12 Best Serums For Acne-Prone Skin Available In India

Who does not want flawless, clear, and glowing skin? But the climatic changes, pollution, and hormones may have other plans and cause acne and breakouts. The clogged pores, itchiness, painful redness, and swelling cause discomfort. While many products may help you manage acne, serums can be the ideal choice. They have a concentrated formula with ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, are lightweight, and do not clog your pores. They can speed up the healing process.

If you are searching for one, scroll down to check our list of facial serums for acne-prone skin that are worth a try.

12 Best Serums for Acne-Prone Skin

1. Best Overall:Minimalist Salicylic Acid 2% 

4

BUY ON AMAZON | ₹521

This serum by Minimalist contains 2% salicylic acid and helps balance excess sebum production and keeps your skin shine-free. It penetrates deep into the pores to accelerate the self-exfoliation process of the skin, thus, flushing out debris, dirt, and excess sebum with ease.

The serum eliminates whiteheads and blackheads and minimizes enlarged pores. The aloe vera extracts in the serum help soothe redness and irritation. The formula also helps fade acne scars and other signs of aging like wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. Regular use of this serum will make your skin clean, silky, and smooth.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid

2. Best Brightening:Wow Skin Science Anti Acne Face Serum

3.7

BUY ON AMAZON | ₹401

This potentAnti Acne FaceSerum by Wow Skin Science helps to smoothen the pits and acne spots. The serum is super concentrated and contains natural active ingredients to repair and replenish your skin. It enhances your skin’s appearance by fading dark spots. Neem leaf oil and tea tree oil are powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients infused in this serum to balance excess sebum and prevent acne-causing bacteria. The formula also contains refreshing caviar lime extract that gently exfoliates dead skin and impurities while enhancing collagen production and firming your skin.

Key Ingredients: Neem Leaf Oil, Tea Tree Extract, Caviar Lime Fruit Extract, Dextran, and Tripeptide-1

3. Best Blackheads Removal:The Derma Co 2% Salicylic Acid Face Serum

3.9

BUY ON AMAZON | ₹448

This face serum from The Derma Co contains 2% salicylic acid that deeply penetrates the pores to unclog them and clear dirt, debris, and dead skin cells. It also controls excess sebum in the pores, which reduces acne and prevents further breakouts. The serum is infused with witch hazel that minimizes enlarged pores, deeply cleanses the skin, and prevents acne. The willow bark in the formula exfoliates the skin and reduces excess oil, making it clear and radiant. This serum not only helps reduce acne but also prevents blackheads and whiteheads.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, Witch hazel, and Willow bark

4. Best For Pigmentation:Plum Green Tea Skin Clarifying Concentrate 

4

BUY ON AMAZON

The Plum Green Tea range is one of the best skincare lines for acne-prone skin. This Skin Clarifying Concentrate by Plum is enriched with natural alpha-hydroxy acids and plant extracts that help tackle acne-prone and oily skin. The green tea extract in the serum is a natural antioxidant and helps fade acne marks and target the root cause to prevent further breakouts. The cinnamon bark extract controls excess oil, while the licorice extract targets pigmentation, dark spots, and scars, thus leaving behind clear skin.

Key Ingredients: Green tea, Cinnamon bark, and Licorice extracts

5. Best Pore Reducer:Honest Choice Niacinamide Booster Face Serum

3.7

BUY ON AMAZON

If you have mature and oily skin, this rejuvenating facial serum by Honest Choice is ideal for you. The potent formula of the Niacinamide Booster Face Serum contains AHAsand plant extracts, which help even your skin tone, minimize the appearance of pores, reduce oiliness, and fight acne. The serum is super lightweight and non-greasy and gets absorbed seamlessly into your skin. It contains 1% zinc and 10% niacinamide, which is the perfect combination for aging and breakout-prone skin. The serum helps minimize wrinkles, fade fine lines and blemishes, leaving your skin glowing and renewed. The soothing aloe vera extracts in the formula relieve redness and add a boost of hydration.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide and Zinc

6. Best Oil Control:MamaEarth Tea Tree Face Serum

3.8

BUY ON AMAZON | ₹508

This gentle yet potent facial serum by MamaEarth keeps blemishes and acne at bay. The salicylic acid and tea tree oil in the formula exfoliate your skin and unclog pores to prevent whiteheads, blackheads, and clear debris. The serum also contains antiseptic properties, which target the acne-causing bacteria and help reduce inflammation and breakouts. The licorice extract in the serum fades pigmentation, dark spots and scars, and leaves your skin super clear.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid and Tea tree oil

7. Best Acne Spot Treatment:Luxura Sciences Salicylic Acid 2% Niacinamide Face Serum

3.7

BUY ON AMAZON | ₹396.26

This all-natural treatment by Luxura Sciences is powered by botanical extracts and is the holy grail for acne-prone skin. This mild chemical peel reduces the appearance of breakouts, spots, and oily skin while tightening open pores. The 2% salicylic acid formula helps exfoliate the skin, unclog pores, clear debris, and refine the texture and prevent the formation of new acne.

The formula contains aloe vera, niacinamide. and tea tree extracts that work in tandem to nourish and protect your skin against bacteria and breakouts. They are also rich in antioxidants that keep your skin healthy and younger-looking. Additionally, the serum features chamomile and cucumber extracts that soothe irritation, scars, and redness while replenishing lost moisture.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide and Salicylic acid

8. Best For Redness:Dot & Key Zit Zapping Skin Clarifying Face Serum 

3.9

BUY ON AMAZON | ₹365

Indulge in this clarifying acne treatment by Dot & Key that works wonders on your skin. This bottle of Zit Zapping Skin Clarifying Face Serum contains clary sage and tea tree oils, which diminish pimples, zits, and acne formation. This formula gently exfoliates the dead skin from the surface and unclog pores. It also removes the excess sebum to reveal a non-oily and clear-looking skin. The neem extract in this serum has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and helps soothe swelling, irritations, and redness.

Key Ingredients: Clary sage and Tea tree oils

9. Best For Uneven Skin Tone:Recast Advanced Skin Care Acne Serum

3.3

BUY ON AMAZON | ₹582.35

If you are looking for a super-concentrated acne spot treatment, this serum by Recast is the ideal choice! The Advanced Skin Care Acne Serum is super lightweight and absorbs effectively into your skin without leaving any sticky residue. This professional-grade formula contains niacinamide, which can calm even the most severe acne flare-ups like pustules and papules. It also helps gradually lighten acne marks, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and other signs of aging. The serum contains sandalwood oil, a potent anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic agent that soothe skin irritation, tighten the pores and brighten your skin.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide and Sandalwood oil

10. Best Scars Removal:Vital Organics Acne Serum 

3.6

BUY ON AMAZON | ₹399

Target the root cause of your acne with this powerful serum by Vital Organics. The revolutionary gel-based formula works immediately to fight acne-causing bacteria and prevent any further breakouts. It is made of natural ingredients and gets absorbed instantly. The apple cider vinegar infused in the serum exfoliates your skin, leaving it clarified and smooth. The formula also contains tea tree oil that has anti-inflammatory properties and helps prevent acne-causing bacterial. Vitamins B3 and E in the serum protect your skin against environmental damages and reverses signs of aging like dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin B3, Pro-Vitamin E, and Lactic acid

11. Best Anti Aging:Wow Skin Science Retinol Face Serum 

3.9

BUY ON AMAZON

This rejuvenating Retinol FaceSerum by Wow Skin Science is a must-have for your vanity. Retinol promotes cell regeneration, fades pigmentation, dark spots, fine lines, acne spots, and smooths your skin. The formula also contains aloe vera that has anti-inflammatory properties and helps soothe your skin while preventing acne. Vitamin B3 in the formula restores the skin’s lipid barrier, while witch hazel detoxifies your skin, minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores, reduces redness, and soothes irritation. These ingredients also improve your skin’s elasticity and give a boost of radiance with regular use.

Key Ingredients: Retinol

12. Best For Glowing Skin:Seven Skies Acne Clearing Facial Serum

3.2

BUY ON AMAZON

Just as the name states, this facial serum by Seven Skies effectively clears acne and breakouts. The spot action formula claims to reduce pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads within 24 hours. It contains tea tree oil that reduces sebum without stripping away the natural moisture of your skin and prevents acne-causing bacteria. This formula also soothes inflammation, redness, and irritation caused during flare-ups. Regular use of this serum leaves your skin looking clearer, fresher, and glowing.

Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil

Serums offer various nourishing benefits for acne-prone skin. Some of them are listed below.

 Benefits Of Using Serum For Acne

• Serums are much lighter than moisturizers and have a thinner viscosity. Thus, they can be absorbed much easily into your skin. They do not feel heavy on the skin and are suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.
• They are rich in active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and botanical extracts, which give you targeted and fast results.
• They contain antioxidants that help maintain overall skin health and reduce damages caused by environmental aggressors.

Layering your serum in perfect order ensures better results. Here is a step-by-step procedure for incorporating serums for acne-prone skin.

How To Use Serums For Acne

Step 1: Cleanse

The best way to start your skincare routine is by cleansing with a gentle face wash. This helps clear excess sebum, dirt, and oil from your face.

Step 2: Apply Toner or Face Mist

Spritz an acne-friendly face mist or alcohol-free toner to balance your skin’s pH and prep your skin for the next steps. A cleanser cannot clean all residue from the skin. Toners clear the residue and give you a clean canvas to start with.

Step 3: Apply Serum

Massage a pea-sized amount or 3 to 4 drops of serum on your face. Avoid rubbing the product. Instead, gently pat it over your face and neck. Allow your skin to absorb the serum for a few minutes before layering it with other skincare products.

Step 5: Moisturize

The final step is to apply a light, oil-free moisturizer to seal all the goodness of your serum.

Now that you know about the best serums for acne-prone skin and their benefits, here are a few points to consider before buying one.

How To Choose The Best Serum For Acne

1. Choose Acne Combating Ingredients

Pick serums that contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and sulfur. These ingredients eliminate dead skin cells, unclog the pores, fight acne-causing bacteria, and reduce excess sebum.

Also, avoid ingredients like alcohol, mineral oil, silicone, and SLS. These ingredients may irritate the skin and aggravate the condition.

2. Check The Packaging

Choose a serum that comes in a dark bottle. This helps to preserve the potency of the formula. Antioxidants are vulnerable to light and oxygen and may break down when exposed.

Acne-prone skin can be tough to manage, but choosing a suitable serum can help calm inflammation, improve the complexion and reduce breakouts. Review each product listed in our article and pick one that suits your skin and calms your skin condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any side effects or risks associated with using serums for acne-prone skin?

Serums may cause irritation and dryness if you are not using the right product for your skin type or issue or allergic to any ingredient. The ingredients should be safe for your skin and the formula should provide the right combination of exfoliation and hydration. Do a patch test before buying any product to check for irritation or allergic reactions.

How often should I use serums for acne-prone skin?

It is recommended to start slowly and apply the serum once or twice a week. gradually increasing the frequency. Or, use it as mentioned in the product instructions (directions for use) or by your dermatologist.

Are there any precautions or guidelines for using serums for acne-prone skin?

Some precautions regarding serums for acne-prone skin are – do a mandatory patch test, give a comfortable gap to allow the skin to adjust to new ingredients, start with gentle formulations, and avoid over-exfoliation.

Can serums help prevent future breakouts on acne-prone skin?

Yes, serums are packed with active ingredients that work to get rid of the root cause of acne and heal your skin from within, preventing future breakouts.

Can serums be used on other areas of the body affected by acne, such as the chest or back?

Face serums are usually safe to be used on other parts of the body. However, you may not see the same results as facial serums contain mild ingredients that work well on delicate face skin. The skin on your body is a little thicker and needs products made specifically for it. Also, if you have severe body acne, consult your doctor before using any face serum.

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Krati Darak

Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.

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Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.

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Medha DebCommerce Editor

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

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