If you have acne-prone skin, it can be difficult to find a cleanser that eliminates breakouts without removing 150 layers of skin in the process.
This is because acne-fighting formulas often contain high concentrations of harsh ingredients.
And let’s face it, when we’re dealing with persistent acne breakouts, we often turn to these strong formulas in an attempt to quickly rid ourselves of any remnants of a breakout. However, we must be careful to avoid damaging our skin barrier and causing more harm in the process.
With salicylic acid and glycolic acid on the acne-fighting all-star team, we’ve selected six cleansers that work to nourish and hydrate your skin at the same time using these ingredients.
For the most gentle yet effective cleansers formulated for acne-prone skin, keep reading…
Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant Actif
Known for their cult micellar water, another must-have skin care product has just been released by everyone’s favourite French pharmacy brand, Bioderma. Only this time, it’s in the form of an anti-blemish cleanser. Using a combination of salicylic and glycolic acid, this liquid gel consistency is gentle enough for use on sensitive skin while being potent enough to clear congestion and prevent future breakouts.
$25.49 at Chemist Warehouse
Skinceuticals LHA Cleansing Gel
A skin concern that gets little attention? Ageing complexions that are prone to breakouts. Well, if you fall into this category, we have good news! Skinceuticals’ LHA Cleansing Gel has been formulated to target just that. In addition to targeting blemishes and pores, the LHAs, glycolic and salicylic acid combination will also target photodamage.
$67 at Adore Beauty
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser
As far as drugstore buys go, this one always makes our list. CeraVe’s SA Smoothing Cleanser includes a combination of hyaluronic acid and moisturising ceramides to hydrate, while salicylic acid exfoliates and decongests.
$16.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser
As well as the usual acne-fighting suspects such as salicylic acid, the Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser contains cinnamon bark extract for its antibacterial properties, plus ginger root extract to absorb excess oil.
$45 at Adore Beauty
Neutrogena® Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Cleanser
Make Neutrogena® Oil-Free Grapefruit Cleanser part of your daily routine and
remove breakouts, blackheads, dirt, and oil without drying out or triggering sensitivities. Oh and, it’s pink.
$14.99 at Chemist Warehouse
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel
The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel is ideal for oily skin types and those with light to moderate acne. The acne-fighting formula works to eliminate impurities and excess sebum, while remaining soap and alcohol-free, to ensure it does so without causing further irritation.
$21.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Main image credit @ashleygraham
Do you suffer from acne-prone skin? Which cleanser would you like to give a go?
That review made from the BH member on dermologica is super convincing since its the only cleanser that helped her zits and I have the worst pimples and would love to try it for my self
I have never tried these products
The Burts bees product looks encouraging to try
Reported spam on 3 posts here on this article.
The cleansing oil looks really gentle.
Cleansing oils are fantastic! I use pure grape seed oil!
I think these would have helped me heaps back in the 90’s when my skin was at it’s worst.
Don’t get acne anymore apart from the occasional hormone outbreak. I just keep skin clean and use a lighter moisturiser and sunscreen for awhile.
Have heard so many good things about Cerave – definitely on the to-try list!
CeraVe is wonderful but if you want to try something locally made and owned, check out QV!
I do still get a few pimples here and there and I’d be interested in trying the Bioderma cleanser.
No acne anymore! Yay!
I love Neutrogena’s SA cleanser!
I use the La Roche-Posay when I get the occasional pimple.
I used to buy Bioré for years, but I now try to buy Australian whenever possible.
Thankfully don’t get acne just a few hormone pimples.
Used to get acne but nowadays my skin is very dry
I used to. Diet change fixed it, not cleanser or skincare. Though skincare protects and quenches my skin in city harsh environment. Love oil and balm cleansers. But also anything else (gel, foam etc) that does not strip the skin and makes it feel soft.
Oh…I do get pimples now, but only when I ruin my skin barrier. Now taking gentle approach, skin is great.
Really love the Skin Cleansers that are shown, would like to try La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel sounds really good.
The Biore Charcoal cleanser is also quite good.
Super sceptical that a cleanser fixes acne and zits.
La Roche-Posay products are normally really good, so interested in that cleanser.
Even though I don’t have acne pron Skin I still wouldn’t mind trying this Skin Cleanser La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel would be really good for my Skin as well.
Would like to try La Roche-Posay Skin Cleanser would be a great cleanser for my Skin as well.
I don’t have acne prone skin but do occasionally get pimples here and there. I would like to try the Bioderma Cleanser.
La roch posay hands down winner
I don’t have acne-prone skin but I do still get a few pimples here and there. I would like to try the Bioderma cleanser as I’ve never tried that brand before and love trying new things.
The CeraVe and LRP cleansers are good. I also like the Sukin cleanser for oily skin
I think the Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser sounds lovely.
The only product I have used before is the Neutrogena Grapefruit wash, but that was years ago. I do like the sound of the Bioderma one!
I no longer suffer from acne prone skin, but I’d love to try the Cerave cleanser
I use the Neutrogena one but would like to try the CeraVe. I have heard good things about their products
i’ve only tried 2 on the list. Cera Ve is on my trial list.
hate oily skin
lovely in the warm months too
I would 100% add Alpha H Liquid Gold Resurfacing Cleansing Cream to this list. It’s not cheap but it has made a massive difference to hormonal acne on my chin. Definitely give it a try!
My 14 yo son has the worst acne. I’ve tried him on numerous cleansers and it’s just a constant battle
I am currently using Bioderma’s sébium gel moussant but not the one listed above, it is the purifying cleansing foaming gel. I wouldn’t mind trying CeraVe’s SA smoothing cleanser.