One of the most annoying assumptions people make is that if you have acne, you just need to wash your face more often. This 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, one of the best ways to work with your skin is to use a gentle, non-medicated daily face wash, 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 Micellar Cleansing and Makeup Removing Foaming Gel
This cleansing gel from 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
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
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
EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Gentle Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
Caudalie Vinoclean Instant Foaming Cleanser with Moisturizing Grape and Purifying Sage
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser with Ceramides and Amino Acids
Cetaphil Face Wash Daily Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser
THAYERS pH Balancing Daily Cleanser Gentle and Hydrating with Aloe Vera
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.
