Dermatologists Love These 15 Face Washes for All Types of Acne (2024)

If you have acne-prone skin, you already know that you need to be picky when it comes to choosing the right products—sometimes it seems like almost anything can cause a flare-up. Luckily, there's no shortage of options for those with pimples, from lightweight BB creams to acne serums that treat active breakouts to moisturizers that hydrate oily skin without leaving it feeling greasy. And of course, you've heard all about the tried-and-true acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide and their incredible skin-clearing powers.

But the very first step in your skincare routine and, arguably, the most basic, can have a profound effect on whether or not you experience breakouts (or get blackheads), dermatologists say. "If you have acne, the goal of a cleanser is to remove soiling from the skin without compromising the integrity of the skin barrier," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. "One of the biggest mistakes that people with acne make is over-scrubbing. This disrupts the outer skin layer, leads to dryness and irritation, and makes acne treatment even more difficult."

Here, Zeichner and other dermatologists offer their top picks for the best acne-fighting face washes. There's one to suit every preference, whether you like a foaming cleanser or a cream. Looking for great drugstore options? We've got those, too.

Bar soap? For skin that's prone to acne? You bet—because this isn't actually soap. Dove's hypoallergenic formula won't strip skin and contains a heaping dose of moisturizing cream to nourish your complexion's protective barrier. "It contains many of the same ingredients found in traditional moisturizers, so it can cleanse without irritation," says Zeichner.

If you have oily skin, you probably like the feel of a foaming cleanser. But that squeaky-clean aftereffect is bad news for your face in the long run. This wash, however, bubbles up without totally messing up your skin's natural barrier, thanks to the hyaluronic acid and ceramides.

"Cleansing with a product that contains active ingredients allows topical medications to penetrate the skin’s surface more effectively and absorb deeper into the skin for better efficacy," says Corey Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology. One of Hartman's top picks in this regard is this offering from Paula's Choice, which contains pore-clearing salicylic acid and moisture-locking panthenol so skin is left feeling hydrated and smooth.

Another top Hartman pick, this gel contains a secret acne-fighting weapon—LHA. This targeted acid dissolves pore-clogging oil, mildly exfoliates, and refines skin's texture. "It's a great way to even out your skin tone while cleansing that won't over-strip," he says.

Unlike his teen patients, many of of the people Zeichner sees with adult acne have dry skin."This has a low concentration of salicylic acid to remove oil and dead cells from the surface of the skin," he says. "It also contains sodium hypochlorite, a cousin to bleach that is ultra-gentle and has anti-microbial properties that lower levels of acne-causing bacteria."

Another tried-and-true ingredient in the battle against breakouts is benzoyl peroxide, an antimicrobial that reduces acne-causing bacteria. "If you haven't been prescribed a topical benzoyl peroxide, you might want to consider getting a cleanser with the ingredient," says Amy Ross, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of PHDermatology. Her go-to is this formula, which contains 10 percent BP, the highest amount you can get over-the-counter. Sensitive types: Proceed with caution. Ross warns this formula can be a little harsh on some skin.

Ross recommends this cleanser for patients looking for an affordable drugstore pick. "It contains 2 percent salicylic acid and chemically exfoliates the skin to unclog pores," she says. Other good-to-knows: The formula is oil-free, noncomedogenic, and contains a proprietary technology that enhances the delivery of active ingredients to the skin.

Powerful alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic and lactic) help exfoliate the skin and clear clogged pores to prevent breakouts and unveil a smoother complexion. It also contains neem seed oil so the skin doesn't feel stripped or dry after cleansing.

This purifier is tough but gentle. "It's a lightweight gel cleanser with glycolic and lactic acids to gently reduce excess oil and help unclog pores," says Ross. Also in there: botanical extracts of rosemary, green tea, and aloe vera for an extra boost of skin-loving goodness.

We'll let Hartman take it away: "This cleanser combines salicylic acid, honey and rice bran extract to deeply cleanse the pores, hydrate the skin, and control blemishes in a healing environment." Enough said.

There are two major things Zeichner wants you to know about this pick. First, it contains a zinc-based surfactant for a foam that's gentle and won't disrupt the pH of your skin. Second, it's chock-full of La Roche-Posay's renowned thermal spring water, which helps to calm inflammation and balance the skin's microbiome.

Zeichner likes this non-foaming cleanser because it's formulated with a trifecta of active plant ingredients. Aloe and cucumber calm inflamed skin while thyme extract fights the spread of pore-clogging oil and bacteria.

This derm-developed line is known for its potent, proven formulations. The Redefine cleanser, which starts as a cream and then develops into a rich lather, is no exception. "A blend of glycolic and lactic acid offers an exfoliating effect to remove dead cells to block the pores," says Zeichner. "It also contains a super humectant called glyceryl glucoside, a sugar that pulls in hydration to the other skin layer to keep the skin moisturized."

Perfect for stubborn blemishes, the benzoyl peroxide in this cleanser kills acne-causing bacteria. It's a non-foaming formula that contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid, so it's also gentle on the skin.

This wash is formulated with tea tree oil to balance acne-prone skin, willow bark extract (the natural form of salicylic acid) to purify pores, cucumber juice to minimize the appearance of pores, and lactic acid to exfoliate.