‘I Had Seriously Bad Acne, And This Face Wash Saved My Skin’ (2024)

If we know anything about this face wash, it's that it comes highly recommended by dermatologists and editors alike, and Dr. Garshick is no exception. "This acne wash helps reduce breakouts and gently exfoliates the skin with oil-absorbing hectorite clay," she says. "The addition of hectorite clay also makes this good for those concerned about oil or shine as it helps to remove excess oil."

Along with salicylic acid, it's formulated with niacinamide and ceramides to ensure the skin isn't left feeling dry or irritated. "The combination of salicylic acid with niacinamide and ceramides makes this easy to tolerate without sensitivity or irritation," Dr. Garshick says. "Niacinamide can help to calm inflammation while ceramides help to support the skin barrier."

Though this cleanser is gentle yet effective enough to work for practically any and every skin type, it's especially great for acne sufferers with dry and/or sensitive skin. "This face wash has a creamy consistency and it turns into a light foaming lather as you work it in," says beauty writer Celia Shatzman. "It left my skin feeling refreshed—translation: no more excess oil—but still very hydrated."

Women's Health beauty director Brian Underwood—a huge fan of this drugstore wash—agrees. "This is a no-frills, fragrance-free option that gets the job done," he says. "My skin is on the oily-to-combination side and it makes it feel clean and refreshed without being overstripped. For such a powerful formula, it's almost as if you don't need to use a moisturizer after—there's not even a hint of tightness."

Read more: Best Acne Body Washes

If your skin could use the efficacy of salicylic acid but can't quite handle it, this gentle cleanser is the solution, since it swaps it for willow bark extract. “Willow bark is basically a natural alternative to a synthetic salicylic acid as willow bark is known to contain salicin, which is where salicylic acid is derived from,” Dr. Garshick says. “It tends to be more gentle and less irritating when compared to salicylic acid and may be a good option for someone who is unable to tolerate salicylic acid.”

The cleanser also contains the plant extract centella asiatica, which “is good for sensitive skin as it is calming and can help to reduce inflammation,” Dr. Garshick says. "It is hydrating and can help to support the skin barrier, making it a good option for sensitive skin." Dermatologist Divya Shokeen, MD, adds that the powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and when applied topically, it can also promote skin healing.

Shatzman has sensitive skin and immediately notice how calming the formula is. "A lightweight gel, it's super gentle on skin and has a delicate feel to it," she says. "It left my skin clean and very soft. I noticed it felt less oily throughout the day after using it in the morning."

Made specifically for acne, this cleanser contains a combination of two percent salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA). "This is a great option if you're looking to reduce blackheads," Dr. Garshick says. “As a gel cleanser it’s great for those with oily skin who may be more prone to blackheads, and the combination of salicylic acid with a micro-exfoliating LHA helps to get rid of dead skin cells, making it especially good to address stubbornly clogged pores.”

Dr. Garshick adds that it's gentle enough to be used daily to help reduce breakouts and clogged skin. "It's also a good option for those who want to avoid a scrub."

As someone with oily but sensitive skin, Shatzman is a big fan of this cleanser. “Between the crisp, clean scent and the gel consistency, this feels very refreshing,” she says. “When lathered onto skin with water, it transforms into a mild, gentle foam. As someone with very oily skin, I appreciate that this washed away excess sebum without leaving my skin feeling taut or too dry."

If your skincare routine includes other acne treatments, it's important to keep skin hydrated and this cleanser can help. Cream formulas help dry and/or sensitive skin retain moisture because they're typically designed to cleanse without disrupting the lipid barrier. This formula has aloe to soothe, plus white tea to deliver antioxidants.

"I'm not usually one to like a cream cleanser, but this one has won me over time and time again (seriously, I think I've bought it 10 times)," says Women’s Health Commerce Editor Lily Wohlner. "Although it's super thick and creamy when it comes out of the bottle, it transforms into a luscious foam when applied to the skin. Once you wash it off, you see and feel the effects of the deep-cleansing salicylic acid—your face will have that fresh-looking shine, but it won't feel dry or stripped."

"This acne wash uses Microclear technology to improve delivery of the active ingredients (hi, salicylic acid) and to help reduce blackheads and breakouts," Dr. Garshick explains. It also won’t clog pores and can be used once or twice daily on the face and body. “The enhanced delivery system makes it safe and effective for both the face and body,” she says. That's because some body skin can be more delicate and sensitive with fewer sebaceous glands than the face.

The cult classic cleanser has been around for years, and there's no question why people still love it. “But the formula has evolved since my days as a teen with acne—in the best way,” Shatzman says. “The sharp scent is gone, and so is that tight feeling. The gel is satisfyingly thick, works into a nice lather, and your face feels crisp and clean when you rinse it off. My skin felt less oily immediately after.”

"When I had seriously bad acne, this became my go-to face wash," Wohlner says. "I found that it soothed my red, irritated blemishes, but it also removed the day's impurities and left my skin feeling exfoliated and looking much brighter and more radiant almost immediately after cleansing. Whenever I have a little breakout or my skin is having a rough week, I reach for this staple (she has a forever home under my sink in case of emergency)."

Bright skin is smooth skin, and this formula taps both AHAs (glycolic acid) and BHAs (salicylic acid) to chemically exfoliate, removing dead skin cells that can leave your complexion looking dull. It's also spiked with vitamin C, licorice and lily extract to brighten even more.

Is it OK to use a salicylic acid cleanser daily?

"The oil solubility of salicylic acid helps it penetrate and unclog pores, which makes this ingredient great for those with congested skin, oily skin, or clogged pores," says dermatologist Courtney Rubin, MD. But, can you use them every day? Dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, says you can. "Depending on the formulation, salicylic acid cleansers may be considered okay for daily use." Since it's an exfoliant, sensitive skin types should use salicylic acid just a few times per week. However, someone with oily skin can most likely tolerate it on the daily, she says.

Meet the experts

Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City and New Jersey at MDCS Dermatology. Rebecca Marcus, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at North Dallas Dermatology. Bradley Glodny, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City at Park Avenue Dermatology. Divya Shokeen, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder and owner of Ocean Skin and Vein.

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