The Best Acne Kits for Clearing Up Breakouts, According to Dermatologists
If you've ever spoken to people who have gotten their acne under control, you know that it's rare for them to attribute their newfound clarity to a single product. While you may hear people tout a holy-grail product that made all the difference between breaking out and clearing up, chances are that product, while effective, was only one factor in reducing pimples and maintaining a less-blemished complexion. It's how an entire routine works together that really boosts the likelihood of breaking the breakout cycle.
It can be an overwhelming challenge to try to assemble the skin-care regimen that will improve your acne situation. Unless you're someone who genuinely enjoys researching ingredients and reading reviews before you put items in your cart, the options don't just seem endless, they can seem intimidating, too. Luckily, a number of brands have bundled their best clarifying formulas like beta-hydroxy acid cleansers and oil-free moisturizers into convenient sets that take the guesswork out of engineering the ideal routine.
"A pre-assembled acne set has a controlled and balanced amount of active ingredients," board-certified dermatologist Morgan Rabach tells Allure. "This is in contrast to picking a separate cleanser, treatment, and moisturizer that may all have too many of the same or different active ingredients. Too many active ingredients may irritate the skin, and irritation can cause more acne."
It's also a great way to avoid combining ingredients that don't work well together. For example, while board-certified, Miami-based dermatologist Roberta Del Campo says that benzoyl peroxide and retinoids are both gold-standard ingredients for getting acne under control, she also notes that they can compromise each other's impact. "When using benzoyl peroxide and a retinoid together, the retinoid will not be at its maximum effectiveness," she tells Allure.
With affordable drugstore options from brands like Clean & Clear, collections from more niche brands like Biossance, and everything in-between, there's a set or system meticulously formulated to work for both your skin and your wallet.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Courtesy of brand1/12Clinique Acne Solutions Fix It Kit
Clinique's Acne Solutions Fix It Kit includes the Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam, Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel, both of which fight breakouts with saliyclic acid. "Salicylic acid dries out excessive sebum, lightens pigmentation, and smoothes out dead skin," says Rabach, who recommends the ingredient to those who have very large pores and especially oily skin. Along with Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, the set is an acne-fighting lineup designed to help clear blemishes, unclog pores, and reduce excess oil, all while hydrating the skin. The best part? It's travel-sized — because there's nothing worse than being unprepared for a breakout on vacation.
$28 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand2/12Patchology Breakout Box
This Patchology set may not be a full acne regimen, per se, but it's an indispensable insurance plan for the most unexpected and stubborn zits. With three nose strips, 24 hydrocolloid dots, and 24 salicylic acid-spiked dots, there isn't a blackhead, whitehead, or cystic pimple that can stand up to these fast-acting spot treatments.
$20 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand3/12Murad Get Over Zit
This kit is all about salicylic acid. You'll find it in the Clarifying Cleanser and the Outsmart Acne Clarifying Treatment, which works fast to reduce both blackheads and whiteheads. The only place you won't find it is in the Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45, which is quite alright considering it does an amazing job of stopping shine and sun damage.
$29 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand4/12AcneFree 24 Hour Acne Clearing System
AcneFree gets down to the best basics in this affordable three-piece set. Both the Oil Free Cleanser and Oil Free Acne Lotion contain ceramides and benzoyl peroxide. "Benzoyl peroxide is the gold standard for pustular acne as it has strong bacteria-fighting properties," Del Campo explains. Meanwhile, the Witch Hazel Mattifying Toner's title ingredient gets a boost from glycolic acid, which she says is great for increasing cell turnover, removing dead skin, and combating oiliness. Made to last two months, the set is purported to make a major difference by the time you need a refill.
$20 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand5/12Mario Badescu Acne Repair Kit
Don't be disturbed by the word drying in this set's Drying Lotion and Drying Cream. They're spot treatments made to specifically shrivel up whiteheads with sulfur and salicylic acid, so the rest of your face doesn't have to worry about losing moisture. The Buffering Lotion is a spot treatment, too, but save it for those super-stubborn cystic zits that refuse to fully surface.
$46 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand6/12Clean & Clear Essentials Skin Care Routine
This set is called the "Essentials" for good reason: an oil-free cleanser, salicylic acid toner, and noncomedogenic moisturizer is exactly where to start when you're trying to clear up mild to moderate breakouts. The Foaming Facial Cleanser promises to erase both excess oil and makeup, while the the toner Deep Cleansing Astringent and Dual Action Moisturizer make sure the salicylic acid penetrates skin without over-drying.
$12 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand7/12Kate Somerville Breakout Fighters
This $55 set contains $88 worth of Kate Somerville's best skin-clearing products, but the results are priceless. In addition to the EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser and the Oil Free Moisturizer, you receive two different EradiKate Acne Treatments — one with salicylic acid and one with sulfur. "Sulfur helps to dry out excessive oils associated with acne prone skin, and it has some natural anti-inflammatory properties," Rabach says, noting that it's great for those who are prone to redness. With both formulas, you can attack your breakouts from every angle.
$55 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand8/12Honest Beauty Clearing Acne Regimen Kit
This magical set is made up of a trio of kickass products: Clearing Cleanser with salicylic acid, Clearing Night Serum With Honestly Pure Retinol (and a little more salicylic acid), and Soothing Daily Moisturizer, featuring the hydrating hyaluronic acid even oily skin needs. This three-step skin regimen helps amp up glowing skin all while clearing breakouts and minimizing fine lines.
$25 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand9/12Biossance Skin Balancing Starter Kit
The key to this treatment kit is a hydrating ingredient known as squalane. The set includes Squalane + Tea Tree Cleansing Gel to deeply cleanse skin and remove makeup, Squalane + Tea Tree Detox Mask to purify and calm skin, Squalane + Probiotic Gel Moisturizer to help minimize redness with probiotics, and Squalane + Tea Tree Balancing Oil to reduce the look of acne while helping diminish it.
$99 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand10/12Beautycounter Countercontrol Collection
One of the most thorough sets on this list, Beautycounter's Countercontrol Collection features an impressive five full-size, oil-reducing products: the exfoliating and makeup-removing Clear Pore Cleanser, the alcohol-free Instant Matte Toner, the blemish-preventing and clearing All Over Acne Treatment, the SOS Acne Spot — made with maximum-strength salicylic acid — and the hydrating yet non-clogging Matte Effect Gel Cream.
$140 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand11/12ProactivMD Essentials System
Proactiv is probably one of the first names that comes to mind when you think of acne kits, and for good reason: The brand has a long history of making a proven difference in its customers' skin. The ProactivMD Essentials System is its most advanced bundle yet thanks to the presence of a formerly prescription-only retinoid in the Adapalene Gel. That treatment is supported by a Deep Cleansing Face Wash, a Balancing Toner, and Daily Oil Control SPF 30, because broken-out skin needs sun protection, too. "A good sunscreen is important in helping with the pigmentation associated with old acne," Rabach tells Allure.
$40 (Shop Now)
Courtesy of brand12/12SLMD Acne System Kit
If you can't get an appointment with dermatologist Sandra Lee, aka Dr. Pimple Popper, her SLMD Acne System Kit is the next best thing (and a far more private experience than having your zits popped in front of a huge YouTube audience). Use the Salicylic Acid Cleanser and Facial Moisturizer With Vitamin C twice a day; the BP Lotion (that stands for benzoyl peroxide) is your daytime acne treatment, and the Retinol Serum is your nighttime formula. "Retinol is the most important ingredient for preventing new breakouts," Rabach says.
$50 (Shop Now)
