One of the annoying assumptions people make is that if you have acne, you just need to wash your face more often, which couldn’t be further from the truth! If anything, those of us with acne are probably washing our faces too much.
While people with acne-prone skin tend to gravitate towards cleansers with strong acne-fighting ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, the best face wash for acne can also be a gentle, non-medicated cleanser, especially if you are already using a leave-on acne treatment.
Best Face Wash for Acne
The best face wash for acne-prone skin is going to depend on your needs. Do you need to remove foundation and water-resistant sunscreen? Does your skin tend to be dehydrated or oily?
You may need to rotate between several different cleansers, such as a stronger foaming cleanser at night and a gentler non-foaming cleanser in the morning. Or an oil cleanser to remove makeup, followed by another face wash to remove any residue. Think about what your skin needs, and then customize your cleansing routine.
If your skin is not getting sufficiently clean with one round of face wash, make sure you are taking the time to fully lather it and repeat if necessary.
Bioderma Sensibio Soothing Micellar Cleansing and Makeup Removing Foaming Gel for Sensitive Skin
This cleansing gel from French brand Bioderma's Sensibio line for sensitive skin uses micellar technology to gently cleanse and remove makeup. These cleansing microdroplets, or micelles, can capture oil and impurities without stripping, making this cleanser an excellent option for anyone with sensitive skin. It also uses Bioderma's patented D.A.F. complex, which works on all skin types to help improve the skin's tolerance threshold.
- Micelles gently cleanse and remove makeup
- Non-stripping for sensitive skin
- D.A.F. complex to increase skin tolerance
- More expensive than other options
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser with Niacinamide
La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser is designed for skin that is normal to oily but also sensitive. It thoroughly cleanses to remove excess oil, makeup, dirt, and impurities while maintaining the skin's pH and natural protective barrier. As an added benefit, it contains niacinamide to soothe and fade discoloration, ceramide-3 to support the skin's moisture barrier, and its signature prebiotic thermal water.
- Good for oily and sensitive skin
- Contains niacinamide, ceramide-3, and prebiotic thermal water
- Can be purchased in a refill bag to reduce plastic
- Niacinamide can be irritating for some people
EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Gentle Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
The Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser from EltaMD is made to strengthen the skin barrier while mild surfactants gently remove makeup, sunscreen, excess oil, and other impurities. The self-foaming dispenser simplifies the cleansing process, and one cloudlike puff is enough to clean your face. The brand's AAComplex of three amino acids helps restore the skin barrier and reduce skin water loss, while bisabolol and ginger bring down redness and irritation.
- Instant luxurious foam
- Amino acid complex strengthens skin barrier
- Bisabolol and ginger extract help reduce redness
- Expensive for the size
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser with Ceramides and Niacinamide
The Hydrating Gentle Cleanser from La Roche-Posay's Toleriane line is carefully designed to be pH-balanced and safe for sensitive skin. With its proprietary Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal spring water, as well as niacinamide, ceramide-3, and glycerin, it cleanses dirt and makeup without stripping moisture from your skin or damaging your skin barrier. This gentle formula also comes in refill bags so you can save a little money while also reducing plastic use!
- Cleanses without stripping
- Available in refill bags
- Contains niacinamide, glycerin, and ceramide-3
- Niacinamide can be irritiating for some skin types
The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser Gentle Foaming Face Wash
The Glucoside Foaming Cleanser from The Ordinary is a mild, plant-derived cleanser designed for all skin types. The formula dispenses as a gel that turns into a light foam and is clinically proven to be gentle enough for even babies' skin. With only eight ingredients, it is safe for sensitive skin and can help maintain the skin's moisture barrier. Although gentle, it also effectively cleanses, removing dirt and impurities to improve skin clarity and texture.
- Simple formula with only eight ingredients
- Gentle formula helps maintain skin barrier
- Comes in a small amount
Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Face Cleanser
The Nourishing Oat Face Cleanser from gentle skincare brand Aveeno is a hit on social media for good reason. With a simple hypoallergenic formula, this hydrating facial cleanser has a milky gel cream texture that is perfect for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. This cleanser is designed to hydrate while gently cleansing skin of dirt and impurities. Oat flour and feverfew juice calm and nourish the skin to help restore the skin's moisture barrier
- Simple hydrating formula
- Gentle for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin
- Oat and feverfew calm and nourish
- May not fully remove water-resistant makeup and sunscreen
- May not be strong enough for oily skin
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin with Pump Dispenser
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is a popular option for sensitive skin. It's a mild and pH-balanced formula with no extra ingredients that might be irritating. It dispenses as a pearlescent gel that lathers into a thick foam. While gentle, it's still an effective cleanser that can remove makeup or excess oil without stripping skin. Its simple formula makes it a great match for strong acne treatments that may cause irritation.
- Mild and pH balanced for sensitive skin
- Thick foam cleanses without stripping
- May be drying for some people
Caudalie Vinoclean Instant Foaming Cleanser with Moisturizing Grape and Purifying Sage
Vinoclean Instant Foaming Cleanser from French brand Caudalie makes washing your face a sensory experience to look forward to. The pump dispenses an airy foam scented with vine flower fragrance. The formula is based on botanical ingredients, especially grape water, which hydrates the skin and boosts radiance with antioxidants. Naturally astringent sage extract purifies and tones, and chamomile soothes the skin and reduces the appearance of redness.
- Luxurious airy foam with vine flower scent
- Antioxidants and hydration from grape water
- Contains fragrance
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser Fragrance Free Gentle Foaming Face Wash
Cetaphil's classic Daily Facial Cleanser in the fragrance-free option is classic for a reason. A foaming gel formula deep cleanses skin of dirt, excess oil, and makeup and reduces the appearance of pores without stripping skin of natural moisture. This cleanser is clinically proven to remove 94% of impurities without leaving skin dry or tight, respecting even the most sensitive skin, and all at an affordable price point. A blend of vitamin B3, vitamin B5, and hydrating glycerin helps to strengthen the skin barrier.
- Affordable price
- Balances skin and minimizes appearance of pores
- Clinically proven to remove 94% of impurities
- Niacinamide may be irritating for some people
EltaMD Oil-In-Gel Facial Cleanser Removes Long-Wear Makeup, Sunscreen, and Sweat
EltaMD's Oil-In-Gel Facial Cleanser is a unique oil cleanser hybrid. The formula starts as a gel that you rub onto dry skin, transforming it into a silky oil that dissolves water-resistant sunscreen, long-wear makeup, sweat, and excess sebum. After massaging the oil into your skin, add water to emulsify the cleanser and then rinse it fully off. The gel texture makes it less messy than other oil cleansers, and the formula allows it to cleanse deeply while preserving the skin barrier.
- Transforms from gel to oil on dry skin
- Dissolves sunscreen and makeup
- Preserves skin barrier
- Expensive for the size
- May need to be followed with foaming cleanser
Why Choose Gentle Face Wash?
Acne-prone skin often has excessive sebum production, which can lead to clogged pores. These clogged pores then become breeding grounds for bacteria, leading to blackheads, pimples, and inflammation.
One way to help manage acne-prone skin is to maintain a balance where your skin is sufficiently clean without being left dry and irritated. Gentle face washes are can help with:
Maintaining Skin Barrier Function
Aggressive cleansers can strip the skin, which can exacerbate acne issues. Gentle cleansers, however, clean the skin without disrupting the protective barrier.
Reducing Irritation and Inflammation
Gentle cleansers are formulated with less irritating ingredients compared to traditional acne treatment face washes. By reducing irritation, gentle cleansers help mitigate inflammation associated with acne.
Hydrating the Skin
Many gentle cleansers contain hydrating ingredients that help keep the skin moisturized. Hydrated skin can more effectively fight off bacteria and heal from acne-related damage without becoming overly dry.
