25 Top-Rated Products at Sephora For Pimples, Pores, and Scars

In a clinical study of 34 participants, Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum ($40) showed a 100 percent improvement in fine lines and wrinkles after four weeks. And after six, 100 percent had significant decongestion and reduction in pore size, too. The takeaway: with consistent use, this sweet-smelling serum can smooth rough texture and clear pores and pesky breakouts (courtesy of two percent salicylic acid and one percent mandelic acid) while hydrating skin, thanks to hyaluronic acid.

Clay masks aren't just great for self-care selfies, but for targeting blemishes, too. The Clinique Acne Solutions Oil-Control Cleansing Mask ($28) utilizes kaolin clay and algae-derived laminaria saccharina extract to cleanse the skin and remove surface oil. Salicylic acid and acetyl glucosamine take it a step further by removing dead skin cells that can contribute to clogged pores and thus, acne.

We can't talk about skin care without talking about SPF, a non-negotiable part of your daily regimen. We love the Murad Correct & Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 45| PA++++ ($69) for several reasons, the first being that its silky-smooth texture is nothing short of extraordinary and will actually have you looking forward to putting it on. But the best part is that it works double duty to protect against UVA, UVB, blue light, and pollution (fueled by mineral zinc-oxide sunscreen 16.7% and plant extracts), while brightening the skin and stimulating vitamin-D production with a bevy of antioxidants.

The Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray ($12-$28) is a game changer for soothing inflamed, irritated skin. It's alcohol-free and powered by stable hypochlorous acid, an ingredient that's naturally produced by the body's immune system and is often used in the medical field for wound healing. Used in this facial spray, it soothes and nourishes stressed-out skin (be it visible blemishes, eczema rashes, or sunburn). It even has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

Niacinamide is a powerhouse ingredient with numerous benefits, including fading dark spots and acne scars and tackling active acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It's one of the key ingredients in the highly rated InnBeauty Project Down to Tone Resurfacing Acid Toner ($25). The alcohol-free formulation works alongside a blend of six acids that chemically exfoliate the skin to deliver fast-acting results without stripping your skin of moisture.

Our beauty editor loves the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Blemish Solutions Acne Eliminating Gel ($40) so much that it earned a "permanent place" in her skin-care routine. After three weeks of use, she noticed that breakouts on her chin were less irritated and her whiteheads were gone thanks to the powerful combination of salicylic acid, exfoliating AHAs, and monk pepper, which she describes as an "ingredient [that] helps control oil production by correcting the oil chemistry in the skin at the hormonal level." Read her complete review here.

Bring balance back to your skin with this top-rated Herbivore Lapis Blue Tansy Face Oil For Oily and Acne-Prone Skin ($14-$72). The pure plant oils in this liquid balance sebum and hydrate without clogging pores, while its namesake ingredient — blue tansy — soothes existing redness. Countless shoppers note that they garnered the best results when they used it as the last step in their beauty routine.

As the name implies, Origins Out of Trouble 10-Minute Mask to Rescue Problem Skin ($31) is a reliable option when pimples threaten to pop up. Not only does it absorb oiliness, exfoliate dead skin cells, and gently cleanse skin in 10 minutes' time, but it's also earned 600+ five-star reviews from other Sephora shoppers. Key ingredients in this formula are oil-absorbing and pore-unclogging zinc oxide and sulfur plus cooling camphor.

One of our editors reviewed the top-rated Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Mark Fading Gel With Salicylic Acid ($68). "It typically takes over a month for my post-acne marks to fully fade, but this product has definitely helped speed up the process," she said. Sephora shoppers agree: hundreds have agreed that the niacinamide and salicylic acid-infused gel has improved the appearance of their skin with consistent use. Want to learn more? Check out our editor's complete review here.

Have acne-prone skin that's in dire need of hydration? See: Alpyn Beauty Creamy Bubbling Cleanser With Vitamin C and AHAs ($36). The lightweight cream formula contains papaya enzymes and glycolic and lactic acids to gently smooth out skin and banish dead cells while decongesting pores. It easily handles excess oil, dirt, and makeup while hydrating your skin with hyaluronic acid, so your complexion's not stripped dry in the process.

The top-rated Murad InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment ($36-$53) can work on both old and new acne marks, filling pitted scars and leaving a smoother complexion in their wake. This product is clinically proven to minimize the look of scars' depth and texture and reduce discoloration in eight weeks — and the reviews touting it a "miracle" product that's "liquid gold" back up the science.

Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads ($48) are individual cotton rounds soaked with strong ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid to chemically exfoliate the skin while boosting your skin's radiance and clearing up acne and blackheads. More than 1,500 Sephora customers reviewed this bestselling product — and many noted that it also helps with hyperpigmentation. One savvy shopper said that they cut the pads in half when they only need a little to get their money's worth.

Banish body acne with the Kosas Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash ($22). It contains an AHA blend of glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids that exfoliate, smooths, and brightens your skin. Teamed with the moisturizing ingredient allatonin, this daily body wash also hydrates and soothes even sensitive skin. Multiple shoppers deem it a great option for those with keratosis pilaris, which causes dry, rough patches and tiny bumps.

If you're looking for a serum that targets acne while brightening the skin, the The Nue Co. The Pill All-In-One ($85) might be the perfect match. It has both instant and long-term benefits, backed by numerous five-star reviews and a consumer-testing panel. The brand worked with 65 people between the ages of 23 and 65, 89 percent of participants of whom said their skin felt tighter and less puffy, and 95 percent said it looked smoother and brighter within three minutes of application. And within six weeks, 94 percent reported it looked more radiant.

Danish skin cosmetician and eponymous brand founder Ole Henriksen struggled with cystic acne and harsh cleansers that stripped his skin. This led him to create his "Green Fusion Complex," a blend of extracts, including green tea, eucalyptus, algae, and Irish moss, to absorb oil and clear blemishes without stressing out skin. It's now found in several of his products including the Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser ($15-$32). We'd say the 1,400 reviews and 67,000 hearts on Sephora attest to his success.

The Glamglow SuperMud Activated Charcoal Treatment Mask ($25-$86) has six exfoliating acids that work hard to unclog pores fast, especially in acne-prone skin. These acids — which include mandelic, tartaric, and pyruvic — work alongside activated-x charcoal to bring back glowing, clear skin. Oh, and it has more than 274,000 loves and 3,000 five-star reviews on Sephora, too.

There are more than 3,000 reviews and 92,000 loves for Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment ($28), so it's safe to say this is a very popular product for pimples. It's unique in that it includes 10 percent sulfur (the highest amount allowed) to minimize existing blemishes as well as new breakouts. Leave the pink sediment on problem spots overnight — as it also includes zinc oxide for lasting oil control — and wake up wondering where they went.