The Best Face Wash for Acne: Benzoyl Peroxide vs Salicylic Acid Picks

The best face wash for acne contains one of two over-the-counter actives. Pick a benzoyl peroxide wash, such as CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser (4%), if you mostly get red or pus-filled pimples. Pick a 2% salicylic acid wash, such as Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash or CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser, if your skin is oily and full of blackheads and small clogged bumps. Start once a day.

Before you buy, you can check any of these against your own skin type by scanning the barcode or label with the ingredient scanner in Pori.

Below we sort the drugstore acne cleansers by active ingredient, explain how long a wash needs to stay on your skin, and cover the towel problem that comes with benzoyl peroxide. Our picks come from the US Drug Facts labels, ingredient lists and brand pages, plus dermatology guidance. We did not test these cleansers on skin. Prices are list prices on the brand's own site as of October 2026, where the brand publishes one.

Is benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid better in a face wash?

Benzoyl peroxide has the stronger evidence for acne overall, and salicylic acid is the better fit for blackheads and clogged pores. The American Academy of Dermatology's 2024 acne guidelines make a strong recommendation for benzoyl peroxide and a conditional one for salicylic acid. The AAD's patient advice explains the split: benzoyl peroxide decreases acne-causing bacteria, while salicylic acid eases inflammation and unclogs pores, and salicylic acid works best on whiteheads and blackheads.

For papules and pustules, the inflamed bumps most people call pimples, the AAD suggests washing twice daily with an acne face wash that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, so either can work there. US rules cap both. Over-the-counter acne products may contain benzoyl peroxide at 2.5% to 10% and salicylic acid at 0.5% to 2%, which is why nearly every salicylic wash on the shelf says 2%.

Quick comparison: the best acne cleansers by active

What are the best benzoyl peroxide face washes?

1. CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser (4% benzoyl peroxide)

This is the easiest benzoyl peroxide wash to recommend to someone whose skin dries out quickly. The ingredient list pairs 4% benzoyl peroxide with glycerin, three ceramides, niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate in a cream that foams lightly. The label tells you to start with one application a day and cut back to once a day or every other day if dryness or peeling gets bothersome. Our full CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser review covers how to use it.

2. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Cleanser (4% benzoyl peroxide)

Same strength, slightly different support cast. The Drug Facts label lists 4% benzoyl peroxide with glycerin, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate and capryloyl salicylic acid, with no ceramides and no fragrance in the list. It suits oily skin that wants benzoyl peroxide without a creamy feel.

3. Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask (3.5% benzoyl peroxide)

This one does two jobs. The label gives directions for a daily cleanse and for a mask left on for up to 5 minutes, no more than 2 to 3 times a week. Kaolin and bentonite clays soak up oil, and the formula also contains fragrance and menthol. It's a reasonable pick for oily, resilient skin and a poor one for anyone already peeling.

If you get acne on your chest or back, CeraVe also sells a 10% benzoyl peroxide Acne Foaming Cream Wash ($19.99) for face and body. Ten percent is the highest over-the-counter strength, and the AAD notes that starting at 2.5% helps you avoid dryness, irritation and burning. Most faces don't need 10%.

What are the best salicylic acid face washes?

1. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash (2% salicylic acid)

The classic red bottle is still a solid, inexpensive 2% salicylic wash for oily skin. The current label lists a sulfonate surfactant base with fragrance, aloe, chamomile and two dyes. If fragrance bothers you, the Fragrance Free version swaps in milder surfactants with glycerin and panthenol. See our Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash review for the Pink Grapefruit comparison.

2. CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser (2% salicylic acid)

This is the salicylic pick for oily skin that reacts to fragrance. CeraVe lists 2% salicylic acid with hectorite clay, gluconolactone, niacinamide and three ceramides, and says it has no added fragrance. The clay is there to absorb oil, so very dry skin may find it too much.

3. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser (2% salicylic acid)

The label pairs 2% salicylic acid with sodium laureth sulfate, zinc gluconate and menthol. Menthol gives a cooling feel some people like and others find irritating, so this suits resilient, very oily skin best.

4. CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser (salicylic acid, gentle exfoliation)

This is the gentlest option here. CeraVe describes it as a fragrance-free salicylic acid cleanser with three ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, made for normal and acne-prone skin, and files it under gentle exfoliation. The US page doesn't state a salicylic acid percentage, so treat it as a smoothing cleanser more than an acne treatment.

One correction to a common shortlist: Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash is a salicylic acid product. Its label lists 2% salicylic acid, with glycolic acid, menthol and fragrance among the inactive ingredients, and carries a sunburn alert because of the AHA. File it with the salicylic washes.

How long should you leave an acne face wash on?

Longer than a quick splash, though the face needs less time than the body. For back acne, the AAD says studies show benzoyl peroxide works best if left on for two to five minutes, partly because skin on the back is thicker than on the face. Facial labels are less specific: the CeraVe and La Roche-Posay labels simply say to massage the wash in and rinse well.

• Wet your face, lather a dime-size amount with your fingertips and cover the whole area that breaks out, not only the spots you can see.
• Give the lather a little time on your skin before rinsing instead of splashing it straight off. Start short and lengthen the contact time only if your skin stays comfortable for a couple of weeks.
• Rinse thoroughly. Leftover residue is what bleaches towels and irritates the hairline.
• Skip washcloths and scrubbing. The AAD recommends applying cleanser with your fingertips because tools can irritate acne-prone skin.

Salicylic acid washes follow the same routine. Because most of the acid rinses away, a wash gives a lighter effect than a leave-on salicylic product. For a deeper look at each ingredient, see our guides to using benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid for blackheads.

Will a benzoyl peroxide wash bleach my towels?

Yes, it can, so plan for it. Every benzoyl peroxide label we checked warns users to avoid contact with hair and dyed fabrics, which may be bleached by this product. The AAD adds that benzoyl peroxide will bleach clothing, sheets, pillowcases and towels, and that the idea it causes light spots on skin is a myth.

• Switch to white towels and pillowcases while you use it.
• Rinse your face and your hands well, and pat dry instead of rubbing.
• Keep the wash away from your hairline and eyebrows, especially if you color your hair.
• Let your skin dry fully before you pull on a dark shirt or lie on colored bedding.

Salicylic acid doesn't bleach fabric, which is one practical reason people choose it.

Which acne face wash is best for hormonal acne?

A cleanser can help with mild breakouts along the jaw and chin, but it rarely controls hormonal acne alone. The AAD describes the signs of hormonal acne as stubborn acne on the lower face, chin and jawline, and breakouts that come predictably with your period, and lists prescription options such as spironolactone and some birth control pills. A benzoyl peroxide wash is a reasonable base because the AAD says benzoyl peroxide is most effective when used along with another treatment that works on a different cause of acne. Read more in our guide to hormonal acne signs and causes.

How do you choose the right acne cleanser for your skin?

• Mostly red or pus-filled pimples: a 4% benzoyl peroxide wash. Use CeraVe if you run dry, La Roche-Posay if you run oily.
• Mostly blackheads and rough, clogged texture: a 2% salicylic wash. Pick the Neutrogena Fragrance Free or CeraVe Acne Control if your skin dislikes fragrance.
• Both: one active in the cleanser and a different one in a leave-on product. Using two acne medications at once makes dryness more likely, as the labels warn, so add the second one slowly.
• Sensitive or eczema-prone skin: the benzoyl peroxide labels say not to use them if you have very sensitive skin. Ask a dermatologist first.

Whatever you pick, a moisturizer helps. The AAD notes that benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid tend to dry and irritate the skin and that a daily moisturizer helps skin tolerate them.

How long does an acne face wash take to work?

Give it at least four weeks. The AAD says that if a treatment works, you should notice some improvement in 4 to 6 weeks, and clearing can take two to three months or longer. Switching products every few days can irritate skin and cause new breakouts.

When should you see a dermatologist about acne?

See a doctor if your acne is deep, painful or scarring, or if over-the-counter washes haven't helped after a couple of months. The NHS advises seeing a GP if self-treatment isn't working, spots are deep, painful or causing scars, there are signs of infection, or acne is affecting your mental health. The AAD says nodules and cysts need a dermatologist's help. If you're pregnant, the AAD says benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid washes are considered safe in limited amounts or for a limited time, but to check with your obstetrician or dermatologist first.