Best Face Washes For Acne
For blemish-prone skin, a great skin-care regimen starts with one of the best face washesfor acne. After all, everyone, regardless of their skin type or concerns, needs a good cleanser as the cornerstone of their skin-care routine. But we get that finding a proper face cleanser for targeting whiteheads, cystic acne, and blemishes, so we are here to assist. Acne-prone skin, in particular, should laser-set on a cleanser that unclogs pores, gently exfoliates, and doesn’t exacerbate existing acne.
Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, has a key guideline to abide by. She always recommends gentle cleansers over harsh soaps especially those with physical exfoliants to clear the skin of dirt and excess oil. Don’t aggressively rub, scrub, or over-cleanse either to avoid worsening your skin’s condition and encouraging scarring.
Chang tells us to look out for two powerhouse ingredients: salicylic acid, a type of beta hydroxy acid that “goes deep into the pores to clear them from excess oil and dirt” and benzoyl peroxide, which guards against inflammation and kills acne-causing bacteria. Milder ingredients include tea tree oil or green tea, which also provide skin-soothing benefits.
When In Doubt Custom Skincare Is What Its About
If a cleanser alone doesnt seem to be enough for your acne-prone skin, it might be time to add on a custom formula with prescription ingredients from Curology.
If you havent given us a try already, today and pay just $4.95 to cover the cost of shipping and handling on your first bottle of custom acne-fighting cream, plus a non-comedogenic cleanser and moisturizer paired with it if you wish! Just apply it at night, after cleansing your face, and let it do the work while you get some beauty sleep.
Empowering you with knowledge is our top priority. Our reviews of other brands products in this post are not paid endorsementsbut they do meet our medically fact-checked standards for ingredients .
Were here to tell you what we know. Thats why our information is evidence-based and fact-checked by medical experts. Still, everyones skin is uniquethe best way to get advice is to talk to your healthcare provider.
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Murad Time Release Blemish Cleanser
Better get used to having an acne-free skin with this product. A combination of a gel and a cream, it has the best of both and of course, is ideal for acne-prone skin. Its best selling point is that it helps to clear acne without overdrying the skin.
It goes deep into your blemishes for everyday use in the morning and evening. It washes away impurities like holy water washing away sins leaving your skin pure and smooth. I cant recommend this cleanser enough!
From horrid blemishes, cystic acne, hormonal breakouts, to baby pimples and whiteheads, the Murad Time Release Blemish Cleanser is the purge you need.
Whats unique about this cleanser is that even after you rinse it off, the cream that has seeped into your skin is still hard at work fixing and cleaning your skin. Its a nice feeling as you go around your day that something is taking care of your skin! They call it a time-release formula, I like it!
Its a worthy investment for one bottle. And one bottle is all you need really if you want to get rid of impurities. Its a little pricey for 200mL but it does magic!
Pros
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Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance Oil Control
Ole Henriksen finds your balance oil control is your solution to oiliness, acne, blemishes, and pores. It is a pore purifying cleanser with a high concentration of glycolic and lactic acids that helps reduce excess oil and unclog your pores.
It deeply cleanses your pores removing all the impurities without stripping your skin. The glycolic and lactic acids help remove all dead skin cells that cause buildup in pores and clogging them.
The formula is a blend of neem seed oil with invigorating eucalyptus scent. It will deep cleanse your pore, unclog, and purify them leaving a refreshed complexion with a healthy glow.
Key Features
B Micellar Water Cleanser

Micellar water is a multi-use cleansing product made of purified water and micelles. Think of these micelles as tiny balls of cleansing oil suspended in water. The water-like formula is usually applied with a cotton pad. When a soaked pad is pulled across the skin, the micelles start pulling makeup, sebum and other impurities off the skin. If you want a gentle face cleanser, micellar formulas are your best bet because theres no need to rinse them off. However, if you’re looking for a more target treatment for your skin type, Vichy has a micellar water for that. Normaderm 3-in-1 Micellar Solution is infused with acne-fighting antibacterial ingredients like Zinc PCA. While Vichy’s Purete Thermale One Step Cleansing Micellar Solution works like a cleanser, toner and eye makeup remover in one.
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The Best Face Washes For Acne
If youve been experiencing an uptick in breakouts , it could be related to stress. Research has shown that chronic stress can exacerbate acne and breakouts when cortisol slows down the natural production of hyaluronic acid, which helps keeps skin hydrated. A decrease in hyaluronic acid can trigger the production of excess sebum, creating an ideal breeding ground for breakout-causing bacteria.
We asked three skincare experts to weigh in on the best face washes for managing acne-prone skin.
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The good news is that a great face wash can help minimize pimples and blackheads, so weve asked several dermatologists and skincare experts to recommend the best cleansers for acne-prone skin. Ahead, find everything from a face wash for improving post-acne hyperpigmentation to the best cleansing wipe for acne-prone skin. These skin-loving formulas will make the first step in dealing with acneand the drama that goes along with ita bit easier.
How To Find The Best Acne Cleanser For Your Skin Type
Curology TeamSep 06, 2019 · 5 min read
Wouldnt it be great if getting rid of acne was as easy as just washing your face? If only it were that simple! If you have dry skin and acne, it can be extra challenging to figure out how to nurture your face. Thats why were about to break it down for you so you can find the best face wash for dry, acne-prone skin.
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How Can I Tell If My Face Wash Is Bad
Before you set fire to your medicine cabinet, check the back of your cleanser to see if one of the first ingredients is a sulfate. The big bad three: sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and sodium laureth sulfate.
If its all clear, and it also doesnt tingle, burn, sting, itch, or feel like anything , and it doesnt leave your face feeling dry or tight, then youre probably fine to continue using it. But if any of these warning signs made you think, Shit, or even made you feel a little defensive , then its officially time to switch your cleanser.
Head To The Dermatologist
If youve tried all of the natural and OTC acne products you can think of and you still feel like your whiteheads are out of control, its time to break out the big guns and head to the dermatologist.
The derm can prescribe stronger medications than youll be able to find at the drugstore. These medications can be topical or oral and can remove whiteheads and other forms of acne.
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An Enzyme Powder Cleanser That Exfoliates Sensitive Skin Without Irritation
Most cleansers contain preservatives and stabilizing ingredients to keep them from spoiling, and that’s because they also contain water. The presence of water creates an environment where bacteria can easily grow, if there isn’t something in the formula to slow that process. But because powder cleansers â like this one that’s made from corn and rice bran â don’t contain any water, they also contain far fewer potentially irritating preservatives.
Once the powder comes in contact with your damp palms, it turns into a light foam that’s easy to handle. The slightly grainy texture and papaya extract in the formula work together to gently exfoliate sensitive skin without the irritation that often comes with using a scrub. And, you can even control the level of exfoliation by adjusting the amount of water you mix in.
Helpful review:“I absolutely love this face wash! I have sensitive, oily, acne-prone skin and this is so gentle on my skin that I use it every night. It’s not overly moisturizing for my oily face but still leaves it squeaky clean. This product has definitely helped keep my breakouts under control ever since I included it into my skincare routine. I’m definitely going to buy it again!”
Best Splurge: Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser
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Can be used on wet or dry skin
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Costly
For those ready to really invest in their teen’s skincare, the Dermalogica skincare line is an excellent way to get them started off on the right foot. The Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser in particular is a fan favorite. Its a super gentle face wash that helps calm redness and soothes sensitive skin.
The gel-to-cream formula is pricey but can be used on wet or dry skin to wash away impurities and keep your skin calm and blemish-free. The ingredients include oat to calm inflammation, lavender to reduce redness, and cucumber to soothe skin.
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Wash Your Hair Regularly
When trying to avoid excess oil, dont focus only on your skin. If your hair is very oily, that can also cause whiteheads.
Wash your hair regularly to prevent a buildup of oils. Avoid using products that are extremely oily, and when you do put product in your hair, try to keep that product off your face.
Apivita Cleansing Gel For Oily/combination Skin 200ml

Free from parabens, sulphates and mineral oil, APIVITA Cleansing Gel for Oily/Combination Skin is a wonderful natural cleanser for oily and acneic skin types. Used daily to refresh, rebalance and detoxify your skin, the gel combines the brand’s Green Tea Water with Lime and Tea Tree essential oils to elimiate dirt and impurities without drying out the skin.
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Why Use A Facial Cleanser
While of course youcan wash your face with the same soap you use on the rest of your body, there are several compelling reasons to stick with a product formulated specifically for facial skin. Body soaps are far harsher than facial cleansers, and many contain deodorants and other potentially drying or irritating ingredients.
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Removes makeup, oil, and pollutants
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Leaves your face feeling clean, not tight
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Softens your complexion without leaving it greasy
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Suits your skin type, whether that is oily, dry, normal, sensitive, or mature
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Rinses easily and doesnt irritate your eyes
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Doesnt break your budget
Many facial cleansers offer further benefits, such as moisturizing dry skin or treating acne.
Elf Superclarify Cleanser $599
At this point, Ive probably gone through six or seven tubes of this cleanser. Its incredibly affordable and the formula does wonders for acne-prone skin. Its gentle and FULL of niacinamide. The only thing that may bother some sensitive skin is the small amount of lavender oil. I can best describe the texture as a creamy and very fluid gel.
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How Do You Determine Your Skin Type
Its difficult to choose the right facial cleanser without knowing what type of skin you have. The following guidelines will help.
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Dry skin: Flakiness, dry patches, a tight feeling, and a dull look are indicators of dry skin. Treat your dry skin tenderly when washing up, and choose a gentle cleanser that has moisturizing ingredients.
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Oily skin: A shiny appearance, large pores, tendency towards breakouts, and greasy feel characterize oily skin. You need a cleansing product that can cut through the oil and grease, remove pore-clogging makeup, and yet leave your skin balanced not overly dry and stripped.
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Sensitive skin: Sensitive skin reacts to many cosmetic ingredients, including fragrances, dyes, or abrasive scrubs. Gentle cleansers formulated without irritants will leave your skin clean, not stinging or red.
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Combination skin: This common skin type tends towards oiliness on the forehead, nose, and chin but dryness on the cheeks. Cleansers that gently remove oil without stripping moisture are best for combination skin.
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Mature skin: Its a fact of life: skin ages just like the rest of you. Mature skin is often dry, and fine lines can be a problem as well. If this is your complexion, choose a moisturizing cleanser.
- Normal skin: Not too dry, not too oily normal skin is just right. Outside of cleansers that are very moisturizing or formulated for the oiliest skin, most facial cleansers are suitable for this skin type.
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Look For Products Made With Benzoyl Peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical treatment that kills bacteria under your skin, so its a key ingredient for making acne disappear. Benzoyl peroxide can also reduce inflammation that may be surrounding a cluster of whiteheads.
Its easy to get your hands on too: Benzoyl peroxide is found in many over-the-counter acne treatments, including cleansers, gels, creams, and spot treatments.
Opt for products that have at least 2 percent benzoyl peroxide, like Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask or Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 Acne Spot Treatment, which has one of the highest OTC amounts of benzoyl peroxide: 10 percent.
Keep in mind that benzoyl peroxide can be quite drying, so youll want to follow up with a .
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Get Em Professionally Extracted
When it comes to extractions, youll want to leave the sharp instruments and pore vacuums to the trained medical professionals.
A dermatologist can safely use sterile tools to remove whiteheads and blackheads, but you should never attempt to do your own extractions, cautions Mamelak. Attempting to do your own extractions can cause skin infections, scarring, or irritation.
A Foaming Cleanser Made With Green Tea To Brighten And Hydrate
Safe for sensitive skin, this green tea foaming cleanser delivers on its promise to brighten and rejuvenate your complexion. Made from fermented green tea leaves, its formula combines the calming properties of green tea with soothing aloe to bring a soft radiance to your skin. This foamy miracle worker is made without sulfates, parabens or phthalates, and is a fantastic natural cleanser to bring into your trusted skin care regimen.
The fan-favorite Korean cleanser also comes in cranberry, blueberry, and cereal formulas. Not only is it a great cleanser on its own, but it’s also an excellent choice for the second step in double cleansing â a method that combines using an oil-based cleanser first, followed by a water-based cleanser for an ultra-deep clean.
Helpful review: “Gentle on my ultra sensitive skin, smell is nice and not overwhelming. Works so well, WAY WAY fewer breakouts for me.”
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Best Overall Face Wash For Oily Skin
Zeichner also recommends products with salicylic acid if you are very oily, or have acne breakouts. Salicylic acid, he explains, is a beta hydroxy acid that effectively removes oil along with dead cells on the surface of the skin to mattify the skin and keep the pores clear. He recommends two: one a gentle lathering cleanser from Aveeno that is effective even on sensitive skin, and an acne-targeting wash from Clean and Clear.
Waldorf also recommends Aveenos Clear Complexion collection, including the foaming cleanser that has Zeichners stamp of approval. But for her patients, she starts them off with the cream version of the cleanser, which has a slightly higher concentration of salicylic acid she would choose the foam for those with dry acne-prone skin and the cream for those with oily acne-prone skin.
stck0pn835v0000bzy6d84i5fyf& tag=thestrategistsite-20″ rel=”nofollow”> Clean and Clear cleanser is currently only available through a third-party seller on Amazon. You can, however, buy the scrub version of this cleanser directly from Target.]
Farmacy Green Clean Make Up Meltaway Cleansing Balm 100ml

Made with locally grown, clean ingredients, FARMACY Green Clean Make Up Meltaway Cleansing Balm gently exfoliates and refines your skin without stripping or drying. Unlike many rich balm cleansers, Green Clean is pretty lightweight making it easy to remove and perfect for even oily, acne-prone skin types. Utilising Sunflower and Ginger Root Oils to dissolve makeup and impurities, the balm-to-oil cleanser will leave your skin feeling fresh and clean.
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Best For Dry Skin: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser
This cleanser has 5 percent BP, which is as effective at fighting acne as stronger percentages without causing the same dryness or irritationa major plus for those of you with sensitive skin. It also contains moisturizing glycerin to hydrate your skin while removing oil, gunk, and bacteria.
Institut Esthederm Hydra Replenishing Cleansing Milk
Anyone, who has acne-prone skin whether you have dry, oily, normal, combination, or if you have young or ageing skin, you are going to want this cleanser.
One of the gentlest cleansers on the market, Osmoclean is extremely effective at cleaning out pores. And because its a milk formula, theres really not much to worry about in terms of your skin type. Youll have smooth, hydrated, and moisturised skin thanks to this lovely cleanser. Ideal for those with sensitive skin, even as a makeup remover. You wont need to rub or tug at your skin, the makeup will literally fall off!
It leaves the skin super moisturised without leaving it stripped of the good oils. Get ready for glowing, clear skin! Infused with lovely ingredients like Coconut, Palm and Almond Plant Oils, I would say its one of the best-formulated cleansers on the market!
Pros
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