Acne is a common skin condition that can be frustrating and uncomfortable. There are many serums available on the market that claim to help clear acne, but which one is the best?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best serum for acne will vary depending on the individual’s skin type, severity of acne, and other factors. That's why we have dug deep to come up with this list. Each serum in this list is formulated with potent ingredients that are believed to be effective in clearing acne.
It is important to note that not every great serum would work for everybody; it is important to try out a few before making a purchase.
Pricing Guide: Here's how we are indicating the price range:
?: Price Below Rs.400
??: Between Rs.400 to Rs.700
???: Above Rs.700
Minimalist 2% Salicylic Acid Serum
Popular salicylic acid face serum that works for acne, blackheads & open pores. Non-comedogenic, packs a skin-suitable pH and works for all skin types.
- Compatible Skin Type: All
- Key Ingredients: 2% Salicylic Acid, Lecithin, Aloe Vera Juice
- Popularity: Highest in The List
- Amazon Rating: 4.1/5
- Price Range: ??
Pros: This face serum works as a super exfoliant for acne-prone skin by removing dirt and impurities. It reduces shine, controls oil production, eliminates blackheads and whiteheads and prevents future breakouts. Aloe vera in its formulation allows it to calm redness and soothe the skin; perfect for counteracting the after-effects of exfoliation.
It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and absorbs quickly. As it's pH balanced, it effectively works with one's skin and helps cell turnover gently. Free from numerous irritants including fragrance, silicone, dye, paraben, sulfate, this face serum is available on Amazon, Flipkart, and Nykaa.
Cons: It may induce some redness and itching in a few users.
Derma Co 10% Niacinamide Face Serum
An effective serum for acne scars, marks, open pores, and uneven skin texture.
- Compatible Skin Type: All
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Zinc Pca
- Popularity: High
- Amazon Rating: 4.1/5
- Price Range: ??
Pros: With 10% Niacinamide and Zinc, this lightweight face serum packs a safe and effective formula to fade acne marks, fight acne, control sebum production and improve large pores. It contains glycerin as a hydrating ingredient, and so it doesn't leave skin dry as many other serums do.
This face serum spreads out a mild soothing fragrance and offers results in as low as 3-6 weeks. It is free from many not so nice ingredients including sulfate, paraben, dye, and mineral oil and is available to purchase from Amazon, Flipkart, and Nykaa.
Cons: Contains Diazolidinyl Urea, a somewhat controversial formaldehyde-releasing compound.
Charmis Deep Radiance Face Serum
A super-affordable vitamin C serum that reduces dark spots, acne marks, uneven texture, and dullness.
- Compatible Skin Type: All
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Salicylic acid
- Popularity: High
- Amazon Rating: 3.9/5
- Price Range: ?
Pros: Containing powerful antioxidant Vitamin C, skin-hydrator hyaluronic acid, and exfoliator salicylic acid, Charmis Deep Radiance Face Serum is a lightweight, non-sticky, and quick absorbing serum. This deep penetrating serum helps reduce dark spots, acne marks, uneven texture, and dullness.
What sets it apart from other serums is its super-affordable price (it sells for less than Rs.200 when most other serums are priced above Rs.500). And yes, it's dermatologically-tested and is free from mineral oil and petroleum. Besides Amazon, it's being sold by Flipkart, Nykaa, BigBasket.
Cons: Contains numerous fragrance ingredients, so may not be suitable for those with sensitive-skin type.
UrbanBotanics? 10% Niacinamide Face Serum
A high-rated face serum which is great for acne, acne scars, age signs, dryness, blemishes, and dullness.
- Compatible Skin Type: All
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Tranexamic Acid, Zinc Pca, Lecithin, and Bisabolol
- Popularity: Medium
- Amazon Rating: 4.2/5
- Price Range: ?
Pros: The face serum contains 10% Niacinamide & Zinc PCA, which allows it to treat acne, acne marks, and excessive sebum production. It also reconstructs and hydrates damaged skin barrier, minimizes sebum production and enlarged pores, and promotes healthy & glowing skin.
Packed with mild fragrance and containing many natural ingredients, this face serum is super-friendly on sensitive skin. This face serum is free from PABA and Paraben.
Cons: It's exclusively available on Amazon, and not any other major eCommerce platform.
WOW Skin Science Face Serum
A tea tree-based serum that lightens dark spots, adds radiance to dull complexion, hydrates skin and provides an anti-aging effect. 100% vegan, non-oily, and goes well over sensitive-skin too.
- Compatible Skin Type: All
- Key Ingredients: Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Witch Hazel Extract, Ferulic Acid
- Popularity: Highest in The List
- Amazon Rating: 3.8/5
- Price Range: ??
Pros: This serum exfoliates and repairs the skin with AHA and vitamin C, controls sebum production with tea tree extract, and contains dextran and tripeptide-1 for delaying aging signs and improving the skin's texture.
This vegan serum (containing no animal products) is dermatologically-tested and contains no paraben, silicone, gluten or fragrance. As it's odorless, it's a great buy for those with sensitive-skin. You can buy it from Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, and Myntra.
Cons: You may not like its natural smell, which some users describe as being like fevicol.
Mamaearth Tea Tree Face Serum
Packing both tea tree and salicylic acid, this is a great serum for acne breakouts, blackheads & whiteheads, and excessive sebum. Offers a shiny and a glowy appearance after application.
- Compatible Skin Type: All
- Key Ingredients: Tea Tree Oil, Salicylic Acid, and Licorice Extract
- Popularity: Medium
- Amazon Rating: 3.9/5
- Price Range: ??
Pros: Containing two effective anti-acne ingredients, salicylic acid and tea tree oil, Mamaearth Serum is able to unclog the pores, fight acne-causing bacteria, fade blemishes, and prevent blackheads. Containing licorice extract, it's also able to impart glow and radiance to the skin.
This gentle, lightweight, non-greasy serum is free from multiple irritants like paraben, sulfate, petroleum-free
artificial preservatives, and colorants. Beside Amazon, you can also buy it from Flipkart, Nykaa, and even TataCliQ.
Cons: It does dry out skin. That's why we recommend following up with the right moisturizer, or picking up serums with moisturizing ingredients like Derma Co Face Serum.
Plum Green Tea Face Serum
The best serum for oily acne-prone skin. This natural AHA-based, FDA-approved, vegan serum is great at drying out existing pimples, fighting acne, and treating dark spots and pigmentation.
- Compatible Skin Type: Oily
- Key Ingredients: Green Tea Extract, Cinnamon Bark, And Licorice
- Popularity: Medium
- Amazon Rating: 4.1/5
- Price Range: ???
Pros: Especially formulated for oily acne-prone skin, Plum Serum contains natural AHAs, green tea extracts, and willow bark for fighting acne and acne marks. It also controls sebum production (greatly required for oily skin type) and even aids in removing dark spots and pigmentation with its licorice extracts.
What sets it apart from other serums is that it’s 100% vegan, 100% cruelty-free and FDA-approved. Also, this lightweight, non-sticky, and quick-absorbing serum is free from most irritants including sulfate, mineral oil, paraben, silicone, and phthalates. Apart from Amazon, it's also available on Flipkart and Nykaa.
Cons: It's twice the price of most serums in our list, and costs near Rs.1000. We think that it could have been priced competitively. Also, like many serums, it does leave out skin dry as it doesn't contain any moisturizing ingredients.
Pilgrim Anti Acne Serum
Value for money salicylic acid-based serum that fights and prevents acne, clears skin, and reduces active acne.
- Compatible Skin Type: All
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Yugdugu
- Popularity: Medium
- Amazon Rating: 4.0/5
- Price Range: ??
Pros: Containing salicylic, glycolic acid, and yugdugu , this face serum is able to unclog blocked pores, remove excess oil, put life into dull complexion, and reduce recurrence of acne.
It's dermatologically-tested, FDA-approved, cruelty-free, and doesn't contain any paraben, sulfates, and mineral oils. What's also great is that it's super lightweight, and goes well on sensitive skin too. You can either buy it from Amazon, or other marketplaces like Flipkart and Nykaa.
Cons: It may cause some drying. That's not surprising as most serums do, so we recommend you to invest in the right moisturizer. Also, as it contains fragrance ingredients, it may not be suitable for those looking out for an odorless product.
Oriental Botanics Face Serum
A high-rated serum that prevents and treats acne, calms the irritated skin, hydrates nicely and offers a glowing complexion. Vegan, cruelty-free and contains many botanical extracts.
- Compatible Skin Type: Normal
- Key Ingredients: Tea Tree Oil, White Bark Extract, Neem, Hyaluronic Acid, Witch Hazel, and Aloe Vera
- Popularity: Low
- Amazon Rating: 4.4/5
- Price Range: ??
Pros: Infused with specialized anti-acne actives from Japan, this fast-absorbing serum is highly effective in addressing the problems of the acne-prone oily skin. Unlike most serum, it's great at hydrating and nourishing the skin as it contains two moisturizing ingredients: hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera gel.
This serum packs many botanical extracts, and contains no fragrance-based chemicals. Like Plum Serum, it’s cruelty-free and 100% vegan. Also, it's free from many bad ingredients like oil, fragrance, mineral oil, paraben, phthalate, sulfate, and silicone. Available on marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, Myntra, and TataCliQ.
Cons: It's not as popular as other serums in the list, so nothing precise could be concluded about it from the limited reviews. Also, it can feel a bit sticky after application, so may not be the best choice for those looking for non-sticky serums.
Sirona Face Serum
A salicylic powered face serum that exfoliates, balances oil, and heals acne lesions. The best serum for dry acne-prone skin.
- Compatible Skin Type: All
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Tasmanian Pepper Fruit, Zinc Pca, and Tea Tree Oil
- Popularity: Medium
- Amazon Rating: 4.1/5
- Price Range: ?
Pros: Packing amazing exfoliator salicylic acid, two anti-acne ingredients (Zinc Pca, and Tea Tree Oil), moisturizer hyaluronic acid, and antimicrobial Tasmanian Pepper Fruit, this serum is able to clear the skin thoroughly, eliminate acne-causing bacteria, soothe acne-related soreness and redness – all while keeping the skin's moisture intact.
This water-based serum packs a mild nice fragrance, provides a smooth finish, and works well over dry skin type too (all thanks to hyaluronic acid). And while it may have thicker consistency than other serums, it won't feel heavy on the face. Pick it up from Amazon, Flipkart, or Nykaa.
Cons: It contains fragrance, so may not be suitable for those with sensitive-skin.
Note: We considered the number of ratings to specify the popularity of the product. Those with ratings above 2000 have been specified as high, between 400 to 2000 ratings as medium, and below 400 ratings as low in popularity.
Benefits of using a serum on acne-prone skin
Here are some of the benefits of using a serum for acne:
- Improves the appearance of the skin by helping to reduce the appearance of scars and blemishes.
- Helps to calm the skin and reduce inflammation.
- Helps to improve the absorption of other topical treatments, such as moisturizers, sunscreens, and acne treatments.
- Effective in treating multiple types of acne.
- Gentle enough for use on the skin daily.
- Offers convenience to store and travel with.
Serum For Acne Popular FAQs
What are some of the popular active ingredients to look out for in serums for acne?
The most common ingredients include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, vitamin c, tea tree, retinoids, and sulfur. It's important to note that there are many other great ingredients too.
When is the right time to apply a serum on pimples or acne face?
Consult a dermatologist and read product's instructions to know what timing and frequency would work best for you.
Serums or moisturizers: which one is better for acne and pimples?
Serums are thought to be better at treating acne than moisturizers. That's because they are typically more concentrated and contain higher doses of active ingredients than moisturizers.
How to choose the right serum for acne-prone skin?
To choose the right serum for your skin, it is important to consider your skin type, the severity of your acne, and your desired results. You can also ask a dermatologist or beauty professional for recommendations.
How does skin type matter in choosing the right serum for acne and pimples?
Skin type matters as serums are designed with skin type in mind. Like for those with oily skin, a serum that contains salicylic acid may be a better option. Those with dry skin may prefer a serum that contains glycolic acid.
Serum or cream: which would be a better choice for acne-prone skin?
Some people prefer a serum because it is lightweight and absorbs into the skin quickly, while others may prefer a cream because it is more moisturizing. Test out both to see which one works the best for your skin type and needs.
Reviewed by
DR. B LAKSHMI DIVYA
Registration Number: 74576
MBBS, MD – Dermatology, MBBS, MD – Dermatology , Venereology & Leprosy
