10 Best Face Washes for Acne 2024 | UK Dermatologist Reviewed
Whether you get the occasional hormonal pimple or experience more severe breakouts of black heads and/or whiteheads, using the right cleanser is key to clearing up your complexion. You should look for a face wash for acne, specially formulated to eliminate bacteria and de-clog your pores, without causing further irritation. To suit all preferences and existing regimes, there are face wash gels, foams and creams available.
Acne-fighting products tend to contain salicylic acid, which works well against spots on most skin types. But if you have particularly sensitive skin, you might prefer alternative ingredients like essential oils. To help you find the face wash which is right for you, we've created a buying guide and a list of the top products available at Amazon, The Body Shop, and Boots, from leading brands such as Neutrogena, Clinique, and Clean & Clear.
Quick List - Top Face Washes for Acne
Super Facialist
A Lightweight Formula That's Suitable for All Skin Types
The Body Shop
3-In-1 Face Wash, Exfoliant and Clay Mask With Tea Tree Oil
Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- With Specialist Consultation From Dermatologist Felipe Partarrieu
- How to Choose a Face Wash for Acne in the UK
- Opt For a Face Wash With Salicylic Acid to Exfoliate Skin and Unclog Pores1
- Look For Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Ingredients Like Tea Tree Oil to Treat Mild Acne Breakouts2
- Choose a Formula That’s Suitable for Your Skin Type: Gel Cleansers Are Gentle on Sensitive Skin, Foaming Face Washes Tackle Excess Oil3
- 10 Best Face Washes for Acne in the UK
- No. 1Super Facialist | Salicylic Acid Anti Blemish Purifying Cleansing Wash｜150ml
- No. 2The Body Shop | Tea Tree 3-In-1 Wash Scrub Mask｜125ml
- No. 3Neutrogena | Refreshingly Clear Facial Wash｜20ml
- No. 4Barefaced | Anti Blemish Exfoliating Wash｜150ml
- No. 5Handmade Naturals | Foaming Face Wash for Oily & Problem Skin｜200ml
- 5 more products
- How to Wash Your Face for People With Acne
- Get to Know About Cream-Based Facial Cleansers
With Specialist Consultation From Dermatologist Felipe Partarrieu
Felipe Partarrieu is a final year dermatology resident, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
How to Choose a Face Wash for Acne in the UK
- Opt For a Face Wash With Salicylic Acid to Exfoliate Skin and Unclog Pores
- Tea Tree Oil and Lemon Oil are Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial
- Choose a Formula That Suits You: Gel Cleansers Are Gentle, Foams Tackle Excess Oil
Opt For a Face Wash With Salicylic Acid to Exfoliate Skin and Unclog Pores
An exfoliating formula de-clogs pores by releasing trapped dirt, so it can reduce the likelihood of spots as well as helping acne scars to fade. This type of face wash is great for dry and mature skin types, as it buffs away dead skin cells to reveal a fresher, plumper complexion.
However, it's less effective on sensitive skin as it can cause inflammation. You also shouldn't use this kind of product every day, as over-exfoliation can mean your skin is more susceptible to sun damage - stick to once or twice a week for best results. Acne-sufferers should avoid using physical scrubs and exfoliants as these cause micro tears in the skin, letting in more bacteria which can worsen acne.
Salicylic acid is another popular ingredient for banishing blemishes. This chemical-rather-than-physical exfoliant removes the debris that clogs pores and dries up any existing pimples. It also has anti-inflammatory properties so it's soothing and won't cause redness. This means salicylic acid is ideal for moderate breakouts that require something a little stronger than essential oils, but it won't be too harsh on your skin.
Be sure to moisturise after washing your face, maybe one of our moisturisers for oily skin would suit?
Salicylic acid is an oil-soluble agent, meaning it can reach the deeper portion of the pores and help "unclog" them. This makes it a suitable ingredient for targeting the removal of dead skin cells on the surface of oily and blemish-prone skin, as it has some anti-inflammatory properties.
Therefore, the best acne to treat with salicylic acid are blackheads and whiteheads. Bear in mind that these effects are more noticeable the more time it is in contact with the skin, so masks or leave-on treatments are more likely to provide better results than face washes.
Look For Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Ingredients Like Tea Tree Oil to Treat Mild Acne Breakouts
Products with natural ingredients like lemon oil and tea tree oil (which have anti-bacterial properties) are best for treating milder breakouts. Both lemon oil and tea tree oil (extracted from the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree), feature in very diluted forms in facial care products - as they are so potent!
As well as banishing bacteria, lemon and tea tree oils are anti-inflammatory too, so they will calm the redness of acne and sooth discomfort. These essential oils can also reduce the size of whiteheads and blackheads, but they won't be strong enough to deal with severe acne.
The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects of some essential oils, such as rosemary, lemongrass, tea tree, and thyme, can effectively treat mild acne outbreaks. Bear in mind that these oils are rarely more effective than over-the-counter acne treatments.
Also, these oils are not meant to be used in their pure form: they must first be diluted with a carrier oil, such as olive, almond, or grapeseed oil. Otherwise, there is a risk of triggering severe irritation.
Choose a Formula That’s Suitable for Your Skin Type: Gel Cleansers Are Gentle on Sensitive Skin, Foaming Face Washes Tackle Excess Oil
- Thick, cream-based cleansers keep both dry skin and oily skin happy by restoring moisture whilst working hard to banish daily grime, as well as reducing redness. These cream cleaners can remove dirt without stripping away the skin's acid mantle (which acts as a barrier to bacteria), keeping the skin's oil levels balanced, helping to prevent potential further breakouts.
- A lightweight gel formula keeps most skin-types hydrated as well as ensuring a deep clean (fighting bacteria and de-clogging pores). It provides just the right amount of moisture without feeling too greasy, so it works well with most skin types including normal, combination, and sensitive.
- Foaming face washes are ideal for removing makeup and dirt from combination or oily skin. As they are designed to slightly dry out the skin and remove excess oil, they do contain harsher ingredients than other types of formulas. So this type of cleanser isn't suitable for those with dry or sensitive faces.
Other options you could consider are facial cleansing oils and facial soap bars.
Most of the facial cleansers available on the market are formulated as gels, transparent formulations that can liquify on contact with the skin, containing a combination of anionic, amphoteric, and non-ionic surfactants (all of them considered "mild" compared to sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)) and silicone, and are a safe choice for acne in all skin types.
Foaming cleansers are recommended for oily acne-prone skin. They usually contain more "aggressive" surfactants, such as SLS, which can strip your skin of its natural moisture, damaging the skin’s barrier function and causing inflamed skin. Therefore, they must be avoided on dry and sensitive skin.
10 Best Face Washes for Acne in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Anti Blemish Purifying Cleansing Wash｜150ml | | A Lightweight Formula That's Suitable for All Skin Types | |
2 | The Body Shop Tea Tree 3-In-1 Wash Scrub Mask｜125ml | | 3-In-1 Face Wash, Exfoliant and Clay Mask With Tea Tree Oil | |
3 | Neutrogena Refreshingly Clear Facial Wash｜20ml | | The Cheap and Cheerful Cleanser With Salicylic Acid | |
4 | Barefaced Anti Blemish Exfoliating Wash｜150ml | | Natural Cleanser to Eliminate Excess Oil | |
5 | Handmade Naturals Foaming Face Wash for Oily & Problem Skin｜200ml | | Organic Foaming Cleanser for Oily Skin | |
6 | Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser｜177ml | | Dissolves Dirt and Oil Without Drying or Irritating Your Skin | |
7 | La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser for Oily Skin｜400ml | | Purifying Cleanser to Reduce Blackheads and Control Shine | |
8 | Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam｜125ml | | Fragrance-Free Formula That’s Mild Enough for Sensitive Skin | |
9 | Garnier SkinActive PureActive Sensitive Anti-Blemish Soap-Free Gel Wash｜150ml | | Antibacterial Face Wash With Witch Hazel and Zinc | |
10 | Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Wash｜150ml | | An Oil-Free Cleanser With a Minty Fragrance |
Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Anti Blemish Purifying Cleansing Wash ｜ 150ml
A Lightweight Formula That's Suitable for All Skin Types
We love this product because it's gentle, affordable, and leaves your skin feeling balanced. Plus, it's totally cruelty-free, vegan, and is manufactured right here in the UK. For all of these reasons, it's our top pick!
The Body ShopTea Tree 3-In-1 Wash Scrub Mask ｜ 125ml
3-In-1 Face Wash, Exfoliant and Clay Mask With Tea Tree Oil
This do-it-all cleanser is enriched with community fair trade tea tree oil sustainably sourced from Kenya which can help battle blemishes and excess oil. Best of all, it can be used on all skin types and is great value for money!
The Cheap and Cheerful Cleanser With Salicylic Acid
This best-selling face wash by Neutrogena has been developed with dermatologists to help prevent imperfections without overdrying skin. Pink grapefruit extract and vitamin C make this an uplifting, skin-brightening cleanser that you'll enjoy using every day.
The gel formula of this product makes it suitable for all skin types. It has salicylic acid which is well-known for reducing acne by exfoliating the skin and keeping pores clear, ensuring a more radiant glow. Best of all, it's less than a fiver!
Natural Cleanser to Eliminate Excess Oil
With pore-minimising salicylic acid and antiseptic tea tree oil, this product works well with both combination and oily skin types. Plus, it contains hydrating glycerin to keep your face feeling super smooth.
Handmade NaturalsFoaming Face Wash for Oily & Problem Skin ｜ 200ml
Organic Foaming Cleanser for Oily Skin
Made with organic ingredients, this mild formula by Handmade Naturals is ideal for those who prefer to combat acne using essential oils. With antiseptic lemon oil and anti-inflammatory manuka oil, as well as soothing aloe vera, it cleanses without stripping your skin of its natural oils.
This gentle self-foaming facial wash is free from sulfates, triclosan, perfume, colours and preservatives. So, if you're looking for a chemical-free way to provide relief for acne and you have oily skin, give this product a try!
Paula's ChoiceClear Pore Normalizing Cleanser ｜ 177ml
Dissolves Dirt and Oil Without Drying or Irritating Your Skin
Paula's Choice is a 100% transparent and trustworthy leader in the beauty industry. The Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser is a light gel formula which banishes blemishes whilst being gentle on your skin. This makes it suitable for all skin types.
Containing salicylic acid, alongside cleansing agents and hydrators, the hardworking formula tackles impurities, dirt and make up, deep within pores without stripping skin of essential moisture.
La Roche-PosayEffaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser for Oily Skin ｜ 400ml
Purifying Cleanser to Reduce Blackheads and Control Shine
La Roche-Posay follows strict formulations standards which makes this product hypoallergenic and paraben-free. Although this product is a little pricey, it's a huge bottle and has top quality hydrating ingredients so we think it's great value for money.
CliniqueAnti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Foam ｜ 125ml
Fragrance-Free Formula That’s Mild Enough for Sensitive Skin
This foaming cleanser by premium brand Clinique is from its "3-Step Anti-Blemish Solutions" range, so should ideally be used in conjunction with other Clinique products. By removing dirt and excess oil, this cleanser helps to unclog pores and calms the skin which reduces the look of redness.
The main ingredient is salicylic acid, which gently exfoliates without being abrasive. Unlike other foam-based products, this one is mild and fragrance-free so it's suitable for all skin types - even dry and sensitive faces!
Garnier SkinActivePureActive Sensitive Anti-Blemish Soap-Free Gel Wash ｜ 150ml
Antibacterial Face Wash With Witch Hazel and Zinc
This soap-free gel cleanser by Garnier SkinActive is designed to eliminate impurities without drying out your face. With acne-fighting salicylic acid, purifying zinc, and soothing witch hazel, it's perfect if you have sensitive skin.
We love the fact that this product is hypoallergenic and inexpensive, but it does contain a host of chemicals - so you may want to avoid it if you prefer natural ingredients.
An Oil-Free Cleanser With a Minty Fragrance
This cream-based face wash by Clean & Clear effectively removes dirt, oil, and impurities without clogging pores or drying out your skin - it's great if you have dry, oily, or combination skin.
With added menthol, this product gives you a tingling sensation that's sure to wake you up in the morning! However, if you have sensitive skin then it might be best to avoid this ingredient in case it causes irritation.
How to Wash Your Face for People With Acne
- Always thoroughly clean your hands (and any face cloths you intend to use) with hot water and hand-soap before touching your face.
- Use warm water on your face, not hot water - be kind to your skin, if you have acne then it is already stressed out and it needs nurturing.
- Apply your carefully-chosen face wash (which suits your skin type) sparingly and gently, don't overwhelm your already-irritated skin.
- Rinse well and pat your skin dry with a clean face towel - don't use a communal towel or hand / bath towel as it will transfer bacteria to your skin.
- Immediately after patting dry, apply an acne-specific moisturiser to your face (don't wait until you get that painful taut-skin feeling).
- Keep your regime simple and be kind to your troubled skin!
Get to Know About Cream-Based Facial Cleansers
Cream-based facial cleansers are known for being gentle as they work by a mechanism called "affinity cleansing": they draw out non-water impurities soluble with natural oils that "wash them away" instead of harsh surfactants ("detergents") that allow impurities and dirt to mix with water.
Also, their formulation usually includes hydrating ingredients like glycerin, vitamin E, or squalane, which nourishes the hydrolipid film that protects the skin ("the skin barrier"), keeping it intact. Given the oil content a cream has, this cleanser is beneficial as a make-up remover.
Written and researched by Nicola McClements
Top 5 Face Washes for Acne
No. 1: Super Facialist ｜Salicylic Acid Anti Blemish Purifying Cleansing Wash｜150ml
No. 2: The Body Shop｜Tea Tree 3-In-1 Wash Scrub Mask｜125ml
No. 3: Neutrogena｜Refreshingly Clear Facial Wash｜20ml
No. 4: Barefaced｜Anti Blemish Exfoliating Wash｜150ml
No. 5: Handmade Naturals｜Foaming Face Wash for Oily & Problem Skin｜200ml
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