8 Best Acne Serums For Clearer Skin in 2025
No matter how big or small the breakout is, these are the best “game changing” acne serums to add into your routine.
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If you’re one of the lucky ones who have never experienced a breakout, then my hat goes off to you. I am one of the unlucky ones, so I understand the struggle of dealing with a red, painful, irritated – and downright annoying – breakout.
Besides wishing it would just disappear, adding an acne-specific serum into your skincare routine can really help fast track the process and get it off your face, stat. And whatever you do, never pick it.
Key ingredients to look out for include salicylic acid, niacinamide, beta hydroxy acid (BHA), alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), retinol, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid and zinc PCA.
Read on for my top picks of the best-performing acne serums, including one that’s said to “work like magic” for a clearer and brighter complexion.
OUR TOP PICKS
EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST SERUMS FOR ACNE
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum, $64.95 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: This is a top-rated acne serum, especially for those with adult acne.
What to consider: May be too strong for sensitive skin types.
Formulation: Serum | Size: 30ml | Key ingredient: Glycolic and salicylic acid
What You Need To Know
If you’ve ever struggled with acne, there’s a good chance you know about how well La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar range can help to clear the skin.
The Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum is our top pick, thanks to it’s innovative formula of LHA’s, BHA’s and AHA’s to refine and improve skin texture. Throughout the night, the serum works hard to gently exfoliate the skin, clear pores and dead skin cells, and help reduce redness.
Five-star rating Adore Beauty shoppers can’t stop raving about it either – “works like magic” said one user, with others calling it a “game changer” and noting they “will never use another serum again”.
Skinceuticals Blemish and Age Defense Serum, $145 at Myer
Why we love it: This is a hardworking corrective serum for adult acne.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Serum | Size: 30ml | Key ingredient: Glycolic and salicylic acid
What You Need To Know
SkinCeuticals is known for creating hardworking serums, and the Blemish and Age Defense Serum is a corrective serum that’s perfect for those struggling with adult acne.
The potent oil-free serum uses the power of salicylic acid and glycolic acid to help control sebum production, minimise blemishes and reduce post-acne pigmentation.
Five-star rating Myer shoppers named this the “best thing I’ve used”.
Another happy reviewer said “it has been helping improve the overall appearance and texture of the skin, leading to more youthful and radiant skin”.
Caudalie Vinopure Blemish Control Salicylic Serum, $72 at Sephora
Why we love it: Made from a salicylic acid that’s extracted from Wintergreen leaves.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Serum | Size: 30ml | Key ingredient: Salicylic acid
What You Need To Know
Perfect for acne-prone skin, the Caudalie Vinopure Blemish Control Serum is made from a salicylic acid that’s 100 per cent natural origin – extracted from Wintergreen leaves.
It promises to feel super lightweight on the skin, helping to refine skin texture and give your complexion a healthy looking glow.
With almost 1000 five-star ratings on the Sephora website, shoppers found that Caudalie’s Vinopure serum is “perfect for everyday use” and works hard to “keep the skin blemish free and treats them quickly”.
BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY SERUMS FOR ACNE
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, $10.70 at Myer
Why we love it: Super budget-friendly option.
What to consider: Formulation is not as diverse as other serums on our list.
Formulation: Serum | Size: 30ml | Key ingredient: Salicylic acid
What You Need To Know
Shopping for skincare on a budget? The Ordinary is a one-stop shop, especially the Salicylic Acid 2% Solution for acne-prone skin types.
Think of it as a powerful exfoliator, promising to clear the skin, remove dead skin cells and help unclog pores.
It’s racked up an impressive average rating of 4.7 out of five on the Myer website, with happy shoppers commenting that it’s “really easy to use and makes my skin look great”.
Neutrogena Advanced Acne Face Serum, $22 (down from $38) at Amazon Australia
Why we love it: Low price tag.
What to consider: Can sometimes be hard to get your hands on.
Formulation: Serum | Size: 30ml | Key ingredient: Salicylic acid
What You Need To Know
If you want an acne serum that’s more on the budget-friendly side, this pick from Neutrogena is great. It’s formulated with a blend of salicylic acid, AHA’s and PHA’s to help target and reduce future acne spots from popping up on your face.
The oil-free serum works hard to exfoliate and refine skin texture, encourage cell turnover, improve clogged pores and control excess oil production.
BEST K-BEAUTY SERUM FOR ACNE
COSRX AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum, $55 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: The serum is made in South Korea and features a blend of skin-loving ingredients.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Serum | Size: 40ml | Key ingredient: Centella asiatica
What You Need To Know
The COSRX AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum works to not only address acne, but help with the recovery process too.
Centella asiatica helps to soothe irritated skin, while niacinamide works to strengthen your skin barrier, balance oil production and fade pigmentation.
The formulation is lightweight, non-greasy and fragrance free, making it a perfect choice for those with acne-prone and sensitive skin.
It’s racked up an average rating of 4.7 out of five on the Adore Beauty website, with shoppers calling it a “holy grail for sensitive skin” and noting “this serum worked wonders to calm my skin and cleared up my spots”.
BEST SERUM FOR ADULT ACNE
Bioderma Sébium Anti-blemish Hydrating Serum for acne-prone skin, $59.99 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: Specifically formulated for adults with blemish-prone skin.
What to consider: High price tag.
Formulation: Serum | Size: 30ml | Key ingredient: Salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid
What You Need To Know
Adult acne is tough, that’s why we love that this serum from Bioderma is specifically formulated for adults with blemish-prone skin.
Formulated with a unique FLUIDACTIV™ technology as well as salicylic acid, acetyl glucosamine and hyaluronic acid, it exfoliates and refines the skin while helping to reduce blemishes – both current and future. The serum also promises to deeply hydrate your skin, making it look smoother and plumper.
BEST SPOT TREATMENT FOR ACNE
Acne Hack Spot Treatment, $29.95 at tbh skincare
Why we love it: This is a budget-friendly spot treatment and a little will take you a long way.
What to consider: Some users may want something more powerful.
Formulation: Gel | Size: 30ml
What You Need To Know
One of tbh skincare’s bestsellers is the Acne Hack Spot Treatment. The formulation is free from benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid – which is what you can usually find in acne skincare – and instead features a patented technology to help control breakouts while also hydrating the skin.
Five-star rating tbh skincare shoppers have called this little product both a “miracle cream” and a “lifesaver”, noting it is “very effective” for acne of all sizes.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING AN ACNE SERUM
When choosing acne serums to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Budget: You don’t need to break the bank to find a potent acne serum. We’ve got picks on our list for as little as $10.
Skin type: Do you have sensitive skin? Then you may need to be careful with the acne serums you use. This is also where a spot treatment may come in handy for you.
Key ingredients: Most acne skincare on the market features salicylic acid, glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide, which are all very potent and powerful.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
With hundreds of serums available, it’s impossible to test every product out there. In our search for the best serums for acne-prone skin, we read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best one for you.
We also spoke to Rachel McAdam, L’Oreal Head of Medical Relations and Pharmacist, to understand what sort of ingredients are essential in an acne-prone skincare routine.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO USE AN ACNE SERUM?
Before going in with your acne serum, it’s recommended to gently cleanse your skin and follow up with a hydrating moisturiser.
Rachel recommends that an acne serum is “ideal for people looking to keep their skin clear from blemishes and blocked pores”.
WHAT INGREDIENTS SHOULD PEOPLE WITH ACNE-PRONE SKIN TYPES LOOK OUT FOR?
Chemical exfoliants can really help to refine skin texture.
“Ingredients like AHAs and BHAs help keep the pores clear”, says Rachel.
She continues, “other ingredients to look for include niacinamide which has multiple benefits including balancing excess oil, calming and soothe any bumps and breakouts (look for 2 per cent or more).
“And finally, hydrating yet light ingredients such as HA and glycerine – as even acne prone skin needs to be well hydrated.”
CAN YOU USE AN ACNE SERUM AND SPOT TREATMENT AT THE SAME TIME?
Rachel explains, “yes – as long as the new formula is introduced gradually and cautiously to ensure any double up of actives is tolerated by the skin”.
BESIDES SKINCARE PRODUCTS, WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO HELP ACNE-PRONE SKIN?
While a hardworking skincare routine plays an important factor, there are other things you can do to help keep your acne at bay.
Rachel recommends to “avoid touching and picking your skin, avoid hot showers, ensure any makeup brushes and applicators are cleaned regularly, having a healthy, well-balanced diet full of fruit and veggies, look after your gut health, and avoid sun exposure.
“These lifestyle factors all play a role in keeping free-radicals down and balancing the microbiome of the skin.”
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