The Best Salicylic Acid Face Wash For Acne: Neutrogena Oil
Price: $6.47
So you want a little bit of acne treatment and a little bit of exfoliation. This face wash hits two birds with one stone. The 2% salicylic acid formula is pretty mild, so its a great first step for someone who isnt sure exactly what kind of strength they need in a cleanser.
The exfoliators are also wonderful for smoothing and clearing complexion, as well as lifting daily buildup of dirt, oil, and makeup. Feel free to use this gentle yet effective scrub every day.
How Do You Get Rid Of Acne Permanently
If your skin is dry, apply a moisturizer designed for acne-prone skin. Apply the moisturizer twice a day after washing your face. You should also avoid astringents, alcohol, and anything that can dry out your skin. Rub your skin clean. To get rid of acne, you may be tempted to rub your skin to clear it up.
Acnefree Terminator Spot Treatment
It is a product worthy of note, thanks to its effect on oily skins that are prone to acne. It is one of the products because it also works on combination skin.
The other features that make it one of the best over the counter acne spot treatment are highlighted below:
Pros:
- Its 10% benzoyl peroxide content get rid of acne from the skin
- The result is fast
- It leaves no residue on the sin
- It is relatively affordable
- You need to use it continuously
- Its gel-like texture is not admirable to many
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What Is The Best Face Wash For Cystic Acne
- Best Acne Treatment: Neutrogena OilFree Acne Wash Face Wash with Pink Grapefruit.
- Ideal for pimples: Bioré Charcoal Acne Cleanser.
- Best Cure For Cystic Acne: Neutrogena Quick Cleanser For Stubborn Acne.
- Ideal for skin rashes: PanOxyl Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Creamy Wash.
- Ideal for dry skin: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser.
Differin Acne Face Wash

Best for oily skin
This face wash contains 5% benzoyl peroxide. Typically, products contain 10% benzoyl peroxide, but the company claims this product is just as effective but causes less irritation and dryness.
Differin claims dermatologists developed this formula, which features a dual action that penetrates the skin deeply to absorb excess oil and moisturize while avoiding clogging pores.
This product is available to purchase online for around $10.
Also Check: Erno Laszlo Pore Cleansing Mask
How To Choose The Best Drugstore Acne Products
Scan for pimple-fighters: OTCs focus on a couple of tried-and-true ingredients. One is benzoyl peroxide and the other is salicylic acid . Your skin will likely react better to one over the other, so you may need to do a bit of experimentation.
Take the less is more approach: Layering on multiple products can create irritation and make your acne worse, says Dr. Meinhardt. Start with a cleanser in the morning and night. Apply an acne spot treatment at night to target especially stubborn spots.
But dont forget to moisturize: Yes, acne treatments are important, but they tend to dry your skin out. Moisturizing is essentialand the same goes for an SPF during the day, which will protect your skin from harmful UV rays and help hyperpigmentation and acne scars fade faster.
Be patient: This is one of the most important steps when getting rid of your acne . Treating acne over-the-counter can be a somewhat slow process. You can expect to notice improvements in four to six weeks, says Dr. Sivendran. Keep in mind its possible that skin will look worse before it looks better, so give your current regimen one to two months before moving on to new products.
Now that you know what to look for, check out these dermatologist-approved drugstore acne products that will finally make your pimples disappear.
Additional reporting by Brielle Gregory
Why Should You Trust Us
You are absolutely right to show some concerns regarding online reviews. You scour through hundreds of reviews and suddenly realize you dont know whether the review is being given by a professional or if some amateur was paid to write it. Then you get a sudden jolt thinking that you might actually never be able to find the right acne supplement for you.
Your trust issues are legit, but you do not have to worry about that with us, as our only intention is to provide you with the right information.
For the past five years we have been carrying out extensive methodical research on our various products, so we can assure you that we have experience. Based on consumer usage, blogs and other product reviews we only picked the products that have successfully treated acne and other problems. We have listed products for every skin type, acne type, gender and age without promoting any major brands. Thus, our team is not biased. Lastly, we have asked volunteers to try the products and give their honest opinions. We have also consulted medical professionals for their opinions on these products.
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How Many Different Acne Face Washes Are There
As important as a facial cleanser is to any skincare routine, it’s clear that there are many commercially available facial cleansers for acne. To help you do this, they enlisted Park and other certified professionals to develop the 15 best facial cleansers based on your skin type, acne type, and more.
Lavo Glycolic Acid Face Wash
Lavo Glycolic acid face wash is formulated to be a gentle face cleanser with natural exfoliators, unlike other scrubs that have plastic microbeads. Lavo face wash nourishes and hydrates your skin with vitamins and antioxidants.
The cream has glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid. In combination, these ingredients penetrate the pores and dissolve dead skin cells to open up clogged pores and remove acne-causing bacteria.
Pineapple and papaya extract in the face wash act as natural exfoliators to reveal fresh skin. Lavender and vitamin B extracts regulate sebum production thereby maintaining oil production.
Lavo glycolic acid is effective on both men and womens skin. The cream is irritation-free and can be used on sensitive skin.
- Exfoliates skin and opens up pores
- Removes excess oil by dissolving it
- Irritation free can be used on sensitive skin
Cons:
- Some users have complained about leaving the skin dry
- Lavo face wash does not lather well
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Do Skin Detoxifiers Work For Acne
Inflammation of the skin is caused by bacteria that attack the immune system. Skin detoxifiers, which irritate the skin, force the skin to repair itself by removing damaged skin cells and secreting more sebum. The reason it kills excess acne bacteria is to get rid of the reason why the immune system is causing acne.
The Best Face Wash For Occasional Breakouts: Neutrogena Foaming Facial Cleanser
Price: $6.17
Even those with perfect skin break out from time to time, but if your skin is already at a nice equilibrium, theres no need to go creating problems with an overly-drying face wash. This foaming cleanser from Neutrogena is a great wash because it prevents acne by doing a good job cleansing the skin.
Its non-comedogenic, meaning it wont clog your pores. It removes dirt, oil, and even waterproof makeup while somehow being free of oil, soap, and alcohol. If you already have acne, this wash wont do much to dry it out. But it does do a great job at cleansing skin and therefore preventing future breakouts.
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Murad Acne Spot Treatment
It can help get rid of acne without leading any side effect, which makes it one of the best over the counter acne spot treatment products available today. It works well on all skin types, especially if the skin is acne-prone.
The other features that make it one of the best over the counter acne spot treatment products are:
Pros:
- It can relieve the acne within a few hours
- It cleanses the clogs in skin pores and treats bacterial infections
- It prevents future acne breakouts
Cons:
- It requires a combination of other products to work better
Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub & Face Exfoliator

Microdermabrasion facial scrub is an exfoliator designed to be gentle on the skin yet tough on dirt and impurities. The exfoliator used here is natural walnut shells instead of plastic microbeads.
These natural exfoliators gently loosen the dirt and wash off dead cells leaving behind healthy glowing skin.
The scrub also has Aloe vera that moisturizes your skin leaving your skin feeling glowing and supple.
Manuka honey in the scrub helps to balance skin pH and boosts the skin immune system preventing acne breakouts. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to reduce free radicals and prevents premature aging.
Microdermabrasion consists of all-natural ingredients helpful on a very sensitive black skin where you can not use chemical-based scrubs.
- Microdermabrasion can be used on dry skin
- A small amount is enough
- Natural ingredients safe for sensitive skin
- Removes blackheads and acne scars
Cons:
- Microdermabrasion can feel greasy after washing
- Scrubbing particles are small so you might not get a deep exfoliation
Read Also: Best Facial Cleanser For Whiteheads
Washing Too Often Can Worsen Acne
Washing your face too much can be just as bad than not doing it at all. Scrubbing hard is also a no-no.
You can easily strip away all of the good oils your skin needs to stay healthy, leaving you with skin that is dry, red, flaky, and irritated.
You can also break down the acid mantle. This is a protective coating layer on skin that’s made up of sweat, oil, and good bacteria. Strong, healthy skin needs a strong, healthy acid mantle.
One exception to this? A third cleansing in a day is recommended if you get particularly sweaty or dirty.
What Does Acne Cleanser Do For Face
Acne cleansers, like all facial cleansers, help remove dirt, oil and makeup from the skin. But what sets the acne formula apart from other cleansers is that it also contains ingredients that can heal acne and clogged pores. Acne cleansers can help exfoliate the skin’s surface and even exfoliate the pores, preventing clogging.
Also Check: Pressed Juicery 5 Day Cleanse
How We Chose The Best Face Washes For Acne
Wondering how we whipped up this list? Good question.
- Ingredients. This one is a no-brainer. We scoped options with the main acne-fighting agents that we highlighted. We chatted with derms about how these ingredients work and made sure we found em in our picks. We also threw in some vegan options too.
- Whats your type? We thought about different users and found options for a range of different skin and acne types.
- Customer reviews. If the user aint happy, nobodys happy. We looked carefully at reviews to make sure our list isnt all smoke and mirrors.
- Price. Whether you have some serious dough to blow or youd rather pinch your pennies right now, we rounded up options that cover a spectrum of pricing.
- Key ingredient: salicylic acid, azelaic acid, lactic acid, tea tree oil, glycerin, probiotics
- Skin type: normal, oily, combination, acne-prone
- Acne type: comedonal acne, all types inflammatory acne
This Tula foam cleanser comes in a pretty little blue bottle that is absolutely loaded with acne-fighting ingredients.
In addition to three of our faves salicylic, azelaic, and lactic acids it also contains tea tree oil, which is a natural ingredient with legit anti-inflammatory properties that can help you say goodbye to pimples.
Like most products from Tula, it also has probiotic extracts. Probiotics do all kinds of good when you ingest them and Tula says they help keep your skin nice and smooth, too.
- Acne type: comedonal acne, mild and moderate inflammatory acne
- alcohol
What To Look For In A Men’s Acne Face Wash
Since men’s skin can be particularly oily, using the wrong kind of face wash can cause dirt and sebum to be lodged inside pores and lead to breakouts. Avoiding heavy cream cleansers can be helpful, so you dont bog down your skin. The best acne face washes have formulas that contain active ingredients, like salicylic acid, which will help unclog pores and gently exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface. If you have sensitive skin, try to avoid fragrances and astringents that can strip and irritate already angry skin. And look for a gentle face cleanser you can use every day, since the best thing you can do to clean your skin is to actually wash it.
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Over The Counter Makeup For Acne Prone Skin Buying Guide
- First, our algorithms collected as much information available about these products from trusted sources.
- We employed both Artificial Intelligence and large data volume to validate all collected information.
- Then our AI ranked them on their quality-to-price ratio using industry-standard criteria that let us pick the best Over The Counter Makeup For Acne Prone Skin currently on the market!
The Best Acne Face Wash With A Money
Price: $21.97
Though most people have to learn through trial and error, treating acne can feel like a money pit. It can be hard to make the decision to invest in yet another product, even if its got a quality formula, for fear of wasting more money on a product that doesnt work for your skin. And while this is one of the pricier options on this list, we think its worth it.
Plus, this 10% benzoyl peroxide cleanser takes some of the anxiety out of the commitment, offering a money-back guarantee. If that doesnt make you feel good about the purchase, you should know that the formula is paraben and cruelty-free.
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Best For Aging Skin: Hydropeptide Redefining Serum
BUY IT $132, dermstore.com
Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, resorts to this uber-gentle serum because acne-prone skin doesnt like to be overly scrubbed,” she says. Its salicylic and azeliac acid content treats blackheads and whiteheads by promoting healthy skin turnover and dissolving clogged pores. It also contains plumping moisturizer hyaluronic acid and anti-aging peptides, to attack signs of aging, too.
Best For Large Pores: Murad Aha/bha Exfoliating Cleansershop Now

“A mix of hydroxy acids keeps pores clear and minimize their appearance,” says Dr. Zeichner. Your pores can’t actually change in size but when they’re filled with gunk, it can make them look larger than they are so keeping them clean makes them look less visible. This one, in particular, uses a blend of salicylic, lactic, and glycolic acids to get the job done.
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Warnings And Side Effects:
Supplements for acne are over-the-counter supplements, so these are not marketed as treatment options like prescribed drugs. Thus, OTC supplements cannot make claims of treating, controlling, diagnosing or curing diseases. The US Food and Drug Administration does not test or control whether supplements are effective or not, before marketing.
OTC supplements may contain ingredients that have strong physiological effects in the human body. Thus, these supplements may result to be unsafe in certain situations and cause unwanted side effects, or even life-threatening situations. However, side effects and their severity vary from person to person.
If you are pregnant, nursing or under any other medications, you should inform your healthcare provider and pharmacist before taking in any OTC supplement. You should also consult them if you have done surgery, or are scheduled for surgery. Never take supplements excessively or combine them with other supplements and prescription drugs without consultation with your doctor. Substituting supplements with prescribed drugs can cause serious side effects, so remember to always talk to your healthcare professional before taking any OTC supplements like sleep aid or brain boosting supplements.
The Best Cream Acne Face Wash: Cetaphil Acne Face Wash
Price: $9.97
For whatever reason, a bubbling or foaming cleanser just feels like its doing a good job. However, cream cleansers are often more gentle and just as effective. So if you have sensitive skin, a cream cleanser is often the way to go.
This cleanser has a dual-action formula that works to rid you of breakouts with 2% salicylic acid while hydrating and soothing skin. It also defends against five signs of skin sensitivity, including a weakened skin barrier, irritation, roughness, tightness, and dryness.
Price: $11.49
Gentle cleansers are great for any skin type, but some people just dont like the feeling of a creamy, non-foaming wash. Sometimes, it can be tough to feel clean without some lathering action. Luckily, you can have both a gentle formula and a foamy consistency.
This cleanser from Cetaphil is non-comedogenic, meaning it wont clog pores, but its moisturizing enough to keep your skin from feeling dry. Its gentle enough for twice-daily use for all skin types normal, dry, oily, and sensitive.
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Can I Use These Cleansers On Acne
Look out for ingredients that suit your concern. For acne-prone skin, choose facewash with ingredients like Salicylic acid, Alpha hydroxy acids like Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, etc. For eczema, acids like Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid, retinol, hyaluronic acid for plumping effect, etc, helps a lot. We have included a lot of face cleansers that have the mentioned ingredients and work a lot better on different skin types. So yes, you can use the cleansers listed on acne-prone and eczema.
But be careful to read out the ingredient list and choose the best for you. Consult a dermatologist if needed and you are good to go.