Take it from someone who knows: Struggling with acne can be a chore, a journey, a battle, and everything in between. If you have (or have had) it, you know. Sure, serums, toners, light therapy, and other treatments can be effective in clearing your skin, but it can also be a rough road trying to figure out what kind of ingredients work best for your kind of acne. This is especially true when selecting a face wash.
There are hundreds of options in the market, which can make it difficult to determine which formulas are meant for your skin type (and your wallet!). At the end of the day though, the only way to truly nail down a routine that's just right for your skin is to see a dermatologist.
But as a jumping-off point, I asked several leading derms to weigh in and give their recommendations for the best face washes for acne. Keep reading for all their picks.
The Best Face Washes for Acne, at a Glance
- Best Overall: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
- Best Salicylic Acid Treatment: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
- Best for Sensitive Skin: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Facial Wash for Oily Skin
- Best for Blackheads: Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser
- Best for Body Acne: Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash
The Best Face Washes for Acne in 2025
1. Best Overall: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
"This is suitable for most types of acne but best for pustular acne, the type that's a whitehead on a red base. It has 4% benzoyl peroxide, a perfect strength for the face, as higher percentages can be too drying. It reduces acne-causing bacteria while exfoliating dead skin cells. Then there are ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent dryness. And the creamy formulation with hyaluronic acid also makes it hydrating," says Azadeh Shirazi, MD.
Pro: Powerful formula, a little goes a long way
Con: None
Key ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
Size: 5 oz
Customer review: "I don't use this product for facial acne, but my dermatologist recommended it to me to treat folliculitis, and it worked really well. If you have sensitive skin, I'd say use it just once a day, but overall, it's a really gentle formula that still has a powerful kick to it that promotes clearer skin."
2. Best Salicylic Acid Treatment: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
"This is a classic, budget-friendly, and easily accessible option, particularly for oily skin. It has 2% salicylic acid, an oil-soluble acid that goes deep beneath the skin's surface to clean out excess oil from the pores and regulate oil production. It's very effective at treating comedonal acne, such as blackheads, which have hard, clogged debris in pores that can be difficult to loosen up. It's a gel formula that works best for oily or combination skin," says Shirazi.
Pro: Affordable, good for oily skin
Con: Some users don't like the scent
Key ingredient: Salicylic acid
Size: 6 oz
Customer review: "This face wash works really well for acne-prone skin. The salicylic acid helps clear breakouts and keeps new ones from forming. It leaves my skin feeling clean without being too harsh or drying. I like that it's oil-free, so it doesn't clog pores, and it's gentle enough for daily use."
3. Best for Gel Formula: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Facial Wash for Oily Skin
"Excess oil can contribute to blocked pores and the formation of acne. This cleanser helps remove oil gently while maintaining the skin's natural pH level," says Brendan Camp, MD.
Pro: Gentle, doesn't dry skin out
Con: Not ideal for dry and combination skin
Key ingredient: La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, zinc pidolate
Size: 6.76 oz
Customer review: "Been using this product for a few years now and cant fault it. It has a nice light smell and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and not dry. Love the pump and how easily it comes out!"
4. Best for Blackheads: Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser
"This product contains salicylic acid to gently remove oil and treat acne. It also contains grape water and grape-seed polyphenols for an antioxidant boost to combat the appearance of blackheads," says Camp.
Pro: Non-drying, absorbs oil
Con: Not a lot of product for the price.
Key ingredient: Essential oil complex, grape seed polyphenols, salicylic acid, grape water
Size: 5 oz
Customer review: "This cleanser is a game changer! Powerful enough to cleanse throughly but doesn’t leave my skin dry and tight. I like the earthy smell and love that my skin feels moisturized and plump after using. Perfect for everyday use!"
5. Best for Body Acne: Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash
If you do happen to struggle with body acne, this is the pick for you. "This cleanser is great for treating acne on the chest and back. It includes salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid that helps to remove oil deep within pores," says Camp.
Pro: Treats dryness and gently exfoliates
Con: Some says it feels more like lotion than soap, doesn't lather
Key ingredient: Glycerin, shea butter, and soybean oil
Size: 20 oz
Customer review: "I do think it works, but there is no lather. I just leave it for a few seconds and rinse it off. It's definitely non-drying so thats a plus."
6. Best for Textured Skin: Vichy Laboratoires Normaderm PhytoAction Daily Deep Cleansing Gel
"This gentle but effective cleansing option is great for those with acne-prone or oily skin, as it contains a combination of salicylic acid, copper, and zinc minerals as well as Vichy volcanic water. Together, these ingredients help to reduce blemishes and clogged pores, improving the overall tone and texture of the skin. It transitions from a gel to a foam to eliminate excess oil but won't leave the skin feeling dry or irritated," says Marisa Garshick, MD.
Pro: Provides a clean feeling without stripping skin
Con: Not idea for sensitive skin
Key ingredient: Salicylic acid 0.5%
Size: 6.76 oz
Customer review: "Used this product for years now along with a Vichy moisturizer and exfoliator, and I think it’s all-round amazing. Helps to control my breakouts and makes my skin feel clean without feeling like it’s pulling all the natural goodness out of it"
7. Best Exfoliating: Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser
"Combining glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid with salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, this cleanser helps to eliminate dead skin cells while also helping to unclog pores and reduce breakouts. This combination also helps to brighten and smooth the skin. It even contains proprietary Green Tea Polyphenol Technology, which provides antioxidant benefits and helps to calm the skin," says Garshick.
Pro: Treats whiteheads, blackheads, and cystic acne
Con: Not ideal for dry skin
Key ingredient: 5% glycolic acid, 2% salicylic acid, green tea
Size: 6.7 oz
Customer review: "I've only been using this for a few weeks but it has already cleared my breakouts faster than other products I've used. I experience less breakouts and my skin feels smooth and clean to touch. It's even given me a smooth chin, which is usually so bumpy from ingrowns and acne."
8. Best for Dry Skin: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
"This is another over-the-counter cleanser that is great for those with acne and sensitive skin. It contains hyaluronic acid, which is hydrating and makes it moisturizing," says Shari Sperling, DO.
Pro: Gentle, fragrance-free
Con: Not ideal for oily skin
Key ingredient: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin
Size: 16 oz
Customer review: "Best, affordable, sensitive skin friendly face wash out there. I’ve been using this for almost two years now and it is so great! It is hydrating, cuts through my makeup, and leaves my skin feeling nourished and not tight. One bottle last me several months and I wash my face every night."
What to Look for
Snehal Amin, MD, co-founder and surgical director of MDCS Dermatology, says there's a key difference you should look for in the formulation of your cleanser. "The main ingredient in [some cleansers] is sodium lauryl sulfate. This is a detergent that breaks apart oily substances. Many other cleansers do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate but instead contain glycerin. This can be less drying. The mechanical action of rubbing the face with a cleanser can remove excess sebum and dead skin cells. Since there's no detergent [in a glycerin-based formula] and usually some extra added moisturizing agents, this kind of cleanser is more gentle to the skin," he says.
Now, that's not to say that some can't tolerate a cleanser with higher-strength actives, especially if you have severe acne and would like something a little stronger. Either way, this is a great thing to keep in mind if you have sensitive skin.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best face washes for acne, we leaned heavily on expert insight and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including key ingredients and size. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
Why Trust Who What Wear
Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.
This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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