deep Cleanser Formula 3 ($12 for 6.5 ounces)
- MD Forte Replenish Hydrating Cleanser, Glycolic Free ($25 for 8 ounces)
- Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser ($6.59 for 6.7 ounces)
- Neutrogena One Step Gentle Cleanser ($7.49 for 5.2 ounces)
- Olay Foaming Face Wash, for Sensitive Skin ($4.49 for 6.78 ounces)
- Patricia Wexler M.D. Dual Action Foaming Cleanser ($16 for 5.1 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice CLEAR Normalizing Cleanser ($10.95 for 6 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Cleanser ($15.95 for 8 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice One Step Face Cleanser for Normal to Oily/Combination Skin ($15.95 for 8 ounces)
- Patricia Wexler M.D. Dual Action Foaming Cleanser ($16 for 5.1 ounces)
- Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Foaming Cleanser ($32 for 6.7 ounces)
- Ultraceuticals Gentle Cleansing Gel ($36 for 6.76 ounces)
- Zia Natural HydraClean Face Wash ($9.95 for 5 ounces)
- Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10, Maximum Strength ($5.89 for 1 ounce)
- Clearasil StayClear Tinted Acne Treatment Cream ($6.29 for 1
ounce) - Clearasil StayClear Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream ($6.29 for 1 ounce)
- Clinique Acne Solutions Emergency Gel Lotion ($13.50 for 0.5 ounce)
- Kate Somerville Anti-Bac Clearing Lotion ($39 for 1.7 ounces)
- Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel ($7 for 1 ounce)
- Oxy Oxy Spot Treatment ($5.49 for 0.65 ounce)
- Paula’s Choice CLEAR Acne Fighting Treatment ($16.95 for 2.25 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Acne Fighting Treatment ($17.95 for 2.25 ounces)
- ProActiv Solution Repairing Lotion ($21.75 for 2 ounces)
- Rodan + Fields Step 3: Unblemish Acne Benzoyl Peroxide Treatment ($47 for 1.7 ounces)
- Serious Skin Care Clearz-It Acne Medication ($17.50 for 2 ounces)
- Stridex Power Pads ($6.99 for 28 pads)
- Zapzyt 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Gel ($5.29 for 1 ounce)
- Clinique Skin Conditioning Treatment ($65 for 1 ounce)
- Cosmedicine Speedy Recovery Acne Treatment Daytime Blemish Lotion SPF
15 ($40 for 2 ounces) - Cosmedicine Speedy Recovery Acne Treatment On-the-Spot Gel ($18 for 0.23 ounce)
- Estee Lauder Fruition Extra Multi-Action Complex ($73 for 1.7 ounces)
- Jan Marini Factor-A Plus Mask ($81 for 2 ounces)
- Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress ontrol 3-In-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment ($7.99 for 2 ounces)
- Nu Skin Clear Action Acne Medication Night Treatment ($38 for 1 ounce)
- Paula’s Choice CLEAR Targeted Relief Acne Toner with 2% Salicylic Acid ($18.95 for 4 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Targeted Relief Acne Toner with 2% Salicylic Acid ($18.95 for 4 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice 1% Beta Hydroxy Acid Lotion ($18.95 for 4 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice 1% Beta Hydroxy Acid Gel ($18.95 for 4 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Lotion ($18.95 for 4 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Gel ($18.95 for 4 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Liquid ($18.95 for 4 ounces)
- ProActiv Solution Clarifying Night Cream ($28.75 for 1 ounce)
- Bioelements Restorative Clay Mask ($30 for 2.5 ounces)
- Biore Purify Self Heating Mask($7.99 for 2.08 ounces)
- Boots Botanics Conditioning Clay Mask ($8.99 for 4.2 ounces)
Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector ($17.50 for 0.5 ounce)- Cosmedicine Medi-Matte Tint Oil Control Lotion SPF 20 ($42 for 1.35 ounces)
- DHC Mineral Mask ($35 for 3.5 ounces)
- Jan Marini Factor-A Plus Mask ($81 for 2 ounces)
- Kiehl’s Rare Earth Facial Cleansing Masque, for Normal to Oily Skin Types ($20 for 5 ounces)
- Nu Skin Epoch Glacial Marine Mud ($24.70 for 7 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Carbon Mask ($14.95 for 4 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Mattifying Concentrate ($24.95 for 1 ounce)
- Skinceuticals Clarifying Clay Masque Deep Pore Cleansing Skin-Refining Masque ($42 for 2 ounces)
- Smashbox Anti-Shine ($27 for 1 ounce)
- The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Face Mask for Normal, Oily, or Blemished Skin ($15.50 for 4.8 ounces)
- Boots Expert Sensitive Light Moisturizing Lotion ($5.99 for 6.7 ounces)
- Boots Expert Sensitive Hydrating Serum ($7.49 for 1.6 ounces)
- BeautiControl Cell Block-C P.M. Cell Protection ($36.50 for 1 ounce)
- CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion ($12.99 for 12 ounces)
- Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer, for Combination Oily to
Oily Skin ($42.50 for 1.7 ounces) - Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer ($37.50 for 1 ounce)
- Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery Boosting Treatment ($85 for 1 ounce)
- Estee Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Radiance Serum ($40 for 1 ounce)
- Dermalogica AGE Smart Map-15 Regenerator ($85 for 0.3 ounce)
- Good Skin All Calm Moisture Lotion ($24.50 for 1.7 ounces)
- Isomers Absolutes Anti Redness Serum ($29.99 for 1 ounce)
- MD Formulations Critical Care Calming Gel ($39 for 1 ounce)
- MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Hydrating Gel ($45 for 1 ounce)
- Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum ($19.49 for 1.7 ounces, available in regular or fragrance-free, with the fragrance-free option being preferred)
- Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Moisture Gel ($18.95 for 2 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion ($18.95 for 2 ounces)
- Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate, for All Skin Types ($24.95 for 1 ounce)
- Prescriptives Intensive Rebuilding Lotion ($80 for 1.7 ounces)
- Prescriptives Redness Relief Gel ($50 for 1 ounce)
- Prescriptives Super Line Preventor Xtreme ($48 for 1 ounce)

P.S. Don’t forget to post your looks in the Shop Your Stash Challenge! Show some love to your favorite beauty products and get a chance to win a makeup organizer of your choice.



One Comment
I’m glad to see Olay products on a couple of these lists. I swear by Olay and tell friends to use it often because it’s gentle and wonderful and takes care of my acne problems BEAUTIFULLY.