Pros
- High concentration of benzoyl peroxide
- Helps absorb oil
- Gentle enough to use every day
Cons
- Benzoyl peroxide may bleach towels
Dermatologists have been recommending Differin to treat acne for years. You can’t argue with the original gel, but this newish cleanser works wonders as well. It has a high concentration of proven acne-fighter benzoyl peroxide, which helps to kill acne-causing bacteria inside your pores. The version in this cleanser is micronized, meaning the molecules are smaller and penetrate more easily, which is said to be gentler on your skin. That’s part of why it’s gentle enough to be used every day in addition to the mildly foaming gel formula, which also contains hydrating ingredients to help preserve the moisture balance of your skin even after cleansing.
Even when a cleanser says it’s for daily use, we are a little skeptical when it has such a high concentration of an active ingredient like benzoyl peroxide. However, after a few days of using it, we were sold. Even with such a high concentration of benzoyl peroxide, our skin never felt tight or overly dry and there was no flaking or irritation at all (which can happen). Not only did it cleanse our faces deeply and noticeably absorb oil, but after just a few days of daily use, our breakouts started to fade. After a couple of weeks, any sign of acne was gone and with the lower amount of oil on our faces, we felt that the risk of future breakouts decreased as well.
Out of all the cleansers we tried, this one squashed our breakouts fastest. It also helped keep oil under control without completely drying out our skin. Any skepticism that this was too harsh to be a daily cleanser was negated after a few days of use, though we will say that if you have sensitive skin you may want to start by using it every other day just to make sure your skin can tolerate it. For most people with acne, though, we feel this is the cream of the crop.
Read more: Best Acne Spot Treatments
| Active Ingredients | Benzoyl peroxide |
|---|---|
| Format | Gel |
Pros
- Contains naturally-derived ingredients
- Contains protective antioxidants
- Gentle enough to use every day
Cons
- Expensive compared to other cleansers
This cleanser is billed as a 3-in-1 because it exfoliates, helps clear pores and control acne, and cleanses your skin. And even though this cleanser is powerful and effective, the gentle gel formula is still suitable to use every day, even if you have sensitive or aging skin.
The power in the formula is derived from plant extracts like white willow bark (a natural source of salicylic acid), sugarcane (a source of glycolic acid) and antioxidant-rich Centella asiatica. It’s one of our favorite acne cleansers because not only does it leave your skin feeling smooth and clean (without overdrying it), but it also quickly zaps oil and zits after just a few uses.
| Active Ingredients | White willow bark, sugarcane, Centella asiatica |
|---|---|
| Format | Gel |
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Pros
- Contains salicylic acid
- Also contains soothing ingredients
- Cooling gel texture
Cons
- Should not be used daily
This acne cleanser is one of the OGs for a reason. The salicylic acid in the formula is highly effective at controlling acne and oil and it’s an ideal cleanser to use for combination and oily skin (even if you don’t regularly have breakouts). The formula also features aloe vera, chamomile and thyme, which help to soothe and calm skin, curbing potential irritation and minimizing redness. It’s a powerhouse formula that has stood the test of time and continues to outperform newer, fancier versions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?
| Active Ingredients | Salicylic acid, aloe vera, chamomile, thyme |
|---|---|
| Format | Gel |
Pros
- Contains natural ingredients
- Nice cooling sensation
- Gentle on skin
Cons
- May not be strong enough for severe acne breakouts
If you’re interested in natural alternatives to combat acne, this green cleansing gel has activated charcoal to help soak up excess oil and tea tree oil, a natural antibacterial ingredient. The cooling cleansing gel feels great on your face—especially after a workout—and contains amino acids derived from apples to leave your skin feeling smooth, not tight.
| Active Ingredients | Activated charcoal, rhassoul clay, tea tree oil |
|---|---|
| Format | Gel |
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Pros
- Combines charcoal and salicylic acid
- Gentle enough to use every day
- Inexpensive
Cons
- May be too harsh for sensitive skin
Charcoal is a good natural option to help soak up dirt and oil that’s been proven to work, but it’s not going to stop breakouts by itself. Luckily, this budget-friendly cleanser pairs it with salicylic acid, which not only helps break out debris on the surface of your skin, but deep down in your pores as well. It’s a classic acne fighter and by pairing it with charcoal, this cleanser covers all your bases. The result after using it is the feeling of a deep-down clean, but it’s still gentle enough to not leave your face feeling tight or dry. It’s so gentle, in fact, that you can use it every day to help control existing acne and fight off future breakouts.
| Active Ingredients | Activated charcoal, salicylic acid |
|---|---|
| Format | Gel |
Pros
- Contains salicylic acid
- Good for daily use
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Expensive compared to other cleansers
There’s a lot going on with this cleanser, which is no surprise given the hefty price tag. Of course, its acne-fighting power comes from trusty salicylic acid, which helps to exfoliate and remove buildup from both the surface of your skin and inside your pores. But what makes it so special is the soothing and calming ingredients also included in the formula, like balm mint, eucalyptus and camphor, which serve to calm your skin and reduce irritation.
Like many luxury cleansers, what is most apparent is the difference in texture. The lightweight gel glides over your skin and develops a rich foam that leaves your skin feeling deeply clean, but also moisturized and healthy.
| Active Ingredients | Salicylic acid, balm mint, eucalyptus, camphor |
|---|---|
| Format | Gel |
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Pros
- Gentle formula
- Feels smooth on skin
- Contains salicylic acid
Cons
- Severe acne may need a higher concentration of salicylic acid
Thanks to the salicylic acid in this cleanser, it’s ideal for treating breakouts, but regular use without acne can help keep pores clear of blackheads and even help them look smaller. The silky smooth gel lathers (but not too much) and glides over your skin thanks to glycerin and panthenol inside, which act as moisturizing and hydrating factors. That means that after you cleanse, your skin feels healthy and clean, never tight and dry. Using it daily for just a week or two brought big changes to not just our breakouts but the overall look of our pores and evenness of our skin.
| Active Ingredients | Salicylic acid, glycerin, panthenol |
|---|---|
| Format | Gel |
Pros
- Contains salicylic acid
- Helps keep skin moisturized
- Lots of lather
Cons
- Some may not like the cream texture
Cream cleansers are usually scary for people with oily, acne-prone skin, but this one foams up into a rich lather that isn’t heavy at all. Inside that smooth lather is salicylic acid to help deep clean pores and exfoliate away buildup and glycerin to help keep skin moisturized even during the deep-cleaning process. And even though it’s a cream, this cleanser is great at sucking away oil and won’t leave your skin feeling heavy or filmy after you use it–unlike many other cream cleansers we’ve tried. In fact, it’s one of our go-to cleansers even when we’re not breaking out thanks to its oil-controlling, pore-refining properties.
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