No skin problem is perhaps more annoying than acne! If you think that it happens only during puberty, you are totally wrong! Regardless of your age, the pesky pimples and zits can be a huge problem. The external environment, stress, and diet, among others, can worsen your acne. For effective treatment, you do not necessarily need to visit a dermatologist. The right face wash can help!
By using a face wash that is designed specifically for acne, you are targeting the root cause of the problem – excess oil production. The face wash cleanses the skin while also providing a protective barrier from pollutants. It also kills the bacteria that can cause acne. No idea which one to buy? Keep on reading the rest of this post and we’ll let you know some of our top recommendations.
Our Top Picks for Acne Face Wash
Below are some of the products that should be on your list, as well as some of the reasons why they are great choices.
Humane Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Wash
It has a powerful medicated formula that kills acne-causing bacteria and prevents future breakouts. Take note that this face wash has maximum strength benzoyl peroxide. While it is effective in fighting acne, stay away from this product if you have sensitive skin as irritation will most likely be a side effect. Meanwhile, it does not contain propylene glycol, parabens, formaldehyde, and sodium lauryl sulfate, among other harsh ingredients.
Christina Moss Naturals Organic Facial Wash
A quick look at the ingredients of this face wash will already make it easy to understand why this is a favorite of many people. It has olive fruit oil, a powerful antioxidant that is known to kill bacteria that cause acne. It also has coconut oil, rosemary flower extract, and aloe vera juice. They can fight blemishes, shrink the pores, and fight inflammation, among other benefits beyond getting rid of acne. It is free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and dyes. Even the tube is eco-friendly since it is recyclable.
Body Merry Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser
This face wash contains organic aloe, jojoba beads, organic rosehip oil, organic willow bark, organic olive oil, and cucumber, among other natural ingredients. They work together for cleansing and exfoliating, making it effective in eliminating excess sebum that can trigger acne breakouts. It also prevents the pores from being clogged, which will allow the skin to breathe. If you are concerned about wrinkles and dark spots, this product will also work.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
This is not specially formulated for acne but with its formulation, it will be more than enough to deal with excess oil and pimples. It is a deep cleansing face wash with a non-comedogenic formula to prevent clogging the pores. It washes away makeup, dirt, and oil to minimize the likelihood of suffering from acne. It also enhances hydration of the skin, a claim that has been clinically-proven and not just asserted by the manufacturer. Lastly, it has a non-soap formula and a neutral pH, making it great even for those with sensitive skin.
InstaNatural Vitamin C Cleanser
A potent source of Vitamin C, this is another promising product for the treatment of acne breakouts. It is rich in antioxidants that can fight the damages caused by free radicals. It also rejuvenates and refines the skin. The cleanser also brightens and exfoliates the skin to get rid of dead cells. The secret lies on the fact that it uses only natural and organic ingredients, which include aloe vera, coconut water, sugar cane extract, and green tea extract.
Replenix Acne Solutions Acne Wash
For acne that is caused by fluctuating hormones, especially for teens, this is one facial wash that is highly recommended. The main ingredient that allows it to eliminate acne is the 10% benzoyl peroxide. There are also green tea polyphenols, which will help in the reduction of the pores and in making the skin smoother. It is a concentrated formula for eliminating bacteria that cause blemishes and acne. It is also soap-free, which will prevent irritation and dryness. With its gentle cleansing action, meanwhile, it will work even if your skin is sensitive.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne-Fighting Face Wash
The main ingredient of this face wash is salicylic acid, which is the one that is responsible for fighting acne. It has a unique formulation that allows the cleanser to penetrate deep into the skin and pores. It also has a medicine that will prevent the future breakout of acne. Meanwhile, it has Microclear Technology, an innovation that speeds up the effectiveness of the face wash not only for acne but also for blackheads. Plus, it is non-comedogenic, which means that it will not block the pores.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Acne Cleanser
With this cleanser, excess oil on the face will be removed, which allows it to prevent acne breakouts. The main ingredients are 2% salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid. Based on clinical tests, it has been proven that it can remove up to 47% of the excess oil on the skin’s surface. It is also oil, fragrance, and paraben-free. The face wash has been dermatologically tested to prove its effectiveness. It also went through allergy testing, which makes it a great pick even for people with sensitive skin.
Neostrata Resurface Foaming Glycolic Wash
Glycolic acid is effective in cleansing the skin and preventing acne. However, the problem with the latter is that it is potent and can irritate the skin of many people. Fortunately, this product was able to come up with the perfect solution. It uses glycolic acid but in a gentler formulation. It is also soap-free and pH balanced, making it effective even if you have sensitive skin. More than being effective for acne, it also helps in making the skin smoother and fine lines less visible.
TLP 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Wash
While the brand name may not ring a bell for most of you, this is another product we can recommend for acne. It has benzoyl peroxide to provide antibacterial cleansing. It is also soap, gluten, oil, and fragrance-free. Those who have used it were happy with how it makes the skin look clearer. Aside from acne, many have also reported its effectiveness in getting rid of blackheads.
What are the Causes of Acne
Before we start with our product recommendations, let us have a quick look at some of the most common factors that cause acne. Knowing the root causes is important to determine the best courses of action to take.
- Hormones: The fluctuation in hormones is one thing that can be blamed for acne. This explains why a lot of women become acne-prone just in time for their monthly period. Pregnant women can also suffer from acne because of hormonal changes.
- Stress: If you are living a stressful life, acne is most likely going to be a problem. The results of studies are mixed with regards to this claim, but many agree that stress, coupled with hormonal changes, can indeed cause breakouts.
- Pollution: Dirt and pollution can make your face prone to acne. It attacks the skin and breaks down the natural oils that are supposed to provide protection.
- Smoke: Cigarette smoke is believed to cause cell dryness and inflammation, which could result in acne.
- Using the Wrong Skincare Products: Whether it is facewash, toner, makeup, or any other product applied on the skin, there can be harsh ingredients that can cause acne. It would be best to use those that are made for acne-prone or sensitive skin.
Choosing the Right Acne Face Wash
You will be confronted with a plethora of options on the market, which might make you overwhelmed. Nonetheless, this should not be an excuse to choose just any product. With this, below are some of the things to take into consideration to make the right decision.
Look at the Ingredients Used
The first thing to do is to inspect the label and look at the ingredients used. The top-rated acne face washes contain salicylic acid, which is known as the gold standard when it comes to acne treatment. It exfoliates dead skin cells and unclogs the pores. It also has anti-inflammatory benefits, allowing it to target the root cause of acne.
Another ingredient that you have to look out for is benzoyl peroxide. It kills the bacteria that cause acne while also exfoliating the skin. However, take note that it is a strong ingredient, which is why it is not recommended for those with sensitive skin as it can result in irritation.
The face washes with glycolic acid are also promising when it comes to acne treatment. It is an exfoliating agent that is effective not only for acne but also for the prevention and treatment of wrinkles. It destroys the structural lipids that bind the dead skin cells and stimulates elastin and collagen production for a healthier skin.
Meanwhile, in terms of those that you must avoid, stay away from a face wash that contains additives, which include sulfates, phthalates, triclosan, and parabens. Those with alcohol should also be avoided.
Determine your Skin Type
There are different types of acne face washes available on the market and you can differentiate them on the basis of the skin type formulation. You might have normal, dry, oily, sensitive, combination, or normal skin. Use only a face wash that is formulated specifically for your skin type. If you do not know your skin type, it is best to consult with a dermatologist.
Make Sure it is for the Face
There are also body washes that are made for acne. They should never be used on the face. Often, they have a high concentration of bleach, which will make the face suffer because the ingredient is too harsh. See to it that product that you will pick is formulated specifically for the face.
The Proper Way of Washing your Face
Picking the best acne face wash is just half of the battle. To maximize its effectiveness, it is important that you use it properly. First, you have to wash your face with warm water. Avoid hot water as it can cause dryness. Wash your hands as well. Lather the cleanser all over the face using your fingertips. Concentrate on the areas that are prone to breakouts. Rinse with warm water and wipe the face gently using a clean towel. Wash your face twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. You can also try using a facial cleansing brush if you want a deeper clean.
Natural Treatments that Work Against Acne
If you want to try home remedies using natural ingredients that are readily available in the kitchen, below are some of the best things that are worth a shot:
- Tea Tree Oil: Known as an antibacterial, it can effectively kill the bacteria that cause acne. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to deal with the redness and swelling that can be caused by pimples.
- Aloe Vera: It has a high water content that can effectively hydrate the skin. To add, it also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties to provide effective acne relief. You can scrape the juice directly from the plant and apply it to the face as a moisturizer.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: It contains organic acids that will kill acne-causing bacteria. It also contains succinic acid, which is known for suppressing inflammation.
- Witch Hazel: This natural ingredient contains tannin, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It is usually boiled with water and used for spot treatment of acne-prone areas.
- Honey: This natural sweetener is also an effective natural acne treatment. It is usually combined with other ingredients, such as cinnamon and oatmeal, and used as a face mask.
- Holy Basil: The essential oil derived from the leaves of holy basil is also effective in killing acne-causing bacteria. When consumed as an herbal tea, meanwhile, it can balance the hormones.
- Garlic: It contains organosulfur compounds, which can fight inflammation and bacteria on the skin.
Wrap Up
Whether you are a teen or an adult, acne can be a big problem. It can even make people lose self-confidence! Luckily, there are face washes that can be promising, including those that have been mentioned above. If you have acne prone skin, use these products to wash your face and it won’t take long before you can see the results!