The 16 Best Acne Face Washes That Actually Work, According to Dermatologists (2024)

Here are five words you’re probably tired of hearing—TikTok made me do it. Anua’s products have been plastered on FYPs for months—and for good reason. The star of the show is quercetinol, and while it looks a lot like retinol, the term is derived from quercetin, a soothing anti-inflammatory ingredient found in plants. This cleanser helps treat and calm breakouts and reduces sebum production to prevent future ones from forming.

Key ingredients: Quercetin, anti-sebum P

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An ELLE editor says: “Buzzy skin care products on TikTok usually don’t sway me, but I was immediately drawn to this cleanser. This cleanser is formulated for oily, inflamed skin, and has helped calm my acne so much, especially during that time of the month. The formula has little microbeads that aren’t abrasive and melt down into the creamy texture, which leaves my skin feeling refreshed and hydrated.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

Excess oil production is the main culprit of acne; this gel cleanser clears all that oil out right away. Salicylic acid and jojoba esters buff away dead skin cells and unclog pores, as vitamin E offers nourishing benefits.

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, vitamin E, jojoba esters

Size: 6.7 fl oz

ZO Skin Health rating: 4.7/5 stars

A ZO Skin Health reviewer said: “Love love love love this cleanser. My skin is forever changed because of Zo Skin products. I can’t believe that at the age of 43, I am finally finding a product that has not only cleared up my skin, but is also making it smooth and feel amazing. I highly recommend this product as well as many others I’ve tried. Worth every penny!!”

This classic from Cerave features a cocktail of acne-fighting ingredients, including four percent benzoyl peroxide—that dries out breakouts fast—hyaluronic acid for hydration and niacinamide for soothing.

Key ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide

Size: 5 fl oz

Amazon star rating: 4.6/5 stars

Our expert says: “This cleanser contains four percent benzoyl peroxide making it a great option for acne-prone skin; it treats both existing breakouts and also works to prevent new ones from forming. The cleanser also contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to help support, hydrate, and soothe the skin barrier, so it leaves the skin feeling comfortable and hydrated. It can be used one to two times daily, but [it] is best to start by using just once per day and gradually increasing only if needed and tolerated.”—Dr. Marisa Garshick

The beauty of Honest Beauty’s products is that your skin is given the absolute best and most gentle ingredients to combat whatever woes you’re troubled with. In the acne department, this cleanser blends a cocktail of apple AHAs ((malic, glycolic, lactic, citric acid) with sulfur (3.3 percent to be exact) that act as a stress reliever for decongested skin.

Key ingredients: Colloidal sulfur, apple AHAs

Size: 4 fl oz

Honest star rating (from Ulta.com): 4.3/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “I’m really happy I decided to give this a try! I have adult cystic acne for 30 years. I want my cleanser to be cruelty-free and no fragrance! This is a nice gentle cleanser and doesn’t feel stripping. I’m pleased this also doesn’t have too many chemicals, especially for a lot of acne skincare products.”

Any trace of dirt, oil, and gunk doesn’t stand a chance against Cetaphil’s cult-favorite cleanser. The formula is gentle enough for daily use and packed with skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin, which protect the barrier.

Key ingredients: glycerin, panthenol, niacinamide

Size: 8 fl oz

Amazon star rating: 4.7/5 stars

Our expert says: “This can be a great option for someone with acne-prone skin who does not want a medicated cleanser as it effectively removes excess oils and dirt, preventing clogged pores and breakouts without drying the skin out. Additionally, it is non-comedogenic and oil-free, so it won’t clog the pores or lead to additional breakouts. It’s also a great option for those using other anti-acne active ingredients that can be drying, as it is gentle on the skin.”—Dr. Marisa Garshick

Bacteria is perhaps one of the leading causes of breakouts (yes, that means you need to wash your makeup brushes more frequently). AcneFree’s cleanser is formulated with antibacterial and antifungal properties to attack the culprit head-on.

Key ingredients: Sulfur, lemon oil

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AcneFree star rating: 3/5 stars

Our expert says: “Containing sulfur, this cleanser reduces breakouts by helping to get rid of bacteria and reduce oil, while also reducing inflammation and minimizing the potential for irritation, using key ingredients like ceramides and oat extracts.”–—Dr. Marisa Garshick

Whether you deal with acne breakouts on your chest, face, or back, Humane’s acne wash is more than capable of helping you eliminate those pesky visitors no matter where they appear. It’s strong—like 10 percent benzoyl peroxide strong—and not only kills bacteria on contact, but also encourages cell turnover for renewed, fresh skin.

Key ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide

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Amazon star rating: 4.3/5 stars

Our expert says: “This benzoyl peroxide cleanser helps to reduce acne-causing bacteria without leading to antibacterial resistance, making it a great option for those with breakouts. It can also be used on the face or body, including the chest, back, or buttocks, making it a great option for someone dealing with widespread breakouts.”—Dr. Marisa Garshick

This oil-free option from La Roche-Posay uses salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA), both very powerful and effective treatments for acne that break down oil and debris, gently exfoliate, and clear out pores while hydrating the skin.

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, lipo-hydroxy acid

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Ulta star rating: 4.5/5 stars

Our expert says: “This cleanser contains two percent salicylic acid and lipo hydroxy acid and is a great option to reduce blackheads. It is gentle enough to be used daily to help reduce breakouts and blemishes. While it is meant for those with oily or acne-prone skin, it is a good option for those who prefer to avoid a scrub.”—Dr. Marisa Garshick

While the main component of Drmtlgy’s cleanser is salicylic acid, the mixture also contains a ton of botanical extracts that fight inflammation.

Amazon star rating: 4.3/5 stars

Our expert says: “This cleanser contains two percent salicylic acid to help reduce breakouts and blemishes in combination with niacinamide to help soothe the skin and other botanical extracts to reduce dryness. Additionally, it is fragrance-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free.”—Dr. Marisa Garshick

Oil and acne typically aren’t the best of friends, but Hanskin’s cleansing oil is here to change your mind. This cleansing oil is formulated with PHAs that gently slough away impurities as the oil removes every trace of makeup and dirt from your face.

Key ingredients: Sunflower oil, tea tree oil, gluconolactone

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Ulta star rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “I have super sensitive skin and really struggle with cleansers. This one is great; my skin liked it immediately. It takes off makeup great and doesn’t dry me out. It’s a bit more expensive than I’m used to, but this size bottle lasts me months.”

You likely started your skincare journey with this Neutrogena classic, a top cleanser for battling acne for ages. This cleanser unclogs pores and deeply cleanses to remove blackheads and pimples and prevent future breakouts.

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid

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Target star rating: 3.6/5 stars

Our expert says: “This classic salicylic acid 2% oil-free acne wash uses MicroClear Technology to improve the delivery of the active ingredients to help reduce blackheads and breakouts. This oil-free formula won’t clog the pores and can be used once or twice daily, and is safe for use on the face and body.”—Dr. Marisa Garshick

Used mainly for the body, Dove’s bestselling bar soap is beloved by many for its soft and gentle feel on the face. Without any exfoliating agents found in most acne cleansers, this one works great for sensitive skin as it moisturizes it.

Key ingredients: Stearic acid, lauric acid

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Amazon star rating: 4.8/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I grew up using the Dove Beauty Bar. When I started to build my skin care routine as a teenager, this was the first product I reached for. It’s a super gentle cleanser, which is great for my sensitive skin, and it never leaves my skin feeling dry or stripped. I’ve tried many different face washes to help clear my skin, yet whenever I have a breakout that I can’t seem to shake, I always go back to this beauty bar.” —Tasha Nicole Smith, beauty assistant

Stressed, decongested skin can sometimes require heavy-hitters to calm it down. SkinCeuticals’ cleanser combines powerhouse ingredients, like glycolic and salicylic acid, to refine the skin tone and encourage cell turnover.

Dermstore star rating: 4.67/5 stars

Our expert says: “This exfoliating gel cleanser contains lipo-hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid to help unclog pores and reduce breakouts and blemishes without drying out the skin. It helps to improve overall texture and tone while removing excess oil and buildup.”—Dr. Marisa Garshick

The high percentage of benzoyl peroxide in Panoxyl’s classic acne wash might be a bit too strong for those with sensitive skin, but rest assured—it effectively fights off bacteria, dirt, and oil from other body parts. This also works deep to unclog pores and control oil to stop future breakouts in their tracks.

Key ingredient: Benzoyl peroxide

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Amazon star rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I’m sure my breakouts shriek in fear at the sight of this acne-killing cleanser. When used correctly—let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off—it minimizes and dries out breakouts, and lightens dark spots simultaneously.”—Nerisha Penrose

Give your skin a good cleanse with this gem from Murad. The formula takes two types of salicylic acid to penetrate deep into the skin to pull out any congestion, while green tea extract soothes any irritation.

Key ingredient: Salicylic acid

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Nordstrom star rating: 4.8/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer said: “This is my second purchase. The first was after I received a deluxe sample. I really think it works. I use it all over, not just on my face and have had really good results. It is a bit difficult to get out of the tube though.”

Think of this facial cleanser as your daily green smoothie. Kale, spinach, and green tea work together to refresh your skin, remove makeup, and restore the skin’s pH balance, building a defense against threats.

Key ingredients: Green tea, spinach, kale

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Sephora star rating: 4.2/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “My favorite thing about this cleanser is that it does an excellent job of removing dirt and impurities while still being gentle on your skin. I’m always hesitant to use acne cleansers if they’re drying, but this one clears my skin without drying it out at all. Plus, it also smells good, which is a major plus.”—Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor

As you shop for acne treatments, you’ll notice that most cleansers contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, two powerful ingredients that ensure your breakouts don’t return.

“Some key ingredients to look for in an acne wash include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or sulfur. Benzoyl peroxide and sulfur help reduce acne-fighting bacteria, while salicylic acid, as a beta-hydroxy acid, is especially good to help get rid of dead skin cell buildup, unclog the pores, and reduce excess oil,” Dr. Garshick explains. If you have sensitive skin, Dr. Garshick advises using a gentle cleanser, especially if your skincare routine contains potent ingredients. “When it comes to treating acne, it is important to not use too many active ingredients, unless your skin can tolerate it, to minimize the potential for dryness and irritation,” she adds.

Good news: Double-cleansing works for all skin types. The trick is finding a formula that suits your specific skin needs. For acne-prone skin, “it can be helpful in some cases to ensure the proper removal of makeup and excess oil, which can be especially important in those with acne-prone skin,” Dr. Garshick says. If your skin is on the oily/combo side, Dr. Garshick says to look for cleansers “that are considered non-comedogenic to prevent clogged pores.”

Double-cleansing with acne-prone skin isn’t as scary as you may think. “To double cleanse, you can start with an oil-based cleanser, cleansing oil, or a cleansing balm and then follow with a water-based cleanser. It is especially important that the first step of a double cleanse won’t worsen breakouts in those with acne-prone skin, “Dr. Garshick says.