The Best Face Washes for Acne

How we chose: we read 24 guides and store pages on the best face wash for acne, from Google’s first page and major publishers, and 20 Reddit threads, then the current US label of 26 washes, mostly the Drug Facts on DailyMed, the National Library of Medicine’s database of FDA labels. We kept those with no fragrance, no menthol and no drying alcohol. We did not test them on skin. Our method

The best face wash for your acne and skin type

• Red pimples: A benzoyl peroxide (BPO) wash: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser, or Cetaphil Gentle Clear BPO Acne Cleanser if your skin is sensitive.
• Blackheads and whiteheads: A salicylic acid wash: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser.
• Oily skin: CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser or Differin Daily Deep Cleanser.
• Chest and back acne: PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash, left on 2 to 5 minutes.
• Sensitive skin: Cetaphil Gentle Clear BPO Acne Cleanser (benzoyl peroxide) or Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free (salicylic acid).
• Dry skin: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser, a cream wash.
• On a prescription, adapalene or a retinoid: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser.
• Cruelty-free: Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser (Leaping Bunny) or The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser (Cruelty Free International).
• Hormonal or cystic acne: A wash can’t change hormones; see what can help.
• Dark marks after acne: No acne wash is labeled to fade them; the AAD lists azelaic acid, a leave-on, for acne with dark spots.

Best overall: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

Best overall

Check price at Amazon: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

4% benzoyl peroxide in a cream wash with three ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. No fragrance and no drying alcohol.

• 4% benzoyl peroxide
• No added fragrance
• Sulfate-free

Good for: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

• Most acne-prone skin, including dry skin
• Red pimples: benzoyl peroxide targets acne bacteria
• Washing twice a day, as its label says

Skip it if: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

• You can't keep it off colored towels: benzoyl peroxide bleaches fabric
• You avoid exfoliating acids: glycolic acid is listed

Label facts for CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

Acne active

Benzoyl peroxide 4%, in the Drug Facts box

Label

OTC acne drug (Drug Facts box)

Added fragrance

None listed

Drying alcohol

None listed

Sulfates

None listed

Other acids

Glycolic acid

Supporting

Ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid

Cruelty-free certified

No

Read from the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. US acne washes print the active’s percentage in a Drug Facts box; their other ingredients may be listed alphabetically, so these label facts report only whether something is there. Formulas change; check your box. Cruelty-free certification: the Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free International directories on October 4, 2026.

Why we picked it: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

Benzoyl peroxide has the strongest backing of the actives sold in acne washes: the AAD’s 2024 guidelines give it a strong recommendation, and salicylic acid a conditional one (Reynolds 2024). At 4%, this sits near the low end of the 2.5% to 10% the FDA allows, and the AAD advises starting low.

The base is a cream that foams, with the ceramides, cholesterol and niacinamide of CeraVe’s moisturizers. Eight of the 24 guides and store pages we read pick it, Allure as its best drugstore wash. Glycolic acid is on the list too, 13th of 27.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

• Bleaches towels, sheets and clothes, as every benzoyl peroxide label warns.
• Lists glycolic acid, an exfoliating acid.
• No contact time on the label.

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

Check price at Amazon: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser ingredients (the active and 27 inactive ingredients, acne actives marked)

Active ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide 4%

Inactive ingredients: water, glycerin, propylene glycol, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, xanthan gum, potassium hydroxide, ceramide NP, ceramide AP, ceramide EOP, carbomer, niacinamide, glycolic acid, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium hyaluronate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium hydroxide, cholesterol, phenoxyethanol, propanediol, citric acid, tetrasodium EDTA, diethylhexyl sodium sulfosuccinate, phytosphingosine, ethylhexylglycerin, benzoic acid

As printed on the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. The list printed on your box is the one that counts.

Best salicylic acid face wash: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Best salicylic acid face wash

Check price at Amazon: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

2% salicylic acid, the most the FDA allows, with zinc PCA and allantoin. No fragrance, drying alcohol or sulfate.

• 2% salicylic acid
• No added fragrance
• Sulfate-free

Good for: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

• Blackheads and whiteheads
• Oily or combination skin
• A brand certified by Cruelty Free International

Skip it if: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

• Mostly red, inflamed pimples: benzoyl peroxide has the stronger evidence
• You want a big bottle: 5 fl oz

Label facts for The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Acne active

Salicylic acid 2%, in the Drug Facts box

Label

OTC acne drug (Drug Facts box)

Added fragrance

None listed

Drying alcohol

None listed

Sulfates

None listed

Supporting

Glycerin, allantoin, vitamin E and zinc

Cruelty-free certified

Yes, Cruelty Free International

Read from the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. US acne washes print the active’s percentage in a Drug Facts box; their other ingredients may be listed alphabetically, so these label facts report only whether something is there. Formulas change; check your box. Cruelty-free certification: the Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free International directories on October 4, 2026.

Why we picked it: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Salicylic acid unclogs pores and exfoliates, and the AAD says it works best on whiteheads and blackheads. This one is a labeled acne drug: the Drug Facts box prints 2%, and the carton says no fragrance. The directions allow one to three washes a day, starting with one.

Sephora sells it as Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser, and some guides call it the Acne + Blackhead Cleanser; the carton says Salicylic Acid Cleanser.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

• A 5 fl oz bottle.
• Salicylic acid has weaker evidence than benzoyl peroxide.

The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Check price at Amazon: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser ingredients (the active and 25 inactive ingredients, acne actives marked)

Active ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2%

Inactive ingredients: Water (Aqua / Eau), Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Betaine, Zinc PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Benzyl Alcohol, Coconut Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate

As printed on the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. The list printed on your box is the one that counts.

Best 10% benzoyl peroxide wash, for face and body: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

Best 10% benzoyl peroxide wash, for face and body

Check price at Amazon: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide (paid link, opens in a new tab)

10% benzoyl peroxide, the most the FDA allows without a prescription, in a foaming wash for face and body. No fragrance and no drying alcohol.

• 10% benzoyl peroxide
• No added fragrance
• Sulfate-free

Good for: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

• Acne on the chest and back
• Oily skin that already tolerates benzoyl peroxide
• A clear routine: the label says to massage it in for 1 to 2 minutes

Skip it if: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

• You're new to benzoyl peroxide: the AAD says to start at 2.5%
• Dry or sensitive skin

Label facts for PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

Acne active

Benzoyl peroxide 10%, in the Drug Facts box

Label

OTC acne drug (Drug Facts box)

Added fragrance

None listed

Drying alcohol

None listed

Sulfates

None listed

Supporting

Glycerin

Cruelty-free certified

No

Read from the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. US acne washes print the active’s percentage in a Drug Facts box; their other ingredients may be listed alphabetically, so these label facts report only whether something is there. Formulas change; check your box. Cruelty-free certification: the Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free International directories on October 4, 2026.

Why we picked it: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

The wash picked most often in the 24 guides and store pages we read: ten of them. On the back, the AAD says benzoyl peroxide works best left on 2 to 5 minutes before you rinse; a wash rinsed after about 20 seconds did not cut acne bacteria there (Leyden 2012).

On the face, stronger is not clearly better (see which strength). Among the Reddit users who complained about PanOxyl in the threads we read, bleached towels and clothes (17 people) and dryness (16) came up most.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

• Can be drying: the label says to start once a day.
• Bleaches fabric.
• Its inactive list is alphabetical, so it says nothing about amounts.

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

Check price at Amazon: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide (paid link, opens in a new tab)

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide ingredients (the active and 21 inactive ingredients, acne actives marked)

Active ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide 10%

Inactive ingredients: Aqua, Carbomer Homopolymer Type C, Carbomer Interpolymer Type A, Decyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate, Glycerin, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyoxyl 40 Stearate, Propanediol, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Sorbitan Stearate, Stearic Acid, t-Butyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum

As printed on the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. The list printed on your box is the one that counts.

Best for sensitive skin: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser

Best for sensitive skin

Check price at Amazon: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

2.6% benzoyl peroxide, the lowest benzoyl peroxide strength of any wash we read, with zinc gluconate and dipotassium glycyrrhizate, from licorice root. No fragrance and no drying alcohol.

• 2.6% benzoyl peroxide
• No added fragrance
• Sulfate-free

Good for: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser

• Starting benzoyl peroxide
• Sensitive or easily dried-out skin
• A quick wash: 20 to 30 seconds, then rinse

Skip it if: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser

• Very sensitive skin: like every benzoyl peroxide label, its own says not to use it
• You want a big tube: 4.2 fl oz

Label facts for Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser

Acne active

Benzoyl peroxide 2.6%, in the Drug Facts box

Label

OTC acne drug (Drug Facts box)

Added fragrance

None listed

Drying alcohol

None listed

Sulfates

None listed

Supporting

Glycerin, licorice and zinc

Cruelty-free certified

No

Read from the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. US acne washes print the active’s percentage in a Drug Facts box; their other ingredients may be listed alphabetically, so these label facts report only whether something is there. Formulas change; check your box. Cruelty-free certification: the Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free International directories on October 4, 2026.

Why we picked it: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser

The AAD advises starting benzoyl peroxide at 2.5%, because stronger products can cause dryness and flaking that can make acne worse. At 2.6%, this is the closest to that of any wash we read.

In a small four-week study of this cleanser by Cetaphil’s maker, Galderma (three of the four authors work there), 28 adults with sensitive skin tolerated it well; acne lesions fell, but the drop at week 4 was not statistically significant, and there was no comparison group (Del Rosso 2024).

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser

• A 4.2 fl oz tube.
• Bleaches fabric.
• Its one study is small, uncontrolled and run by its maker.

Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser

Check price at Amazon: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser ingredients (the active and 14 inactive ingredients, acne actives marked)

Active ingredients: Benzoyl Peroxide 2.6%

Inactive ingredients: Water, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Glycerin, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, PEG-75, PEG/PPG-120/10 Trimethylolpropane Trioleate, Laureth-2, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Poloxamer 124, Zinc Gluconate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid

As printed on the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. The list printed on your box is the one that counts.

Best for oily skin and blackheads: CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

Best for oily skin and blackheads

Check price at Amazon: CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

2% salicylic acid with hectorite clay, niacinamide and three ceramides. No fragrance and no drying alcohol.

• 2% salicylic acid
• No added fragrance
• Sulfate-free

Good for: CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

• Oily skin
• Blackheads and clogged pores
• Ceramides and niacinamide in an acne wash

Skip it if: CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

• Dry skin
• You avoid exfoliating acids: gluconolactone is listed

Label facts for CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

Acne active

Salicylic acid 2%, in the Drug Facts box

Label

OTC acne drug (Drug Facts box)

Added fragrance

None listed

Drying alcohol

None listed

Sulfates

None listed

Other acids

Gluconolactone

Supporting

Ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid and clay

Cruelty-free certified

No

Read from the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. US acne washes print the active’s percentage in a Drug Facts box; their other ingredients may be listed alphabetically, so these label facts report only whether something is there. Formulas change; check your box. Cruelty-free certification: the Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free International directories on October 4, 2026.

Why we picked it: CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

The US carton says “oil-absorbing technology” and lists hectorite, a clay. The list changed in 2025, and CeraVe’s website and Amazon still show the older one, so we read the current Drug Facts on DailyMed. The label says to shake it first.

Blackheads are not dirt, and scrubbing makes acne worse, the AAD says; salicylic acid unclogs pores and works best on blackheads and whiteheads (AAD). Gluconolactone, a mild exfoliating acid, is 8th of 30.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

• No contact time on the label.
• Lists gluconolactone, a mild exfoliating acid.

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

Check price at Amazon: CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser ingredients (the active and 30 inactive ingredients, acne actives marked)

Active ingredients: Salicylic acid 2%

Inactive ingredients: water, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, glycerin, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, niacinamide, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, PEG-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, gluconolactone, sodium cocoyl isethionate, ceramide NP, ceramide AP, ceramide EOP, carbomer, calcium gluconate, triethyl citrate, sodium hydroxide, sodium benzoate, sodium chloride, sodium lauroyl lactylate, cholesterol, coconut acid, tetrasodium EDTA, caprylyl glycol, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, hectorite, phytosphingosine, xanthan gum, acrylates copolymer, benzoic acid

As printed on the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. The list printed on your box is the one that counts.

Best gentle cleanser to use with acne treatment: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

Best gentle cleanser to use with acne treatment

Check price at Amazon: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

A plain wash with no acne active: 12 ingredients, and no fragrance, drying alcohol, sulfate or exfoliating acid.

• No acne active
• No added fragrance
• Sulfate-free

Good for: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

• Using a prescription or a leave-on acne treatment
• Irritated or very sensitive skin
• A short list: 12 ingredients

Skip it if: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

• You want the wash itself to treat acne
• You avoid mica: it is listed

Label facts for Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

Acne active

None: a plain cleanser

Label

Cosmetic (no Drug Facts box)

Added fragrance

None listed

Drying alcohol

None listed

Sulfates

None listed

Supporting

Glycerin

Cruelty-free certified

No

Read from Vanicream's US website on October 4, 2026. Labels list ingredients by amount down to 1%, then in any order, so a position is not a percentage. Formulas change; check your box. Cruelty-free certification: the Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free International directories on October 4, 2026.

Why we picked it: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

If an acne treatment, such as adapalene or a prescription, already dries or irritates your skin, a plain wash avoids doubling up. Every acne drug label warns that irritation is more likely with another acne medication at the same time (the FDA's acne drug rule), and the AAD advises starting with one product and giving it 6 to 8 weeks.

In the Reddit threads we read that asked which wash to use, people named gentle washes without an acne active most; 14 named Vanicream (one of those threads).

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

• No acne active.
• Lists mica and titanium dioxide, for its pearly look.

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

Check price at Amazon: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser ingredients (full list of 12)

water, glycerin, coco-glucoside, sodium cocoyl glycinate, acrylates copolymer, caprylyl glycol, mica, sodium chloride, 1,2-hexanediol, titanium dioxide, sodium hydroxide, disodium EDTA

As printed on Vanicream's US website on October 4, 2026. The list printed on your box is the one that counts.

Best salicylic acid wash for sensitive skin: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free

Best salicylic acid wash for sensitive skin

Check price at Amazon: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free (paid link, opens in a new tab)

2% salicylic acid with glycerin and panthenol. No fragrance, drying alcohol, dyes or sulfate.

• 2% salicylic acid
• No added fragrance
• Sulfate-free

Good for: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free

• Sensitive, acne-prone skin
• Salicylic acid twice a day
• The fragrance-free version of a drugstore classic

Skip it if: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free

• You want benzoyl peroxide
• You avoid botanical extracts: chamomile extract is listed

Label facts for Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free

Acne active

Salicylic acid 2%, in the Drug Facts box

Label

OTC acne drug (Drug Facts box)

Added fragrance

None listed

Drying alcohol

None listed

Sulfates

None listed

Supporting

Glycerin and panthenol

Cruelty-free certified

No

Read from the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. US acne washes print the active’s percentage in a Drug Facts box; their other ingredients may be listed alphabetically, so these label facts report only whether something is there. Formulas change; check your box. Cruelty-free certification: the Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free International directories on October 4, 2026.

Why we picked it: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free

Neutrogena’s original Oil-Free Acne Wash lists fragrance and two dyes, Yellow 5 and Red 40, on its US label (DailyMed); TotalBeauty calls it unscented. This is the version to buy: its carton says sensitive skin and fragrance free.

It is a different formula, not the original minus fragrance: other cleansing agents, panthenol added, no dyes.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free

• Chamomile extract is listed.
• Salicylic acid has weaker evidence than benzoyl peroxide.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free

Check price at Amazon: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free (paid link, opens in a new tab)

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free ingredients (the active and 14 inactive ingredients, acne actives marked)

Active ingredients: Salicylic Acid (2%)

Inactive ingredients: Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate, Panthenol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Benzalkonium Chloride, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide

As printed on the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. The list printed on your box is the one that counts.

Best for a short ingredient list: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl Peroxide

Best for a short ingredient list

Check price at Amazon: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl Peroxide (paid link, opens in a new tab)

5% benzoyl peroxide and six other ingredients, the shortest list of any pick. No fragrance and no drying alcohol.

• 5% benzoyl peroxide
• No added fragrance
• Sulfate-free

Good for: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl Peroxide

• Skin that reacts to many ingredients
• Oily skin: Differin calls it oil-absorbing
• A quick wash: about 20 to 30 seconds

Skip it if: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl Peroxide

• Dry skin
• You don't want benzoyl peroxide near colored fabric

Label facts for Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl Peroxide

Acne active

Benzoyl peroxide 5%, in the Drug Facts box

Label

OTC acne drug (Drug Facts box)

Added fragrance

None listed

Drying alcohol

None listed

Sulfates

None listed

Supporting

Glycerin

Cruelty-free certified

No

Read from the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. US acne washes print the active’s percentage in a Drug Facts box; their other ingredients may be listed alphabetically, so these label facts report only whether something is there. Formulas change; check your box. Cruelty-free certification: the Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free International directories on October 4, 2026.

Why we picked it: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl Peroxide

Besides the benzoyl peroxide, the label lists six ingredients, alphabetically, with one cleansing agent and no preservative. If a wash irritates you, a list this short makes the cause easier to find.

At 5%, it sits mid-range, though the carton speaks of “the power of maximum strength” benzoyl peroxide. Differin’s adapalene gel, a retinoid the AAD pairs with a benzoyl peroxide wash, is in our retinol picks.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl Peroxide

• Bleaches fabric.
• A 4 fl oz tube.

Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl Peroxide

Check price at Amazon: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl Peroxide (paid link, opens in a new tab)

Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl Peroxide ingredients (the active and 6 inactive ingredients, acne actives marked)

Active ingredients: Benzoyl Peroxide 5%

Inactive ingredients: Carbomer, Glycerin, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Hydroxide, Water

As printed on the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. The list printed on your box is the one that counts.

Best cruelty-free acne wash: Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser

Best cruelty-free acne wash

Check price at Amazon: Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

2% salicylic acid with glycerin 2nd on the list, sodium hyaluronate and centella. No fragrance, drying alcohol or sulfate.

• 2% salicylic acid
• No added fragrance
• Sulfate-free

Good for: Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser

• Shoppers who want a Leaping Bunny certified brand
• Normal to oily skin
• Blackheads and whiteheads

Skip it if: Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser

• You avoid botanical extracts: centella and acerola extracts are listed
• Red, inflamed pimples: benzoyl peroxide has the stronger evidence

Label facts for Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser

Acne active

Salicylic acid 2%, in the Drug Facts box

Label

OTC acne drug (Drug Facts box)

Added fragrance

None listed

Drying alcohol

None listed

Sulfates

None listed

Supporting

Glycerin, centella and hyaluronic acid

Cruelty-free certified

Yes, Leaping Bunny

Read from the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. US acne washes print the active’s percentage in a Drug Facts box; their other ingredients may be listed alphabetically, so these label facts report only whether something is there. Formulas change; check your box. Cruelty-free certification: the Leaping Bunny and Cruelty Free International directories on October 4, 2026.

Why we picked it: Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser

Peach Slices is Leaping Bunny certified, and this is a full 2% salicylic acid wash with glycerin right after water. The tube says sulfate free.

Its label also carries a Sun Alert: use sunscreen while you use it and for a week after you stop.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser

• A 4.05 fl oz tube.
• Botanical extracts are listed.

Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser

Check price at Amazon: Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser ingredients (the active and 19 inactive ingredients, acne actives marked)

Active ingredients: Salicylic Acid 2%

Inactive ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Malpighia Emarginata (Acerola) Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol

As printed on the US Drug Facts label on DailyMed on October 4, 2026. The list printed on your box is the one that counts.

Every pick, side by side

What each US label shows, including its directions

Pick	Acne active	Label	Added fragrance	Contact time on the label	How often, per the label	Where to buy
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream CleanserBest overall	benzoyl peroxide 4%	OTC acne drug	None listed	None given	Every morning and evening; start once a day	Check price at Amazon: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)
The Inkey List Salicylic Acid CleanserBest salicylic acid face wash	salicylic acid 2%	OTC acne drug	None listed	None given	One to three times a day; start once	Check price at Amazon: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)
PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl PeroxideBest 10% benzoyl peroxide wash, for face and body	benzoyl peroxide 10%	OTC acne drug	None listed	Massage 1 to 2 minutes	Start once a day, up to 2 or 3 times	Check price at Amazon: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide (paid link, opens in a new tab)
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne CleanserBest for sensitive skin	benzoyl peroxide 2.6%	OTC acne drug	None listed	Massage 20 to 30 seconds	Can be used twice a day	Check price at Amazon: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing Acne Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)
CeraVe Acne Control CleanserBest for oily skin and blackheads	salicylic acid 2%	OTC acne drug	None listed	None given	Twice a day; shake well first	Check price at Amazon: CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)
Vanicream Gentle Facial CleanserBest gentle cleanser to use with acne treatment	None	Cosmetic	None listed	None given	Not stated on the label	Check price at Amazon: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance FreeBest salicylic acid wash for sensitive skin	salicylic acid 2%	OTC acne drug	None listed	None given	Twice a day	Check price at Amazon: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free (paid link, opens in a new tab)
Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl PeroxideBest for a short ingredient list	benzoyl peroxide 5%	OTC acne drug	None listed	Massage about 20 to 30 seconds	Start once a day, up to 2 or 3 times	Check price at Amazon: Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 5% Benzoyl Peroxide (paid link, opens in a new tab)
Peach Slices Acne Clarifying CleanserBest cruelty-free acne wash	salicylic acid 2%	OTC acne drug	None listed	None given	One to three times a day; start once	Check price at Amazon: Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

Benzoyl peroxide vs. salicylic acid: which acne wash?

These are the two acne actives you will find in most US face washes. Benzoyl peroxide works on the bacteria involved in acne; salicylic acid unclogs pores and exfoliates (AAD). The AAD’s 2024 guidelines give benzoyl peroxide a strong recommendation on moderate-certainty evidence, and salicylic acid only a conditional one, a weaker recommendation that may not suit everyone, on low-certainty evidence (Reynolds 2024).

In practice: benzoyl peroxide for red pimples, salicylic acid for blackheads and whiteheads, which is where the AAD says it works best. Sulfur is the third active the FDA allows, but Mayo Clinic says the evidence for it is not strong, and the one sulfur wash we read lists fragrance. Of our picks, four are benzoyl peroxide washes and four salicylic acid. Use one at a time: every acne drug label warns that irritation is more likely with another acne medication (see which ingredients not to mix).

Keep your expectations in proportion. A wash comes off within a minute or two, and a review of 14 studies found too few good ones to recommend any cleanser with confidence (Stringer 2018). If your acne is deep, painful or scarring, the AAD says store products are unlikely to clear it: see a dermatologist.

How to tell an acne drug from an “acne” cosmetic

In the US, a wash that treats acne is an over-the-counter drug. Its label has a Drug Facts box that names the active ingredient and its percentage and calls the product an acne treatment or acne medication; the FDA allows benzoyl peroxide from 2.5% to 10%, salicylic acid from 0.5% to 2% and sulfur from 3% to 10% (21 CFR 333). Every pick but Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser has one.

A wash sold for oily or “blemish-prone” skin without that box is a cosmetic, whatever its name. CeraVe’s Foaming Facial Cleanser, Wirecutter’s pick for oily or acne-prone skin, lists no acne active. Claims on the front are not the list, either: La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Medicated Gel says fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin, and lists menthol. And when Medical News Bulletin puts over-the-counter salicylic acid as high as 5%, or Healthline cites salicylic acid up to 5% in its acne-wash guide, neither is describing a US acne wash, where 2% is the limit. To read the rest of a label, see how to read an ingredient list.

Which benzoyl peroxide face wash strength: 2.5%, 4%, 5% or 10%?

The strengths on the labels in this guide: benzoyl peroxide at 2.6% (Cetaphil), 4% (CeraVe, La Roche-Posay and PanOxyl), 5% (Differin) and 10% (PanOxyl); salicylic acid at 0.5% (Paula's Choice), 1.5% (Murad) and 2% (The Inkey List, CeraVe, Neutrogena, Peach Slices and La Roche-Posay).

Start low. The AAD says products go up to 10% but to begin at 2.5%, and in leave-on gels 2.5% worked as well as 5% and 10% on red pimples, with less irritation than 10% (Mills 1986). For washes, one 21-day trial found new 4% and 10% washes irritated no more than an older 10% wash (a trial registered by the drugmaker GSK, Santos-Caetano 2019). For the chest and back, the AAD suggests a benzoyl peroxide wash and calls 10% the strongest without a prescription.

How to wash your face if you have acne

1. Twice a day, and after sweating. More often irritates acne-prone skin and can make acne worse (AAD); in a trial in men, twice a day looked slightly better than once a day, though the groups did not differ significantly (Choi 2006).
2. Start the acne wash once a day. Most of our picks’ labels say so, because the skin can dry out; build up to twice if it doesn’t.
3. Fingertips and lukewarm water, no scrubbing. A washcloth or sponge can irritate skin, and so can scrubbing (AAD); with acne, scrubbing can make it flare (AAD).
4. Follow the label’s contact time. PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash says 1 to 2 minutes, Cetaphil Gentle Clear BPO Acne Cleanser and Differin Daily Deep Cleanser 20 to 30 seconds, and most give none. On the back, the AAD advises 2 to 5 minutes for benzoyl peroxide; for the face it gives no time, and a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist says a wash needn’t stay on long.
5. Try it on a small area first. The FDA suggests a small amount on one or two spots for three days, after rare but serious allergic reactions to these products. Keep benzoyl peroxide away from your eyes, as its label says: one Reddit thread about swollen eyelids after a benzoyl peroxide wash drew 52 commenters.
6. Protect your fabric. Benzoyl peroxide bleaches dyed fabric, so rinse well and use white towels; a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist says it will bleach any colored washcloth, and the AAD warns about sheets and pillowcases too.
7. Moisturize if your skin gets dry. Dry skin is irritated skin, and the AAD says to moisturize after washing; see our face moisturizer picks.
8. Wear sunscreen. Every benzoyl peroxide label we read says to avoid unnecessary sun and use a sunscreen; see our mineral sunscreen picks.
9. Give it 6 to 8 weeks. That is how long the AAD says to try a product before judging it; clearing can take 3 to 4 months.

Face wash for hormonal and cystic acne

None of the acne labels we read says hormonal or cystic, and a wash cannot change hormones. Hormonal acne tends to sit on the chin and jawline and flare around periods; for stubborn cases, dermatologists may prescribe spironolactone, a birth control pill or clascoterone (AAD). Deep, painful nodules and cysts need a dermatologist (AAD). A benzoyl peroxide wash such as CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser can still be part of the routine, and a gentle one like Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser if a prescription dries you out.

Benzene in benzoyl peroxide washes, and how to store them

Benzoyl peroxide can break down into benzene, a carcinogen, especially with heat or long storage. In 2025 the FDA tested 95 benzoyl peroxide acne products: more than 90% had undetectable or extremely low benzene, and six had elevated levels, one of them a store-brand cleanser. It called the cancer risk very low, even with daily use for decades, and advised throwing away expired products. In a re-analysis of one testing lab’s data, washes had more benzene than leave-on products, and strength was not linked to benzene levels (Barbieri 2025).

The AAD suggests storing them at room temperature or cooler, replacing them every 10 to 12 weeks, and throwing out any that got hotter than about 78°F. If you would rather avoid benzoyl peroxide, our salicylic acid picks are The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser, CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser, Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Fragrance Free and Peach Slices Acne Clarifying Cleanser.

Also considered

• 

  La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Cleanser

  Allure’s pick, and a close cousin of ours: 4% benzoyl peroxide, and its first seven ingredients match CeraVe’s in the same order. CeraVe adds ceramides and cholesterol; La Roche-Posay adds capryloyl salicylic acid (LHA). A fine swap.

  Check price at Amazon: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)
• 

  La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser

  The salicylic acid wash picked most in the guides and store pages we read (nine of 24), and its carton says fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin. Its list also has menthol, and sodium laureth sulfate 2nd, right after water.

  Check price at Amazon: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)
• 

  Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

  The original lists fragrance, 10th of 18, and two dyes, Yellow 5 and Red 40. Buy the Fragrance Free version instead.

  Check price at Amazon: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash (paid link, opens in a new tab)
• 

  PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash 4% Benzoyl Peroxide

  4% benzoyl peroxide in a creamier PanOxyl wash, with the same 1-to-2-minute directions and no exfoliating acid. A good swap for our top pick if glycolic acid bothers you.

  Check price at Amazon: PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash 4% Benzoyl Peroxide (paid link, opens in a new tab)
• 

  Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser

  1.5% salicylic acid, but fragrance, limonene and menthol are on its list.

  Check price at Amazon: Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)
• 

  Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser

  The one sulfur wash we read, 3% sulfur, and Allure’s pick for dry skin, but fragrance is on its list.

  Check price at Amazon: Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)
• 

  Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser

  0.5% salicylic acid with no fragrance, but sodium laureth sulfate is on its list, and we found no copy of its label on DailyMed.

  Check price at Amazon: Paula's Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)
• 

  CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

  Named by 12 people in the Reddit threads we read that asked which wash to use, more than any other wash named outright. No acne active, three ceramides and no fragrance: a richer alternative to Vanicream for dry skin on a prescription.

  Check price at Amazon: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (paid link, opens in a new tab)

An acne routine works on the days you do it

Avina keeps your morning and evening routines with your real products and records the days you did them, so you can give a new acne wash a fair trial before you judge it.

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