The 10 Very Best Face Washes for Acne

cleansers Updated Oct. 29, 2024 From old-school Neutrogena to a Japanese oil. By Tembe Denton-Hurst, a writer at the Strategist covering beauty and books. She joined the site in 2020. Previously, she wrote about beauty and culture for Nylon and Elle. Photo: Marcus McDonald Photo: Marcus McDonald In this article Best overall Best for sensitive skin Best for oily skin Best for dry skin Best for cystic acne Best for rosacea Best for acne scars I never dealt with pimples (or needed a face wash for acne) until the pandemic, when I, along with lots of others, developed maskne, triggered by wearing masks for many hours a day. Mine was a grouping of pimples near my chin, stubborn, irritating, and prone to hyperpigmentation. For the first time, I had to start thinking about acne-fighting skin care, a rabbit hole unto itself. I learned about skin pH (acneic skin tends to be more acidic) and sebum production and inflammation, speaking with dermatologists and lurking in skin-care Reddit threads. T...