Having shiny, oily skin prone to acne breakouts can be the most frustrating thing in the world. It’s a vicious cycle: you strip away the oil hoping it solves the problem, but it only exacerbates your issues. So how does one start battling pimples and increased sebum production? The trick is to find the best face wash for oily, acne-prone skin.
The real causes of acne can’t be solved with harsh cleaners. You can’t fix your hormones, stress level, genetics, or diet with any kind of face wash. But you can reduce inflammation, kill off bacteria, and moisturize with the right acne cleanser for oily skin.
OUR SKINCARE EXPERTS HAVE EVALUATED OVER FIFTY OF THE TOP ACNE FACE WASHES FOR OILY SKIN
We tried out dozens of cleansers before we narrowed our selection down to seven. If you’re looking for best face wash for oily, acne-prone skin, you’ll find it in our review. All of the face washes from out list are gentle on your skin but have no mercy for those pesky pimples and will safely whisk away any excess oil from the skin. On this page you will find the best options on the market to help deal with this once and for all.
This post features 7 carefully chosen acne face washes with the most effective results for oily skin available in the market today. When I say carefully, it means that our listing is based on the analysis of over 3140 real user reviews and in depth understanding of the brands behind these products. Our team of skincare experts and dermatologists only picked the highest rated and most successful products that work best for oily skin.
| BEST BACK ACNE TREATMENTS IN 2023 | |||
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OUR #1 PICK |
Misumi Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser |
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VIEW LATEST PRICE → |
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La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser Wash |
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Misumi AHA 10% Skin Perfecting Cleanser |
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Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser |
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Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Acne Facial Cleanser |
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How We Chose the Best Acne Face Wash for Oily Skin
Here are a couple of factors we keep in mind when choosing the best acne face washes for oily skin:
● Quality of Ingredients
A few ingredients to look for in your face wash for oily skin: salicylic acid (to exfoliate and remove pore-clogging debris that cause cystic acne in the first place), glycolic acid (the best at exfoliating and unclogging impurities and excess oil due to it’s tiny molecules), lactic acid (to fight acne and even out skin tone), benzoyl peroxide (to clean out the P. acnes bacteria that contributes to acne), or sulfur (to lessen inflammation), and witch hazel (a natural astringent that tightens pores, preventing aggravation of acne and future breakouts.
● Regimen Sets
“I recommend acne kits because sticking to one product line, with products designed to work well with one another, will have the most effective results.” – Jessica Fitz Patrick, Aesthetician and Rodan + Fields Consultant
● Real Customer Reviews and Before & After Pictures
We’ve gathered and evaluated over three thousand real customer reviews. This is a no censoring, no filter skincare review zone. We say it like it is.
● Test Results
Yup, our skincare experts test all our top products on teenagers battling various types breakouts.
● Customer Service and company Policy
We only recommend companies that we trust operate with integrity, are good to their customers and their environment, and have hassle-free return policies and exceptional customer service.
7 Best Face Washes for Acne 2023
Here are the best creams, washes and cleansers for healing your acne, based on quality review and user experience.
Our Number 1 Pick
1. Misumi Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser
$33.95 (One bottle should last you 2-3 months.)
Picking the number 1 acne cleanser was surprisingly not a hard choice. After trying over fifty of the best rated acne cleansers, we’ve come to a conclusion that Misumi’s Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser is by far the most powerful and effective acne face wash for oily skin on the market. It easily beats out tough competitors like Murad, Curology, and Proactiv.
This breakthrough formula is a powerful blend of Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, and Salicylic acid, the three ‘miracle acne-fighting ingredients’. The trio work together to unclog and tighten pores, remove impurities that cause acne, and accelerate the skin’s natural healing process. Not only that, but this combination succeeds at keeping your skin healthy and soft while removing any excess oiliness too.
The cleanser also incorporates Lavender which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness and swelling, while also preventing severe acne scars.
Customer Before and After Picture
Best For: Oily, normal, combination, and acne-prone skin
Pros
- Powerful combination of Lactic, Glycolic, and Salicylic acid
- High concentration of premium quality ingredients
- Calms breakouts and reduces redness and swelling
- Promotes even skin tone & controls oily skin
- Naturally derived
- 60 Day Money Back Guarantee
Cons
- There are cheaper options out there
Pro tip: Choose a subscription plan (30 or 60 days) and get 20% savings on the cleanser. Easy cancellation anytime.
2. Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Acne Facial Cleanser
With skin-brightening vitamin C and blackhead-banishing salicylic acid, this wash is a “refreshing way to start off your morning and treat acne and red marks,” says Dr. Saedi. The grapefruit scent is a great way to perk yourself up in the a.m., too.
Pros:
- contains Salicylic acid
- good for deep cleansing
- good price
- gentle formula for more sensitive skin
Cons:
- Not sufficient on its own for fighting acne
3. Misumi AHA 10% Skin Perfecting Cleanser
This product goes double duty as a daily cleanser (to clear breakouts) and also a great anti-aging treatment (to reduce fine lines and wrinkles). The Skin Perfecting Cleanser’s list of naturally derived ingredients makes it stand out from the crowd. The advanced formula combines the acne fighting benefits of Glycolic Acid with other natural miracle ingredients including Rosehip Oil (antioxidant), Chamomile (reducing redness and swelling), Seaweed extract (heal acne), Japanese Plum and so many more natural treatments. It also helps control that oily, shiny forehead you deal with by 3 p.m., thanks to oil-controlling Grapefruit and Lemon.
Pros:
- Tackles both acne and premature aging
- Contains Glycolic Acid, the most effective exfoliator for deep pore cleansing
- Helps kill acne bacteria
- Natural ingredients
- Helps control excess oil without drying the skin
Cons:
- Not suitable for those allergic to Glycolic Acid
4. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser Acne Wash
This 2% salicylic acid face wash from La Roche-Posay sops up excess oil and contains lipo hydroxy acid, a micro-exfoliant that buffs away dirt and smooths out skin.
Pros:
- Great for blackheads and whiteheads
- Good choice for individuals with mild acne
Cons:
- Does not directly fight or kill acne-causing bacteria
5. Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser
If anything reminds you of your teen years, it’s probably Clean & Clear products—but they work! This pick contains 10% benzoyl peroxide (the strongest you’ll find), so it offers serious bacteria-killing power if your skin can tolerate it, says Dr. Saedi. Menthol also leaves behind a tingly, cooling effect—great for those painful bumps. While its intended for daily use, lathering up with this every day might be a bit drying, so give your skin a break if it needs it.
Pros:
- Benzoyl Peroxide fights acne-causing bacteria.
Cons:
- 10% B.P. is a strong formula. Not suitable for sensitive skin
- Causes dryness and may cause peeling. Best to moisturize after use.
6. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
This basic cleanser is a dermatologist favorite for a reason—it’s designed to wash away impurities without irritating, making it great for acne-prone, oily skin. It’s especially soothing for those with a sensitive complexion or eczema, says Dr. Saedi.
Pros:
- Good for special skin needs including those of rosacea-prone skin.
- Soothes and cleanses.
- Leaving skin smooth and soft.
- Moisturizes without leaving residue that can clog pores.
- Mild, soap-free formula cleanses without irritation it won’t strip skin of its natural protective oils or emollients
Cons:
- It is, after all, a soap
- Can be a little too mild / ineffective
- Some users report clogged pores and breakouts after use
7. Traditional Sulfur Soap Cleansing Bar
Sulfur calms down redness and inflammation, says Dr. Saedi. Catch is, it’s not always pleasant-smelling. However, reviewers of this bar, which acts as an antiseptic and antifungal, say it has a mild fragrance and (most importantly) really fades both mild and cystic acne.
Pros:
- A tried-and-true traditional approach to face washing (bar of soap)
- All-natural ingredients, including the sulfur
- Some users report it’s cleared long-lasting acne
Cons:
- Can cause blackheads
- Sulfur doesn’t smell very nice
Conclusion
If you’re tired of acne, try one of the best acne face washes. They will unclog your pores and get rid of inflammation and blackheads. These cleansers are one of the best ways to gently exfoliate your skin and improve its texture, too.
If you’re tired of expensive acne products that don’t work, try one of the top-rated acne treatments and let us know what works (or doesn’t) for you. After testing over a hundred acne kits and OTC treatments recommended by dermatologists themselves, we’ve found the most effective face wash for acne is the Misumi Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser. It combines an approachable price with some of the best all-round anti-acne properties we’ve seen. It excels at:
✓ Deep pore-penetrating power
✓ Removes impurities, dead cells, and excess oil
✓ Boosts collagen building & Helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles
✓ Soothes and calms angry breakouts
Plus, Misumi offer a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. Cheers for risk-free shopping!
