Best Cleanser for Acne

The best cleanser for acne depends upon your Baumann Skin Type. This is because the amount of sebum you produce and the strength of your skin barrier determines which cleanser is best for you to unclog pores and prevent and treat pimples. I find that over 80 % of my new patients have been using the wrong cleansers for their acne. Once I put them on the best acne cleansers, they are able to tolerate the rest of their acne regimen better and get faster results. Keep reading to learn if benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or probiotic face washes are best for acne-prone skin.

Best Face Wash to Prevent and Treat Acne

Best Acne Face Wash for Sensitive Skin

There are 4 types of sensitive skin. You should choose your cleanser based on which type of sensitive skin you have. You can have more than one type of sensitive skin which makes choosing a face cleanser for sensitive skin difficult. When you find out your Baumann Skin Type, we take into account which type or types of sensitive skin when we give you our dermatologist-recommended cleanser suggestions in your skin care routine. In general, thee are the types of acne cleansers to look for if you have sensitive or hypersensitive skin.

Pimples and clogged pores only but no redness, stinging or skin allergies

Look for cleansers with a hydroxy acid but match these sensitive skin face washes for acne to whether your ski is oily or dry (Keep reading because I explain this later).

If you have oily skin and no redness, stinging or skin allergies, you may be able to use a benzoyl peroxide cleanser once a day.

Pimples and clogged pores in addition to facial redness or stinging

Look for soothing cleansers with anti-inflammatory ingredients

Avoid benzoyl peroxide cleansers

Salicylic acid cleansers are a great choice if you have oily sensitive skin and acne. These may be too drying for dry skin types.

Pimples and clogged pores with a history of many skin rashes and allergies to skin care products

Look for hypoallergenic products such as the cleansers for allergic acne-prone skin like this product from VMV Hypoallergenics.

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40, (10 ampoules)

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 50 (10 ampoules)

$195.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Radiance Eye Cream

$95.70

Add to Cart

DermAvance Arnika Forte Capsules

$40.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum

$126.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol

$89.50

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Advanced Cream Moisturizer

$89.66

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Daily Serum SCA 15

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40, (10 ampoules)

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 50 (10 ampoules)

$195.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Radiance Eye Cream

$95.70

Add to Cart

DermAvance Arnika Forte Capsules

$40.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum

$126.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol

$89.50

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Advanced Cream Moisturizer

$89.66

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Daily Serum SCA 15

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40, (10 ampoules)

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 50 (10 ampoules)

$195.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Radiance Eye Cream

$95.70

Add to Cart

DermAvance Arnika Forte Capsules

$40.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum

$126.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol

$89.50

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Advanced Cream Moisturizer

$89.66

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Daily Serum SCA 15

$149.60

Add to Cart

Hydroxyacid Cleansers for Acne

Both oily and dry skin types need a low pH cleanser in the morning to treat acne. This is because the bacteria that causes acne does not like being in a low pH environment. Using a low pH cleanser can help lower levels of acne causing bacteria.

Acne Cleansers for Dry Skin

The best acne face washes for dry skin have the a humectant hydroxyacid. Examples of hydroxyacids that can be used in acne cleanser for dry skin include:

Glycolic acid

Lactic acid

Phytic acid

Mandelic acid

Polyhydroxyacid

Gluconolactone

Here are examples of hydroxyacids face washes to use in dry acne-prone skin:

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$30.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$44.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$37.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$30.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$44.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$37.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$30.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$44.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$37.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Acne Cleansers for Oily Skin

It is easier for oily skin types to tolerate acne face washes, than dry skin types. And the good new is that pily skin types do very well with face washes for oily skin that have salicylic acid.

One common choice is bergamot oil products, an essential oil without lipids that doesn’t clog pores and with antimicrobial properties.

These are dermatologist-recommended salicylic acid cleansers for acne prone oily skin types:

PCA Skin Dry Skin Relief Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser for Normal Skin

$14.22

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Wash

$12.99

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Brightening Deep Cleanser

$26.99

Out of Stock

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

$34.00

Add to Cart

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Dry Skin Relief Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser for Normal Skin

$14.22

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Wash

$12.99

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Brightening Deep Cleanser

$26.99

Out of Stock

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

$34.00

Add to Cart

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Dry Skin Relief Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser for Normal Skin

$14.22

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Wash

$12.99

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Brightening Deep Cleanser

$26.99

Out of Stock

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

$34.00

Add to Cart

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

Benzoyl Peroxide Cleansers for Acne

Benzoyl peroxide cleansers also lower the amount of acne causing bacteria on the skin, but these can be hard to tolerate unless you are an oily resistant Baumann Skin Type.

In most cases, you will only be able to use these one time a day on your face.

Benzoyl peroxide cleansers can be used on the body such as the back and buttocks to treat stubborn acne in these areas. In fact, benzoyl peroxide cleansers are the best body washes for body acne.

Here are some examples of benzoyl peroxide cleansers:

Replenix BP 10% Acne Wash + Aloe Vera

$27.00

Add to Cart

Replenix BP 5% Acne Wash

$27.00

Add to Cart

Jan Marini Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Acne Treatment Wash

$57.00

Add to Cart

Murad Acne Body Wash

$44.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

Replenix BP 10% Acne Wash + Aloe Vera

$27.00

Add to Cart

Replenix BP 5% Acne Wash

$27.00

Add to Cart

Jan Marini Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Acne Treatment Wash

$57.00

Add to Cart

Murad Acne Body Wash

$44.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

Replenix BP 10% Acne Wash + Aloe Vera

$27.00

Add to Cart

Replenix BP 5% Acne Wash

$27.00

Add to Cart

Jan Marini Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Acne Treatment Wash

$57.00

Add to Cart

Murad Acne Body Wash

$44.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

Prebiotic and Probiotic Cleansers for Acne

There is not yet enough known about which bacteria are the healthiest to be on the skin and control acne. For this reason, I do not recommend prebiotic and probiotic face washes to treat acne. We have so many other options!

How to Find the Best Acne Cleanser for My Baumann Skin Type

There are many types of face cleansers to treat acne- but they are just one part of a complete skin care routine for acne. You may need two different cleansers to treat your acne. You can learn more here about why you may need two different cleansers, one for the am and one for the pm.

The acne cleanser you choose will affect other products in the skin care regimen, so you need to consider what other products you will use. You see- products affect the efficacy and side effects of acne treatments. Using a low pH cleanser, for example, will increase the amount of retinoid that is absorbed in the skin. This means that the cleanser you choose will determine what strength of retinoid you should use.

We can help! Once you know your Baumann Skin Type, we will give you an exact acne skin care routine with steps. You will be able to choose from a list of cleansers for your morning and evening skin care routine.

You can be confident that these cleansers are right for your skin type. If you follow the entire routine recommendations, you can be sure that the acne cleanser you choose works well with other acne treatment products in the regimen.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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