10 Best Face Washes for Acne 2025, According to Dermatologists

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Finding the best face washes for acne isn’t a one-formula-fits-all exercise. Take it from me, an acne-prone girlie who’s been battling breakouts since I was a teen.

If you have dry, sensitive skin, an acne-friendly option might require a barrier-boosting formula; if you have a combo of oiliness and breakouts, it might call for something stronger, like bacteria-targeting benzoyl peroxide or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to sweep away dead skin cells.

To find the best options for every single scenario, we asked the experts to break down their recommendations by individual skin type and concern, and then put them to the test. Our best pick overall is the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser, because it’s a favorite of dermatologists far and wide, helps shrink and flatten breakouts, is gentle on sensitive skin types and comes in at under $20. We also found options for dry skin, those with acne scars and Korean skin care picks you don’t want to skip out on.

The best face washes for acne, at a glance

• Best Overall: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser, $15
• Best for Oily Skin: Starface Star Wash + Salicylic Acid, $16
• Best for Dry Skin: Drunk Elephant Beste No.9 Jelly Cleanser, $35
• Best for Acne Scars: La Roche Posay Efflaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser, $11
• Best for Large Pores: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Pore Clearing Acne Cleanser, $13
• Best K-Beauty: innisfree Volcanic BHA Pore Cleansing Foam, $12

Best Overall: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

• What we like: Lightweight, a little goes a long way; extremely effective in shrinking pimples after a 1-2 uses; keeps skin matte
• What could improve: Some skin types might be sensitive to benzoyl peroxide

There’s a few good reasons why this cleanser made the best overall on this list, the first being that both dermatologists we spoke with for this story recommended this product. Other reasons include the fact that it’s very affordable at under $20, and that it was the only one on this list where we saw results by the next day. Pooja Rambhia, MD and board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in New Jersey shares that this is one she’ll always recommend to her patients. “This cleanser is an effective acne treatment with barrier repair benefits,” she says. “The benzoyl peroxide targets acne-causing bacteria while the hyaluronic acid and niacinamide help maintain hydration and reduce inflammation, preventing the over-drying that often occurs with traditional benzoyl peroxide cleansers.”

Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary is also a massive fan of this cleanser, and swears that it’s one of the products that cleared up her acne the most. “I’m basically obsessed with this cleanser, and I try not to go a day without using it at least once. I swear that whenever I have a breakout, this cleanser clears it up in 1-2 washes, and my pimples become flattened and less red. It works best with the stubborn pimples on my chin that seem to creep up every few months, and it never leaves me feeling stripped or dry. My skin literally gets mad at me (and will protest with a pimple) if I don’t use it— so it’s become an integral part of my routine.

Best for Oily Skin: Starface Star Wash + Salicylic Acid

• What we like: Non-sticky; user-friendly and gentle; non-comedogenic
• What could improve: Takes a few washes to see results

If you have oily skin, we’re huge fans of this foaming facial cleanser that helps mattify and clarify. It’s a lightweight gel formula that contains salicylic acid to help zap and unclog pores, plus hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate.

“Another acne cleanser favorite of mine, this wash is one to not skip out on if you have oily skin,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “It has a jelly (but non-sticky) texture that easily lathers into a lightweight foam and gives you a really ‘clean’ feeling after washing your face. I also like that my skin always feels soft and hydrated after using this, and never dried out. After a few washes, I also noticed that my face was overall very matte and shine-free.”

Best for Large Pores: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Pore Clearing Acne Cleanser

• What we like: Great size for the price; minimizes large pores and impurities
• What could improve: The smell is not the best

If you struggle with large pores (particularly on your T-zone and nose), you’ll love this acne-fighting wash that helps target and address them. “This beta-hydroxy acid helps unclog pores and remove dead skin cells, making it particularly effective for comedonal acne like blackheads and whiteheads, while being less irritating than benzoyl peroxide. It’s ideal for daily use or for patients just starting their acne treatment journey,” says Dr. Rambhia.

“My pores tend to be a bit larger just around and on my nose,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary, “so I was excited to give this gentle wash a try. It helped soften and mattify the area, and I found that it gave my skin a velvety finish, creating the perfect base for makeup. I also tend to get red in this area and often have tiny pimples that pop up, but I found that this cleanser made my skin a lot calmer than usual.”

Best K-Beauty Cleanser: innisfree Volcanic BHA Pore Cleansing Foam

• What we like: Suitable for all skin types; gives you a really foamy lather/wash; affordable
• What could improve: Doesn’t smell the best