10 Best face wash for cystic acne (2025)

10 best face washes for cystic acne in 2025 offer targeted solutions to combat stubborn breakouts. These formulations often include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and natural ingredients like tea tree oil, which help unclog pores and reduce inflammation. Brands like Neutrogena, La Roche-Posay, and CeraVe have developed effective cleansers that balance skin without over-drying. Additionally, gentle exfoliating options can promote cell turnover, while soothing agents like aloe vera calm irritation. Choosing the right face wash is crucial for managing cystic acne and achieving clearer, healthier skin.

Bestseller No. 1
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser, 2% Salicylic Acid Cleanser + LHA + Glycerin, Foaming Acne Face Wash, Helps Clear & Prevent Acne Breakouts, Oil Free, Targets Excess Oil
  • This salicylic acid face wash for oily skin is formulated with 2% salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid to remove impurities without harsh scrub particles that may irritate skin
  • This acne cleanser helps clear acne breakouts, blemishes, pimples and removes excess oil from the face
  • Clinically tested to reduce excess surface oil by up to 47%, leaving skin less oily throughout the day
  • 2% Salicylic Acid: Known for its effective exfoliating properties to help clear and refine the appearance of pores. Lipo-Hydroxy Acid: Also known as LHA, has exfolaiting and skin renewing properties
  • This pore cleanser is tested on sensitive skin; Allergy tested; Dermatologist tested; Non-Comedogenic
SaleBestseller No. 2
CeraVe Acne Treatment Face Wash | Salicylic Acid Cleanser with Purifying Clay, Niacinamide, and Ceramides | Pore Control and Blackhead Remover | 8 Ounce
  • [ACNE FACE WASH WITH SALICYLIC ACID] Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that helps gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, reduce blackheads & the appearance of pores, treats & prevents acne. BHA exfoliants are less harsh than face scrubs
  • [FOAMING FACIAL CLEANSER] This CeraVe face wash dispenses as a clear gel and transforms into a light, foaming face wash as you lather. The gentle wash and exfoliation smooths and cleanses skin without leaving skin feeling stripped of moisture
  • [ACNE WASH WITH OIL ABSORBING TECHNOLOGY] CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser helps prevent new breakouts from forming with purifying clay to help absorb excess oil and niacinamide to help calm skin. Fragrance free, paraben free, & non-comedogenic
  • [ 3 ESSENTIAL CERAMIDES ] Ceramides are found naturally in the skin and make up 50% of the lipids in the skin barrier. All CeraVe products, formulated with three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II)to help maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
  • [ DEVELOPED WITH DERMATOLOGISTS ] CeraVe Skincare is developed with dermatologists and has products suitable for dry skin; sensitive skin; oily skin; acne-prone; and more. FSA Eligible & HSA Eligible
SaleBestseller No. 3
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide Face Wash With Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide & Ceramides, Gentle Daily Acne Treatment For Face, Acne Skin Care That Helps Clear & Prevent Acne
  • [ ACNE FACE WASH WITH BENZOYL PEROXIDE ] This benzoyl peroxide acne treatment face wash clears acne, pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads, preventing new acne and promoting healing. Non-sealed.
  • [ CREAM TO FOAM ACNE CLEANSER ] This facial cleanser starts as a creamy texture and foams upon lathering, removing dirt and oil without stripping moisture, suitable as a deep pore cleanser.
  • [ HYDRATING ACNE WASH ] Formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this gentle acne wash retains moisture and calms skin, effective as a blackhead cleanser. Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic.
  • [ 3 ESSENTIAL CERAMIDES ] Contains ceramides (1, 3, 6-II), crucial for maintaining the skin's barrier, making it an effective acne skincare without over drying.
  • [ DEVELOPED WITH DERMATOLOGISTS ] Suitable for various skin types including dry, sensitive, oily, and acne-prone. FSA eligible and HSA eligible, supports skin care for acne.
Bestseller No. 4
Paradise Emerald Cystic Acne Spot Treatment, Hormonal Acne Treatment for Face,Back and Body, with Salicylic Acid and Tea Tree Oil, Pimple Advanced Acne Cream for Teens & Adults
  • TACKLES CYSTIC ACNE--This cystic acne spot treatment effectively tackles cystic, hormonal, and severe acne. It's also a hormonal acne treatment cream, acne cream and pimple cream.
  • IMPROVED BOTTLE--Solution to the disadvantage of the traditional bottle, which caused the cream to dry out and harden. The new bottle design allows the cream to be used for an extended period of time without drying out.
  • NATURAL AND GENTLE FORMULA--containing salicylic acid, tea tree oil, aloe vera, and a variety of other natural active ingredients, gently works on acne,while also helping to balance oil levels.
  • PRECAUTION OF ACNE REGROWTH-- preventing the new acne while treating the existing one(s).
  • HOW TO USE--After cleansing and toning, apply an appropriate amount of this Cystic Acne Treatment Cream thickly to the acne and leave it on overnight to wash off. Do not apply it over a large area and avoid the area around your eyes. Use 1-2 times a day ( with at least 4 hours between applications), 2-3 times for severe acne for 4 weeks at least. Continue to apply the cream even after the acne is no longer visible until there is no sign of regrowth.
SaleBestseller No. 5
Differin Acne Face Wash with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, Maximum Strength OTC Acne Foaming Cleanser, Fast Acting Acne Treatment for Face and Body, 5 oz.
  • MAXIMUM STRENGTH 10% BENZOYL PEROXIDE: Strongest over-the-counter (OTC) strength concentration without a prescription
  • STARTS WORKING FAST: Starts working immediately to help clear acne while also preventing future breakouts
  • EFFECTIVE, PROVEN RESULTS: Helps eliminate 99.99% of acne-causing bacteria in 15 seconds *Based on an independent laboratory in vitro study
  • DUAL-ACTION FOAMING FORMULA: Cream to foam cleanser, suitable for face and all over body, including chest and back
  • HOW TO USE: Wet area to be cleansed, apply and massage into skin for 20-30 seconds, rinse thoroughly and pat dry
SaleBestseller No. 6
AcneFree Acne Free Oil-Free Cleanser, Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% with Glycolic Acid to Prevent and Treat Breakouts Unscented, 8 Fl Oz
  • Acne Oil Free Cleanser: treats acne, helps prevent new acne breakouts, and is fragrance free.
  • Nourish and Hydrate: The ideal way to start any anti-acne regimen, this cleanser absorbs deep into pores to treat acne where it starts; also features to nourish skin and help it retain moisture
  • Healthy Skin Solutions: We carry a full line of treatment kits, cleansers, moisturizers, detox masks, scrubs, creams, toners and other targeted solutions for sensitive, oily and acne prone skin
  • Dermatology Inspired Care: Our products offer hydration, soothing, detoxifying and mattifying benefits to help ensure your skin looks and feels healthy and help maintain your skin’s balance with consistent use
  • Dermatologist Recommended: Built on a foundation of dermatological science and research, doctors consistently recommend our products to men, women, teens and adults in need of gentle yet effective acne treatment
Bestseller No. 7
AcneFree Severe Acne 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Foaming Cleansing Wash, 5 Ounce
  • Foaming Acne Wash: This fast-acting, maximum-strength acne fighter is formulated with Benzoyl Peroxide to penetrate deep into the pores and destroy acne-causing impurities to prevent acne blemishes
  • Soothe and Protect: skin’s natural barrier and promote healthy, radiant-looking skin, plus Niacinamide to decrease the appearance of redness, and Oat Extract to soothe and calm inflammation
  • Healthy Skin Solutions: We carry a full line of treatment kits, cleansers, moisturizers, detox masks, scrubs, creams, toners and other targeted solutions for sensitive, oily and acne prone skin
  • Dermatology Inspired Care: Our products offer hydration, soothing, detoxifying and mattifying benefits to help ensure your skin looks and feels healthy and help maintain your skin’s balance with consistent use
  • Dermatologist Recommended: Built on a foundation of dermatological science and research, doctors consistently recommend our products to men, women, teens and adults in need of gentle yet effective acne treatment
SaleBestseller No. 8
PanOxyl Antimicrobial Hydrating Acne Creamy Wash, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide, 6 Ounce
  • Gentle formula contains 4% Benzoyl peroxide
  • Daily antimicrobial wash kills acne-causing bacteria on contact and lifts dirt from pores for a fresher, clearer you.
  • Ph balanced with 4 humectants and 3 emollients to increase hydration
  • Cleans and unclogs pores on face, chest and back
  • Clears existing acne fast and helps prevent new blemishes from forming
SaleBestseller No. 9
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion-Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser with 2.6% Benzoyl Peroxide, Creamy and Soothing for Sensitive Skin, Suitable for All Skin Types, 4.2oz
  • CETAPHIL GENTLE CLEAR COMPLEXION-CLEARING BPO ACNE CLEANSER: Micronized benzoyl peroxide immediately starts working to clear acne with clinically proven results after just one week without being harsh on sensitive skin
  • A GENTLE WAY TO GET CLEARER SKIN: Targets acne-causing bacteria and dead skin cells that clog the pores, while maintaining the skin barrier
  • REDUCE EXCESS OIL AND SOOTHE THE SKIN: Formulated with zinc and licorice root to help reduce excess oil and soothe sensitive skin
  • GENTLE, CREAMY CLEANSER: This cleanser is fragrance free, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, designed to be gentle on sensitive skin
  • DEFENDS AGAINST 5 SIGNS OF SKIN SENSITIVITY: Dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness and a weakened skin barrier
SaleBestseller No. 10
Differin Acne Face Wash with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide, Daily Deep Cleanser by the makers of Differin Gel, Gentle Skin Care for Acne Prone Sensitive Skin, 4 oz (Packaging May Vary)
  • TARGET ACNE: Penetrates deep into pores with 5% benzoyl peroxide with less irritation & dryness
  • DUAL-ACTION FORMULA: Micronized, dual-action formula absorbs excess oil in the skin, while releasing a gentle moisturizer that won't clog pores
  • KEY INGREDIENTS: 5% benzoyl peroxide that can effectively target and treat acne
  • HOW TO USE: Apply to dampened skin and gently massage, rinse thoroughly with warm water
  • DERMATOLOGIST-DEVELOPED: Can be used to effectively treat acne or maskne caused by wearing face masks or facial coverings
See also  10 Best travel purse (2025)