Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (2024)

Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (1)

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ADULTING IS HARD ENOUGH without zits, but many of us still get breakouts well beyond our teen years. Acne affects approximately 50 million people in the US alone, making it the most common skin condition and, while most often found in teenagers, can follow many people well into their 40s. Things like stress, diet and hormonal changes can all cause breakouts and a man’s oilier skin, larger pores and more active sweat glands pose a particular threat. If you suffer from breakouts, you’re likely well-versed in spot treatments and over-the-counter remedies, but using the best face wash for acne can help keep zits from popping up in the first place.

What to Consider

Since men's skin can be particularly oily, using the wrong kind of face wash can cause dirt and sebum to be lodged inside pores and lead to breakouts. To avoid this and get the most out of your acne-fighting face wash, here's what to keep in mind.

Active Ingredients

In order to effectively treat acne, a cleanser needs to have an acne-fighting ingredient. Often, you’ll see salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or other exfoliating acids, which work to remove buildup on the skin and control oil production. In natural versions, you may find ingredients like charcoal to soak up dirt and oil and tea tree oil, which act as a natural astringent. If you have sensitive skin, also try to avoid fragrances as they can irritate susceptible skin.

Format

Like all face cleansers, acne-fighting cleansers come in a variety of formats from gel to cream to foaming and non-foaming. Which one you choose is really a personal preference, but typically if you have very oily skin you want to avoid heavy cream cleansers and if you have sensitive skin, you want to avoid anything that is too harsh and will strip your skin (look for gentle or non-foaming cleansers instead).

How We Selected

We consulted our expert panel of dermatologists for not just their personal recommendations, but also what to look for in acne cleansers. We also consulted Men's Health's editors, including grooming editor Garrett Munce, who have spent years testing all sorts of skincare products, including acne cleansers. We drew on their expertise and first-hand experiences to evaluate cleansers based on their effectiveness, value, ease of use and more. Combining their expertise and hands-on experiences, we rounded up the best acne cleansers available.

Read more: Best Grooming Products for Men

Best Overall Acne Cleanser

Differin Daily Deep Cleanser

Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (9)

Pros
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (10)High concentration of benzoyl peroxide
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (11)Helps absorb oil
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (12)Gentle enough to use every day
Cons
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (13)Benzoyl peroxide may bleach towels

Dermatologists have been recommending Differin to treat acne for years. You can’t argue with the original gel, but this newish cleanser works wonders as well. It has a high concentration of proven acne-fighter benzoyl peroxide, which helps to kill acne-causing bacteria inside your pores. The version in this cleanser is micronized, meaning the molecules are smaller and penetrate more easily, which is said to be gentler on your skin. That’s part of why it’s gentle enough to be used every day in addition to the mildly foaming gel formula, which also contains hydrating ingredients to help preserve the moisture balance of your skin even after cleansing.

Even when a cleanser says it’s for daily use, we are a little skeptical when it has such a high concentration of an active ingredient like benzoyl peroxide. However, after a few days of using it, we were sold. Even with such a high concentration of benzoyl peroxide, our skin never felt tight or overly dry and there was no flaking or irritation at all (which can happen). Not only did it cleanse our faces deeply and noticeably absorb oil, but after just a few days of daily use, our breakouts started to fade. After a couple of weeks, any sign of acne was gone and with the lower amount of oil on our faces, we felt that the risk of future breakouts decreased as well.

Out of all the cleansers we tried, this one squashed our breakouts fastest. It also helped keep oil under control without completely drying out our skin. Any skepticism that this was too harsh to be a daily cleanser was negated after a few days of use, though we will say that if you have sensitive skin you may want to start by using it every other day just to make sure your skin can tolerate it. For most people with acne, though, we feel this is the cream of the crop.

Read more: Best Acne Spot Treatments

Active IngredientsBenzoyl peroxide
FormatGel

Best Exfoliating Acne Cleanser

iS CLINICAL Cleansing Complex

Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (14)

Pros
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (15)Contains naturally-derived ingredients
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (16)Contains protective antioxidants
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (17)Gentle enough to use every day
Cons
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (18)Expensive compared to other cleansers

This cleanser is billed as a 3-in-1 because it exfoliates, helps clear pores and control acne, and cleanses your skin. And even though this cleanser is powerful and effective, the gentle gel formula is still suitable to use every day, even if you have sensitive or aging skin.

The power in the formula is derived from plant extracts like white willow bark (a natural source of salicylic acid), sugarcane (a source of glycolic acid) and antioxidant-rich Centella asiatica. It’s one of our favorite acne cleansers because not only does it leave your skin feeling smooth and clean (without overdrying it), but it also quickly zaps oil and zits after just a few uses.

Active IngredientsWhite willow bark, sugarcane, Centella asiatica
FormatGel

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Best Classic Acne Cleanser

Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser

Pros
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (20)Contains salicylic acid
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (21)Also contains soothing ingredients
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (22)Cooling gel texture
Cons
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (23)Should not be used daily

This acne cleanser is one of the OGs for a reason. The salicylic acid in the formula is highly effective at controlling acne and oil and it’s an ideal cleanser to use for combination and oily skin (even if you don’t regularly have breakouts). The formula also features aloe vera, chamomile and thyme, which help to soothe and calm skin, curbing potential irritation and minimizing redness. It’s a powerhouse formula that has stood the test of time and continues to outperform newer, fancier versions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

Active IngredientsSalicylic acid, aloe vera, chamomile, thyme
FormatGel

Best Natural Acne Cleanser

Odacite Black Mint Cleanser

Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (24)

Pros
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (25)Contains natural ingredients
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (26)Nice cooling sensation
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (27)Gentle on skin
Cons
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (28)May not be strong enough for severe acne breakouts

If you’re interested in natural alternatives to combat acne, this green cleansing gel has activated charcoal to help soak up excess oil and tea tree oil, a natural antibacterial ingredient. The cooling cleansing gel feels great on your face—especially after a workout—and contains amino acids derived from apples to leave your skin feeling smooth, not tight.

Active IngredientsActivated charcoal, rhassoul clay, tea tree oil
FormatGel

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Best Budget Acne Cleanser

Bioré Charcoal Acne Cleanser

Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (29)

Pros
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (30)Combines charcoal and salicylic acid
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (31)Gentle enough to use every day
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (32)Inexpensive
Cons
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (33)May be too harsh for sensitive skin

Charcoal is a good natural option to help soak up dirt and oil that’s been proven to work, but it’s not going to stop breakouts by itself. Luckily, this budget-friendly cleanser pairs it with salicylic acid, which not only helps break out debris on the surface of your skin, but deep down in your pores as well. It’s a classic acne fighter and by pairing it with charcoal, this cleanser covers all your bases. The result after using it is the feeling of a deep-down clean, but it’s still gentle enough to not leave your face feeling tight or dry. It’s so gentle, in fact, that you can use it every day to help control existing acne and fight off future breakouts.

Active IngredientsActivated charcoal, salicylic acid
FormatGel

Best Luxury Acne Cleanser

Dermalogica Active Clearing Skin Wash

Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (34)

Pros
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (35)Contains salicylic acid
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (36)Good for daily use
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (37)Fragrance-free
Cons
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (38)Expensive compared to other cleansers

There’s a lot going on with this cleanser, which is no surprise given the hefty price tag. Of course, its acne-fighting power comes from trusty salicylic acid, which helps to exfoliate and remove buildup from both the surface of your skin and inside your pores. But what makes it so special is the soothing and calming ingredients also included in the formula, like balm mint, eucalyptus and camphor, which serve to calm your skin and reduce irritation.

Like many luxury cleansers, what is most apparent is the difference in texture. The lightweight gel glides over your skin and develops a rich foam that leaves your skin feeling deeply clean, but also moisturized and healthy.

Active IngredientsSalicylic acid, balm mint, eucalyptus, camphor
FormatGel

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Best Acne Cleanser For Blackheads

Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser

Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (39)

Pros
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (40)Gentle formula
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (41)Feels smooth on skin
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (42)Contains salicylic acid
Cons
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (43)Severe acne may need a higher concentration of salicylic acid

Thanks to the salicylic acid in this cleanser, it’s ideal for treating breakouts, but regular use without acne can help keep pores clear of blackheads and even help them look smaller. The silky smooth gel lathers (but not too much) and glides over your skin thanks to glycerin and panthenol inside, which act as moisturizing and hydrating factors. That means that after you cleanse, your skin feels healthy and clean, never tight and dry. Using it daily for just a week or two brought big changes to not just our breakouts but the overall look of our pores and evenness of our skin.

Active IngredientsSalicylic acid, glycerin, panthenol
FormatGel

Best Drugstore Acne Cleanser

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Deep Cleansing Foaming Cream

Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (44)

Pros
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (45)Contains salicylic acid
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (46)Helps keep skin moisturized
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (47)Lots of lather
Cons
  • Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (48)Some may not like the cream texture

Cream cleansers are usually scary for people with oily, acne-prone skin, but this one foams up into a rich lather that isn’t heavy at all. Inside that smooth lather is salicylic acid to help deep clean pores and exfoliate away buildup and glycerin to help keep skin moisturized even during the deep-cleaning process. And even though it’s a cream, this cleanser is great at sucking away oil and won’t leave your skin feeling heavy or filmy after you use it–unlike many other cream cleansers we’ve tried. In fact, it’s one of our go-to cleansers even when we’re not breaking out thanks to its oil-controlling, pore-refining properties.

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Avoid Acne Breakouts With These 8 Face Washes Backed by Grooming Experts (2024)

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