Best facial cleanser for sensitive acne prone skin

There are probably many reasons why you wanted to leave your teen years behind, and saying goodbye to your acne was surely one of them. But don’t freak out if those pesky pimples stuck around. The best face wash for acne can help improve the appearance of pimples, soothe redness, and prevent future breakouts from happening.

“Adult acne in women is super common,” says Nazanin Saedi, M.D., director of the Jefferson Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Center in Philadelphia. The main cause: hormonal imbalance. That’s why dermatologists often recommend medications like birth control, which can help keep hormones like estrogen and testosterone in check.

However, what you put on your face also matters. The first step in your anti-acne regimen? A face wash that you can lather up with morning and night. “Nighttime cleansing washes off dirt and excess oil that’s sitting on skin, while morning cleansing will clear off anything that accumulated overnight,” says Dr. Saedi.

How to choose (and use) the best face wash for acne-prone skin

Look for active ingredients. A few ingredients to look for in your face wash include benzoyl peroxide (to clean out the bacteria that contributes to acne), salicylic acid (to exfoliate and remove pore-clogging debris and break up blackheads and whiteheads), sulfur (to lessen inflammation), or glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid that clears away dead skin cells).

But go mild if need be. One downside is that face washes with anti-acne ingredients can be drying. You may also be tempted to overdo it on cleansing—and see skin irritation as a result. Pro tip: If you do get a bit dry or flaky, scale back to every other day and follow with a non-comedogenic moisturizer designed for oily or acne-prone skin.

Or, if you’re using a super-drying medication, stick with a mild “nothing” cleanser to minimize your irritation. These face washes are formulated for sensitive skin and really just prep your base (cleaning out makeup, oil, and dirt) so your acne medication (say, a prescription retinoid) or spot treatment can do the heavy lifting.

Listen to your skin. Finding the right cleanser for your acne-fighting routine can be tricky, and you’ll like have to try both cleansers for sensitive skin and those formulated with active ingredients to figure out which you prefer. If your skin gets red, itchy, flaky, or irritated in general, talk to your doctor about switching to a milder formula instead.

When it comes to cleansers, you don’t have to pick an expensive one—drugstore buys will get the job done, says Dr. Saedi. But there are options in every price category: Here, dermatologists share the best face washes for acne, from those with ultra-mild properties to top-notch pimple-fighting power.

1

BEST FOR ALL SKIN TYPES

Cetaphil

Gentle Skin Cleanser

2

BEST WITH HYALURONIC ACID

CeraVe

Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

3

BEST FOR COMBINATION SKIN

First Aid Beauty

Pure Skin Face Cleanser

4

BEST FOR POST-ACNE MARKS

Neutrogena

Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash

5

BEST WITH GLYCERIN

La Roche-Posay

Medicated Gel Acne Face Wash

6

BEST FOR MASKNE

Differin

Daily Deep Cleanser

7

BEST FOR BREAKOUTS

EltaMD

Foaming Facial Cleanser

8

BEST FOR SENSITVE SKIN

CeraVe

Hydrating Facial Cleanser

9

BEST DAILY FOAM CLEANSER

La Roche-Posay

Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash

10

BEST VALUE

Aveeno

Clear Complexion Foaming Oil-Free Facial Cleanser

11

BEST FOR STUBBORN ACNE

PanOxyl

Acne Foaming Wash

12

BEST FOR BLACKHEADS

Mario Badescu

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

13

BEST FOR SOOTHING

Avène

Antirougeurs CLEAN Redness-Relief Cleansing Lotion

14

BEST FOR DRY SKIN

TULA

Classic Purifying Face Cleanser

15

BEST FOR CLOGGED PORES

Bioré

Charcoal Acne Clearing Cleanser for Oily Skin

16

BEST FOR INFLAMMATION

Kate Somerville

EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser

17

BEST FOR QUICK RESULTS

Proactiv

Acne Renewing Cleanser

18

BEST FRAGRANCE-FREE

Fresh

Soy Face Cleanser

19

BEST FOR MULTI-PURPOSE USE

Neutrogena

Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask

Jessica Migala Jessica Migala is a health writer specializing in general wellness, fitness, nutrition, and skincare, with work published in Women’s Health, Glamour, Health, Men’s Health, and more.

Alisa Hrustic Deputy Editor, Prevention Alisa Hrustic is the deputy editor at Prevention, where she leads the brand’s digital editorial strategy.

Shauna Beni Shauna Beni is the Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention.

What is the most dermatologist recommended face wash?

Which face cleanser is the best for sensitive skin?

Which face wash is best for pimples and acne?