Safe Soaps and Cleansers for Acne

Medically Reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD on April 08, 2025
10 min read

What’s the big deal about washing your face? You slather on some soap, splash your skin with water, pat dry, and you’re on your way.

But for people with problem acne, skin care involves a little extra time and effort. Read more to learn about the right skin care routine for you.

If you have acne, the right skin cleanser can be a game changer. It can help rid your skin of the bacteria that clog pores and lead to breakouts. But choosing the most powerful soap you see on the shelf isn’t the best strategy.

“Acne can worsen with irritating skin products, which can cause further skin inflammation and rashes like contact dermatitis,” says Amy Huang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan.

To help control breakouts, look for a mild cleanser that also contains active acne-fighting ingredients. Avoid face soaps that strip your skin of its natural oils, and don’t scrub too hard. That can leave you with red, angry skin that flares your acne.

A dermatologist (skin doctor) can suggest an over-the-counter or prescription acne cleanser that’s a good right for your skin. You may also want to take a closer look at your daily skin care routine. 

To find an acne cleanser that’s right for your acne treatment program, use a product that matches your skin type — oily, dry, or a combination of the two.

“The gentler, the better, but it all depends on what your skin can tolerate,” says Huang. “Oilier skin can generally tolerate more drying, medicated soaps and topicals, but skin prone to eczema, rosacea, and contact dermatitis should generally stick to gentler topicals.”

A traditional soap may strip away your skin’s natural protective barrier. A non-soap cleanser uses a gentler method to clean the surface of your skin while also keeping it hydrated. 

In general, the best acne cleansers are:

  • Noncomedogenic: They won’t clog your pores.
  • Nonacnegenic: They won’t cause more acne.
  • Nonirritating: They won’t strip your skin of its natural protective oils.
  • Nonallergenic: They won’t cause an allergic reaction.

You can look for these terms when you’re shopping for skin care items.

Key ingredients to look for in acne cleansers

Some soaps and cleansers have special ingredients to fight acne and improve how your skin looks. 

The most well-known include:

  • Salicylic acid: Clears blocked pores and sloughs off dead skin cells
  • Benzoyl peroxide: Targets bacteria that cause acne 
  • Sulfacetamide: Prevents more bacteria from growing on your skin
  • Benzoyl peroxide: Targets bacteria that cause acne
  • Sulfacetamide: Prevents more bacteria from growing on your skin
  • Azelaic acid: Opens clogged pores and helps lower inflammation
  • Tea tree oil: Helps reduce skin bacteria and inflammation
  • Alpha hydroxy acids (such as glycolic and lactic acid): Get rid of dead skin cells and nurture the growth of healthy new ones

Everyone’s skin is different. You may need to try a few different cleansers before you find one that works well. Be patient; it may take four to six weeks before you see a difference.

Best cleansers for oily skin

If your skin is shiny and oily as well as acne-prone, you may want to choose a cleanser with a gentle acid, such as:

  • Glycolic acid 
  • Lactic acid
  • Salicylic acid

Another ingredient that may help is green tea. Its natural antioxidants may help reduce how much sebum (oil) your skin makes while helping acne heal.

When you have oily acne-prone skin, it’s wise to skip:

  • Cleansers that contain any type of face oil. Look for “oil-free” on the label.
  • Alcohol-based cleansers. If they’re too drying, they could increase the amount of oil your skin makes.

Best cleansers for dry skin

If your skin is both dry and acne-prone:

Go easy with acne-fighting ingredients. A small amount may be all that you need. For instance, look for a cleanser with only 2% salicylic acid or 2.5% benzoyl peroxide.

Choose a creamy face wash. It’s more likely to keep your face hydrated. Gels and foaming cleansers may remove too much moisture from your skin and lead to further irritation.

Skip products that contain sulfates. These cleansing agents can strip healthy lipids (fats) from your skin.

Dry skin can be very sensitive. To avoid irritating it, stay away from:

  • Scented or perfumed face washes
  • “Unscented” products. These may use strong chemicals to mask a scent.

Instead, look for an acne cleanser that’s labeled “fragrance-free.”

Depending on your skin type, your dermatologist might suggest some other acne skin care products to include in your daily routine. For instance:

Adapalene. This is a type of retinoid that comes from vitamin A. It affects the way your skin cells grow, helping prevent clogged pores. Adapalene used to be only available by prescription, but now you can buy it at a store.

Topical acne medication. This treatment can help unclog pores, dry out pimples, and prevent new breakouts. Many acne medications contain either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.

Some studies found that using benzoyl peroxide and adapalene together works better than just using one alone. But you still might not see a big difference right away.

Toner. After cleansing, you may want to add this water-based product. It gently removes any makeup or dirt that might be left behind after you wash your face. It also adds moisture to the surface of your skin so it can more easily absorb whatever skin care product you add next.

Toners aren’t the same as astringents. Those are alcohol-based and can be harsh.

If you use a toner for acne-prone skin, you could see improved skin in two to three months.

A mild exfoliator. Exfoliating can get rid of dead skin cells and help keep your pores open. But it could also inflame or dry out your skin, which can lead to more breakouts.

When you have acne, it’s key to avoid harsh scrubs. If you want to exfoliate, use a mild product. Gently rub it into your skin, using circular motions, for about 30 seconds. Then rinse off with lukewarm, not hot, water.

Not everyone with acne should exfoliate their skin. For instance, it’s not advised to use adapalene or benzoyl peroxide.

Moisturizer. A moisturizer helps keep your skin hydrated, especially if you use an acne treatment that tends to dry it out, such as benzoyl peroxide. Look for a moisturizer that’s made for acne-prone skin. That means it won’t clog your pores and cause more pimples.

To help your skin get and stay healthy, you might find it helpful to follow a daily schedule. Your morning skin care routine may look a little different than the evening one.

Morning acne skin care routine

Wash your face. If you work out later and get sweaty, wash your face again as soon as you can. Sweat can make your acne worse.

Take time for toner. Some dermatologists consider this an optional step. But if you use toner, put it on after cleansing your face.

Apply acne medication. You need a thin layer all over your face. Don’t just put it on active pimples.

Put on moisturizer and/or a moisturizing sunscreen. Wear a sunscreen of SPF 30 or more that won't clog your pores and will protect your skin against the sun’s harsh rays.

Try not to touch or pick at your skin. Doing so can spread germs and make your acne worse.

Evening acne skin care routine

At the end of the day:

Remove any makeup. Use a special remover. Otherwise, leftover makeup will clog your pores all night.

Wash your face. Don’t forget to gently pat it dry.

Dab on an overnight serum. These aren’t the same as moisturizers. They’re highly potent formulas that are designed to absorb quickly into your skin. Your dermatologist can help you find one that fits your budget as well as your skin type. Some serums are made to hydrate your skin, while others boost your skin’s ability to heal.

Take note of the ingredients in the serum. If you’re already using a retinoid cream, a retinoid serum may overdo it and irritate your skin.

Put on moisturizer. You don’t need a special night cream, which tends to be thicker and heavier. Use what works well for your skin.

Apply a retinoid, if you use one. Less is more. Use just a small amount — about the size of a chocolate chip — for your whole face unless your dermatologist says otherwise. It’s good to apply retinoids at night since they can make your skin more likely to sunburn.

Treat any pimples. As a last step, apply a small amount of your acne cream on your pimples.

See a dermatologist if you want professional help managing your acne. If over-the-counter products don’t work within three months, it might be time to see a dermatologist. Go right away if you have acne scars, painful nodules (hard bumps), or deep cysts.

At your appointment, your doctor will look at your acne, prescribe topical medicine, and maybe also pills to help further.

Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a more powerful retinoid than adapalene. It’s especially useful for clogged pores and blackheads. It sloughs off dead skin cells so they don’t stick together and clog your pore openings. Tazarotene (Avage, Fabior, Tazorac) is another prescription-strength retinoid your doctor could prescribe.

Clascoterone (Winlevi) is a topical treatment that targets the hormones that can cause acne. It’s prescribed to people over age 12 of any gender.

Antibiotics. Types like doxycycline and erythromycin kill bacteria on your skin and lower inflammation. That’s particularly good for inflammatory acne, which is when you have tender red bumps and pus-filled whiteheads.

Oral contraceptives. For cisgender women (those who identify with the gender they were assigned at birth), birth control pills can clear up skin. Pills that contain both estrogen and progestin work, such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Yaz. Doctors don’t generally prescribe these to men or trans men because they can have feminizing effects.

Spironolactone. This medication is another hormonal option for cisgender women. Created as a benzoyl peroxide pill, it stops your hormones from making too much oil.

Isotretinoin. You might have heard of its first brand name, Accutane. This oral retinoid is used for cystic acne or acne that scars. This is a powerful medicine, so your dermatologist will monitor you closely while you take it. Isotretinoin can dry your lips, nose, and skin. If you were taking it and got pregnant, it could cause severe birth defects.

Your dermatologist might also recommend therapies such as extraction, where they remove stubborn whiteheads or blackheads. (Don’t try to do this yourself!)

They can also do chemical peels, which involve applying solutions such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid to your face. Another option is photodynamic therapy, which uses lights and lasers to improve your skin.

Plan to pamper your skin with extra lotions and creams while you treat your acne. 

Also, it’s extra important to use daily broad-spectrum sunscreen during acne treatment. Retinoids and certain oral antibiotics make you more prone to sunburn. Regular sunscreen use also helps reduce the pigment changes you can see in your skin after your acne heals.

When you have acne-prone skin, the cleanser you use is important. Choose one with acne-fighting ingredients that match your skin type. Along with cleanser, you may want to add other products to your daily skin care routine, such as acne medication, retinoids, moisturizer, sunscreen, or a night serum. If your acne hasn’t improved after two to three months of regular use, talk to a dermatologist.

Can a cleanser get rid of acne?

A good cleanser is the first step in getting acne under control. But a lot of the time, it’s not the only tool you need. Based on your skin type and the type of acne you have, you might also benefit from other skin care products, such as acne medication.

Is salicylic acid cleanser good for acne?

Salicylic acid can get deep inside your pores to remove oil that causes breakouts. And because it’s not overly harsh, it’s less likely than other ingredients to dry out or irritate your skin.

What cleanser do dermatologists recommend?

If you have mild to moderate acne, dermatologists often suggest a cleanser with an ingredient known to clear skin, such as:

  • Adapalene
  • Azelaic acid
  • Benzoyl peroxide
  • Salicylic acid

If you don’t see the results you want, your dermatologist may prescribe a stronger or different type of cleanser.

What is the difference between acne wash and acne cleanser?

“Cleanser” and “wash” are both used to describe liquid types of soap that clean your skin. Some types do that in specific ways.

For instance, a liquid cleansing lotion is a mild type of soap that can be wiped off without using water. It usually contains ingredients to add moisture back into your skin after cleaning it.

Washes can use different chemical compounds, called surfactants, to clean the surface of your skin.

You may need to try a few different acne cleansers before you find one that works well for your skin. One that’s mild, fragrance-free, and rinses well may be your best bet.

Is benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid better for acne?

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid both work well to clear acne and prevent further breakouts. But everyone’s skin is different. If you work with a dermatologist, they can tailor a treatment plan that’s the best fit for your skin.

Should I use acne wash or cleanser first?

“Acne wash” and “acne cleanser” are both used to describe liquid face soap. Whatever you call the product you use, make sure to use it twice a day.