Skincare for acne-prone skin doesn’t have to be harsh, nor should it be limited to products with astringent, exfoliating, or perfecting active ingredients, such as salicylic acid or AHAs. Acne-prone skin is very susceptible to sensitivity and irritation, so it makes sense to also incorporate mild, gentle products into a targeted skincare routine. This is especially true when it comes to cleansers, which can be surprisingly abrasive. If you’re looking for a milder option, we’ve rounded up some gentle cleansers that are great for acne-prone skin–they can help soothe the skin, support the skin barrier function, and even offset some of the irritation caused by more aggressive anti-acne treatments.
Our favorite gentle cleansers for acne-prone skin
Eucerin DERMOPURE Cleansing Gel
Eucerin DERMOPURE Cleansing Gel
Eucerin DERMOPURE Cleansing Gel is a daily facial cleanser with a non-comedogenic, soap- and fragrance-free formula.Instead of using harsh cleansing agents that can make acne-prone skin even more sensitive, this gel relies on 6% amphotensides: mild surfactants that are particularly well-tolerated by sensitive skin. They gently cleanse without overstripping, effectively removing dirt and makeup without leaving the skin feeling tight or taut.
Ideal for daily use, this cleansing gel helps remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup (though it may not fully remove waterproof eye makeup), leaving the skin feeling clean, fresh, and supple.
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Normal to Oily Skin
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Normal to Oily Skin
The CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Normal to Oily Skin is already a classic among fans of gentle face washes. Suitable for normal to oily skin, this cleansing gel has a super complete formula: it features three essential ceramides, which support a healthy skin barrier and help keep the skin hydrated; niacinamide, which soothes the skin and promotes barrier repair; hyaluronic acid, which hydrates and plumps the skin; phytosphingosine, which studies have shown has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties; and cholesterol, which plays a vital role in maintaining a strong skin barrier.
Together, these ingredients create a product that not only gently cleanses the skin, removes impurities, and reduces oiliness, but also helps repair and maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel
Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel
The Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel has three main goals: to cleanse, purify, and mattify sensitive acne-prone or blemish-prone skin. With a physiological pH and a soap-free formula, this cleanser combines gentle cleansing agents with an exclusive plant-based ingredient, Comedoclastin™, which acts on epithelial cells to reduce the formation of microcomedones and help prevent new breakouts.
The foaming formula creates a light lather that gently cleanses the skin, reduces excess sebum, and leaves a mattifying finish. The skin is left feeling clean, fresh, purified, and noticeably less shiny.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar +M Purifying Foaming Gel
La Roche-Posay Effaclar +M Purifying Foaming Gel
La Roche-Posay Effaclar +M Purifying Foaming Gel is a purifying cleansing gel formulated with the new active ingredient Phylobiome, developed through microbiome science.
In addition to gently purifying the skin and gently removing impurities, this product helps maintain the skin’s pH balance, which tends to be higher in acne-prone skin compared to “normal” skin. By maintaining pH balance, this cleansing gel helps reduce bacterial proliferation, which in turn helps prevent and reduce blemishes. At the same time, it reduces sebum, mattifies the skin, and provides a soothing, anti-irritation effect.
Noreva Exfoliac Gentle Foaming Gel
Noreva Exfoliac Gentle Foaming Gel
Formulated with ingredients of natural origin, Noreva Exfoliac Gentle Foaming Gel is a cleansing gel perfectly suited to the effective yet gentle cleansing of sensitive, blemish-prone skin. The formula features a botanical complex from three plants that work in synergy to regulate sebum production and tighten the appearance of pores, which are often enlarged on oily and acne-prone skin.
In addition to these botanical actives, the product also includes gentle surfactants, to provide a mild and non-drying cleansing action, and vegetable glycerin, to hydrate the skin and help maintain its hydration levels–something that often gets overlooked with acne-prone skin!
Bioderma Sébium Hydra Cleanser Soothing Cleansing Balm
Bioderma Sébium Hydra Cleanser Soothing Cleansing Balm
The Bioderma Sébium Hydra Cleanser Soothing Cleansing Balm is a specialized cleanser designed to restore comfort to the skin during ultra-drying acne treatments. Formulated with 93% biomimetic ingredients, this product gently cleanses the skin while soothing, hydrating, and restoring comfort for up to 24 hours.
The goal here isn’t to further dry out the skin–it’s to restore hydration and comfort while gently cleansing the skin. The secret lies in the combination of ingredients in the formula: biomimetic lipids like shea oil restore skin comfort, while the D.A.F. patent, a Bioderma standard, increases the skin’s tolerance threshold, for stronger, more resilient skin.
Want to see more options? Then make sure to explore all cleansers for acne-prone skin in the shop!
