There are many acne creams available to help you treat those persistent red spots that keep popping up all over your skin, and depending on the severity and type of acne you have, certain creams will work better for your skin needs. The best acne creams typically contain one of the following active ingredients: salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid. What is the difference between all of these? Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most frequently prescribed acne treatments and is found in products such as Clearasil and ProActive and works by introducing oxgen into the pore, killing the bacteria responsible for acne. Read 10 Best Drugstore Acne Fighting Products for a list of more of the best acne creams and other products that readers swear by.

Salicylic acid is found in some of the best acne creams and works by helping slough away dead skin cells, which often cause acne and buildup. Salicylic acid helps keep pore clears of cellular debris and reduces the number of pore blockages and breakouts on the skin. Finally, azelaic acid is found in some of the best acne creams and works by normalizing the shedding of dead skin cells, decreases inflammation and helps improve the post inflammatory discoloration that is left after acne is gone. Check out 10 Best Budget Beauty Tips for savvy ways that you can use household items to look gorgeous in a jiffy.