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Hi, I’m Dr Harth!
I’ve been a dermatologist for over 30 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the little things we do every day—what we put on our skin, what we eat, how we take care of ourselves—can make a big difference. I love breaking down the science of skincare and haircare and making it easy for people to find what actually works.
Last updated: 3/20/2025
I set out on a mission to find the ultimate acne treatment—one that truly delivers on results, quality, and efficacy. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to know which one is actually worth the investment.
Let’s be honest—brands aren’t always the most transparent, and marketing claims can be misleading. That’s why I took a methodical, hands-on approach to testing, ensuring that I could provide an honest, science-backed review.
Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of my findings, including how each acne treatment performs, key factors that influenced my ratings, and the subtle differences that make a big impact.
Acne isn’t just about breakouts—it can have lasting effects on your skin and confidence. The right treatment does more than just clear pimples; it helps protect your skin’s long-term health, prevents scarring, and supports overall well-being.
Protects Your Confidence – Acne can affect self-esteem and mental health, making the right treatment essential for emotional well-being.
Prevents Long-Term Scarring – Treating acne effectively reduces the risk of permanent scars and discoloration.
Controls Inflammation – Left untreated, acne can lead to chronic inflammation, contributing to redness, irritation, and even systemic health effects.
Supports Skin Barrier Health – Harsh treatments can strip your skin, while the right products balance acne control with skin nourishment.
Avoids Unnecessary Side Effects – Choosing the wrong treatment can lead to excessive dryness, irritation, or even worsening breakouts.
Finding the right acne treatment isn’t just about short-term results—it’s about setting your skin up for long-term success. Ready to find the best option for you?
I researched and evaluated eight leading acne treatments: MDacne, Curology, Proactiv, Neutrogena, The Ordinary, La Roche-Posay, Differin and CeraVe. To ensure fair results, I followed a structured testing process.
Ingredient Effectiveness: Analyzed each formula, considering scientific research and dermatologist approval.
User Insights: Collected real customer feedback from Trustpilot, Reddit, and other online platforms.
Scientific Data: Reviewed research from relevant brands to assess scientific credibility.
Comparative Results: Scored each product based on effectiveness, formulation quality, dermatologist approval, and overall value.
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What could be better
My verdict
MDacne represents the future of acne treatment—personalized medicine that evolves with your skin's changing needs. The digital skin analysis was impressively accurate, identifying both surface concerns and underlying contributing factors.
What truly distinguished MDacne was how the system adapted over time. When several test participants experienced slight dryness, their next month's formulations were automatically adjusted to include more hydrating ingredients while maintaining efficacy against breakouts.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—those persistent dark spots left after acne heals—showed remarkable improvement with the targeted dark spot treatment, which outperformed stand-alone dark spot products from other brands.
For those seeking a proven, dermatologist-formulated acne treatment with real results, MDacne is a standout choice.
What I Love
What could be better
My overall rating
Curology provides prescription-strength ingredients through a telehealth model. The signup process includes a detailed skin assessment and photo submission, which a licensed dermatology provider reviews before creating your formula.
During testing, participants received formulas containing various combinations of azelaic acid, niacinamide, and zinc pyrithione based on their specific concerns.
While Curology seems to perform well on mild acne, it appears to be less effective than the full-strength topical medications offered by MDacne. It also doesn't offer the personalized acne supplements provided by MDacne.
What I Love
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My overall rating
Proactiv Acne Treatment (Canada) Proactiv remains a recognized and affordable acne solution, conveniently available at drugstores across Canada. Its simple routine may suit individuals with very low budget, seeking accessible skincare. However, the system lacks any form of personalized skin analysis or product customization, reducing its effectiveness for unique or evolving skin needs.
It doesn't include oral supplements, which limits its ability to provide a more holistic treatment approach. The use of artificial fragrances and high benzoyl peroxide concentrations may increase the risk of irritation or allergic reactions.
Additionally, some products contain Sodium Polyacrylate, a microplastic with environmental concerns. With no 24/7 expert assistance, users needing real-time skincare guidance may find the support lacking. While convenient, the formula's limitations and environmental footprint make it less suitable for those seeking personalized or eco-conscious solutions.
What I Love
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My overall rating
Neutrogena provides a cost-effective and widely accessible skincare option for individuals with mild and sensitive acne-prone skin. Its old school products are easy to find at most pharmacies and beauty retailers.
The traditional ingredient blends are gentle, making them a good entry-level solution. However, the range lacks personalization—there's no skin analysis or customization to optimize results for individual needs.
The formulas are better suited for mild cases and don't include stronger FDA-cleared ingredients like 5% benzoyl peroxide. It also doesn't offer oral supplements or a complete treatment system. Users looking for a comprehensive, clinically guided routine may find Neutrogena too limited. The absence of 24/7 expert support is another downside for those needing timely skincare guidance.
What I Love
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My overall rating
The Ordinary Acne Set offers a low-cost entry point into acne treatment, delivering a single clinically proven ingredient. The gentle 2% salicylic acid provides acne-fighting benefits without the harsh irritation common in budget alternatives. For users seeking straightforward, no-frills mild acne management with proven actives, this set represents good value. However, the brand's minimalist approach leaves users without crucial guidance on proper integration, usage timing, or managing the initial purging phase that may occur with salicylic acid introduction.
The absence of personalized skin analysis means the one-size-fits-all approach may not address individual sensitivities or specific acne patterns. Without professional support or comprehensive routine guidance, users risk over-exfoliation when layering with other actives, potentially causing more harm than benefit. The single moisturizer option may prove insufficient for those with very dry skin navigating acne treatment. While the products themselves deliver on their promises, the lack of AI-assisted customization offered by other brands and personalized support significantly limits their potential effectiveness for complex skin concerns or first-time acne treatment users.
What I Love
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My overall rating
La Roche-Posay is a trusted brand known for its gentle, dermatologist-recommended formulations. The Effaclar line is effective for mild to moderate acne, with oil-free, lightweight products that support skin barrier health. It’s widely accessible and a good option for sensitive skin.
However, its one-size-fits-all approach may not suit those needing personalized treatment. It lacks customization, oral supplement support, and may be less effective for severe acne. Overall, it’s a solid choice for mild acne but may require additional products for a more comprehensive routine.
What I Love
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My overall rating
The Differin Skincare Kit offers a three-step system built around FDA-approved adapalene. However, significant limitations undermine its effectiveness for many users. Adapalene is considerably less effective on inflammatory acne compared to more potent alternatives like benzoyl peroxide, restricting its utility primarily to comedonal acne types. The harsh adjustment period of 4-6 weeks, involving irritation, dryness, and purging, makes it unsuitable for people with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin who need gentler treatment approaches.
The one-size-fits-all formulation lacks customization options for different skin sensitivities, while the single moisturizer proves inadequate for managing retinoid-induced dryness during the critical adjustment phase. Without professional support, skin analysis, or complementary soothing ingredients like niacinamide or ceramides, users struggle to optimize results or manage side effects. The narrow focus on retinoid monotherapy excludes other proven acne-fighting ingredients, limiting treatment versatility. While the kit canwork for individuals with non-inflammatory acne and resilient skin who can tolerate the adjustment period, those with sensitive skin, inflammatory acne, or complex skin concerns would benefit more from gentler, multi-ingredient systems with professional guidance and customizable hydration support.
What I Love
What could be better
My overall rating
CeraVe offers a solid choice of affordable single products for people with acne, particularly for those just beginning to address their breakouts with a nice choice of cleansers for different skin types.
The standout quality of CeraVe is how it protects the skin barrier—a critical factor for long-term acne management. Many acne-fighting ingredients can compromise skin barrier function, leading to a cycle of irritation and new breakouts. The ceramide-rich formulations effectively counteracted this potential side effect.
However, participants with more persistent or severe acne found the results somewhat slower and less dramatic than our top two picks.
From my experience of treating thousands of patients over the years, MDacne's Customized Treatment Kit stands out as the clear winner for 2025. Its personalized approach, immediate assessment of your selfie, comprehensive formulation strategy, and adaptive technology represent the cutting edge of acne care.
Here’s how they compare:
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If you’re looking for long-lasting, noticeable results with a formula designed for your unique needs, MDacne is the best investment for your clear skin journey.
Click here to try MDacne for FREE, just pay shipping!
I hope this guide helps you find the perfect acne treatment for your needs. Let me know which one you try—I’d love to hear your experience!
Hi, I’m Dr Harth!
I’ve been a dermatologist for over 30 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the little things we do every day—what we put on our skin, what we eat, how we take care of ourselves—can make a big difference. I love breaking down the science of skincare and haircare and making it easy for people to find what actually works.
