15 Best Face Washes for Acne, According to Dermatologists

We updated this article in June 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on expert recommendations by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. We've added four additional products — including picks from PanOxyl, La Roche-Posay and ALOISIA Beauty — to our original list.

15 Best Face Washes for Acne, According to Dermatologists

We updated this article in June 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on expert recommendations by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. We've added four additional products — including picks from PanOxyl, La Roche-Posay and ALOISIA Beauty — to our original list.

Whether you've been dealing with the sudden onset of adult acne or you've spent years spent fighting pimples, acne spares no one. But the right blemish-banishing ingredients can put your skin at ease. There are tons of acne-fighting products on the market (both over the counter and prescription), but it's not always a simple task to put together an acne skincare routine that will help treat your breakouts. Everyone's acne journey is different, but the one product that can help: An effective acne face wash.

Our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has decades of experience testing thousands of beauty products, including the best face wash formulas. We test face washes both in Lab and on our panel of consumer testers for cleansing efficacy and results on different skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. The picks ahead were selected from our recent face wash tests, recommended by GH Beauty Lab scientists, dermatologists and verified online reviewers. These are the 15 best face washes for acne you can buy to help treat and prevent pimples.

Our top picks:

  • Best Overall Face Wash for Acne

    Normaderm PhytoAction Daily Deep Cleansing Gel

    Vichy

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  • BEST VALUE FACE WASH FOR ACNE

    Oil-Free Acne Wash

    NEUTROGENA

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  • BEST ACNE FACE WASH FOR DRY SKIN

    Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

    CERAVE

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  • BEST FACE WASH FOR CYSTIC ACNE

    Effaclar Medicated Gel Acne Face Wash

    LA ROCHE-POSAY

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  • BEST ACNE FACE WASH FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

    Reviving Cleanser

    RESTORSEA

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  • BEST FACE WASH FOR ACNE AND DARK SPOTS

    AHA & BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

    SKINMEDICA

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  • BEST FACE WASH FOR HORMONAL ACNE

    Sebium H2O Purifying Cleansing Micelle Solution

    BIODERMA

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  • BEST ACNE FACE WASH FOR TEENAGERS

    Rapid Rescue Deep Treatment Wash

    CLEARASIL

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  • BEST CALMING FACE WASH FOR ACNE

    REFRESH Jade Purifying Cleanser

    ALOISIA BEAUTY

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  • BEST EXFOLIATING FACE WASH FOR ACNE

    Acne Clearing Cleanser

    GLYTONE

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  • BEST ACNE FACE WASH FOR COMBINATION SKIN

    BPO 5% Cleanser

    PCA SKIN

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  • BEST ACNE FACE WASH FOR LARGE PORES

    Clarifying Cleanser

    MURAD

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  • BEST FACE WASH FOR ADULT ACNE

    Ain't Misbehavin' Medicated AHA/BHA Acne Cleanser

    DERMADOCTOR

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  • BEST FACE AND BODY WASH FOR ACNE

    Acne Foaming Wash

    PANOXYL

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  • BEST FOAMING FACE WASH FOR ACNE

    Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser

    LA ROCHE-POSAY

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