7 Acne Face Washes to Clear Up Your Pimples, According to Doctors
Cleanser on, acne off.
If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
Acne is a prevalent skin condition that impacts millions of teens and adults. Thankfully, treatment is surprisingly simple: doctors say using an acne face wash is the easiest way to heal current acne and prevent future pimples. Regular face washes are typically heavy or contain pore-clogging oils that lead to breakouts, while acne face washes are lightweight gel or foam cleansers made with pimple-fighting ingredients that help remove dirt and sweat from the skin.
Best Acne Face Washes
Best Ingredients
Ready for clear, acne-free skin? Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, M.D., a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and Dr. Shari Marchbein, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, breakdown the key differences between the best acne face wash ingredients, including which type of acne they target.
Salicylic acid
This beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) targets whiteheads, blackheads, and mild acne by gently penetrating pores, removing dirt and impurities, and exfoliating the skin, allowing for a more even tone and brighter complexion. Plus, it reduces inflammation and swelling, which can help unclog pores and shrink pimples. Over-the-counter products contain up to a 2% concentration of salicylic acid.
Benzoyl peroxide
It kills acne-causing bacteria and removes excess oil, making it great for treating blackheads and moderate breakouts. Like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide exfoliates the skin, but be careful: It’s drying and can potentially irritate sensitive skin. Start with a 2 to 5% concentration, but if you’re used to the ingredient, you can go up to 10%.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
Glycolic acid and mandelic acid are less prominent than the first two ingredients, but they’re still worth incorporating into your routine. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that gently remove dead skin cells, allowing better penetration of acne-destroying products. These AHAs work for all types of acne and help fade dark spots and brighten dull skin.
When Will I See Results?
An acne face wash is also fantastic for your complexion because it’s low maintenance. Doctors say you can typically use an acne face wash twice a day for 2 to 4 weeks to see results. “A common misconception is that more is more when it comes to face washing. However, washing too often can actually worsen your acne,” says Marchbein. “If your skin is getting dry, use a non-medicated gentle cleanser once a day, and don’t forget to moisturize with a creamy, hydrating moisturizer at least twice daily as it allows for better tolerability of acne medications and helps to repair the skin barrier."
Now that you understand how to shop for an acne face wash, check out these complexion cleansers that eliminate acne for smoother, pimple-free skin. Each option earned a recommendation from a doctor and was also vetted by our beauty editor, who considered their ingredients, consistency, smell, and price. She also researched what skin types they are best suited for and read hundreds of online reviews to help ensure they are worth your money.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Facial Cleanser
Pros
- Fragrance-, oil-, and paraben-free
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Combines anti-acne and moisturizing ingredients
Cons
- Not ideal for very dry skin
Key Specs
- Standout ingredient: Salicylic acid
- Derm-tested: Yes
- Rating: 4.6-star average from 10,690 reviews on Amazon
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, M.D., of New York, calls this a “great option” for treating acne. It combines 2% salicylic acid with lipo hydroxy acid to buff away dead skin cells, penetrate the oil glands, and unclog pores to treat mild acne. It also contains glycerin to help counteract the drying effect of salicylic acid, which is handy for anyone with dry skin.
Thousands of Amazon reviewers are smitten with this “game-changing acne destroyer” that targets blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and cystic acne. “I get compliments on my skin regularly, and I feel confident not wearing makeup,” says a 5-star review. Another reviewer used this acne face wash for a year and found it treated and prevented cystic acne along their jaw. “Every other product handles small pimples and blemishes, but I had never found one until Effaclar that actually works for cysts.”
Reviewers add that you only need a dime-sized amount of cleanser and each bottle lasts for at least a few months.
Pros
- Non-irritating formula
- Creamy texture
Cons
- Not strong enough for oily skin
Key Specs
- Standout ingredient: Salicylic acid
- Derm-tested: Yes
- Rating: 4.4-star average from 980 reviews on Amazon
Cetaphil’s acne face wash is excellent for beginners or anyone with sensitive skin because it’s made with 2% salicylic acid to tackle blackheads and whiteheads. It also contains aloe vera and white tea extracts to help soothe inflamed acne-prone skin. “For sensitive skin, looking for lower percentages in creamy formulations containing ingredients is key to supporting the skin barrier and moisturizing and soothe the skin,” advises King.
Hundreds of Amazon reviewers with acne are delighted they can rely on this face wash to eliminate pimples without stripping their skin of necessary moisture. It's so effective that one reviewer successfully cleared up retinol-related skin purging just by incorporating this acne face wash into their routine.
Another reviewer gave this Cetaphil cleanser 5 stars because it took less than a month for their skin to adjust to the formula, and “it completely shrank the pores around my t-zone, and helped reduce the hyperpigmentation of my inflamed cystic acne scars.”
Pros
- Highest level of OTC benzoyl peroxide
- Clinically tested
Cons
- Drying
Key Specs
- Standout ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide
- Derm-tested: No
- Rating: 4.6-star average from 30,200 reviews on Amazon
Every doctor I consulted agreed that this maximum-strength acne face wash is great for oily skin. Made with 10% benzoyl peroxide, this purifying cleanser soaks into the skin and decongests oil and dirt stuck in the pores. Beyond purifying your skin, derms say you can expect this face wash to eliminate mid-afternoon shine and reduce bacteria and inflammation.
As Amazon’s number one bestselling facial cleanser, it’s likely no surprise that it has earned thousands of enthusiastic online reviews. “I swear by this product, and it definitely does not get the hype it should. After one week, my face was completely free of breakouts,” says one 5-star review. Other reviewers say that despite its affordable price, it’s much better than more expensive options: “I tried Proactiv and Proactive MD, and neither has worked as well as this product has in a shorter amount of time,” says one 5-star review.
If you use this cleanser, keep two things in mind. First, it contains the highest level of benzoyl peroxide available in over-the-counter (OTC) products, so be sure to follow up with a hydrating face cream to avoid dehydrating your skin. Second, the higher concentration of benzoyl peroxide means it's more likely to stain your white towels and pillowcases, a small tradeoff for smooth, clear skin, but still, one to consider.
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Calms skin
Cons
- Watery cream texture
Key Specs
- Standout ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide
- Derm-tested: Yes
- Rating: 4.6-star average from 21,515 reviews on Amazon
On the flip side, if you have dry skin, you'll want a cleanser made with moisturizing ingredients. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, M.D., loves this acne face wash because it's gentler than other potent cleansers on the market.
Calm pimples and blackheads by massaging this benzoyl peroxide acne face wash into your pores. It's also loaded with a trio of powerful ingredients: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to leave dry skin hydrated, even-toned, and glowing. Niacinamide is particularly beneficial because it's rich in antioxidants and can improve the look of enlarged pores and dullness, notes Jaliman.
Thousands of Amazon reviewers rely on this daily wash to clear away blemishes and fight future breakouts. One reviewer declared that this CeraVe cleanser saved their skin from hormonal cystic acne within 2 months of twice-daily use. To quote their 5-star review, “I initially thought I didn’t need the Cerave Acne cleanser after I ran out of it, but I was so wrong because all my acne came back like before. After using it now, I regained control of my skin and realized this product really works.”
Pros
- Non-comedogenic formula
- Great for mild and moderate acne
Cons
- Not ideal for dry skin
Key Specs
- Standout ingredient: Salicylic acid
- Derm-tested: Yes
- Rating: 4.7-star average from 7,870 reviews on Amazon
Neutrogena's classic acne face wash has been around for decades, and DeRosa says it's still effective because it contains 2% salicylic acid to unclog pores and clear up acne-prone skin.
Amazon reviewers use words like “perfection,” “pimple stopper,” and “simple to use” to describe this affordable acne face wash. “I may spend over 200 bucks on my face cream, but I will never use another face wash,” says one 35-year-old Texan who has used this cleanser for 4 years.
Another reviewer adds: “I find, no matter how much I take care of my face, if I neglect to use this product for a number of days, I get breakouts.”
And good news for anyone dealing with back acne, aka bacne: Dozens of reviewers have found this face wash also zaps away pimples on their body.
Pros
- Ultra fine foaming bubbles
- Award-winning
Cons
- Relatively expensive
Key Specs
- Standout ingredient: Bromelain
- Derm-tested: Yes
- Rating: 4.7-star average from 6,130 reviews on Amazon
The splurge-worthy cleanser boasts Elta MD's ultra-fine self-foaming technology that uses micro-massaging bubbles to help infuse the skin with more oxygen. Studies show that oxygen treats mild to moderate acne, minimizes uneven texture, boosts radiance, and brightens dull complexions.
“Although it does not have active anti-acne ingredients, it’s great for those with the most sensitive skin,” DeRosa says of this pH-balanced and paraben-free cleanser. Instead, it uses bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, to remove dead skin cells and reduce acne-related inflammation.
One Amazon reviewer dealt with acne for two decades before incorporating this face wash into their daily routine. They say it controls greasiness, calms red, irritated skin, and the faint fragrance doesn’t irritate their sensitive skin. Another reviewer dealt with stress-related acne and noted that this “gentle but very effective” acne face wash fully cleared up their skin within three weeks.
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Target Clean
Cons
- Light tingling sensation
Key Specs
- Standout ingredient: Tea tree extract
- Derm-tested: Yes
- Rating: 4.4-star average from 450 reviews at Target
After debuting in February, this new beauty product quickly earned a place in Marchbein's medicine cabinet because its creamy formula leaves her skin instantly refreshed. Marchbein loves that the alcohol-free formula does not dry out her skin despite seasonal changes in New York.
This relatively gentle cleanser also earned major snaps from Target reviewers, who agree it has improved their acne-prone skin. Although it's designed for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types, one Target reviewer with sensitive skin gave it a 5-star rating because it cleared up their acne without any irritation.
Deep Cleanse utilizes mint and tea tree extracts to treat acne and impart a refreshing, cooling sensation. There's also witch hazel extract to help soothe irritation and shrink the look of large pores.
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.
Watch Next
Best Red Light Therapy Devices, Per Beauty Experts
9 LED Face Masks for Better Skin
7 Best High-Frequency Wands to Zap Away Acne
The Best Sunscreens for Under Makeup
