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Cheap Acne Treatments, Acne Remedies

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In this review:
  1. Cheap Acne Treatments, Acne Remedies
  2. Acne Products Ingredients, Natural Acne Treatments
  3. Acne Cream, Acne Wash
  4. Best Acne Treatment
  5. Acne Treatment Reviews
  6. Discount Acne Treatments Features Comparison Table
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Cheap Acne Treatments Buying Guide

Ugh, acne. That scourge we hope never to face again after the age of 16.
But many adults continue to struggle with acne and others develop it at certain points in their lives, like during pregnancy or periods of high stress. As a first line of attack, you'll probably want to try a cheap acne treatment. Well aware of these facts of life, the skin care industry has developed heaps of cheap acne treatments aimed at stopping or lessening the severity of blemishes large and small. Blackheads and whiteheads and classic red pimples often can be cured with products costing less than $7; severe or cystic acne may require something stronger and more expensive, like antibiotics. Of course, there are home acne remedies you can try for free, like the lemon juice treatment or using toothpaste to dry out an eruption. Lacking any evidence that such tonics do any good, however, a cheap acne treatment is your best option.

The dominant companies in the acne remedies market -- Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, and Clinique -- are well-known producers of other skin care products. Major beauty companies, like Revlon and Maybelline, also make the occasional one-off acne remedy, but these garner very mixed reviews from users. You'll also find a number of "natural" acne treatments that spurn chemicals in favor of botanicals or blend the two types of ingredients.

The acne treatments lineup ranges from tubes to pads to lotions to multi-part systems. Some products are dedicated acne fighters and some are facial cleansers that assert their blemish-fighting bona fides. Some topical treatments dry out the acne and surrounding skin, an approach that works for many people but can be hard for those with dry or sensitive skin. The multi-part systems include components that each serve a specific purpose, like cleansing, revitalizing, and toning, or cleansing and cover-up. But most packages, such as Proactiv 3-Step System or Clean & Clear Advantage 2-in-1 Acne & Mark Eraser Kit, are well beyond our Cheapism price range.

The products that earned a spot on our list of best cheap acne treatments are Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10, Maximum Strength 1 (starting at $5.30, Amazon), Noxzema Triple Clean Anti-Blemish Pads (starting at $3.80, Amazon), Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Redness Soothing Cream Cleanser (starting at $7, Amazon), and Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment Vanishing Formula (starting at $6, Amazon), all of which work for most users most of the time. One cheap acne remedy we'd pass on is Clean & Clear Cleansers Blackhead Eraser Scrub (starting at $4.50, Amazon) because too many consumer reviews report less than satisfactory results.

Review continues below

All the products we researched can be applied to the face, and a few may be useful for breakouts on the back or chest. To give you the widest range of options, our picks for best cheap acne remedies include cleansers, pads, and spot treatments. They all contain one of two key ingredients for fighting acne: benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Several products on our list are billed as oil-free, so users with oily skin shouldn't be deterred. Cheap acne treatments can be applied one to three times a day and require just seconds of your time.

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Best Cheap Acne Treatment

Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10, Maximum Strength
Gold Medal

Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10, Maximum Strength

 Reviews say this acne remedy is fast and effective, although some report the powerful 10% benzoyl peroxide formula is too harsh for their skin. Users also note that the cream dries clear so they can wear it during the day without feeling self-conscious. Read more »
Acne Treatments Deals
Noxzema Triple Clean Anti-Blemish Pads
Gold Medal

Noxzema Triple Clean Anti-Blemish Pads

 These anti-blemish pads with 2% salicylic acid are useful for quickly and conveniently swabbing down your face or wherever acne lurks. Although some users find the pads a bit abrasive, most say it cleanses, refreshes, and reduces blemishes. Read more »
Acne Treatments Deals

Good Cheap Acne Treatment

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Redness Soothing Cream Cleanser
Gold Medal

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Redness Soothing Cream Cleanser

 This acne fighter contains 2% salicylic acid and is a mainstay in the anti-acne regimen of many consumers. Although most say it refreshes, cleanses, and defeats acne, others find it irritating and only minimally effective. Read more »
Acne Treatments Deals
Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment Vanishing Cream
Gold Medal

Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne Treatment Vanishing Cream

 The minimum dose of benzoyl peroxide (2.5%, to be exact) works for many acne sufferers, who say it dries out pimples and prevents them from coming back. Others, however, experience irritating dryness and complain about the smell. Read more »
Acne Treatments Deals
 
 
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Don't Bother Cheap Acne Treatment

Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Scrub

With 2% salicylic acid, this acne treatment is supposed to zap blackheads but just doesn't do it for too many users, who also gripe about an oily, heavy feel and messy application. Read more »

 
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