Black Friday acne skincare: what is worth buying and what to skip

Black Friday is when a lot of people stock up on skincare, and acne products are easy to grab in a hurry. Before you do, it helps to know which ones the experts we follow actually back. We looked at the acne buys they have reviewed and sorted them into four worth buying and three to think twice about. The top pick, Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%, holds a Guru Score of 94% across 18 experts.

Which acne products are worth buying this Black Friday?

Four stand out, and each does a different job: a leave-on treatment, a cleanser, an exfoliant and a spot patch. Every one of them has a Guru Score of 87% or more, and three of the four have no more than one expert saying no.

They work best as a small routine rather than a pile of new products. Here is what the experts said about each one, and who it suits.

Is Differin Adapalene Gel worth it for acne?

Almost every expert who reviewed it says yes. 17 of its 18 experts back Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%, for a Guru Score of 94%, the highest on this list. Several of them point out that adapalene is a retinoid that used to need a prescription, and 208SkinDoc says that if he could pick one over the counter product for acne, this would be it.

It asks for patience. Dr. Sam Ellis says the biggest downside is the irritation it can cause at first, and Dr. Aleksandra Brown suggests starting two to three nights a week with moisturizer on top. Dr. Jenny Liu pairs it with a benzoyl peroxide cleanser, which she calls "the dynamic duo that most dermatologists recommend when it comes to over-the-counter treatments". Our adapalene guide has the full picture. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive or already using a prescription for your skin, check with a doctor or pharmacist before starting a retinoid.

Which acne cleanser do the experts rate?

PanOxyl 4% Benzoyl Peroxide Cleansing Wash is the one, with a Guru Score of 89%, and all 12 of the experts who reviewed it said yes. AliceintheRabbitHole has acne-prone, sensitive skin and says of this wash, "this was my solution". Alexandra Anele found a stronger benzoyl peroxide a little too much, and says that stepping down to PanOxyl's 4% "made a big difference".

One practical tip comes from Dr. Daniel Sugai: rinse it off completely, because he warns that benzoyl peroxide left on the skin can bleach your towels and clothes. If you are weighing it against a salicylic acid cleanser, see salicylic acid vs benzoyl peroxide.

Is Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant still worth buying?

For clogged pores, most of the experts say yes. It is the most reviewed product here, with 33 experts, and 28 of them said yes, for a Guru Score of 88%. Doctor Anne uses it mainly around her T-zone and says "It is great for my congestion." Dr. Whitney Bowe says oily or acne-prone skin may be able to use salicylic acid every single day. Dr. Daniel Sugai is more cautious: he likes it, but suggests one to three times a week and says "I would not use the leave-on exfoliant the same day as a retinoid if you're on one."

The experts who said no had their own reasons. Sincerely Miss Ash says it started to irritate her skin after years of use, Nipun Kapur finds exfoliating toners "very watered down" and prefers a serum, and Dr. Daniel Sugai warns that people see the BHA and expect it to cure their acne, when it may not be the right fit for what they have. Our salicylic acid guide covers the alternatives.

Are pimple patches worth it?

The right ones are. Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original has a Guru Score of 87%, and all 18 of its experts said yes. Hyram says it actually stays on and works alongside makeup. For Dr. Vanita Rattan the point is to stop you picking: she suggests putting one over a spot treatment and says it is "safer for black skin than picking every single time". Dr. Shereene Idriss puts it simply: "do not pop it."

Starface Hydrocolloid Pimple Patches split the panel: 4 of its 8 experts said yes and 4 said no, for a Guru Score of 58%. Hyram finds they do not stick well, and Dr. Mamina says she finds other hydrocolloid patches "a little bit better". It is a small panel, so treat it as an early read.

Which acne products should you think twice about?

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a familiar pick for oily, breakout-prone skin, but it holds a Guru Score of 69%: 14 of its 27 experts said yes and 9 said no. The complaint is the strength. Dr. Daniel Sugai says it caused contact dermatitis in many of his patients, April Basi says it triggered redness for a lot of people, and Mad About Skin points to studies that use niacinamide at 2 to 5%. Lab Muffin Beauty Science says her skin "actually loves niacinamide, it just doesn't love this product", which is why several experts point to lower strengths instead. See our niacinamide guide.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution scores lower still, at 58%: 11 of its 23 experts said yes, 8 said no and 4 were mixed. Dr. Vanita Rattan warns that it "can burn the skin and lead to hyperpigmentation" and does not recommend it for skin of color. Kelly Driscoll says she irritated and burned her skin with it even with caution, and Dr. Shereene Idriss says overusing it strips the skin and can make inflammation worse. Most of the experts who use it treat it as an occasional peel, and Dr. Daniel Sugai suggests about once a week. For everyday exfoliation, the Paula's Choice BHA above has the higher Guru Score.

What should you buy for acne this Black Friday?

If you buy one thing, the experts point to Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%, with a Guru Score of 94%. The experts' pairing is the PanOxyl wash, the duo Dr. Jenny Liu describes, and a few Hero patches can help with the spots you are tempted to pick. If clogged pores are your main concern, you might add the Paula's Choice BHA, though Dr. Daniel Sugai would keep a leave-on exfoliant to one to three times a week and never on the same day as a retinoid. The experts are more wary of the high-strength serums and peels unless your skin already handles them well. For more, see the best acne treatments and our Black Friday verdict on cult skincare.

These picks relay what the experts said, not a treatment plan. If your breakouts are painful, deep, widespread or leaving scars, or nothing has helped after a few months, it is worth talking to a doctor or pharmacist.