How To Use Clean And Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser

The Best Face Washes for Acne, According to Dermatologists and Facialists

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Anyone who has ever dealt with acne understands that it can be a many-headed monster. You successfully address one area of breakouts only to have another, far more intense one, creep up; you go many months, and sometimes even years, without a hint of a blemish, and then, seemingly out of nowhere, it's zit city all over again. And all of this — even in these acne-positive times — can do a number on your psyche. We wish there was a one-size-fits-all panacea for the problem. There's not. But a good place to start is with the right acne wash.

While cleansers may have shorter contact with your face than, say, your serum or moisturizer, they're especially crucial for the acne-prone because "they help balance the pH of the skin," notes Tess Adams, facialist and co-founder of New York's Take Care spa. They also kill pollutants and bacteria we absorb in everyday life and, of course, remove our makeup. Put another way by Rescue Spa founder Danuta Mieloch: "Face wash is the most underrated product!" And so, we spoke to Mieloch, Adams, and a slew of other top dermatologists and facialists about their acne-specific favorites, which range from the creamy to the foamy to manuka honey. Just one thing to keep in mind as you read: Even the most widely beloved of the following cleansers might require some trial and error to determine what your very individual complexion responds to. "No acne is the same," says Adams. "And it's caused by many internal and external factors — so it can be a dance to find the balance."

For the most reactive skin, dermatologist Dr. Sonia Batra, a co-host of The Doctors, recommends this "gentle oil-, phthalate-, and paraben-free pH-balanced cleanser." (It's also very highly rated in user reviews.) "It contains bromelain to reduce inflammation caused by acne, and apple amino acids to hydrate the skin," Batra adds. And it's free of sulfates, which, as dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe explains, "are aggressive surfactants that can wash away your healthy fats and lipids and dry out the skin." Even though acne sufferers might think they actually want a drying-out effect, overdrying actually causes the skin to produce more oil, setting off a vicious cycle. And so, says Bowe: "I advise all my patients, but especially those with acne, to avoid sulfates."

Adams thinks exfoliating acids like salicylic and alpha hydroxy acids "can be imperative for healing cystic or severe acne." This foaming cream, which happens to have both, is thus particularly well suited for those conditions — and for treating a more general state of extra oily skin. "It loosens dead cells and increases cellular turnover to reveal new skin," says Batra, adding that, as it does, "the acids work to rid skin of common acne concerns such as oiliness, pimples, and blackheads." Because it has an acid-heavy formula, be mindful of the other products in your routine to avoid irritating or overdrying. Facialist Sofie Pavitt's tip: "Stick to only one or two products with active ingredients."

Nicole Hangsterfer, a physician assistant for Curology, says this lesser-known cleanser from Neutrogena which works as an acne wash and makeup remover both. "It's an effective yet gentle cleanser," says Hangsterfer, "and helps to remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup without over-drying your skin." She also likes that it was formulated with acne-prone skin in mind (it's non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic), which, she says, doesn't guarantee that it won't trigger a breakout but means it's much less likely to cause one.

If you have dry skin and are also acne-prone, Hangsterfer recommends looking for something with a gel texture rather than foam. "It comes down to personal preference, but gel cleansers tend to be more hydrating than foaming cleansers, so they often work better for dry skin," she says. She likes this one from Derma E in particular, which uses hydrating and soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and chamomile along with vitamins A and E to gently cleanse skin. "It's moisturizing and sulfate-free," she says, noting that sulfates can potentially clog your pores.

Benzoyl peroxide is not just for teenage acne; in fact, it remains a tried-and-true dermatologist favorite no matter your generation. "It kills acne-causing bacteria and helps control oil," says Wechsler. Batra adds that the powerful ingredient "releases oxygen onto the skin to destroy bacteria that can lead to acne," noting that "it's also anti-inflammatory and comedolytic, which means it calms skin and decreases clogged pores." Both dermatologists Dr. Mona Gohara and Dr. Shari Marchbein are fans of PanOxyl, in particular, for its gentle but efficacious formula that contains 10 percent benzoyl peroxide. It has another fan in our beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton, who uses this to calm her broken-out skin. "I use it once a week as maintenance to keep acne away, and whenever a few unsuspecting pimples sprout up during my time of the month, I increase my usage every night until the swelling goes down," Rio says. Just remember, as with all cleansers with an active ingredient: Keep it on the skin long enough to give it time to work — dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner says to sing the alphabet before you wash it off, and Anolik suggests doing some beauty multitasking (shaving legs if you're in the shower, etc.) while you wait.

While the PanOxyl cleanser is not much of a splurge, for an even cheaper option, try this Clean & Clear face wash. Dr. Jessie Cheung of Cheung Aesthetics and Wellness recommends it for how well it calms inflammation. Like the PanOxyl above, this is also formulated with 10 percent benzoyl peroxide.

Maybe you haven't used benzoyl peroxide before and would like to ease into the ingredient. Or perhaps you just prefer something a bit milder. Either way, this CeraVe wash with just 4 percent benzoyl peroxide might be more your speed, according to Dr. Hope Mitchell, the founder of Ohio-based Mitchell Dermatology. She says this will be less drying and irritating not only because it has a smaller amount of benzoyl peroxide but also because "it is formulated with niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid." As Mitchell explains, the ingredients all balance each other out: "While benzoyl peroxide works to clear acne and blackheads, the other active ingredients in this cleanser help to calm the skin and retain moisture while protecting the skin's barrier."

While acid-based (a.k.a. chemical) exfoliants are often the go-to for acne sufferers, for those who want to occasionally (only a few times a week, at most) use a more physical exfoliant, Wexler recommends this dual-action exfoliating cream — a combo of salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids plus tiny pumice beads. "It helps brighten the skin, clear blemishes, and unclog pores," she says, adding that physical exfoliation is best suited for those with comedonal (not cystic) acne.

[Editor's note: This cleanser is currently out of stock, but you can sign up on the product page to be notified once it's available again. You can also pre-order it now at LovelySkin, and it'll automatically ship when it's back in stock — as of right now, that's expected to be the week of October 4.]

Those struggling with cystic acne, though, should instead consider this cleanser formulated with 2 percent salicylic acid, according to Dr. Corey L. Hartman, the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology. Mitchell is also a fan, telling us the chemical exfoliant will lightly scrub the skin as it cleanses. It has a gel texture that she promises won't dry out skin because the formula's active ingredients are delivered through a hydrating vehicle (glycerin). She explains that this acne wash is lipophilic, which means that it has the ability to dissolve oil, and that it "concentrates on sebaceous gland areas" where oil is secreted through hair follicles, allowing it to quickly and easily wipe out any excess oil from the skin.

With acne, "gentleness is key," says Gohara. If you're using any kind of acne-treatment product (like a retinoid, prescription or otherwise), your best cleansing bet may be a super-simple one like this fragrance-free, ceramide-packed drugstore buy. A gentle cleanser like this "will help support the potentially irritating and drying prescription topical medications," Marchbein adds. (As previously mentioned, overdrying can be a major vicious-cycle inducer for acne sufferers, whose barrier function — or, the ability to keep the skin hydrated — is already compromised.) Marchbein recommends looking for products that are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and have ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid (this CeraVe has both). And, generally speaking, be mindful about how your skin feels post-wash: "Squeaky clean means you've actually overcleansed, and this can disrupt the skin barrier," Marchbein adds.

For those who prefer a creamier cleansing experience, Mieloch loves this milky version from cult-favorite brand Biologique Recherche, which, she says, benefits from the addition of oils (like jojoba, squalane, and vitamin E) in the formula. "You always get a much more effective cleansing with a cleanser that contains some good oils to remove the bad oils," says Mieloch. (She also recommends mixing in MBR's Enzyme Cleansing Booster — if you're really willing to splurge — a few times a week to "get a nice enzymatic exfoliation that removes layers of buildup.") In terms of the application, while Mieloch recommends everyone be diligent about really working that cleanser onto the face — "always spend time massaging it in" — she and many of the other experts are wary of mechanical facial brushes for anyone acne prone, because they tend to be an easy harbor for bacteria. If you're a devotee, Batra says to at least limit usage to a few times a week and try one like the Foreo Luna, which is made of silicone and is thus 35 times more hygienic than nylon bristles. Or, says Pavitt, try a compressed sponge for a similar effect: "You can buy a pack of 50 on Amazon for about 20 bucks, and if they're cellulose, you can compost them."

Another good creamy cleanser that comes at a bit of a lower price is this one from clean-beauty brand Alpyn Beauty that comes recommended by Cheung. "It has gentle AHAs and pomegranate and papaya extract to clean away dull, dead skin cells and refine pores," she says. The fruit enzymes and AHAs exfoliate while vitamin C brightens — ideal if you deal with post-breakout hyperpigmentation.

Old-school natural brand Dr. Alkaitis has what is one of facialist Carrie Lindsey's favorite cleansers for breakouts. The blend of cold-pressed oils, medicinal herbs, and plant extracts like seaweed, chamomile, and sambucus-nigra flower make this cleanser "both detoxifying yet gentle," she says. If you are a wearer of eye makeup, though, Lindsey suggests swiping it off with micellar water first, because the cleanser's castile base can sting if it gets in your eyes (much more on micellar water below). And, since Lindsey and others are in agreement that water temperature can also impact inflamed skin, don't make it too hot. "Most acneic skin has heat to it," Lindsey says. "I always recommend using tepid water — it can be warm, but not hot — for cleansing and then doing a cold rinse to constrict the pores and calm inflammation."

Back to the micellar subject: Those who are regular wearers of a significant amount of makeup are often also fans of a double-cleansing ritual — starting with a micellar water. But products in the micellar category are not, despite appearances, interchangeable, which is why for any skin that is more sensitized or inflamed, Marchbein likes Simple's version. It's the only one "that doesn't sting my face or leave a film on my skin," she says. And Marchbein always underscores the importance of immediate hydration after any cleansing ritual. "I recommend moisturizing within 60 seconds of washing, while the skin is still damp," she says. Her favorite hydrators? "In the morning, a moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF 30-plus, like Pond's Clarant B3 with niacinamide, to help with redness; and in the evening, a heavier moisturizer, like CeraVe cream (with ceramides and hyaluronic acid), Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream (with glycerin), or Neutrogena Hydro Boost (with hyaluronic acid).

Both Lindsey and Pavitt are fans of this high-performing gel cleanser, a blend of glycolic acid derived from sugarcane, willow-bark extract, and chamomile-flower extract, from under-the-radar brand iS Clinical. "The acids gently exfoliate the skin to help keep pores from becoming blocked, while the chamomile is calming and soothing to the most sensitive skin," says Lindsey. Pavitt adds that "it's nondrying and cleans thoroughly without leaving any residue." But do keep in mind "nondrying" can be a relative term, especially considering the season: "If you live in a location that's cold and has low humidity in the winter," says Zalka, any new acne cleanser can be a bit drying, since "skin is drier at the baseline." If this is a particular concern for you, you may want to wait until spring before making a switch. Brooklyn-based oculofacial plastic surgeon and founder of epi.logic Skincare Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton is also a fan, noting that the willow bark (a form of salicylic acid) is good for breaking up pore-clogging oil and keeping oil under control.

Refreshing gel has long been a favorite format for anyone with acne, and this cleanser by beloved Korean brand Cosrx is also one of Amazon's best sellers in the category. Says Pavitt, "It has BHA, an active ingredient that really cleans inside the pores" but is still easy on the skin. That said, any new cleanser will of course involve a trial period, which sometimes means seeing more breakouts at first. "There will be a clean-out process during which time previously stubborn plugging, or 'underground' blemishes, will find their way out — and there's only one direction — to the surface," Zalka explains. So be patient. She recommends giving any new regimen at least seven to ten days unless there is marked irritation.

Cleansing acneic skin with an oil is not a far-fetched idea. "The science behind it is simple: Oil clings to oil, so cleansing with it is the best way to cut through excess sebum, makeup, and buildup on your face without stripping the skin," says Wexler. For a bonus hit of acne-fighting power, Wexler likes this Shu Uemura oil, which has salicylic acid in the formula. "It gives an extra boost to wash away pore buildup," she notes. As with any cleanser that has an active ingredient (like the salicylic acid here), it might be best not to use it every day: Zalka likes rotating between active and very mild cleansers. "You've heard of interval training — and you can do the same for your cleansing routine," she says.

Facialist Kristina Holey is a longtime fan of using manuka honey as a cleanser, and so are both Bowe and Lindsey, who calls it an "all-around face healer." Key to its appeal: "It's gentle and it helps bind water moisture to the skin, all while being antibacterial," says Lindsey. And it's even natural enough to eat. When cleansing with honey, add a bit of warm water to give it some slip, and rinse thoroughly. General note: How you dry skin after cleansing is also important. "Bacteria can build up on damp towels and be transferred to your face, clogging pores," says Batra. Mieloch agrees, saying everyone should invest in a stack of washcloths that they use just for their face so they can swap them daily, and, adds Pavitt, always use them to blot the skin dry, never rub.

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The Best Face Washes for Acne, According to Experts

How To Use Clean And Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser

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