18 Best and Worst Acne Products

Zits happen. To make them go away instantly, reach for one of the best products on this list -- and steer clear of the ones that do squat

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Adult acne seems like a cruel joke. Weren't we supposed to leave the zits behind with our fluffy '90s bangs and high school boyfriend?

While some women are lucky enough to outgrow teen acne (or skip it entirely, jerks), the rest of us need help dealing with the recurring blemishes in our 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond. That's where this list of the best and worst acne products becomes especially handy. With it, we can navigate the endless blemish control options out there and hone in on the ones that will truly make a difference in our skin.

Skip ahead to see the 18 best and worst acne products now.

Of course, products aren't the only acne solution. That's why we talked to Doris Day, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the New York University Langone Medical Center. She gave us these tips on how to prevent zits from popping up in the first place:

• Get seven to eight hours of sleep at night, which is the time needed for skin to recoup and heal any damage done during the day.
• Cut out dairy. The additional androgen hormones in cow's milk can cause hormonal imbalances in women and result in breakouts.
• Eat antioxidant-rich cranberries, pomegranates, and blueberries to help your face (and body) heal faster.
• Change your pillowcase daily to remove any bacteria or leftover makeup residue.

Then, try these reader-tested products that reviewers say will turn acne into a distant memory -- just like that cheesy haircut (and equally-cheesy high school boyfriend).

By Stephanie Shum

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