Cleansing Alone Isn't Enough for Acne
Good skin care means removing dirt, excess oil, and makeup. It can help to keep your pores from being plugged up. Still, water and a simple soap or face wash aren't enough to clear up acne. Think of your twice-daily cleansing as a first step in treating your acne.
Overall, we recommend the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Facial Cleanser for its powerful yet gentle formula. It contains a bevy of solid acne-fighting ingredients, including salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid, and works to reduce shine throughout the day, which is great for those with oily, acne-prone skin.
The key is to look for acne facial cleansers that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide. For people who also have the yeast type of 'fungal' acne called Pityrosporum folliculitis, I recommend they alternate one of the first three ingredients with a pyrithione zinc cleanser.
Best Overall: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
It's gentle enough to use in a.m. and p.m. routines and has long championed now buzzy ingredients in its formulation, from glycerin (a popular humectant) to niacinamide (which can help regulate acne and minimize hyperpigmentation).
Usually the first choice for treating acne is a tetracycline (minocycline, doxycycline) or a macrolide (erythromycin, azithromycin). A macrolide might be an option for people who can't take tetracyclines, including pregnant women and children under 8 years old.
I would highly recommend the CeraVe acne wash compared to the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne wash because of its gentleness and many benefits. I think CeraVe's formula is far more superior with a better combination of ingredients for the skin. I would not recommend the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne wash under any circumstances.
Unlike the Cerave cleanser that is better used in your AM routine, the Neutrogena Hydroboost Cleanser can be used in both your AM & PM routines. Whether you want a quick easy cleanse or you want to combine it with your cleansing oil for your deep cleanse, the Neutrogena cleanser is perfect.
You also want to avoid using astringents, rubbing alcohol, and anything else that can dry out your skin. Scrub your skin clean. To get rid of acne, you may be tempted to scrub your skin clean. Don't.
If you have normal to oily skin and prefer a gel-based foaming cleanser, CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser will be the best choice. If you have dry acne-prone skin or sensitive acne-prone skin, Cetaphil Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser will most likely be the better choice.
In a nutshell, Cerave focuses on dry to really dry skin while Cetaphil is better for reducing redness. Both are great for acne prone skin but Cerave has a wider range of products containing Benzoyl peroxide to specifically combat breakouts.
CeraVe is the #1 dermatologist-recommended moisturizer brand*, and our products for acne-prone skin promote a clear complexion without dryness or flaking while helping maintain the skin's barrier with three essential ceramides.
A resurfacing retinol serum, such as CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum, is an effective option to help reduce the appearance of post-acne marks and pores, and support smoother skin texture.
CeraVe Acne Control Gel is a hydrating daily acne treatment with 2% salicylic acid that helps clear acne and helps prevent new acne pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads from forming. It offers gentle exfoliation with AHAs and BHAs, along with calming niacinamide and barrier-strengthening ceramides.
If you have acne that just won't go away, you may want to take a closer look at your skin. It's possible that you don't have acne. Other skin conditions can look a lot like acne. Stubborn acne can also be a sign of something serious going on inside your body.
Various things can cause breakouts. Stress, certain skin care or acne treatments, dehydration, diet, lack of sleep, contact with the skin, and smoking are all common causes.
Examples include white bread, corn flakes, puffed rice, potato chips, white potatoes or fries, doughnuts or other pastries, sugary drinks such as milkshakes, and white rice. Findings from small studies suggest that following a low-glycemic diet may reduce the amount of acne you have.