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Not toothpaste or baking soda, but these science-backed solutions are what actually heal zits.

7 spot treatments that effectively dismiss acne

Not toothpaste or baking soda but these science-backed solutions are what actually heal zits

The appearance of a stray pimple means that you are most likely to blame the overindulgence in sugar, the arrival of your menstrual cycle or just your skin reacting to external stimuli. The area surrounding the zit then begins to inflame, giving rise to dryness and redness. At such times, it’s best to reach out to the most potent anti-acne treatments on your shelf. With common bacteria-busting ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, such spot treatments boast a high-performing healing action that can reduce the appearance of active acne and also curtail the discomfort that it brings along. 

We round up some of the best spot treatments that will come to the rescue in case of a sudden breakout.

Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment, Axis-YThis gel-based blemish treatment tackles zits, blemishes, acne, and even post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Created especially for skin that is more likely to develop all kinds of acne, the formulation contains six rich botanical extracts like green tea, tea tree, bamboo, licorice, camphor and mint with ceramide capsules to keep the skin soft, clear and healthy. Priced at ₹1,550Shop hereImage: Instagram.com/axisy_official

Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment, Axis-Y

This gel-based blemish treatment tackles zits, blemishes, acne, and even post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Created especially for skin that is more likely to develop all kinds of acne, the formulation contains six rich botanical extracts like green tea, tea tree, bamboo, licorice, camphor and mint with ceramide capsules to keep the skin soft, clear and healthy. 

Priced at ₹1,550

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/axisy_official

Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel, CliniqueThis gel is best suited for oily skin that is prone to breaking out often. With a high concentration of salicylic acid, it also includes witch hazel and Laminaria Saccharina Extract (derived from brown or yellow algae) that balance the oil secretion and refine the pores to ensure rapid healing. Prices start at ₹1,200Shop hereImage: Instagram.com/clinique

Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel, Clinique

This gel is best suited for oily skin that is prone to breaking out often. With a high concentration of salicylic acid, it also includes witch hazel and Laminaria Saccharina Extract (derived from brown or yellow algae) that balance the oil secretion and refine the pores to ensure rapid healing. 

Prices start at ₹1,200

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/clinique

Clarifying Spot Treatment Untinted, Dr. Barbara SturmWith a rich complex of ingredients like tea tree oil, butylene glycol, zinc oxides and Maclura cochinchinensis (a green shrub that helps with acne), this clear gel-based treatment not only treats acne but also provides relief against itchiness, dryness and flaking skin. What makes this product stand out from the rest is that it comes in eight shades (besides the translucent one), promoting its wearability even when you’re stepping out with make-up.Priced at ₹4,840Shop hereImage: Instagram.com/drbarbarasturm

Clarifying Spot Treatment Untinted, Dr. Barbara Sturm

With a rich complex of ingredients like tea tree oil, butylene glycol, zinc oxides and Maclura cochinchinensis (a green shrub that helps with acne), this clear gel-based treatment not only treats acne but also provides relief against itchiness, dryness and flaking skin. What makes this product stand out from the rest is that it comes in eight shades (besides the translucent one), promoting its wearability even when you’re stepping out with make-up.

Priced at ₹4,840

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/drbarbarasturm

Acne Spot Corrector Drying Lotion with Salicylic Acid, Mario BadescuWant to bid adieu to that pesky zit just the way Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner do it? Cop this lotion from Mario Badescu that has bagged several positive reviews to date. The lotion comprises a skin-first formulation, courtesy of soothing calamine combined with salicylic acid and two sebum-regulating ingredients—zinc oxide and sulphur. It also claims to provide results within the first use, when left overnight.Priced at ₹1,600Shop hereImage: Instagram.com/mariobadescu

Acne Spot Corrector Drying Lotion with Salicylic Acid, Mario Badescu

Want to bid adieu to that pesky zit just the way Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner do it? Cop this lotion from Mario Badescu that has bagged several positive reviews to date. The lotion comprises a skin-first formulation, courtesy of soothing calamine combined with salicylic acid and two sebum-regulating ingredients—zinc oxide and sulphur. It also claims to provide results within the first use, when left overnight.

Priced at ₹1,600

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/mariobadescu

Clindamycin Phosphate GelGo to any dermatologist complaining of acne eruptions, and they are likely to recommend this ointment. This chemist find’s formulation thrives on clindamycin, a topical antibiotic to control—and eventually,put an end to—bacterial infections that cause acne. Most skin experts prescribe this to treat mild to moderate acne since clindamycin is a rather gentle-on-the-skin antibiotic. Priced at ₹225Shop here

Clindamycin Phosphate Gel

Go to any dermatologist complaining of acne eruptions, and they are likely to recommend this ointment. This chemist find’s formulation thrives on clindamycin, a topical antibiotic to control—and eventually,put an end to—bacterial infections that cause acne. Most skin experts prescribe this to treat mild to moderate acne since clindamycin is a rather gentle-on-the-skin antibiotic. 

Priced at ₹225

Shop here

Bija Trouble Spot Essence, InnisfreeIf you have extremely sensitive skin, this makes for a great pick as it contains natural ingredients like skin-healing bija seed oil from Jeju along with a bunch of other oils like coconut and sweet almond to keep the skin nourished through the process. Moreover the formulation is non-comedogenic, so despite all the oil content, it won’t clog your pores or cause any congestion.Priced at ₹1,200Shop here

Bija Trouble Spot Essence, Innisfree

If you have extremely sensitive skin, this makes for a great pick as it contains natural ingredients like skin-healing bija seed oil from Jeju along with a bunch of other oils like coconut and sweet almond to keep the skin nourished through the process. Moreover the formulation is non-comedogenic, so despite all the oil content, it won’t clog your pores or cause any congestion.

Priced at ₹1,200

Shop here

Moving Forward Spot Correction Gel, LISENWhether a zit or a blemish (yes, they’re different), trust this lightweight crème-like treatment to prove handy. Combining 0.1 per cent salicylic acid with Centella Asiatica and aloe vera, this mild yet efficacious gel tackles them all without irritating the skin. Additionally, it  can also aid with blackheads and whiteheads and suits all skin types.Priced at ₹1,600Shop hereImage: Lisenskincare.com

Moving Forward Spot Correction Gel, LISEN

Whether a zit or a blemish (yes, they’re different), trust this lightweight crème-like treatment to prove handy. Combining 0.1 per cent salicylic acid with Centella Asiatica and aloe vera, this mild yet efficacious gel tackles them all without irritating the skin. Additionally, it  can also aid with blackheads and whiteheads and suits all skin types.

Priced at ₹1,600

Shop here

Image: Lisenskincare.com

Also Read: Is snail slime really the ultimate anti-ageing, anti-acne ingredient?

Also Read: Should you use an anti-dandruff shampoo to clear up acne on your face?

Also Read: The best salicylic acid products to unclog your pores

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