8 Best Face Washes for Acne Prone Skin That are Your Ticket to Clear Skin + What to Avoid and Why You Must Moisturize (2020)

At one point in every person’s life acne was a big hurdle to overcome and for many it still is, the struggle is not only to control the breakouts but the implications it has on mental health. People with acne prone skin suffer extreme self esteem issues, anxiety, depression and in extreme situations thoughts of suicide too. Before we tackle the different facial washes that helps control breakouts it's imperative to understand exactly what acne is and why does it affect some and not others.

Acne, by definition, is a skin condition where hair follicles are clogged with dead skin cells and oil from the skin. So basically our pores are filled with these debris and causes the skin to be irritated. The clogged pores appear as blackheads or whiteheads, pimples and extremely oily skin. The acnes thrive on skin that has abundant oil secretion like forehead, cheeks and chin on the face. It also affects the chest, shoulders and upper back.

While everyone has hair follicles, dead skin cells and oil secretions in varying degrees not all develop acne. Some people don't wash their face as much or neglect taking off makeup after long hours with no consequences but people with acne would be horrified by these actions as they can never neglect skin care. So why does acne affect some people and not others you say? Unfortunately there is no definitive answer for that however it is believed that genetics plays a role in acne. The way skin reacts to debris is genetically different, some are more sensitive to them and some aren't. So the way your skin reacts to acne triggers can be so severe while your friend’s skin would be as simple as a single blackhead.

Usually acne affects adolescents with mostly teenagers taking the brunt of it all however there are many adults still battling acne. This skin condition knows no gender, race or age and affects randomly. Since the cause of it all are clogged pores of hair follicles and everyone has them it isn't much of a surprise. However another factor for acne is oily skin and the cause for the increase in oil secretion is due to a hormone called androgens. Androgens is found in both females and males indiscriminately. With all these factors that shows no one is in the clear, it is important to follow a well thought out skin care routine.

Preventing acne breakout is no easy feat and sometimes near impossible as it is hard to control hormones. However there are several ways that can help control your acne breakouts. First and foremost the important issue is cleaning your face since your skin is already irritated it is crucial to keep it free of irritants. To control oiliness of the skin, there are several face washes that address this issue adequately and we have selected some of the best 8 face washes to help you tackle acne. Let’s take a look!

This face wash is the number 1 dermatologist recommended product for acne prone skin. This amazing wash has a powerful active ingredient called salicylic acid which helps clear out pores. It also has aloe vera extract which has a calming and soothing properties. This face wash clears out blackheads, whiteheads and acne and is a consumer favorite. However due to fragrances and dyes in the product, it can cause irritation to some people who are allergic. It is important to do a patch test to confirm before including it in your skin care routine. It is recommended to uses twice daily for optimum results. You can order the Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Face Wash on Amazon for Rs.483.

The brand Proactiv has been one of the first acne prone skin solutions in the market debuting in 1995. It garnered a lot of consumers in the US and globally for its efficacy in controlling acne breakouts. The Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash also has the active ingredient salicylic acid as well as chamomile and aloe vera extract to calm and soothe the skin. The best thing about this deep wash is that it is suitable as a face and body wash which is very helpful for those that suffer from acne on the body.

However due to added fragrances in the wash, it can cause cause irritation for some people. It is advised to do a patch test before including it in your skin care routine. Due to its popularity worldwide, there are many dupes of this product so it is recommended to read the list of ingredients carefully to note for active ingredients. The Proactiv Deep Cleansing Wash comes with a hefty price of Rs.3,417 for a sizeable 475 mL on Ubuy.

Clean & Clear has a wide range of skin care products that caters to a variety of skin concerns. However what caught our attention is their Continuous Control Daily Acne Face Wash product which is also a consumer favorite worldwide. This face wash has a different active ingredient called benzoyl peroxide which is an alternative key ingredient in controlling acne breakouts. It is important to note that while using this product, it can cause bleaching of fabrics so it is advised to use white towels and clothing when washing your face.

As with most products, it is recommended to do a patch test to test for irritation due to the added fragrances. The Clean & Clear Continuous Control Daily Acne Face Wash doesn't come cheap at Rs.1,499 for 142g on Amazon but for acne free skin we think it's worth it!

Paula’s Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser is gaining popularity among a lot of consumers and is always advertised by a lot of skin care enthusiast influencers. So we made our research and were delighted by what we learned about this skin care line. Paula’s Choice brand is an environmentally conscious line that is also cruelty free and fragrance free too. The Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser has the active ingredient salicylic acid however in a lesser percentage to accommodate those that have sensitive skin.

This product is tailored for consumers that have mild acne and sensitive skin nevertheless it is still advised to do a patch test for irritation. If you are aware of all your allergies, you can also visit their website for a detailed list of ingredients with their purposes, isn't that great? This product comes with a hefty price of Rs.2,740 for 177 ml on Amazon.

Kaya Clinic skin care line is relatively a new brand born in India and making its mark in the Middle East. Kaya have several product catering to a variety of skin conditions and over a 100 retail outlets. You can also avail at the Kaya Clinics for their skin and hair solutions with the help of expert dermatologists and beauty therapists.

The Kaya Clinic Acne Free Purifying Cleanser has helped numbers of people with acne due to the active ingredient salicylic acid. As we mentioned it is imperative to do a patch test to test for irritation before including it in your skin care routine. If you're looking for an effective, reliable and reasonably priced face wash, this is it! Their 100 ml bottle of cleanser retails for Rs.380.

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser is another product of Neutrogena that efficiently controls acne breakout. This product as the name suggests rapidly targets acne and eliminates the bacteria that causes inflammation of clogged pores. This bacteria killing property is mainly due to the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is really effective and a good ingredient for people with more severe breakouts.

However not a lot of people tolerate benzoyl peroxide so it is important to do a patch test and check for irritation before incorporating the Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser in to your skin care routine. If you have tried many acne face washes in vain, this product could be the one that works for you. For Rs.2,130, you can get this from Amazon.

Neutrogena is making the list one more time with the Oil Free Acne Wash and Redness Soothing Facial Cleanser. This particular brand has a variety of products for a lot acne related issues and combats them with different active ingredients.

For this particular face wash though, the active ingredient is salicylic acid which really helps control breakouts. In addition to that, it has chamomile and aloe vera extract which helps soothe and calm the redness that comes with acne. As advised previously, it is important to do a patch test to check for irritation before adding it to you skin care routine. You can purchase this face wash from Amazon for Rs.1,482.

Last but not the least is the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash. This face wash is truly one of its kind in how it combats acne so efficiently making it a consumer favorite. It is formulated in a way to be gently cleansing, removing oil and impurities without stripping moisture off the skin.

The active ingredient in this face wash is neem and turmeric which has antibacterial properties and that helps control acne and pimple breakouts. Although the ingredients has less chemical ingredients, it is still advised to do a patch test to check for irritation before incorporating it to your skin care routine. You can now purchase a pair of Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash on Amazon for the discounted price of Rs.231, don't miss out!

Moisturizing may be the last thing on your mind when you are trying to control your breakout with all these washes and medications. Some may even wonder why? My skin is already moisturized with the oiliness on my skin. Well most of the face washes and medication targeted to combat acne are actually very drying and can leave your face feeling tight and irritated. Even if you're not treating your acne with harsh and drying ingredients, it is still important to moisturize.

The catch however is choosing the right moisturizer, which are face lotions or hydrating creams that are non comedogenic and oil free. These types of moisturizers doesn't clog your pores and worsen your acne unlike oils and emollients. It is advised to apply moisturizer after washing your face and slightly damp to lock in much needed water in to the skin.

It is encouraged for consumers to understand and recognize ingredients listed on any product specially the ones you put on your face. And when it comes to acne fighting products, there are a few ingredients that is important to recognize and look for in your skin care routine.

No one ever thinks of ingredients to avoid, most people just look for the active ingredient that is going to save the day. As much as active ingredients are important it is equally important to recognize the ones that are pore clogging.