Ranked by ingredients
Best Spot & Targeted Treatments
The 10 highest-scoring of the 59 spot & targeted treatments we scored, ranked on what is in the bottle rather than what is on it. Every score comes from the product's own ingredient list; no brand pays to be here.
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First Aid Beauty$38.00First Aid Beauty Hydrating Dewy Gel Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid +Ceramides1 high-impact active: Niacinamide. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Hexylene Glycol
Actives: Niacinamide, Colloidal Oatmeal, Tocopherol
A92 - 2
Paula's Choice$48.75Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment3 high-impact actives: Retinol, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1. Fragrance-free
Actives: Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Salix Alba Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
A92 - 3
Hero Cosmetics$10.99Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Micropoint for Dark Spot Patches4 high-impact actives: Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Beta-Glucan +1 more. Fragrance-free
Actives: Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Tranexamic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Glycolic Acid
A91 - 4
Peter Thomas Roth$110.00 · 50mlPeter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Plus+ Face & Neck Moisturizer1 high-impact active: Retinol. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Retinol
Actives: Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinol, Tocopherol, Bisabolol
A91 - 5
Chanel$110.00Chanel HYDRA BEAUTY MICRO GEL CRÈME Fortifying Replenishing Hydration1 high-impact active: Phytosphingosine
Actives: Phytosphingosine, Tocopherol
A90 - 6
COSRX$9.49 · 125 mlCOSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive3 high-impact actives: Bee Propolis, Niacinamide, Betaine Salicylate. Fragrance-free
Actives: Propolis Extract, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Betaine Salicylate
A90 - 7
Hero Cosmetics$14.99Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch for Tired Eyes Patches1 high-impact active: Niacinamide. Fragrance-free
Actives: Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Glucoside
A90 - 8
Hero Cosmetics$10.99Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Micropoint for Blemishes Patches2 high-impact actives: Salicylic Acid, Beta-Glucan. Fragrance-free
Actives: Salicylic Acid, Madecassoside, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Beta-Glucan
A90 - 9
Paula's Choice$42.00Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster2 high-impact actives: Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid. Fragrance-free
Actives: Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Bisabolol
A90 - 10
RoC$37.99RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Rich Cream Moisturizer1 high-impact active: Retinol. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Retinol
Actives: Retinol, Tocopherol
A90
49 more spot & targeted treatments are scored in the Formulate app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best treatment?
First Aid Beauty Hydrating Dewy Gel Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid +Ceramides by First Aid Beauty scores highest of the 59 spot & targeted treatments Formulate has scored, at 92/100 (grade A). 1 high-impact active: Niacinamide. Loses points on safety: 1 moderate-irritation ingredient: Hexylene Glycol.
How are these spot & targeted treatments ranked?
Each product is scored out of 100 on its formula: how well-researched its actives are, whether the label discloses their concentration, the research behind them, and how complete and well-built the formula is. Safety is checked separately — irritants, fragrance, EU-listed allergens, endocrine concerns and pore-clogging ingredients — and only costs points when it falls below 95. No brand pays to be listed.
Are these spot & targeted treatments fragrance-free?
55 of the 59 spot & targeted treatments scored contain no synthetic fragrance. 24 lost points on the safety check.
Best skincare by type
Educational only. Scores rate a product's formula, not how it will suit your skin. Patch-test new products, and see a dermatologist for persistent skin conditions. Some links are affiliate links; they never affect a score.