20 Of The Best Face Washes For Acne-Prone Skin

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Acne is arguably one of the top skin concerns that the skincare market attempts to target. You'll often notice the trigger words "acne" "breakouts" and "pimples" painted across new skincare products. Having acne-prone skin is a very common battle and it's one that can feel extremely daunting. Whether you suffer from occasional breakouts or hormonal acne, it always feels very disheartening. Acne also happens to be extremely tricky to treat. 

When it comes to acne it's always best to keep things simple. Over-treating the issue can only cause it to spiral out of control. This is why the number one recommendation for dealing with acne-prone skin is to simply always keep it clean. Leftover makeup or a buildup of debris can be one of the leading causes of breakouts. By not washing your face thoroughly you could be doing more damage than you realize. 

While simply deeply washing your face can work wonders when it comes to breakouts, reaching for face washes specifically designed to target breakouts can take things to the next level. Here is a roundup of the best face washes for acne-prone skin with every possible need — from sensitive skin types to those suffering from scarring.

If you are looking for one overall acne face wash then Murad's Acne Control Cleanser should be your first pick. Murad tends to be one of those very clinical and serious-looking skincare brands, but it delivers results.

When it comes to treating your acne, the cleanser is formulated with the number one acne fighter: salicylic acid. It also contains green tea extract to help soothe irritated breakouts in order to heal them while also treating them. Ideal for oily skin types, this cleanser continues working on healing your acne long after you wash it off. One fan of the 4.9 star-rated Murad face wash shares, "I have been using this for the last 3-4 years and I plan on continuing forever. This truly makes your skin feel so smooth and happy!"

Purchase Murad Acne Control Cleanser at Murad for $36.

Foaming face washes are popular for their ability to deeply cleanse skin with an immediate lather. This can leave your skin feeling a little dry, but that's what makes them so perfect for oily skin types. Tula Skincare's Keep It Clear Acne Foam Cleanser is a foaming face wash designed specifically to tackle breakouts. 

The cleanser also contains 2% salicylic acid to treat breakouts. But it also uses licorice and azelaic acid to brighten and fade any scarring, alongside tea tree oil and ginger to soothe the irritation of angrier breakouts. This face wash is surprisingly gentle for an acne face wash, as it is formulated without parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, retinol, and fragrance. One Tula Skincare fan raved, "Has really seemed to help my acne-prone skin! I went a couple of months without this cleanser and definitely noticed my skin took a turn for the worse. Breakouts have been minimized since returning to this product."

Purchase Tula Skincare Keep It Clear Acne Foam Cleanser at Tula Skincare for $36.

On the opposite end of the spectrum come heavy-duty acne face washes, which are not for sensitive skin types. When it comes to getting the most out of an acne face wash you should first make sure your skin can handle it, and then you should reach for PanOxyl's Acne Foaming Wash. 

PanOxyl's Acne Foaming Wash is about as serious and intense as its packaging looks. The dermatologist recommended acne face wash uses salicylic acid's just-as-powerful acne-treating sister benzoyl peroxide, an antibacterial ingredient used to treat breakouts and prevent new ones. The only con to note is that due to its 10% potency, you should be careful with what towels and clothing it touches because it can bleach them.

This face wash is so good at healing acne that it's also suggested to be used on your back and chest to clear up any acne in those areas. One iHerb reviewer wrote, "Helped a lot with my face, back, and hands acne. Important to keep it on the skin for a little while, during a shower, maybe no more than 5 minutes, definitely makes wonders." 

Purchase PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash at iHerb for $11.33.

By now, you've probably gathered that salicylic acid is the star ingredient in most skincare targeting acne-prone skin types. The active acid can repair and treat acne like no other, and most acne face washes contain it. If you want to hone in on this powerhouse ingredient, then using it in its purest form with The Inkey List's Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser is the pick for you. 

This cleanser uses 2% salicylic acid to treat your acne while cleansing your face. It also contains a zinc compound that helps to remove any excess sebum that can cause further breakouts. To help soothe your irritated acne-prone skin this face wash is also formulated with 0.5% allantoin to soothe breakouts and promote the growth of healthy skin tissue. The 4.4 star-rated face wash is a fan favorite, and one Sephora reviewer writes, "At first my skin was breaking out badly but after using this product for a week, I have noticed a big difference. My skin is much smoother and clearer than it was before."

Purchase The Inkey list Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser at Sephora for $11.99.

One of the leading causes of acne is clogged pores. This can occur due to a number of reasons such as having oily skin or just not removing your makeup properly, which is why the prime suggestion to clear it up is to deeply cleanse your skin. Most acne face washes target existing acne, but Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser places emphasis on unclogging pores to keep your skin in check.

The Pore Normalizing Cleanser is a gentle gel cleanser that softly removes excess oil and unclogs your pores without being too harsh on your skin. This cleanser works deeply enough to clear out any sebum and debris from your pores without stripping your skin and leaving it feeling even more irritated, which makes it ideal for sensitive skin types. One Paula's Choice reviewer shares, "The cleanser is great! I have really bad hormonal acne from birth control. This cleanser with the liquid exfoliant are the two things that cleared up my skin." 

Purchase Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser at Paula's Choice for $15.

Skincare actives are a blessing. While you have to tread carefully so as to not compromise your skin's barrier, actives such as BHAs and AHAs can work wonders when it comes to acne-prone skin. Dermalogica's Acne Clearing Skin Wash Cleanser uses a combination of active ingredients to help cure your acne. 

The Acne Clearing Skin Wash Cleanser is formulated with encapsulated 0.5% salicylic acid alongside phytic acid which both work to gently exfoliate your skin and unclog your pores while also visibly brightening it to help heal any scarring or hyperpigmentation. The face wash also contains plant-derived glycerin which is a strong prebiotic that keeps your skin looking and feeling balanced. 

One Sephora reviewer explains why she's so loyal to it, "I noticed a huge difference in my skin about 3 weeks into using it, my skin is less oily, I break out less and the breakouts are less severe, it's really helped me get my skin under control."

Purchase Dermalogica Acne Clearing Skin Wash Cleanser at Sephora for $39.50.

Often acne face washes target active breakouts and attempt to heal them while preventing future breakouts, but what about the aftermath? Try as we might, it's almost impossible to avoid scarring when you have acne-prone skin no matter how gently you treat the breakouts. If you are looking for something designed to specifically target scarring then Joanna Vargas' Vitamin C Face Wash should do the job.

Don't worry, you don't have to take a break from treating your acne when using this face wash as it also contains salicylic acid to keep your skin gently exfoliated and treat active breakouts. But the star ingredient is vitamin C, which works to visibly brighten dark spots and even out your skin tone. The face wash also contains hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated. One Joanna Vargas reviewer can't get enough of it, saying, "The best face wash I've ever used. I will not use anything else. Leaves my skin clean, moisturized, and smooth."

Purchase Joanna Vargas Vitamin C Face Wash at Joanna Vargas for $40.

When a brand that is deeply loved for its pimple patches expands into skincare, one must pay attention. Mighty Hero pimple patches are a viral fan favorite, and the Clear Collective Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser is their new acne-fighting partner.

Hero Cosmetics has created a unique jelly-to-foam consistency with this acne face wash, which is paraben-, fragrance-, and phthalate-free and is packed full of acne-treating ingredients. The cleanser is formulated with a potent combination of glycolic and mandelic acid designed to dissolve dead skin buildup, as well as willow bark extract and Gluconolactone which both work to exfoliate your skin and even skin tone. 

This face wash has quite the fan base already as one Ulta Beauty reviewer shares, "My skin cleared up to perfect smooth healthy skin in 3 days. I use this every night before bed, I usually get really bad hormonal acne on my chin around that time of the month and since using this I get little to none!"

Purchase Hero Cosmetics Clear Collective Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser at Ulta Beauty for $12.99.

When you have sensitive acne-prone skin things can get a little tricky, especially considering most acne face washes on the market contain a myriad of active ingredients that your skin can't handle. That doesn't mean there aren't any options for you. There are plenty of gentle options that can get the job done without causing more harm than good, and La Roche-Posay's Purifying Foaming Face Wash is at the top of that list. 

The face wash is dermatologist tested and is ideal for all skin types. It is gentle while still deeply cleansing and removing excess oil and sebum without stripping your skin. Formulated with La Roche-Posay's trademark prebiotic thermal spring water, niacinamide, and ceramide-3, it manages to cleanse your skin while maintaining its natural moisture barrier. The cleanser has earned a 4.6-star rating on Target specifically when it comes to being good for sensitive skin, as one reviewer shares, "I love this cleanser. I started using it a few months ago. I have really sensitive skin and it has never been too harsh yet still feels and looks like cleaner skin. It has helped with my clogged pores."

Purchase La Roche-Posay's Purifying Foaming Face Wash at Target for $18.89.

You hear people say they're suffering from "angry breakouts" all the time, but what does that actually mean? When a breakout is so bad that it's painful and turns its entire surrounding bright red, that means it is inflamed. Luckily, certain acne face washes, such as Good Molecules Acne Foaming Cleanser, are designed to help treat just that. 

The Acne Foaming Cleanser is formulated with 2% salicylic acid and also contains witch hazel and aloe which work wonders on soothing any inflammation and helping to ease irritation and redness around your active breakouts. With a pH balance of 4.0-4.4, this foaming face wash deeply cleanses your pores without compromising your natural moisture barrier. One Good Molecules fan shares how well it worked for her, "This product has been very gentle on my sensitive skin, with no burning or redness in sight. I'm currently in the purging stage, but I'm already seeing a difference in how my skin is responding!" 

Purchase Good Molecules Acne Foaming Cleanser at Good Molecules for $12.

When a skincare product causes so much commotion online, it's guaranteed to end up in countless baskets. In the case of acne face washes, none have gotten as much hype as CeraVe's Acne Control Face Cleanser. 

CeraVe is known for its affordable products that are gentle and super effective, and this cleanser is no exception. Developed with dermatologists, it promises to reduce acne and prevent future breakouts. Of course, it is only right that the final product on this list also contains 2% salicylic acid as well as Hectorite clay which helps absorb excess oil. 

The cleanser's niacinamide and three essential ceramides soothe your skin and keep it balanced and hydrated. There's no shortage of rave reviews, but one Ulta Beauty reviewer summed it up pretty well, "I always have a hard time with products but this has been clearing my skin and I have not had any breakouts since!! It's only been a week but I can definitely see and feel the difference!"

Purchase CeraVe's Acne Control Face Cleanser at Ulta Beauty for $15.99.