The 7 best face washes for acne, from salicylic acid to benzoyl peroxide

Key takeaways

• Most acne face washes use salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests washing twice a day with a wash that contains one of them.

• Salicylic acid works best on blackheads and whiteheads. Benzoyl peroxide targets acne-causing bacteria but can bleach towels and fabric.

• Our top pick is The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser: 2% salicylic acid, fragrance-free, for $15.

• For sensitive skin, Paula’s Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser uses a gentler 0.5% salicylic acid and is fragrance-free.

• Give any acne wash six to eight weeks before judging it.

How to choose a face wash for acne

In the US, medicated acne washes are over-the-counter drugs, and the FDA’s acne rules allow salicylic acid at 0.5% to 2% and benzoyl peroxide at 2.5% to 10%. The two work differently:

• Salicylic acid unclogs pores and exfoliates, and the AAD says it “works best on whiteheads and blackheads.” Our guide to AHA vs BHA explains why it can get into pores.

• Benzoyl peroxide targets acne-causing bacteria. The AAD suggests starting with 2.5%, notes that 10% is the strongest you can buy without a prescription, and warns that it bleaches fabric. Cleveland Clinic says lower strengths and wash formulas are less irritating.

A wash doesn’t stay on your skin long, so gentleness matters as much as strength. The AAD recommends washing twice a day, when you wake up and before bed, with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser, and warns that scrubbing can irritate skin and make acne flare.

We compared each product on its Drug Facts label or published ingredient list, not on hands-on testing. We looked at its active ingredient and strength, whether fragrance or potential irritants are listed, what the brand says about sensitive skin, and the price.

1. The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser: best overall

The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser is a daily gel cleanser with 2% salicylic acid, 0.5% allantoin and zinc PCA. The INKEY List labels it fragrance-free, and in a four-week consumer trial of 66 people, 90% agreed their skin looked visibly clearer after three days.

Key features:

• 2% salicylic acid. It’s the highest strength allowed in over-the-counter acne products.

• Fragrance-free. The INKEY List says so on the product page.

• Published study figures. In the same trial, 92% said their skin didn’t feel tight or stripped.

Tradeoff: at 2% it’s tied with La Roche-Posay for the strongest salicylic acid option here, and The INKEY List suggests starting slowly if your skin is sensitive.

Best for: oily or combination skin with blackheads, whiteheads and breakouts.

Price: $15 for 150 ml.

2. Paula’s Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser: best for sensitive skin

Paula’s Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser has 0.5% salicylic acid with glycerin and panthenol. Paula’s Choice labels it fragrance-free and says it’s suitable for sensitive and dry skin, removing excess oil and makeup without drying skin or causing redness.

Key features:

• 0.5% salicylic acid. It’s the lowest strength allowed in over-the-counter acne products.

• Fragrance-free. Paula’s Choice says so on the product page.

• Works for dry skin too. Paula’s Choice says it suits sensitive and dry skin types.

Tradeoff: Paula’s Choice itself notes salicylic acid is most effective in leave-on products, so this is a gentle support step rather than a strong treatment.

Best for: sensitive or dry, acne-prone skin that stings with stronger washes.

Price: $28 for 6 fl oz.

3. Medik8 Clarifying Foam: best exfoliating cleanser

Medik8 Clarifying Foam is a foaming cleanser with salicylic acid, mandelic acid, niacinamide and tea tree oil. Medik8 says it’s designed to lightly exfoliate, dissolve impurities and help reduce and prevent surface imperfections on congested skin, with a pH-balanced formula that won’t leave skin feeling tight.

Key features:

• Two acids. It combines a BHA (salicylic acid) with an AHA (mandelic acid).

• Niacinamide. Our guide to what niacinamide does covers the research on it.

• Twice-daily use. Medik8 says it can be used morning and night.

Tradeoff: Medik8 doesn’t list the acid percentages, and the formula contains tea tree oil and limonene, so patch test if your skin is sensitive.

Best for: congested, oily skin that wants gentle exfoliation in the cleansing step.

Price: $30.

4. CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser: best benzoyl peroxide wash

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser has 4% benzoyl peroxide, plus three ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. CeraVe says it’s non-comedogenic and designed to reduce acne without dryness or flaking.

Key features:

• 4% benzoyl peroxide. It’s a moderate strength, between the 2.5% the AAD suggests starting with and the 10% maximum.

• Ceramides and niacinamide. Both are in the ingredient list alongside hyaluronic acid.

• Foaming cream. It’s a cream cleanser that foams as you wash.

Tradeoff: benzoyl peroxide can bleach towels and fabric, and CeraVe suggests starting once a day because it can dry skin.

Best for: inflamed breakouts on skin that tolerates benzoyl peroxide.

Price: $17.99 for 5 fl oz on CeraVe’s site.

5. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash: best for oily skin

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash has 2% salicylic acid with LHA and zinc gluconate. La Roche-Posay labels it fragrance-free, oil-free and non-comedogenic, and says it’s clinically tested to reduce excess surface oil by up to 47%.

Key features:

• 2% salicylic acid. It’s at the top of the over-the-counter range.

• Oil control. La Roche-Posay pitches it for oily, acne-prone skin.

• Three sizes. It comes in 50 ml, 100 ml and 200 ml.

Tradeoff: it contains menthol, which may sting sensitive skin, and La Roche-Posay doesn’t say how many people were in its oil study.

Best for: very oily, acne-prone skin.

Price: $18.99 for 200 ml.

6. PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide: best maximum strength

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash has 10% benzoyl peroxide, which PanOxyl calls the highest concentration available without a prescription.

Key features:

• 10% benzoyl peroxide. It’s the strongest over-the-counter option.

• Three sizes. It comes in 1, 3 and 5.5 oz.

• Low price. A 1 oz travel size costs about $3.

Tradeoff: PanOxyl says benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric and be drying, especially at higher strengths, so it’s too strong for many people to start with on the face.

Best for: stubborn breakouts on skin that already tolerates benzoyl peroxide.

Price: $10.19 for 5.5 oz at Target.

7. Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser: best gentle benzoyl peroxide

Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser has 2.6% micronized benzoyl peroxide. Cetaphil labels it fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and non-pore-clogging, and says it’s clinically tested on sensitive skin.

Key features:

• 2.6% benzoyl peroxide. It’s close to the 2.5% starting strength the AAD suggests.

• Micronized form. Cetaphil says micronized benzoyl peroxide has been shown to be less irritating than traditional forms.

• Fragrance-free. Cetaphil says so on the product page.

Tradeoff: like any benzoyl peroxide wash, it can bleach fabric, and Cetaphil doesn’t say how many people were in its one-week consumer survey.

Best for: sensitive, acne-prone skin trying benzoyl peroxide for the first time.

Price: $15.73 for 4.2 fl oz at Walmart.

How to use an acne face wash

• Wash twice a day, gently. The AAD recommends morning and night, with your fingertips rather than a scrub.

• Start slowly with benzoyl peroxide. Begin once a day, and use white towels and pillowcases.

• Don’t double up on actives. Acne drug labels warn that irritation and dryness are more likely if you use another topical acne medicine at the same time. If you add a treatment, our list of acne spot treatments covers leave-on options.

• Moisturize and wear sunscreen. Acne ingredients can dry skin. Our lists of moisturizers for oily skin and sunscreens for oily skin cover lightweight picks.

• Give it time. The AAD says to give treatment six to eight weeks to work. Early pimples when you start a new active can be normal, and our guide to skin purging explains how to tell.

Frequently asked questions

Is salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide better for acne?

It depends on your acne. Salicylic acid works best on blackheads and whiteheads, while benzoyl peroxide targets acne-causing bacteria and is often used for red, inflamed pimples. Some people alternate between the two.

What strength of benzoyl peroxide should I use?

The AAD suggests starting with 2.5%. Higher strengths, up to 10%, are stronger but more likely to dry and irritate your skin.

How often should I wash my face if I have acne?

Twice a day, when you wake up and before bed, and after sweating. The AAD warns that scrubbing or washing too harshly can make acne worse.

How long does it take for an acne face wash to work?

The AAD says to give a new acne treatment six to eight weeks. Some people see changes sooner, but it can take a few months.

Can I use an acne wash if I have sensitive skin?

Yes, with care. Look for a lower strength, like 0.5% salicylic acid or 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, and a fragrance-free formula. Paula’s Choice CLEAR and Cetaphil Gentle Clear are both labeled fragrance-free.