The Best Acne Face Washes You Can Buy In 2022

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The backbone of a proper skin care routine is an everyday face wash or cleanser. Dr. Kathleen Cook Suozzi, MD, director of aesthetic dermatology at Yale, stresses the importance of a "really gentle skin care regimen," because using too many products can sensitize skin and make it more prone to irritation (via NBC). Finding a reliable face wash can be easier said than done, though. According to SmarterSkin Dermatology's Alexandra Gold, when it comes to face wash, "you want something that is both oil-free or non-comedogenic, as well as hydrating" (via New York Mag). Hydrating ingredients include hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which cleanse while maintaining skin's natural oils.

But it doesn't stop there—while all face washes cleanse and work to prevent acne, different skin types require different ingredients. Do you have dry skin, combination skin, oily skin, or rosacea-prone skin? There's a formula out there for all of them. But don't worry. We've done the legwork so you don't have to. These are the best acne face washes to fit even the toughest customers.

When you're trying to treat both acne and dry skin at the same time, picking a face wash can be a double-edged sword. Many acne-fighting ingredients are drying, and can irritate sensitive skin, but are necessary to clear your complexion. Luckily, Gentle Milky Cycle Cleanser from Versed has thought of everything. Formulated with a mix of acne-combating ingredients and skin-soothing oat milk, this foaming cleanser lifts dirt and impurities while maintaining the skin's natural moisture.

Purchase Versed Gentle Cycle Milky Cleanser at Target for $14.99.

If you have combination skin, you may have trouble nailing down a face wash that balances the oily and dry spots of your face, or effectively tackles your T-zone. Cetaphil Pro Oil Removing Foam Wash takes both the oily and dry parts into consideration to balance your complexion and cleanse without stripping or overdrying skin. The fragrance-free, non-comedogenic zinc-infused formula is gentle on skin and works to balance its natural pH.

Purchase Cetaphil Pro Oil Removing Foam Wash at Target for $9.79.

When it comes to nightly skincare, it's best to keep things simple. So why not combine your everyday cleanser with your makeup remover? Milk Makeup's Vegan Milk Cleanser lets you do just that— made by combining rich and calming oat and fig milks with other sulfate-free ingredients, this cleanser gently wipes away makeup while also cleansing and hydrating.

The same goes for Glossier's Milky Jelly Cleanser. The gel-based formula is created to lift away makeup and dirt without irritation. In fact, it's formulated with Poloxamer rather than soap, an ingredient used in contact lens solution that is not only effective at removing eye makeup, but also sting free.

Purchase Milk's Vegan Milk Cleanser at Sephora for $30.

Purchase Glossier's Milky Jelly Cleanser on Glossier for $9.

Fungal acne can be a tricky thing to tackle when you're first confronted with it. Fungal acne comes from an overgrowth of yeast in hair follicles, and is characterized by small, hard bumps resembling pimples. Once you know what you're up against, reach for Noble Formula's Original Emu Bar Soap. Made with Zinc to combat the fungal growth and all natural ingredients like olive oil, emu oil, and milled oats, this facial cleanser gently calms and exfoliates leaving skin balanced and clear.

Purchase Noble Formula Original Emu Bar Soap on Amazon for $12.99.

Benzoyl peroxide can be a powerful ingredient in combating all kinds of acne, from cystic to blackheads. Differin Daily Deep Cleanser is formulated with 5% benzoyl peroxide, for a deep penetrating cleanse that won't strip the skin of moisture. 

If you're looking for a face wash with a little more kick, PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash is formulated with 10% benzoyl peroxide, the highest amount available without a prescription, to tame breakouts and prevent new ones.

Purchase Differin Daily Deep Cleanser Sensitive Skin Formula on Amazon for $11.99

Purchase PanOxyl Anti-Microbial Acne Foaming Wash with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide on Amazon for $10.44.

Believe it or not, radiant and clear skin doesn't necessarily have to come with a high-end price tag. The Ordinary's Squalane Cleanser delivers luxury results at drug store prices. This facial wash combines powerful, natural antioxidant squalane with a host of gentle esters to dissolve makeup, dirt, and other impurities while leaving skin smooth and moisturized. This non-comedogenic, soap-free formula is perfect for everyday use without breaking the bank.

Purchase The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser on Deciem for $7.90.

As social problems become more prevalent in all factions of life, the beauty industry has adapted. As a result, there's a wide array of clean beauty and vegan skincare options on the market. The Body Shop's Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash is made with a host of powerful natural ingredients, particularly ethically sourced tea tree oil, to keep skin naturally refreshed and bright. 

Pacifica Beauty's Kale Detox Deep Cleansing Face Wash is formulated with simple and gentle ingredients. Kale, coconut water, and green juice, are not only rich in antioxidants, but they're gentle enough for everyday use.

Purchase Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash at The Body Shop for $18.

Purchase Pacifica Beauty Kale Detox Deep Cleansing Face Wash on Amazon for $9.99.