This article was updated in April to reflect the latest prices and discounts.
You may think blemishes and breakouts are only for teenagers to worry about, but adult acne can persist into later years, or develop during periods of hormonal change like menopause. Whether you’re prone to breakouts or just need to tackle the odd pimple, cleansing your skin is vital for combatting excess oil and unclogging pores.
To help you find the right one for you, the Good Housekeeping Institute asked more than 470 testers over the age of 18 to try a range of face washes with blemish-control claims for four weeks.
What is the best face wash for acne?
You'll find our full reviews below but here are our winners at a glance:
1
Best face wash for skin texture
Vichy Normaderm Phytosolution Purifying Gel Face Wash
Read more
2
Best cleanser for oily skin
Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance™ Oil Control Cleanser
Read more
3
Best face wash for blackheads
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash
Read more
4
5
Best salicylic acid cleanser
Garnier Pure Active 3in1 Charcoal Blackhead Mask Wash Scrub
Read more
6
Runner-up salicylic acid cleanser
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser
Read more
7
Best for quick results
Bioderma Sebium Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel
Read more
8
Best for a gentle cleanse
Salcura Antiac Daily Face Wash
Read more
9
10
What causes adult acne?
It can be hard to put your finger on what exactly causes a breakout, but there are some general triggers to avoid.
“Acne is primarily driven by genetics but there are environmental aspects that can precipitate or aggravate it,” says skin expert Dr Ejikeme. “These include occlusive oils, over-exfoliation, stress, poor sleep and high sugar diets. When spots do occur, touching and squeezing them can make things worse.”
No matter your age, hormones will always play a huge part in the condition of your skin, especially during periods of change such as menopause.
“Hormones in the body — particularly progesterone and testosterone — have a significant effect on sebum production in the skin at different points in the menstrual cycle – most notably in the second half of the cycle when progesterone rises, leading to an increase in sebum,” Dr Ejikeme explains.
“Right before menstruation, oestrogen and progesterone fall and testosterone predominates, which can also increase sebum production in the skin. And during menopause, there are also a number of changes in the hormones that can lead to breakouts.”
Similarly, stress can lead to increased levels of hormones such as cortisol, which stimulate the production of oil, clogging pores and leading to, you guessed it, more acne. Some people may also find a link between their breakouts and certain foods, especially those that are high in sugar, refined carbohydrates and dairy.
How often should you cleanse if you’ve got acne-prone skin?
Finding what works for you can be tricky, but a common issue is having the urge to over wash your skin. It may be tempting to cleanse more often to get rid of an oily T-zone but it’s important not to strip the skin, as this can impact your skin barrier negatively, leading to even more breakouts.
Dr Sonia Khorana, dermatology ambassador for HERO Cosmetics explains: “[Cleansing your skin] helps to combat excess oil and gets rid of dirt, debris and sweat that's built up throughout the day. I would recommend cleansing twice daily – once in the morning and once in the evening.”
What ingredients should you look for to get rid of spots?
Your average face wash won’t cut it if you suffer from breakouts. The best cleansers for acne-prone complexions contain active ingredients such as salicylic acid.
“BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) like salicylic acid are a key ingredient for treating acne,” says Dr Khorana. “It helps tackle excess oil and unclog pores, which minimises breakouts. Look for a cleanser with salicylic acid and use throughout the week.
“Exfoliating AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) can also be a good addition to your routine. If [your skin is] sensitive but oily, look for lactic acid or mandelic acid as these can be better tolerated. Benzoyl peroxide in cleansers kills acne-causing bacteria (especially good for inflammatory acne), while niacinamide helps regulate oil production.”
Hyaluronic acid is another key ingredient to look out for, as it helps to maintain hydration and is beneficial for all skin types. And opt for fragrance-free products if your complexion is acne-prone and on the sensitive side.
How we test cleansers for blemish-prone skin
At the GHI, a panel of over 470 testers with mild to extremely blemished skin tried 34 brands of face wash, formulated for all ages and skin types, over a period of four weeks. They assessed the quality of the product, how clean it left skin, how well it helped control blemishes, and whether it left the skin feeling dehydrated. They also assessed the packaging and how easy each product was to use.
Read on for the top-rated face wash products for 2024.
Score: 86/100
This cleanser is designed to remove everything from dirt and dust to pollutant particles, leaving skin blemish-free. The gel texture was a hit with testers, and faces felt fresh and clean after use.
After the trial, most said their skin looked clearer and that they were experiencing fewer breakouts. The majority also said it helped to rebalance their skin’s oiliness, without leaving it feeling tight or dry. It improved the texture of their skin too, with some even reporting a reduction in the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
Key specifications
Volume | 200ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | Yes |
Suitable for | Oily and sensitive skin |
Contain Salicylic Acid | No |
Score: 86/100
With a blend of neem seed oil and exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids, this cleanser works to eradicate any excess oil and lift dead skin cells, helping to improve skin texture overall.
Our testers agreed that their skin felt refreshed after use, with the majority saying it looked healthier, smoother and clearer. Overall, most felt it helped control excess sebum and stopped skin from getting shiny throughout the day, resulting in fewer blemishes by the end of the trial.
Key specifications
Volume | 175ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | Yes |
Suitable for | Oily skin |
Contains Salicylic Acid | No |
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Score: 86/100
If you struggle with blackheads, this lightweight cleanser works to unclog blocked pores, mattify oiliness and prevent the formation of future spots.
The majority of our testers liked how well the pink mousse foamed when you added water, while all agreed that it provided skin with a deep cleanse, and was very effective at removing makeup. Testers noticed fewer breakouts towards the end of the trial as well as a reduction in redness, leaving skin looking brighter and smoother.
Key specifications
Volume | 120ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | No |
Suitable for | Oily skin |
Contains Salicylic Acid | No |
Score: 86/100
Dry skin that’s prone to blemishes can be quite tricky to balance when it comes to products, but this luxurious cleanser was popular among our testers for its ability to soothe sensitivity and reduce oiliness, without drying skin out.
Our panel found it helped reduce inflammation and the appearance of blemishes, and left skin feeling softer and looking more glowy after use. Testers loved the creamy texture too, saying it removed all traces of makeup.
Key specifications
Volume | 150ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | No |
Best suited to | Dry or sensitive skin |
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Score: 86/100
This three-in-one product (face mask, wash and scrub) uses active ingredient salicylic acid as well as charcoal to help detox the skin. It was rated highly by our testers, with most saying they'd continue to use it after the trial period. They found it dissolved makeup well, and worked to reduce excess oil and sebum, helping to rebalance the skin.
It scored the best on test for reducing the appearance of pores and blackheads, calmed redness and inflammation, and left skin looking smooth and refreshed. However, those with sensitive skin may find it too harsh.
Volume | 150ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | Yes |
Suitable for | Oily skin |
Contains Salicylic Acid | Yes |
Score: 85/100
Formulated with organic grape water and salicylic acid, this cleanser works to gently clean and exfoliate the skin, without being too abrasive. Testers appreciated the gentle cleanse, with most noticing immediately clearer skin as a result.
Some found the thick texture hard to squeeze out of the tube but it created a luxurious, rich lather on application. Testers found skin looked healthier and clearer after the trial, with some reduction in oiliness.
Key specifications
Volume | 150ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | Yes |
Suitable for | Oily |
Contains Salicylic Acid | Yes |
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Score: 85/100
Simply add water to create a cooling foam that calms combination, oily or acne-prone skin. This was the best-smelling cleanser on test, and our panel enjoyed the lather it created, as it wasn’t too foamy or stripping.
Testers were pleased with how it removed makeup too, and said it helped reduce redness, blackheads and inflammation, as well as effectively clearing pores. They also noticed smoother skin after just one use.
Key specifications
Volume | 200ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | Yes |
Suitable for | Oily, combination or acne-prone skin |
Contains Salicylic Acid | No |
Score: 85/100
This brand is known for its highly effective, natural products, and its pH neutral face wash is designed to decongest skin without causing irritation. Testers described the thick gel texture as "luxurious", with most agreeing it provided a deep cleanse and left skin feeling refreshed.
Our panel found it gentle on skin too, with the majority saying it helped to control excess sebum and soothe redness, leaving skin looking and feeling rebalanced.
Key specifications
Volume | 150ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | No |
Suitable for | Oily, acne-prone, sensitive skin |
Contains Salicylic Acid | No |
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Score: 85/100
This eco-friendly, vegan cleanser uses activated charcoal to unblock pores and draw out dirt. The no-nonsense bar was easy to use and lathered nicely.
Some found their skin tingled slightly after use, which left it feeling energised. And most said their complexino looked brighter, with a less bumpy feel. While it did control unwanted oiliness, it may be too drying for some.
Key specifications
Volume | 100g |
---|---|
Texture | Bar |
Exfoliating | No |
Best suited to | Oily skin |
Contains Salicylic Acid | No |
Score: 82/100
British brand Balance Me specialises in natural skincare. Testers praised how gentle this face wash was on skin, while effectively removing makeup and helping to reduce blemishes.
However, some testers with dry or combination complexions said certain areas were left feeling a bit tight. Overall though, skin was felt smoother and looked clearer after use.
Key specifications
Volume | 125ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | No |
Suitable for | All skin types |
Contains Salicylic Acid | No |
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Score: 82/100
Clogged pores lead to pesky blackheads, but this 3-in-1 wash, scrub and mask helped nip that issue in the bud.
Not only did our testers find it helped eliminate blackheads, but it also reduced breakouts for the majority. It combatted oiliness too, with most finding it helped control excess greasiness and rebalance sebum production.
Key specifications
Volume | 50ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | Yes |
Suitable for | Oily skin |
Contains Salicylic Acid | Yes |
Score: 81/100
If you’re after an all-round improvement to skin, look no further. This cleanser eradicated blemishes for most of our testers, leaving them with a clearer, healthier-looking complexion.
It did a decent job at helping to control oil too, and left skin feeling deeply cleansed and smoother. It wasn’t the best at reducing the look of pores, but most said they would continue to use it after the trial period.
Key specifications
Volume | 135ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | Yes |
Suitable for | Oily skin |
Salicylic Acid | No |
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Score: 81/100
Powering through grease and make-up for almost all our testers, this low-foaming cleanser is perfect for washing the day away.
Despite its deep clean, it didn’t leave skin feeling tight or sensitive, with most reporting no redness or sensitivity either. It didn’t immediately clear skin, but the majority of our testers did experience fewer breakouts and a clearer complexion after the month trial.
Key specifications
Volume | 177ml |
---|---|
Texture | Liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | Yes |
Best suited to | Oily, acne-prone skin |
Contains Salicylic Acid | Yes |
Score: 80/100
Famous for its effective but inexpensive formulas, this CeraVe cleanser – which contains skin-balancing niacinamide and hydration-boosting hyaluronic acid – impressed our testers with how gentle yet powerful it was at breaking down makeup.
It helped minimise shine for most of our testers too, leaving skin rebalanced and clean, despite not containing exfoliating particles. The packaging was too simple for some, but considering the affordable price, it’s a small compromise.
Key specifications
Volume | 236ml |
---|---|
Texture | Foaming liquid-gel |
Exfoliating | No |
Suitable for | Oily, sensitive skin |
Salicylic Acid | No |
Florence Reeves-White
Senior Beauty Writer
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Tested byMaria Kumar
Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.