9 Best Drugstore Acne Treatments That Really Work, According to Top Dermatologists

Differin .1 Gel

“The Differin .1 Gel is a wonderful, new drugstore acne medication,” says Samer Jaber, MD of Washington Square Dermatology in New York City. “It was available by prescription for over 20 years, and was just recently approved as an over-the-counter medication. It works differently than other OTC acne medications because it’s a retinoid, has anti-inflammatory properties, and clears clogged pores to prevent new acne. It should be the first OTC product that anyone struggling with facial acne uses,” Dr. Jaber says. However, if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant you should not use Differin. Find out what your acne breakout is secretly trying to tell you.