Top 10 Best Face Cleansers for Acne Reviews

If your skin is prone to acne, you might have tried different methods and remedies for improving your looks and keeping your skin protected against acne. When it comes to acne treatment, the right face cleanser for acne is something you should try. It will help with managing the acne as it will help with getting rid of sweat, makeup, dirt, oil, and skin pores.

Key Factors of Right Face Cleansers

When you intend to choose the best face cleanser, you should consider the ingredients. Here are some common ingredients you will come across in a face cleanser for acne:

Salicylic Acid:

When it comes to acne treatment, a product with salicylic acid will help with skin exfoliation. It means that it will help with getting rid of dirt and pores that otherwise clog the skin and contribute to acne breakout.

Benzoyl Peroxide:

This ingredient you will find in some products is known for its antibacterial properties. This ingredient will help with getting rid of the bacteria that lead to acne. Even, benzoyl peroxide will help with getting rid of dead skin cells that otherwise clog the skin pores and lead to acne.

Sulfur and Alpha Hydroxy Acids:

These ingredients will help with addressing excess oil, collagen production, and exfoliation. These features of these ingredients will help for individuals with oily skin types and also for those with aging skin.

What Are the Best Face Cleansers for Acne?

When you have acne, your skin type will be different. It is not that only individuals with oily skin get acne. Even, people with other skin types can get acne due to different reasons like medication, hormonal changes, etc. So, you should make sure that the acne treatment remedy you choose suits your skin type.

#1 Cleanance Cleansing Gel Soap-Free Cleanser from Eau Thermale Avene

With thermal water as the key ingredient, this cleanser provides the best protection for the skin from drying out during hot summer days. By doing this, this face cleanser for acne will help with acne prevention by hydrating the skin. This product helps with the removal of excess oil and impurities from the skin without stripping it. To respect the natural balance of the skin, the pH level in this product is fixed at 7.2.

Many users of this face cleanser stated that it works great for cystic acne and their dermatologist recommended this product to them for acne treatment.

#2 Effaclar from La Roche Posay

This gel-based face cleanser from La Roche Posay is a medicated product that focuses on removing excess oil from the skin. Also, it helps with clearing acne breakouts.

The product encompasses 2% acne-fighting salicylic acid that will keep greasiness in the skin at bay. Excess greasiness leads to acne breakouts in many people. So, by keeping greasiness at the right level, it prevents acne breakouts.

Also, lipo hydroxy acid is another key ingredient in this product that helps with skin exfoliation, renewal, and acne treatment. Further, it helps users to achieve younger-looking skin. It suits both men and women with oily and sensitive skin types.

Many users expressed that this is the first cleanser they have ever seen to clear acne.

RELATED: Top 10 Best La Roche-Posay Skincare

#3 Daily Face Wash Facial Cleanser from Cetaphil

This product from Cetaphil has been created gentle enough for day-to-day cleansing for acne-prone skin. This non-irritating and gentle formula suits normal to oily skin types including sensitive skin. Cetaphil has clinically proven this product to provide a deep cleaning to the skin.

This hypoallergenic product uses hydrogenated castor oil as one of the ingredients. This ingredient is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to effectively address the swelling and infection caused by acne.

Above all, many users have stated that this product effectively cleans their acne-prone skin without creating any dryness. Many users recommend this product for individuals looking for the best face cleanser for acne.

RELATED: Top 10 Best Cetaphil Skincare – Expert Reviews

#4 Oil-Free Acne Wash Facial Cleanser from Neutrogena

This unisex product with chamomile scent brings a soothing aroma as claimed by many users. The salicylic acid present in this oil-free cleanser helps the skin to fight against acne.

Neutrogena has formulated this face wash with naturally-driven chamomile and aloe that helps with calming the irritation to reduce facial redness visibly. In turn, the skin feels healthier besides looking clearer. This acne-fighting cleanser works to remove oil permitting the medicine to get to the source of breakouts and prevents them from appearing again.

Many users of this product stated that this product works great when it comes to clearing blackheads. Also, it suits all skin types.

RELATED: Top 10 Best Neutrogena Skincare

#5 Facial Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid from Pure Biology

This unisex face wash in addition to cleansing the pores also provides nutrients to the skin without stripping the essential moisture. Pure Biology has created this product as a simple face wash that can meet the daily face wash needs.

Pure Biology has cautiously formulated this product with botanical extracts and essential oils to help with the reduction of inflammation caused by acne. To prevent acne breakouts, this product also has a rich source of foaming exfoliating antioxidants as ingredients. Suitable for oily, normal, dry and combination skin types, this product has a soothing lemon smell as claimed by many users.

Many users expressed that they were able to achieve a balanced and nourished skin tone with the help of this product.

#6 Differin Facial Cleanser

With benzoyl peroxide as the key ingredient, this product helps with acne prevention by killing the bacteria underneath the skin.

To make sure that this cleanser suits even sensitive skin, Differin has used only 5% of benzoyl peroxide as against 10% present in most other acne remedies. This is a dual-action cleanser that penetrates deep into the skin for absorbing excess oil besides releasing gentle hydration without clogging the pores.

This product, as claimed by many users will suit those looking for a powerful cleanser that does not strip the skin. Many individuals with acne-prone skin have stated that this face cleanser for acne is a lifesaver for them when it comes to acne treatment.

RELATED: Top 10 Best Differin Products

#7 Acne-Clearing Charcoal Facial Cleanser from Bioré

Charcoal is known for its antibacterial properties. In general, bacteria that cause acne can trigger pimples and other inflammatory swellings. In turn, it will lead to swelling, redness and irritation.

The antibacterial property of charcoal in this product will help with lifting bacteria from the pores. In turn, it will help with bringing down acne and with the improvement of the overall skin complexion. When charcoal will help with preventing acne, the presence of 1% salicylic acid in this product will aid with present acne treatment. The product also uses Bioré Skin Purifying Technology to provide complete facial cleansing.

Many users state that this product rightly does what it promises to do for acne.

RELATED: Top 8 Best Bioré Skincare – Expert Reviews

#8 Benzoyl Peroxide Wash from Dr Song

This benzoyl peroxide anti-acne cleanser suits acne-prone skin and it is a unisex product. In addition to being a face cleanser for acne, it is suitable for use in other body parts as well.

The product uses 10% deep penetrating medical-grade benzoyl peroxide that will reach right to the problematic area of the skin to treat and even to prevent acne. The product works by attacking the bacteria that causes acne. So, further breakouts are prevented apart from providing the right acne treatment. Also, the ingredients in this product help with simultaneously bringing down the inflammation. Further, it helps with getting rid of excess oil from the skin.

Many users have stated that this product helps with the effective removal of cystic acne.

#9 Normaderm Daily Acne Treatment from Vichy Laboratories

This face cleanser for acne from Vichy Laboratories will help with getting rid of dirt, clogged pores and oil besides clearing acne and blackhead blemishes.

The product uses an allergy-tested formula with a mild fragrance and it is free of sulfate and soap. With carefully selected ingredients like copper, zinc, and salicylic acid. When zinc and copper provide the essential nutrients to the skin, salicylic acid will help with fighting acne.

The product also encompasses Vichy Mineral-Rich Volcanic Water that charges itself with 15 minerals. This ingredient will help with strengthening the moisture barrier of the skin to safeguard it against external aggressors.

Many users of this product have stated that this face cleanser for acne effectively relieved the deep-set acne from their skin.

RELATED: Top 10 Best Vichy Skincare

#10 Acne Cleanser from Proactiv

This face cleanser from acne encompasses exfoliating beads to safeguard the pores from clogging. The hyaluronic acid present in this product will help with maintaining skin hydration, while benzoyl peroxide will help with killing the bacteria that causes acne.

In addition, chamomile present in this cleanser will help with calming and soothing the skin. It suits all skin types and many users stated that this product was gentle on their acne-prone skin and cured it completely.

Why Do You Need a Face Cleanser for Acne?

Your facial skin requires regular cleansing to get rid of accumulated dirt and dead skin cells if it’s acne-prone! The best face cleanser can help you treat and prevent this issue for a long time. Here you learn why to try this product and how to pick the best face cleanser for acne! 

Is a face cleanser an ultimate cure for the acne problem? No! This product does not guarantee a permanent solution, but it can help you speed up the treatment. Millions of people experience acne and most of them forget one basic thing. It’s cleansing their face properly before applying an ointment, lotion, or face cream for acne. 

You will experience the following benefits if you apply face cleanser for acne:

1. No buildup

Most people, who have acne problems, have oily skin. Dirt, pollutants, dead skin cells, toxins, and other impurities blend with sebum or face oil and accumulate on the face. If you do not cleanse impurities before applying an acne-treating product, that product won’t work. 

The best face cleanser for acne can prevent the buildup of impurities and keep your face clean. It can keep your pore unclogged. Bacteria, pollutants, dirt, dead skin cells, and other impurities do not get a chance to clog pores and become pimples or acne. 

Your facial skin looks fresh and glowing after the treatment. Therefore, you need the right cleanser to keep your skin clean and healthy. 

2. Proper hydration

Hydration is extremely essential if you want to fight the acne problem. You can maintain the normal texture of your skin if you drink enough water to prevent dehydration. Suppose it does not work, you have to provide external hydration to prevent excess sebum production. 

Sebaceous glands in our skin start producing more sebum or oil when it senses the epidermis is dehydrated. If you use a face cleanser loaded with humectants and then apply a hydrating moisturizer, it can prevent dehydration. Your skin will produce less sebum and the risk of acne will also reduce. 

3. Clearer skin

The main reason most buyers use a face cleanser is to maintain clearer skin. Users with acne-prone and oily skin need a cleanser that can prevent build-up and promote a healthy appearance. It happens when you got ingredients that eliminate the problem causing bacteria and unclog pores. 

The right cleanser does not affect the natural process of producing sebum. It only helps you manage the oil production to prevent build up and pore-clogging. Besides, it can deliver nutrients such as vitamin C, niacinamide, humectants, and other skin-nourishing elements to brighten up your complexion.  

4. It can prevent inflammation

Regular face cleansing is the best way of keeping the skin healthy. The risk of skin inflammation and irritation reduce when you got healthy skin. Top-quality face cleansers not only cleanse but also help you prevent skin inflammation. Therefore, you must use face cleansers to prevent and treat the acne issue. 

How to Choose a Face Cleanser for Acne?

You will discover many face cleansers from several brands when you check the shelf of a retail store. Which one of those products is perfect to keep your face clean? Consider the following factors to shortlist the finest product within a few minutes. 

1. Know which product is the best for your skin type

You got acne-prone skin if you are looking for a face cleanser for acne. However, you have to decide whether your skin is sensitive, dry, or extra oily. It is an important consideration to make before buying and trying a product. 

Suppose you got acne-prone and sensitive skin, you cannot pick a face cleanser with harsh ingredients. It will trigger more skin issues and acne will become the secondary issue. 

Carefully assess whether you got oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin. Once you know the skin type, start looking for a face cleanser that heals acne and nurtures your skin type. This assessment can help you pick a blend of ingredients that will address multiple skin problems. 

2. Important ingredients to look for

Acne can be painful and quite irritating. You can jump-start the healing process by cleansing your face. It will require the right combination of ingredients to get the best face cleansing results. Look for the following ingredients when buying a face wash for acne. 

• Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is the first ingredient you should seek in your face cleanser if you want to get rid of acne. It is an exfoliating acid that unclogs pores by loosening and removing dead skin cells. You can find this ingredient in face washes, masks, oils, and creams formulated for acne-prone skin. 

It is a bit powerful ingredient and it may not be perfect for users with sensitive skin. So, choose a face cleanser with salicylic acid only if you don’t have sensitive skin. It plays a vital role in preventing blackheads and whiteheads along with acne. Therefore, your product must contain this powerful ingredient.  

• Benzoyl peroxide

Renowned for its antibacterial properties, Benzoyl peroxide helps you kill acne-causing bacteria. You may have noticed that several acnes appear after the first one. It happens because users fail to eliminate the bacteria responsible for the spread of this skin issue. 

If you cleanse your face with a product that contains benzoyl peroxide, it will kill germs causing this issue. The risk of a quick spread of acne will be pretty low. This ingredient can also help you keep the pores unclogged by removing impurities. That’s why you should always choose a face cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide in its formula. 

• Sulfur and AHA

Sulfur and alpha hydroxyl acids are two important ingredients to remove dead skin cells. We have already listed two ingredients that unclog pores, but you need additional help. Sulfur and AHA work as exfoliants to loosen the toughest impurities clogging pores. You can gently rub the face wash and remove impurities once pores unclog. 

Many products contain AHAs as exfoliators. Very few people reveal that AHAs can also cure discoloration and promote collagen production in the user’s skin. Sulfur also helps you manage sebum production. It will help you get rid of tough-to-remove impurities and keep your skin clean.  

• Glycolic acid

Glycolic acid is an ingredient that not only exfoliates the skin but also soothes inflammation. It is an excellent alternative to salicylic acid for users with sensitive skin. This ingredient is also added to products because it protects the skin against UVB radiation. You should seek it in your face wash if you want protection against acne and UVB rays. 

• Tea tree oil

It is a natural antimicrobial ingredient blended in numerous skincare products and ointments. Certain face cleansers provide a powerful blend containing tea tree oil. If you found a cleanser that has tea tree oil along with other ingredients, you should buy it immediately. 

• Retinol

You can find this ingredient in many anti-aging products. What most users do not know is that retinol is also effective against acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. Being a vitamin A derivative, this ingredient boosts skin-cell turnover. It speeds up the process of generating new skin cells.  

If combined with other exfoliating ingredients, retinol can do wonders for users with acne-prone skin. So, try it if you find a face cleanser blend with retinol to have anti-aging benefits and glowing skin. 

• Lactic acid

Being a keratolytic, lactic acid can dismantle dead skin cells. When you rub your skin daily with a cleanser containing lactic acid, it gently unclogs pores. It prevents sebum from blending with impurities to become a cause of acne. Therefore, it’s an essential ingredient to look for in an anti-acne face wash or cleanser. 

3. Choose a non-comedogenic formula

Non-comedogenic products are face cleansers, moisturizers, and creams that do not clog pores. Most people experience the acne issue because they have clogged pores. Cosmetic products also cause this problem and many people don’t use a powerful cleaner to get rid of makeup. 

Seasoned dermatologists recommend only non-comedogenic products to keep skin pores unclogged. There will not be the risk of clogging and thus you can prevent acne for a long time. If your product is comedogenic, it will cause a rapid spread of acne. Therefore, you should carefully check the product description or productto ensure it’s an anti-acne face wash. 

4. Check the texture of the cleanser

Face cleansers have different textures. Some cleansers are pretty creamy, some are quite foamy, and certain cleansers are equipped with tiny granules. What type of texture is the best for cleansing acne-prone skin?

Creamy cleansers may feel a bit oily but you can easily remove them without damaging the skin. Foamy cleansers can make skin dry. Therefore, many skin experts recommend users not try such products on sensitive skin.   

You should avoid cleansers with physical exfoliators if you want a gentle and non-damaging treatment for acne. Choose a creamy and skin-friendly texture to nourish your skin, moisturize it, and cleanse it properly. 

Conclusion

The best face cleanser for acne will help to keep your acne-prone skin clean and hygienic. This is something important to prevent further breakouts. Here are some of our choices:

• Oily Skin: Effaclar from La Roche Posay
• Dry Skin: Facial Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid from Pure Biology
• Combination Skin: Oil-Free Acne Wash Facial Cleanser from Neutrogena

So, choose one of the products above based on your skin type and you are sure to get the expected benefits.