15 Best Face Washes for Acne, According to Dermatologists

A quick look at the best face washes for acne:

• Best drugstore face wash: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
• Best for cystic acne: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide
• Best for hormonal acne: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser
• Best for acne scars: DERMA-E Vitamin C Daily Brightening Cleanser
• Best for sensitive skin: Trader Joe’s All-in-One Facial Cleanser
• Best for dry, acne-prone skin: EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser
• Best for eczema and acne: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
• Best for oily skin with acne: St. Ives Acne Control Daily Face Cleanser
• Best for acne and blackheads: Bioré Charcoal Acne Daily Cleanser
• Best for combination skin: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
• Best for teenage acne: Humane Acne Face Wash, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide
• Best for adult acne: Simple Micellar Cleansing Water
• Best for pregnancy acne: Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser
• Best natural face wash for acne: InstaNatural Glycolic Cleanser
• Best antibacterial face wash for acne: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser

If you’re susceptible to acne, you’ve likely experimented with various approaches to clean your skin, including different face washes.

“A face wash is essential for managing acne because it clears the skin (and pores) of excess oil, grime, makeup, and sweat, which trigger breakouts,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park.

The pH of your skincare items can also affect your complexion, so seek formulations that help preserve your skin’s natural pH balance.

Because skin types vary, it’s important to pick a facial cleanser tailored to your individual skin needs. If you’re unsure about your skin type or its pH, consulting a dermatologist can be useful.

Given how important a face wash is to any skincare routine, it’s no surprise there are many acne-clearing cleansers available.

To make this easier, we consulted Park and other board-certified experts to highlight 15 top face washes, chosen by skin type, acne type, and more. They also provided practical tips that can help those with acne-prone skin.

Read their professional guidance below.

How to choose

To pick the best acne face wash for you, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kemunto Mokaya recommends selecting a product based on the active ingredients in its formula.

Below are ingredients commonly found in acne face washes to keep an eye out for.

Salicylic acid

Good for: exfoliation

“Salicylic acid helps exfoliate and remove dead skin cells that clog pores,” Mokaya says. “It’s among the most frequent ingredients in acne cleansers and is particularly effective for skin prone to blackheads and whiteheads.”

Benzoyl peroxide

Good for: exfoliation, reducing oil, and encouraging skin cell turnover

Mokaya notes benzoyl peroxide is another ingredient to consider due to its antimicrobial action — it helps eliminate acne-causing bacteria lurking in pores.

She adds that benzoyl peroxide aids in removing dead skin cells that block pores, helping prevent future breakouts.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and sulfur

Good for: exfoliation, collagen stimulation, excess oil control

AHAs and sulfur are ingredients that slough away dead skin cells that can clog pores, Mokaya explains. They may also encourage collagen production and remove sebum, which can benefit aging and oily skin types.

“AHAs are mainly used to exfoliate and clear dead skin that blocks pores. They can also help reduce discoloration and boost collagen,” she says.

Likewise, sulfur helps remove surplus sebum and excessive dead skin that block pores. It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which can hinder the growth of bacteria implicated in acne. It’s generally well tolerated, even by some people with rosacea.

How we chose

To determine the best face washes available, we reviewed online ratings and only included products highly rated that contain active ingredients proven in clinical settings to treat the skin concerns they address.

Our selection covers a range of price points, skin types, and skincare needs.

Finally, Healthline conducts in-house review for any topical or ingestible item with potential interactions, allergies, or adverse effects. Every recommended product has been screened for medical accuracy and business standards.

Healthline’s picks for the best face washes for acne

Best drugstore face wash

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

• Price: $
• Key ingredients: 2 percent salicylic acid
• Product highlights: oil-free
• Skin type: oily, acne-prone
• Pros: dermatologist-recommended, affordable, doesn’t overstrip the skin
• Cons: contains dyes, fragrance may irritate, some users report burning and peeling

You don’t need to spend a lot for acne-fighting products that actually work. Board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, FAAD, says drugstores are full of budget-friendly options that can tackle breakouts, blackheads, and whiteheads.

This salicylic acid cleanser from Neutrogena is an example of a drugstore pick worth considering — it helps control excess oil and exfoliate dead skin with each wash.

“This cleanser dissolves dead skin cells, clears pores, and helps with different types of breakouts including whiteheads and blackheads,” she explains. “It also reduces excess oil, making it a solid choice for oily skin.”

Best for cystic acne

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

• Price: $
• Key ingredients: 10 percent benzoyl peroxide
• Product highlights: foaming texture, maximum strength
• Skin type: acne-prone
• Pros: reduces redness and swelling, kills bacteria, clears pores
• Cons: may be too strong for some, causing irritation and dryness; benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics

Cystic acne tends to be deep, painful, and pus-filled, so it’s important to choose a cleanser that can reduce acne-causing bacteria and soothe inflammation.

This potent cleansing wash offers deep cleaning without requiring an expensive regimen.

Board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, FAAD, notes it clears pores and reduces redness with regular use.

“This cleanser helps kill acne-causing bacteria and is comedolytic, meaning it unclogs pores,” Shainhouse says. “It also has anti-inflammatory effects that help calm redness.”

Some people may find the concentration drying, so watch how your skin responds.

Best for hormonal acne

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients: 2 percent salicylic acid, lipo-hydroxy acid
• Product highlights: paraben-free, noncomedogenic
• Skin type: oily, acne-prone
• Pros: suitable for sensitive skin, allergy-tested, glycerin helps counteract salicylic acid’s drying effect
• Cons: on the pricier side and some users report peeling and dryness

Hormonal acne often combines comedonal (blackheads and whiteheads) and cystic lesions, which typically increases oiliness, explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rina Allawh.

She recommends this cleanser for hormonal acne because it contains salicylic acid to manage excess oil. Since adult acne commonly overlaps with hormonal acne, this product can also benefit adults dealing with breakouts.

“This gel face wash contains salicylic acid and helps target excess oil production in the skin,” she adds.

Best for acne scars

DERMA-E Vitamin C Daily Brightening Cleanser

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients: vitamin C, niacinamide, green tea
• Product highlights: pH-balanced, cruelty-free
• Skin type: all types, particularly skin with pigmentation or discoloration
• Pros: brightens dull skin, clean formulation, removes dirt, oil, and makeup
• Cons: expensive, may not clear active pimples

The American Academy of Dermatology notes acne scarring can result from inflammatory acne (like cystic acne), genetics, or picking and popping blemishes.

While severe scars from cystic acne are difficult to treat, many people confuse post-inflammatory redness and hyperpigmentation with permanent scarring — and these are easier to improve.

Shainhouse points out topical antioxidants such as vitamin C can help brighten and fade post-acne discoloration.

This brightening cleanser contains vitamin C and licorice extract to reduce redness, inflammation, and hyperpigmentation, making it helpful for diminishing acne marks.

“With consistent use, these ingredients can make skin look brighter, more even, and reduce the appearance of acne scars,” she says.

Best for sensitive skin

Trader Joe’s All-in-One Facial Cleanser

• Price: $
• Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin B5
• Product highlights: all-in-one formula
• Skin type: sensitive
• Pros: inexpensive, mild formula, large size
• Cons: not available to those far from a Trader Joe’s, doesn’t address specific concerns, lacks active acne-fighting ingredients

Because sensitive skin is more prone to irritation and inflammation, Shainhouse advises using a face wash that won’t strip or dry the skin.

Overdrying the skin can actually increase redness, especially when pairing harsh cleansers with drying topical acne medications.

“This cleanser is very gentle and works well alongside prescription topical acne meds, which can already be drying and irritating,” she says.

Best for dry, acne-prone skin

EltaMD Foaming Facial Cleanser

• Price: $$$
• Key ingredients: enzymes
• Product highlights: self-foaming, oil-free
• Skin type: sensitive, dry
• Pros: removes pollutants and impurities, helps oxygenate the skin
• Cons: contains fragrance, expensive

Dry skin isn’t inherently more acne-prone, but treating acne when your skin is dry can be challenging because many effective acne agents (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid) can be too harsh, Mokaya explains.

A pH-balanced cleanser like EltaMD’s foaming cleanser can be beneficial.

“This mild cleanser is pH-balanced, contains bromelain (which reduces inflammation), and apple amino acids (which help hydrate sensitive skin),” Mokaya says. “It is oil-free, sulfate-free (sulfates can over-dry skin), and free of parabens and phthalates.”

Best for eczema and acne

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients: ceramides, hyaluronic acid
• Product highlights: noncomedogenic, nonirritating
• Skin type: dry, sensitive
• Pros: softens skin, non-greasy
• Cons: doesn’t lather (see note), contains parabens

If you have eczema, which causes dry, inflamed skin, Mokaya emphasizes choosing a face wash that’s both moisturizing and gentle.

“This cleanser is a good option for eczema because it includes hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help moisturize the skin,” she says. It may also be suitable for sensitive skin.

A note on lathering: This product doesn’t foam because it omits sulfates. While some people equate foaming with cleansing, sulfates mainly create that sensation and can irritate certain skin types. Sulfate-free, low-lather cleansers can be preferable for sensitive skin.

Best for oily skin with acne

St. Ives Acne Control Daily Face Cleanser

• Price: $
• Key ingredients: tea tree oil, 2 percent salicylic acid
• Product highlights: oil-free, dermatologist-tested
• Skin type: acne-prone, oily
• Pros: inexpensive, widely available, reduces skin oiliness
• Cons: contains dyes, some users report tingling

This cleanser pairs salicylic acid with tea tree oil. Tea tree is a natural ingredient that can lower inflammation and reduce excess oil.

Some research suggests tea tree oil may assist with wound-healing processes as well.

Best for acne and blackheads

Bioré Charcoal Acne Daily Cleanser

• Price: $
• Key ingredients: charcoal, 1 percent salicylic acid
• Product highlights: oil-free, lightweight
• Skin type: oily, acne-prone, combination
• Pros: HSA and FSA eligible, absorbs oil and helps keep pores clear
• Cons: contains only 1 percent salicylic acid, includes fragrance

For treating acne and blackheads, Mokaya suggests cleansers that combine salicylic and glycolic acids, which penetrate pores and encourage exfoliation.

Charcoal is another ingredient used for deep cleaning — it’s believed to draw out dirt and impurities. However, evidence for charcoal as an exfoliant or anti-aging agent is limited.

“Charcoal can absorb dirt, chemicals, toxins, and some acne-causing bacteria from the skin,” Mokaya explains. “It also has anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce acne-related inflammation.”

This cleanser couples charcoal with salicylic acid for pore exfoliation.

Best for combination skin

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

• Price: $
• Key ingredients: glycerin
• Product highlights: noncomedogenic, nonirritating, paraben-free, sulfate-free
• Skin type: normal, combination
• Pros: large size, suitable for many skin types
• Cons: contains fragrance

Combination skin can be tricky because some areas are dry while others are oily. Garshick recommends a multitasking cleanser that reduces oil without overdrying.

“This is an excellent option for combination skin, removing excess oil and dirt while preventing clogged pores and breakouts without drying the skin,” Garshick says. “It’s noncomedogenic and oil-free, so it won’t clog pores or trigger more breakouts.”

The brand reformulated this cleanser in 2021 to remove parabens, sulfates, and animal-derived ingredients.

Best for teenage acne

Humane Acne Face Wash, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

• Price: $$$
• Key ingredients: 10 percent benzoyl peroxide
• Product highlights: SLS-free, nonfoaming
• Skin type: oily, prone to inflammatory rosacea
• Pros: suitable for face and body, delivers oxygen to follicles to limit bacterial growth
• Cons: expensive, 10 percent benzoyl peroxide can be too strong for some

Jaliman says this cleanser is a standout for acne-prone skin. It avoids animal-derived ingredients and common irritants like parabens, sulfates, fragrances, and dyes.

“This cleanser contains 10 percent benzoyl peroxide, which reduces P. acnes bacteria associated with acne,” Jaliman explains. “Benzoyl peroxide also helps keep pores clear, lowering the chance of future breakouts.”

Simple Micellar Cleansing Water

• Price: $
• Key ingredients: micellar water, vitamin C
• Product highlights: dye-free, fragrance-free
• Skin type: dry, sensitive
• Pros: gentle for sensitive skin, removes makeup, no rinsing required
• Cons: lacks active anti-acne ingredients, some users dislike the new formula

For adults who wear makeup to conceal breakouts and scars, Mokaya suggests a gentle cleanser that effectively removes makeup, dirt, and oil.

Micellar water is oil-free and mild, making it a good choice if you wear heavier makeup during the day. It avoids harsh additives that could aggravate sensitive skin.

“Use this micellar water if you plan to wear makeup; it’s gentle and contains no artificial colors, fragrances, sulfates, or parabens,” Mokaya says.

Best for pregnancy acne

Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser

• Price: $$$
• Key ingredients: glycolic acid
• Product highlights: gel texture
• Skin type: oily, normal, combination, acne-prone
• Pros: may be acceptable during pregnancy, gently exfoliates, has pro-aging benefits
• Cons: expensive, contains sodium lauryl sulfate which can be harsh for some

While many effective anti-acne ingredients are avoided during pregnancy, low concentrations of glycolic acid are generally regarded as safe, Garshick notes.

There aren’t extensive human trials (due to ethical limitations), but reviews indicate glycolic acid is considered safe in pregnancy because systemic absorption is minimal.

Animal studies only showed reproductive harm at much higher exposures than used in topical products.

“This lightweight gel uses glycolic acid to exfoliate dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores, making it a reasonable option during pregnancy,” Garshick says. “Still, check with your OB-GYN before introducing any new products while pregnant.”

Best natural face wash for acne

InstaNatural Glycolic Cleanser

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients: glycolic acid, arginine
• Product highlights: naturally derived ingredients
• Skin type: all
• Pros: contains multiple active ingredients, supports collagen, gently exfoliates
• Cons: natural fragrance may irritate some

Mokaya recommends this glycolic cleanser for those who prefer natural or botanical-based skincare. It includes cucumber, chamomile, and green tea extracts to calm inflammation and help prevent future breakouts.

“Cucumber is anti-inflammatory and soothes acne-related inflammation,” she says. “Chamomile and green tea have antiseptic properties and may reduce some acne-causing bacteria.”

Best antibacterial face wash for acne

Differin Daily Deep Cleanser

• Price: $

• Frequently Asked Questions

  What should I look for in a face wash for acne?

  Seek cleansers with proven actives like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or gentle AHAs. Choose formulations labeled noncomedogenic and matched to your skin type (oily, dry, sensitive). Avoid harsh sulfates and heavy fragrances if your skin is easily irritated.

  How often should I use an acne face wash?

  Most people benefit from washing twice daily—morning and evening—and after heavy sweating. If a treatment cleanser causes dryness or irritation, reduce use to once daily or alternate with a gentler cleanser until your skin adjusts.

  Can acne face washes remove scars and discoloration?

  Some cleansers contain brightening or exfoliating ingredients (vitamin C, glycolic acid, niacinamide) that can help fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation over time, but deeper or pitted scars usually need professional treatments.

  Are natural or botanical face washes effective for acne?

  Natural ingredients like tea tree oil, green tea, or cucumber can reduce inflammation and offer mild antibacterial effects. They may help milder acne but often work best alongside proven actives like salicylic acid for clearer results.

  Is it safe to use acne face washes during pregnancy?

  Some ingredients (high-dose retinoids) are not recommended in pregnancy. Lower‑strength glycolic acid or gentle, pregnancy-safe cleansers can be acceptable, but always confirm with your OB‑GYN before starting new products.

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