The Best Adult Acne Treatments in 2023

 #1- Misumi Complete Clear 3-Step System

Now only $79.95
Click for Best Price

Finally an acne kit that lives up to its hype! Misumi’s Complete Clear 3-Step System has proven time and time again to be extremely effective. It is our favorite acne kit for achieving blemish-free skin and preventing future breakouts. The best part is that it is only 3 easy steps and is manageable for those of us with a busy schedule.

This brand has been a favorite about dermatologists and high-end skincare specialists for over 25 years but has only just been made available directly to consumers lasts year. Their 3-Step System includes their signature AHA 10% Skin Perfecting Cleanser, their All Day Moisturizer with SPF 30, and their best-selling Pore Purifying Toner that everyone has been raving about.

Unlike many acne products nowadays that contain harsh chemicals that irritate the skin, all of Misumi’s products are based on natural and healthy ingredients. Their AHA cleanser is a unique and powerful blend of Glycolic Acid, Chamomile, Japanese Plum, Seaweed Extract, Rosehip Oil, and more. You could say it has all the things we would want in an acne-fighting cleanser or face wash. Their Pore Purifying Toner combines Witch Hazel Extract, Lavender, Sage, and many other acne-fighting herbs that will help calm breakouts, clear the skin, and close pores to prevent future breakouts.

When it comes to strength, effectiveness and quality, we are yet to find an acne system on the market that beats this one.

Customer Before and After Picture

Best For: Oily, normal, and acne-prone skin

Pros

• High concentration of premium quality ingredients
• Calms breakouts and reduces redness and swelling
• Only 3 easy steps that are super manageable and will deliver real and fast results. (Or else they guarantee money back)
• Toner contains Lavender Oil which is great for preventing severe acne scars, controlling oily skin, and calming breakouts
• Made in the USA in an FDA licensed facility
• Their chief chemist has been making some of the world’s leading acne products for over 25 years. This is their most effective formula to date.
• Lots of loyal customers who say Misumi has been the only thing that has worked for them. Real reviews with before and after photos to prove it.
• They are so confident you will see fast results that if you haven’t noticed a difference within 3 weeks, they will give you your money back.
• 60 Day Money Back Guarantee

Cons

• High quality comes with a high price. This premium acne system will cost you $79.95. We recommend purchasing their 30 day or 60 day subscription option to get a cheaper price. If this is above your budget, we recommend starting with their 2-Step Clear Skin Duo Kit which will save you $30 and is an excellent starter kit that will deliver real results.

Pro tip: Choose a subscription plan (30 or 60 days) and get 20% savings on the kit. Easy cancellation anytime.

CHECK OUT CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF COMPLETE CLEAR 3-STEP SYSTEM

#2 – Murad Anti-aging Acne Bonus Regimen

The Anti-aging Acne Bonus Regimen by Murad has been called the Proactiv+ for adults with acne-prone and sensitive skin. It’s a three-step system with a similar list of active ingredients and a drastically lower price tag.

One ingredient that is unique to this system is low concentration of salicylic acid. It’s gentler on skin and soaks in slower, delivering its exfoliating goodness evenly without missing anything.

Like many systems, there is a cleanser and moisturizer that you use twice daily and an acne treatment lotion you can use up to three times a day. What is missing here is a toner which we’d really love to see Murad develop and include in their kit, as toners are an integral product for managing acne-prone skin.

Some people get positive results with this system within two weeks, and for others it can take more like eight weeks.

Pros:

• contains Salicylic acid
• good for deep cleansing
• good price, compared to competitors like Proactiv
• gentle formula for more sensitive skin

Cons:

• Missing a non-comedogenic toner 

#3 – Exposed Skincare Expanded Kit

Coming at #1 is Exposed Skincare’s 5 Step Expanded Kit. To be honest, we were quite skeptical of this brand, due to it’s strong push for subscription and membership. It was also quite hard to track down all the ingredients in their products. We believe skincare brands should make their ingredients list as transparent as possible, but since we saw so many positive customer reviews, we had to see if they live up to their reputation.

While Exposed Skincare products may not have the most potent formulation, the kit has a more allergen-free product due to its formula that combines both artificial and natural ingredients. It also boasts of a more robust skincare system than Murad, but we think it’s too complicated for the usual customer hence the #3 spot. 

Exposed Skin Care works by making sure your face is as dirt and bacteria free as possible for long periods of time. This explains its complex morning and evening routine. The ingredients it makes use also optimizes cleansing, clearing, and acne treatment applications.

Kit Includes: Facial Cleanser, Clearing Tonic, Acne Treatment Serum, Clear Pore Serum, Moisture Complex, Free Derm-X Cloth

Pros:

• Great for blackheads and whiteheads
• Good choice for individuals with mild acne
• Long lasting results that clears skin from the inside out

Cons:

• 6 Piece Kit can be exhausting to manage consistently
• You will need to subscribe to their membership to receive a discounted price
• Not that easy to return products

#4 – Misumi AHA 10% Skin Perfecting Cleanser

This product goes double duty as a daily cleanser (to clear breakouts) and also a great anti-aging treatment (to reduce fine lines and wrinkles). The Skin Perfecting Cleanser’s list of naturally derived ingredients makes it stand out from the crowd. The advanced formula combines the acne fighting benefits of Glycolic Acid with other natural miracle ingredients including Rosehip Oil (antioxidant), Chamomile (reducing redness and swelling), Seaweed extract (heal acne), Japanese Plum and so many more natural treatments. It also helps control that shiny forehead you deal with by 3 p.m., thanks to oil-controlling Grapefruit and Lemon.

Pros:

• Simple and affordable, 1 step treatment that works
• Tackles both acne and premature aging
• Contains Glycolic Acid, the most effective exfoliator for deep pore cleansing
• Helps kill acne bacteria
• Natural ingredients
• Helps control excess oil without drying the skin
• Amazing customer reviews and results
• Acne Fighting with Anti-aging bonus!

Cons:

• Not suitable for those allergic to Glycolic Acid

#5 – Proactiv+ 3 Step Acne Treatment System

Proactiv+ is pretty much required for any acne treatment system list. It’s the most well known and, for many, the most effective that people have found. Proactiv+ is still around and people still swear by it. If you haven’t considered it before, here’s a quick rundown of the three steps you do twice a day.

First, the Skin Smoothing Exfoliator uses a mild exfoliator, 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide, and glycolic acid to kill bacteria, dry up oils, and remove dead skin.

Second, the Pore Targeting Treatment uses 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide to reach deep into pores.

Lastly, the Complexion Perfecting Hydrator uses salicylic acid, botanicals, moisturizing oils, and hyaluronic acid spheres which are ultra-hydrating and reduce the signs of aging. This lotion will also lighten your skin, helping to hide acne scarring.

Pros:

• Uses benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and botanical extracts
• Lots of people have great success
• Years of testing and perfecting
• Lightens acne scarring

Cons:

• Contains silicone
• Not oil free
• Not everyone wants skin lighteners
• Benzoyl peroxide can stain fabrics

Conclusion

If you’re tired of acne, try one of the top rated acne treatments for adult acne and let us know what works (or doesn’t) for you. We’re constantly updating our list to give our readers the most current and best products to test and try for themselves.