SPOT TREATMENT
We know from so many years of speaking to readers that spots can have a real impact on confidence and feelings of wellbeing. And of course breakouts don't only affect teenagers; there's a near epidemic in older groups, too. We recruited testers of different ages who have the odd breakout, often hormone related, but not ongoing serious acne; that needs expert advice from a health professional and is beyond the scope of this trial. We asked testers to assess the effect of the product over three days as spots appeared and hopefully began to disappear. All the winners scored highly so do read the Comments for each one.
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD Emma Hardie Lotus Flower Targeted Blemish Treatment
This antibacterial and anti-inflammatory product from a much loved, cruelty free British brand is targeted at tackling breakouts, or potential ones. It promises to visibly reduce redness and blemish size within six day. In fact our testers found it often worked more quickly. Key ingredients are salicylic acid, well-known for reducing blemishes; Egyptian and Sacred Lotus Flower to reduce excess sebum production; astringent witch hazel for its anti-inflammatory/antibacterial effects, which also reduces the look of large pores; wild indigo, which breaks down cortisol production, helping the skin appear de-stressed, calm and even; vitamin E in a form (Vital ET™) which is know to help reduce redness and marks. The brand suggests keeping with you always so you can apply the moment you feel/see a breakout. Best used on clean skin but can be applied over make-up, they say – testers weren’t so sure about that.
£18 for 15ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. I love this product. It is like a little miracle in a tube for me. I would be plagued by at least one painful red spot every month, which would last at least a week and then would leave a red mark on my face for at least another week after that. Now if I can notice the spot appearing I can stop it in its tracks before it takes root. If it does appear this treatment will have it gone in 2-3days with no lingering redness. It has changed my life. The best thing ever for spots. The only treatment I have found that reduces the pain and swelling of those red lump type spots I get when I am due my period’ • ‘Day 1: A number of red angry spots, the treatment was nice on and didn't irritate them. It reduced the sore feeling, swelling and some redness. Day 2 of using and my spots had become significantly less angry and reduced. All pain associated with the spots had disappeared and were beginning to dry up. After that any marks disappeared. I love this product, its easy to apply, and quick at acting. Family members made comments about angry spots appearing less irritated and smaller in size. Now my favourite spot treatment’ • ‘It was fine on sensitive skin, as it did not cause any stinging or dryness. I found that it de-stressed my skin. I liked that it was cruelty free. It feels light on the skin, is not greasy and does not cause any after effects. It blends in well with my other skin products. It also does not affect how my makeup sits on my face’ • ‘This does exactly what it says it will do, reduces redness and blemishes effectively. If you have a blemish this is the product to treat it quickly and effectively’ • ‘I started using this Blemish treatment product on my spots twice a day morning and night. The packaging is nice and you can squeeze the quantity you will need. I can found it very easy to use this product. The texture of the product itself is quite thick and a small amount is enough for almost the entire face. The first day of use I didn't see any visible result, on the next day I saw that my spots a little tense, on day 3 they looks fade and small. It took about 7-8 days for them to start drying and the red marks start to faded. This product is good for spots and works ok’ • ‘The product itself is very effective at reducing redness and spot size quickly. It really works very well and you absolutely cannot argue with the results. I wish that they made an unfragranced version (I didn't like the smell’ • ‘Did work well on big red angry spots, great for zapping the mean ones. Really impressed with this – how it worked, the packaging, smell everything. A grown up spot zapper.’
£18 for 15ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL Wild Science Happy Place Blemish Gel
This formula from an indie British brand, founded by a husband and wife duo, promises to help reduce the appearance of blemishes, post inflammatory redness, acne and acne scars, as well as helping to prevent more breakouts so users see smoother and clearer skin. And testers were very impressed indeed. The active complex contains niacinamide (vitamin B3) and soothing antioxidant bisabolol, for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, plus zinc and azelaic acid, scented with a blend of six essential oils. 93.3% of ingredients are naturally derived, it’s vegan friendly, leaping Bunny cruelty free, and packaged in recyclable materials.
£25 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. This is one of my top favourite products ever. I loved it. It worked so quickly with results after 24 hours. You didn't need to use a lot of the gel and it sunk into the skin really well. The gel left no dryness on the skin and the results were just amazing. I have already recommended this to my friends. I sometimes suffer from redness on my face after using certain products or if I have been outside in the cold weather. The gel was so soothing and helped to reduce the redness. I can't speak highly enough about this. This product will be a fantastic product for teenagers who are self conscious about spots, redness or scaring from spots. I trialled it on a red lump, which was very sore. I applied the gel at night and the next day when I woke the lump had gone down and wasn't as read. I reapplied before doing my make-up. Day 2, the lump had gone and there was just a little redness that was easy to cover with make-up, as the spot wasn't raised. Day 3 the spot had gone and it shortly after disappeared entirely. Also I used it on a bite I had on my neck from walking in the woods and the gel was amazing. It cleared the lump after the first day and it wasn't as painful. It only took 3 days and the bite and red mark had gone’ • ‘This is a miracle product! If you suffer from the odd yet very embarrassing breakout, then you should definitely this blemish gel. You use it twice a day for a few days et voila, spot and redness all gone! I used this product on a Wednesday and needed to attend an event on Saturday (the Brit Awards!), so this really was a test of how well this product would work! My spot was very red, conspicuous and angry, not just a simple pimple, so I was very sceptical about it being going down easily in the space of a few days. I was ready with lots of foundation and concealer. So was stunned when it actually did disappear and I didn’t need to use any make-up on my nose at all! A wonderful blemish treatment for the mature woman’ • ‘My husband is always the first one to notice when I get a spot (and always loudly lets me know when he "spots" one, haha!), so he was stunned by how quickly it cleared up, and has asked to use it next time he gets a blemish :) ’ • ‘I felt this product was very good at not drying the skin. It didn’t have a chemical scent the way a lot of spot products do, the gel was very light. You do have to wait to apply make up as otherwise you can get a pilling effect but it is a very effective pleasant product to use. I will be purchasing this product’ • ‘I used it on my whole forehead, as this area tends to have under skin bumps and small red spots. I think that after around a week, my forehead indeed did look better - much smoother and I suffered fewer breakouts than usual. I also had no inflamed, red spots then, which was a nice bonus. I didn’t think I’d say this but I really like this product! I was sceptical and expected another “magical gel” that does nothing, but I just cannot deny the visible difference. I think my forehead is the main proof that it really helps to calm and restore the skin. What I love is that it doesn’t feel harsh, stripping, tightening or stinging. It feels super gentle. I also think it helped to tighten my pores between my eyebrows. A lovely little gem!’
£25 for 30ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD and BEAUTY STEAL Dr. Organic Tea Tree Blemish Stick
Based on denatured alcohol (can be drying but that’s rather the point here), tea tree leaf oil, and aloe leaf juice this is a simple, super easy to apply spot zapper for blemish-prone skin, which is usually oily. Part of a tea tree range, this barrier-forming product, which comes in a glass rollerball applicator, has gained a lot of fans worldwide. The British brand is vegan, vegetarian and cruelty free and they avoid using ‘irritating synthetic ingredients often criticized for their harsh side effects’. Packaging is as ‘ecologically sound’ as they can make it. The brand does suggest patch testing if you have sensitive skin; if you experience irritation it’s not the product for you. One tester warned that tea tree is known for its strong smell, which might put some people off. This worked very well indeed for the majority of testers, not so effectively for two others.
£5.49 for 8ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I loved using this effective blemish gel; it was easy to apply, sinks into the skin without trace, worked quickly to smooth away blemishes and spots. It was easier to use than my existing treatment, which left a shield over the area and dried out the skin. On one spot on Day 2, I was pleasantly surprised to see a real difference in the appearance of the spot, it looked much less red and inflamed. By day 3, the spot was much less noticeable and well on the way to disappearing completely. Then the spot disappeared completely leaving no visible mark behind. I have tried the blemish stick on white-headed spots as well as lumps and bumps and cold sores. It worked well to reduce the redness and heal the area. I think it helped reduce the impact of the cold sore but this needed an additional dedicated treatment. Cost wise it was really effective than many much more expensive products. I would definitely buy this product, it was quick and easy to use and a perfect size for your handbag. Loved it and it will be staying in my handbag ready to pounce on any spots’ • ‘This is my new favourite spot treatment. It cleared spots up better than any product I have used in the past. I like that it so organic and natural and would thoroughly recommend. My skin is difficult to say the least. I have combination skin which is prone to breakouts (often hormonal). My skin is oily but as I am aging I have dry areas too. I get hormonal breakouts with big red sore spots and also whiteheads. On Day 1, the large spot I tested it on was less inflamed and felt soothed. Day t2 smaller and less inflamed. Day 3 further reduction in size and inflammation. Shortly after that it disappeared. A fabulously effective spot buster. This is now my go to spot treatment. It works really well particularly on large spots’ • ‘I would 100% be purchasing this product again it so simple and easy to apply and works great. I suffer with hormonal acne and my skin has odd breakout different times of the month, also get few spot on other parts of my body. By Day 2 spots had really reduced in size and was not as red and sore. Day 3 spots had really gone down, I noticed not as many white heads had appeared (usually would have quite a few new spots by day three) I really think this product has something like naturally antiseptic as my spots really didn’t spread. I have been impressed by how effective it is against skin blemishes, acne, I think it made a big difference’ • ‘I do really like this stick as it dries quickly on the skin very fast and combats the inflammation of blemishes very quickly without any hassle. It is good for other areas of the body. It's really god just before you put make-up on as it soaks in without leaving any sticky or visible residues so make-up goes on really nicely. At home did just keep applying as it was so easy to grab and dab’ • ‘It works very well with newly forming spots and is very effective in preventing them from scarring; older lumps and acne will improve leaving a mark at times. A very effective, easy to use product’ • ‘I think it performed better on the smaller spots and blocked pores. Unfortunately, it did nothing for the big, hormonal, under the skin beasts!!’
£5.49 for 8ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Kate Somerville EradiKate Blemish Mark Fading Gel
This cult US skincare brand, created by the eponymous LA facialist, promises the light gel will give results in three days, blasting blemishes, preventing new ones and fading the look of discolouration after. The key ingredient is tried and proven salicylic acid to reduce the appearance of blemishes and prevent recurrence by gently slough away dead skin cells and unclogging pores. Alongside is niacinamide to target discolouration, while refining texture so skin is smoother and softer. Then a prebiotic complex to restore the balance of the skin microbiome (yes, your skin has one just like your gut). That should help prevent irritation and dryness and help prevent more breakouts. You can apply to targeted areas or all over a cleansed and dried face – but not near your eyes. Very high marks although one fan warned against using it with exfoliating acids. Another tester found it too drying for her dry sensitive menopausal skin.
£58 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. I’m in love with this light gel, which is absolutely gorgeous, and has really helped the appearance of my spot scars. I do suffer with blemishes and this has really made me feel more confident in my skin after using this product. My new staple product that I will be buying again and again. I have tried so many different acne / scarring products in the past and none of them live up to this one or give your results this fastMy usual skin type is normal with the odd spot but since being pregnant I have had hormonal acne breakouts around my chin and dryness on my cheeks. There always seems to be spots; just when you think they are clearing up a new one appears. I tried this product on a few different types of spots: a bump under my skin that was starting to appear; a bump with no head but red; one with a white head. Day 1, I first put this on at night and by the morning my red blemish looked lighter and not as angry; the white head was dried out; the blemish under my skin was still underneath. Day 2, my red blemish looked even lighter and began to fade; the white head was dried out completely; the blemish under my skin was still underneath my skin but didn’t feel as big. Day 3, my red blemish looked lighter again - it’s nice to still see improvements day by day; the white head started to reduce in size; the blemish under my skin was still underneath but was reducing in size still. There was a pink mark after a few a few days use but after continuing with the product it completely disappeared! It helped reduce the amount of new spots appearing. My husband and mum noticed the reduction in red marks and scarring on my skin and also a reduction in new spots appearing! It really has helped bring my skin barrier back to life as it absorbs seamlessly into my skin! I use this both in the AM and PM. After a day or two, I noticed it faded my acne marks. It did all of this without irritating my skin or making it more sensitive’ • ‘I have blemishes and spots. I tried it on a spot with a white head. It’s easy to apply and on Day 1, the skin was dry. Day 2 spot size much less and Day 3 the spot had dried up and disappeared. I used it on other breakouts and it helped a lot. Most of them disappeared while using it. Some of my friends noticed that it really worked’ • ‘I’ve not stopped using this product since I opened it. I feel it gradually reduces my blemishes & leaves my oily combination skin looking & feeling more balanced. Friends have noted my skin looks clearer from blemishes’ • ‘I use this as a prevention for my hormonal spots every night. It smells amazing - slightly medicated - but seems to keep things at bay, which is good ‘•’ This stuff was amazing. I was not expecting to see such noticeable results but I really did. My fair skin always has marks left from blemishes and this faded them faster and more effectively than anything else I've used. BUT. Because of the great results I continued to use this daily, excited to see how much my skin would improve. My skin got drier and drier, flaky and sore. And eventually I realised the issues were occurring where I was putting this product - around my nose mouth and chin. I stopped using it and the irritation stopped. I think using this along with an exfoliating acid was just too much. So I would certainly use this again but very sparingly and not with other active products.’
£58 for 30ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Nu Skin Epoch Blemish Spot Treatment
Well, here’s a thing: this formula is, we’re told, ‘inspired by the rituals of Tropical Asia’ and the hero plant ingredient is Job’s Tears seed extract, known for its ability to soothe the skin. Apparently the wonderfully named tall wild grass is rich in amino acids and has been used in traditional medicine for its ability to soothe blemish-prone skin. Alongside are salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin and keep pores clear, with yarrow and burdock root extracts. You might think the formula is all natural but the global personal care and wellness company states that its award-winning products blend the best of science, nature and technology. So in this light gel, botanicals are accompanied by lab made, synthetic ingredients, and packaging is ‘more sustainable’. Most testers found this really worked but it had no effect for two.
£17.65 for 15ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. My combination skin has a few spots, and is a little more oily at different times of the month. This is a brilliant product that deletes my spots. On Day 1, the spot I tried it on calmed down and wasn't so angry. On day 2, it dried out and got smaller. On Day 3, the spot has gone and there was just a flake. It did its job but was gentle on my skin. I am extremely happy with this little miracle’ • ‘This is the first product that has made me truly swear and be impressed. Like truly shocked at how good the product is. I don’t know how else to sell this product to other people, but it’s the first thing I recommend when talking to friends about clean and clear skin. I have used this on all my breakouts since I tried it on one red solid painful spot and I am now actually in love. A spot product that works on adult spots, that doesn’t smell of tea tree oil and astringent and doesn’t dry my skin out, its amazing. People have noticed that my skin has been clearer’ • ‘I was sceptical about this product but it really works, I’ve used it on spots which are under the skin and painful and it has helped reduce the swelling and stopped them coming to a head. It’s in a very handy small tube, which you can carry around with you. It seems to work on all kinds of spots and there isn't the mess or stinging or strong smell you get with other treatments. LOVE IT -would use again, it's the kind of thing I will keep on me’ • ‘I tried it on several different ones: currently on a large red angry spot on my cheek (unusual for me to get a breakout here), which is building to a white head, I can literally feel it throbbing. Decided it was a great opportunity to try the treatment on this isolated spot, which has a large surface area like a volcano. Day 1 on the volcano spot (I put it on before bed at night) - no discernible change in the spot except it’s throbbing more in the morning. Applied again in morning and throughout the day as directed ('directions were to apply 'several times'). Day 2 applied again a few times throughout the day, spot definitely less painful and throbbing. Day 3 spot seems to have reduced surface area and less painful and has not come to a head. Red mark for a while on cheek but eventually disappeared. It really works to reduce swelling and stop spots’ • ‘This worked overnight on my red hormonal bumps. No irritation. A functional product’ • ‘The Epoch treatment was much better than my usual treatment as it is not obvious a treatment is in progress. It doesn’t form a crust like many treatments. It speeded up the healing time greatly. A brilliant treatment that clears spots in no time.’
£17.65 for 15ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Tropic Ocean Dive Pore-Clearing Serum
This all-natural formula, with 50% organic ingredients, tackles blemishes by ‘diving deep’ into pores to remove excess sebum plus dirt and bacteria. Tropic recommends using it on targeted areas of oiliness, clogged pores or blemishes, promising that it wont cause dryness or irritation elsewhere. The serum formula features a blend of three acids: exfoliating marine fulvic acid to break down dead skin cells, water soluble 2% lactic acid to even skin tone and help moisture retention plus maximum strength 2% salicylic acid to get deep into pores and dissolve blemish causing debris. Ocean-born blue algae help protect skin from pollution and free radical damage, as well as hydrating skin. Do use it with the accompanying bamboo buds, testers advise, as it’s quite liquid. In fact, all the testers bar one found it worked well/very well but several marked it down for the watery texture and difficult-to-use delivery system.
£44 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. Ocean Dive is The Vanquisher of Spots! I tend to get hormonal acne before my period. This product really surprised me. It worked brilliantly. I really liked that it didn't leave a visual residue on my face - my husband didn’t feel like he was getting into bed with a leper! For skin like mine it absolutely does what it claims to do. I trialed it on a red lump on my chin and a spot with a whitehead on my eyebrow. Day 1: whitehead disappeared overnight, Red lump was less painful/angry. Day 2: whitehead gone completely. Red lump smaller. Day 3 I'd say all evidence of the spot disappeared quickly. I’ve also used it on some spots that I got on my nose after a cold, they too disappeared quickly without popping’ • ‘I absolutely loved this product once I figured out how to use it ie applying with a cotton bud on the spot. I really liked the packaging; the smell of the product and the blue colour was very pleasing. The blurb and the packaging gave me the impression that the company are eco friendly and cared about the environment. I used a cotton bud to apply it to one side of my nose and chin and found that those areas were definitely smoother and I felt there was a difference in terms of the number of blackheads I had, and I had no spots at all whilst using it. I will definitely be buying it again once my current bottle runs out. A fantastic little bottle of spot prevention! ’ • ‘Ok, I really love this product. I am now 30 and have started noticing some thing about my skin, which are making me feel a little insecure. This product has blown me away with how much it has sorted a lot of these issues out, in particular bumpy skin on my cheeks (not actually spots as such) within ten days. My skin is a lot clearer and smoother that it has been in the last 5five years. I love the deep blue colour and that the company supports coral reefs. The bottles has a very up market feel and look to it too’ • ‘This product does a good job of reducing spots. I trialled it on a red lump and a spot with a white head. The white head disappeared after Day 1. The spot had shrunk after Day 2. However, the product has a tendency to whoosh out as it has a watery texture, so I used a cotton bud to apply it’ • ‘I applied it to a red spot and overnight it reduced in redness and was barely perceptible; it disappeared on Day 2. I also used it on blackheads around the nose and on the chin and it dissolved them and left the skin super smooth.’
£44 for 30ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Avéne Cleanance Localized Drying Emulsion
The French expert dermoskincare brand describes this as an ‘SOS’ product that reduces the appearance of localised blemishes from day one and helps prevent the appearance of residual marks. It’s targeted at everyone from teens to older with acne-prone skin. The complex of ingredients in this light, fragrance-free emulsion include Comedoclastin™ (stabilised milk thistle extract with patented properties), retinaldehyde at 0.1% (precursor of vitamin A) and exfoliating glycolic acid at 6% (an alphahydroxyacid). All these on a base of Avène thermal spring water, the brand’s signature ingredient. It also claims to help reduce the ‘appearance of imperfections from the first day of application’; that was from a trial of 40 subjects, applying it three times a day. Most testers were delighted with the results but one wanted something less gentle and another found it did not help her blemishes.
£13.15 for 15ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. A must have for your skincare routine, as well as helping to reduce blemishes the product also helps prevent the appearance of residual marks. My skin is prone to spots and redness. I don't have severe acne but have struggled with spots throughout my life. I used the cream on a red lump and some marks left over from previous breakouts. Day 1: Lump reduces in size. Day 2: Further reduction. Day 3: Disappears completely. It left no marks after wards. In fact this has helped my skin tone appear more even and less red in general and much smoother. I haven't had many breakouts since this and my usual combination of treatments – cleansers/exfoliator and moisturiser for spot prone skin. I have had many comments to say my skin looks clearer and healthier. A great product to help you clear your skin and any breakouts you have. It really helps blemishes to go quickly and skin feels smoother in the process. I would also say it helps to reduce redness as well’ • ‘I really liked this product. It helped make my spots less angry within a day and continued to work on reducing them. Definitely one to keep in my bag’ • ‘A brilliant spot saver. I'm so glad to have found this - it was a relief to notice a difference in my blemish (red lump) after one night. Will definitely use this for future breakouts’ • ‘ I love this brand for years but this was the first time I`ve tried this treatment and I`m really happy to say it`s working great for me. Not only it is easy to use but also it makes my spots better quickly and effectively. Great because I get spots that are itchy and tis treatment stopped that. Game changer and I love the handy little tube and the texture makes it very easy to apply, not too runny – just perfect’ • ‘Great SOS product. I followed the instructions on the tube, which stated to use the product 2 to 3 times a day. I think it might need a couple more days to totally eliminate the spots. It was not drying or irritating in any way.’
£13.15 for 15ml - click to buy