13 Best Face Washes That Will Leave Acne-Prone Skin *Glowing*

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Have you noticed more pimples have popped up on your face than usual? Maybe a hormonal break has reared its head again, leaving behind pesky hyperpigmentation. Face washes for acne-prone skin are a helpful first step when you're looking to get a handle on your blemishes. The best face washes for acne-prone skin clear up your breakouts and works alongside any other acne treatments you're using without causing further irritation. These foaming gels, clay cleansers, and balms are enriched with ingredients that combat active breakouts, unclog pores, and decrease inflammation, three key factors that target acne at various stages.

"Acne forms when dead skin cells combine with oil and bacteria to clog a pore or hair follicle," Dr. Lian Mack, a board-certified dermatologist, says. Keeping pores clear of harmful bacteria prevents acne from forming. Face washes with chemical exfoliants like alpha, and beta hydroxy acids (think glycolic and salicylic acids) are Dr. Mack's go-to products because they help drive cellular turnover, which combats clogged pores. "Vitamin A derivatives, like retinol and retinoids," are great options, too, because they suppress excess oil production, which also helps keep pores clear. Just a heads up, though, alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin A may increase sun sensitivity, so be sure to slather on an extra helping of sunscreen when you're using them.

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Spot treatments may zap zits overnight, but face washes for acne-prone skin take a bit more time to work their magic. According to Dr. Mack, it takes up to six to eight weeks of consistent use to determine how well a face wash works. If you've tried multiple washes and haven't noticed much change, or if your skin's condition has worsened, it might be time to take a different course of action. Dr. Mack suggests scheduling an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist who can conduct testing and come up with a personalized treatment plan for you.

The quest for the best face wash to help combat acne may come with a bit of trial and error, but your skin will thank you for it. Get ready to say goodbye to blemishes when you check out this list of the best face washes to help improve acne-prone skin.

Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Wash

Excess oil is a known culprit that leads to acne. This foaming wash contains ceramides that Dr. Mack says "helps protect the skin barrier" and niacinamide of B3, which helps to lower sebum or oil production.

Skin Type: Sensitive skin

Key Ingredients: Ceramide-3, glycerin, niacinamide, prebiotic thermal water

Customer Review: "I love this facial wash. Smells so fresh. I have been using it for about 1 year and I absolutely love it. I even got my bf Hooked on it. I can’t recommend it enough."

Nutritious 2-in-1 Foam Cleanser

Revive dull skin with this two-in-one, oil-free foam cleanser. Not only is it gentle enough to decongest clogged pores and be used daily, but it can also be used as a weekly deep purifying cleanser.

Skin type: Normal, combo, oily

Key Ingredients: Sweet kelp, red algae, coconut water ferment

Customer Review: Good cleanser, gets all the makeup and dirt out of my pores leaving my skin feeling clean and refreshed

Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser

Dr. Mack recommends this cleanser because it contains 5% polyhydroxy acids, aka PHAs, "which help hydrate the skin while boosting skin regeneration." Along with dissolving surface oil and clogged pores that trigger acne, Differin's Hydrating Cleanser is a gentle cleanser that softens and hydrates the skin.

Skin type: Combination, acne-prone, oily

Key ingredients: Polyhydroxy acid

Customer review: "I liked that it was lightweight and you didn't need much for your face so the bottle can last a while. I didn't care for the scent. I wish it had a little bit more of something.. I would possibly buy this again in the future future and possibly recommend to future buyers"

Blemish Balm

Salicylic acid targets two key contributing factors to acne: clogged pores and dead skin. Peace Out's Blemish Balm uses the ingredient to remove junk from pores and buff away dead skin cells through gentle exfoliation.

Skin type: Oily

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, 8 amino acid complex, ceramides

Customer review: "Love the gentle exfoliation of this cleanser. Altogether is goes on like a balm, it smooths out with a little water and rinses clean with no residue. I love the entire acne line from Peace Out!"

Acne Advanced Cleansing Foam

If you have oily skin and a little wiggle room in your budget, try this clog-clearing and dead skin-exfoliating cleanser. Eminence's Acne Advanced Cleaning Foam is enriched with salicylic acid to keep pores clear and gently buff away dead skin cells that often lead to breakouts. The foam also uses caffeine-derived green tea to reduce redness and inflammation.

Skin type: Acne-prone, oily

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid,

Customer review: "Soft and gentle cleanser foam without drying or stripping the skin barriers. A little pump goes along way. Teenager loves this cleanser. "

Charcoal Acne Clearing Cleanser

Charcoal and salicylic acid team up to give your skin a double dose of protection against clogged pores.

Skin type: Acne-prone, oily, normal

Key Ingredients: Charcoal, salicylic acid

Customer review: "The fumes, so-to-speak, are quite strong. If you can get over that, the result of the product is worth it. My skin is smooth and I have reduced breakouts considerably."

Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

Super-strong acne-fighting formulas can cause redness and irritation. Aveeno's Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser (which includes soy extracts) soothes your skin while gently washing away dirt and other bacteria.

Skin type: Acne-prone, oily, comboination

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid

Customer review: "It's works well clears my skin. Yet it's a little harsh on my skin. I have sensitive skin but I figured it wouldn't be since the brand is what I use for my eczema."

Hydrating Facial Cleanser

If your skin is super dry, ingredients that absorb oil can leave your face feeling too parched and tight. This super-gentle face wash cleans your pores without stripping your skin of natural oils.

Skin type: Dry

Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid

Customer review: "Good product but very difficult to open and use the pump. I had to hit it with a pair of pliers to open it!"

Extra Gentle Daily Exfoliating Face Scrub

You won't have to worry about those little black dots on the tip of your nose anymore. The 1% salicylic acid in Cetaphil's Extra Gentle Daily Exfoliating Face Scrub clears out blackheads but is still gentle enough for daily use. Green tea calms redness when you’re having an angry skin day.

Skin type: Acne-prone, oily

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea extract

Customer review: "Definitely seen a difference with my acne after using this. Have been incorporating it into my daily routine!"

Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10%

Mild to moderate acne won't stand a chance against this heavy-duty acne-fighting cleanser. Enriched with 10% benzoyl peroxide (FYI, it's the highest concentration avail w/o a prescription), PanOyl's Acne Foaming Wash keeps pores clear of bacteria that trigger acne. It can even double as a spot treatment for hormonal breakouts that pop up when you're expecting your period each month.

Skin type: Acne-prone, oily

Key ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide

Customer review: "I’ve struggled with acne from preteens through my twenties and finding the right skincare combo has always been hard. This is one of the few products that really works!! With consistent use the skin on my back/shoulders/chest is clear and stays clear. Every now and then I use it on my face (my face skin is prone to drying out) and it works there as well. Def a 10/10, I’ll continue to keep coming back for this product."

See No More Blemish and Pore Clearing Cleanser

PÜR's Blemish and Pore Clearing Cleanser lives up to its name. It uses salicylic acid to unclog pores and bentonite clay, charcoal, sulfur, and niacinamide to reduce excess oil and treat active breakouts.

Skin type: Acne-prone, oily

Key ingredients: Bentonite clay, charcoal, sulfur, niacinamide

Customer review: "I just purchased a bottle of this tonight at Ulta and gave it a try. My skin feels so fresh I love the cooling sensation and it does not smell at all it smells like peppermint it feels cool like peppermint which in my opinion makes the skin feel just as fresh as brushing your teeth with peppermint toothpaste . Clean fresh feeling. Gives a little tRead more about review stating Cool and refreshingingle but it’s a clean sensation"

Brightening Citrus and Bergamot Facial Cleanser with Vitamin C

This is the first step of Native's 3-step skin system, and it's free of harmful sulfates that lead to drying and parabens that trigger hormone disruption. Though it's enriched with vitamin C, this cleanser is still super gentle on sensitive skin and brightens leftover dark spots from pimples you may or may not have popped.

Skin type: Sensitive, acne-prone

Key ingredients: vitamin C

Customer review: "This is a good value for the amount of product. Cleans well and doesn't over dry my skin. This smells nice and has a nice lather. A little goes a very long way, would buy this again."

Daily Oil-Free Acne Fighting Facial Cleanser (3-pack)

Your mom has probably had this exact cleanser in her bathroom cabinet since before you were born — and with good reason. Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Wash has nearly 8,000 4.7-star reviews on Amazon. According to Dr. Mack, "The salicylic acid promotes cellular turnover and reduces oil production, ultimately reducing breakouts.

Skin type: Acne-prone, oily

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid

Customer review: "I have sensitive skin and cannot use a lot of products. There is not a heavy scent and although I use a lot of moisturizers, my skin is not dried out by this product."

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