When a brand-new, where-on-earth-did-that-come-from pimple crops up at the worst time possible, we reach for any one of the best acne spot treatments. These hard-working, over-the-counter options may come in humble tubes, tiny tinctures, and unassuming stickers, but don’t be fooled, because the lowly acne products deliver high concentrations of ingredients that outlast the effects of rinse-off cleansers.

The best spot-treatment products balance acne-fighting actives like sulfur, tea tree oil, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide, with skin-soothing ingredients to prevent dryness and irritation, making them your strongest line of defense when a few pesky pimples arise. With that in mind, scroll on for the 13 best acne spot treatments to tackle breakouts quickly without stripping your skin.

...

Best Treatment Pads: Mediheal Teatree Trouble Facial Toner Pads

Why it's worth it: Mediheal's Teatree Trouble Facial Toner Pads unclog pores with its key ingredient, tea tree oil, according to Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “These treatment pads contain tea tree leaf oil, water, and extract, all of which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as well as soothing ingredients like allantoin, and hydrating ingredients like glycerin,” she says. You can use each pad two ways: leave it on your problem area until it dries for a concentrated, sheet mask-like effect, or use them as toning pads by simply swiping them on breakouts.

Key ingredients: tea tree oil, tea tree water, tea tree extract, allantoin, glycerin | Fragrance-free: yes

...