The Best Products For Acne Prone Skin – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

The-Best-Products-For-Acne-Prone-Skin
[pullquote align=”normal”] In line with our vision to be your top source for all things skin-related, we’ve compiled the 10 best products for acne prone skin that can dramatically improve your skin. This list is a product of more than 25 hours of intense work to make sure that you only get your hands on items your skin needs most. [/pullquote]

Doctor's Choice

The Best Products For Acne Prone Skin – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

Witch Hazel Toner for Face by the makers of Differin Gel, Pore-Minimizing Skin Toner

Other Products

The Best Products For Acne Prone Skin – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

Eau Thermale Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream

Other Products

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

A Glance At the Best Products For Acne Prone Skin

Murad Acne Complex Acne Body Wash is our top choice for the best body wash for acne prone skin. It has salicylic acid and triclosan to put an end to your back acne.

If you're dealing with face acne, we have two products to recommend to you.

For men with acne prone skin, we highly suggest you take a look at Lavo Clarifying Facial Cleanser. It has a lot of potent ingredients against acne that can impress you.

Another great face wash for acne prone skin is Exposed Skin Care Facial Cleanser. This is actually our top product for the said skin type in general.

Although the product has salicylic acid, it isn't drying so you won't have to feel fearful about using it.

For the best face mask for acne prone skin, Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

should be your top choice. It has charcoal which works like magnet in lifting off dead skin cells and impurities clogging your pores.

Make sure to check the product out if you're plagued with blackheads, too.

Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer is this list's best moisturizer for acne prone skin. As its name implies, it's a dual purpose product.

It's an anti-acne treatment and moisturizer in one. If you're on a tight budget or just don't want to use too many products on your skin, this one can do the trick.

For sun protection, Neutrogena Clear Face Lotion is the best sunscreen for acne prone skin. It has SPF 30 and an oil-free and fragrance-free formulation.

If you are hard-pressed to find the best toners for acne prone skin, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Facial Toner is the one for you. It can even out skin tone, fight pimples and keep your skin radiant.

With all its benefits, you won't find it necessary to look around anymore.

ArtNaturals Organic Jojoba Oil is the best essential oil for acne prone skin since it's pure, cold pressed and effective. It can control oil and skin breakouts which are exactly what you need for your skin type.

To heal your acne from the inside, Clear-Biotic + is the best vitamin supplement for acne prone skin. It has different types of probiotics combined with vitamins to boost your gut and skin health.

Last, but definitely not the least, product on our list is Skincare Ldel Cosmetics Retinol Day Cream. This is the best retinol cream for acne prone skin if you're going to ask us.

It has a high amount of vitamin A and an SPF of 20 to protect your skin.

Reviews of the Best Products For Acne Prone Skin

Best Products For Acne Prone Skin - Murad Acne Complex Acne Body Wash

Murad Acne Complex Acne Body Wash

There are two things that can cause breakouts: excess oil and clogged pores.

These are exactly the things Murad Acne Complex Acne Body Wash can address. With the ability to exfoliate and deeply cleanse your skin, using this product regularly can help control your breakouts- particularly back acne.

And not only that.

This body wash is also great for soothing irritated skin. It contains 1% salicylic acid and triclosan to get rid of your skin’s dull layer.

It’s a bit pricey but considering its effects, it sure is a must-have product especially if you tend to sweat a lot. In case you are looking for a body wash with stronger active ingredients, you can check out our complete list.

What We Like:

  • Gentle on the skin
  • Contains salicylic acid
  • Not too drying

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Salicylic content may not be enough for severe acne
  • Expensive
Best Products For Acne Prone Skin review - Lavo Clarifying Facial Cleanser

Male skin requires more attention. And for this exact reason, I feel that it’s only necessary that we dedicate a specific section for men struggling with skin breakouts- because, why not?

Lavo Clarifying Facial Cleanser ranks first in our list of the best face wash for men with acne prone skin. The product contains well-known anti-acne ingredients that can be enough to end your skin issues once and for all.

On top of its salicylic acid, it also has glycolic acid and lactic acid. It even has Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids.

With its impressive list of ingredients, you might wonder: Can it really do its job? I say, yes.

It lathers well but does not foam as much as other cleansers. It is also thin and smells minty.

What We Like:

  • Has potent anti-acne ingredients
  • Easy to work on the skin
  • Gives quick results

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Not for sensitive skin
  • Can be drying
Top rated Products For Acne Prone Skin - Exposed Skin Care Facial Cleanser

Exposed Skin Care Facial Cleanser

This facial cleanser is a part of the brand’s anti-acne line. It contains 0.5% salicylic acid, beta and alpha hydroxy acids to control your acne and clogged pores.

Exposed Skin Care Facial Cleanser is also soap-free and specially formulated to be non-comedogenic. If you have been very keen on your skincare products, you’ll know that these two features are essential for someone who has acne-prone skin.

The product is non-drying despite its salicylic acid content. I also found its vitamin B5 and sage extract content as plus factors since they help keep the skin in top condition.

If you are allergic to salicylic acid, then I suggest you skip this product and browse our list of the top performing facial washes instead.

What We Like:

  • Affordable
  • Not drying
  • Soap-free

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Not for people sensitive to salicylic acid
  • Prolonged use can result in skin tolerance to the product
Top picks Products For Acne Prone Skin - Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

Face masks can replenish your skin’s lost radiance. They can also help lift off dead skin cells and impurities from your pores.

For your skin type, Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask tops our roundup for the best face masks for acne prone skin. The product, with its charcoal-activated formulation, can give you results in just one to two uses.

It’s supposed to be left on the skin for 45 minutes to an hour which can be a major issue if you don’t have enough free time. But with the effects you’ll experience from it, you’ll find the effort and time worth it.

What We Like:

  • Free from sulfates and parabens
  • Noticeable results after use
  • Contains activated charcoal

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Not for people with sensitive skin
  • Can be drying
  • Requires a long time to dry
Best Products For Acne Prone Skin - Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer

Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer

For people with oily skin, using a moisturizer can be intimidating. With your skin oiling up excessively, you wouldn’t want to apply anything on it that can make things worse for you.

I understand your concern but moisturizing your skin is a must.

Consider this:

If you fail to moisturize your skin, it will begin to think that its gland isn’t producing enough moisture to keep it healthy. As a result, your skin compensates by producing more oil.

That spells trouble.

So, to save your skin, you can try Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer. This one has 0.5% salicylic acid and is our most recommended moisturizer for acne prone skin- beating 9 other brands you can find on this list.

It’s lightweight and heals acne quite well. However, this may not be a good fit for people with sensitive skin.

Aside from the potential reaction to salicylic acid, it also contains fragrance and menthol lactate that can be irritating for some.

What We Like:

  • Moisturizer and acne treatment in one
  • Lightweight formulation
  • Gets absorbed easily into the skin

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Contains fragrance
  • May irritate sensitive skin
 Best Products For Acne Prone Skin review - Neutrogena Clear Face Lotion

Neutrogena Clear Face Lotion

Neutrogena Clear Face Lotion offers SPF 30 sun protection for people struggling with acne. The product is oil and fragrance-free which makes it the best sunscreen for acne-prone skin in our roundup.

It’s dermatologist recommended and formulated to keep your skin protected without causing any breakouts. It leaves a matte finish so you won’t have to worry about feeling sticky and greasy while out in the sun.

One issue I find with this product is its ability to stain fabrics. You also have to reapply it every two hours and wait for 15 minutes before heading out.

What We Like:

  • Does not contain fragrance and oil
  • Light texture
  • Matte finish
  • Does not leave any residue on the skin

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Stains fabrics
  • Not for people with rosacea
Top rated Products For Acne Prone Skin - La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Facial Toner

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Facial Toner

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Facial Toneris a great choice if you are dealing with uneven skin tone, pimples and dull skin.

The product has been listed as the best toner for acne prone skin in this review for its ability to lift off impurities from the skin, like dead skin cells, makeup residues and dirt. It exfoliates the skin lightly to help reveal radiant and healthy skin all the time.

One feature I find interesting in this product is the refreshing feel it leaves the skin. Although it does provide a cooling sensation, it isn’t too strong.

Keep this in mind:

Even though this toner is marketed safe for sensitive skin, you should still do a sensitivity test first to make sure your skin won’t react negatively to it.

I have to tell you that it does contain a strong scent, too. If you are very particular with how your skin care products should smell, this might not be the one for you.

What We Like:

  • Provides micro-peeling
  • Great for acne and enlarged pores
  • Can help even out skin tone

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Contains strong scent
  • Contains strong scent
Top picks Products For Acne Prone Skin - ArtNaturals Organic Jojoba Oil

ArtNaturals Organic Jojoba Oil

In this roundup, ArtNaturals Organic Jojoba Oil ranks first for a number of reasons. For one, it has an astringent property which means it can help shed off those dead skin cells making your face look dull.

The product can also control oil, which is one of the major causes of skin breakouts.

Jojoba oil is similar to your skin’s sebum. This means that applying this essential oil on your skin can reduce your oil gland’s activity.

It can also tighten your pores and tone down inflammation.

ArtNaturals uses 100% pure jojoba oil in its product so you’re assured that you get to use a chemical-free essential oil on your skin. It’s also reasonably-priced since it contains 120mL.

What We Like:

  • Has 100% pure cold-pressed jojoba oil
  • Good value for your money
  • Effective in controlling oil and skin breakouts

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Scent may be too strong for some
  • Packaging can be an issue
Top rated Products For Acne Prone Skin - Clear-Biotic +

Clear-Biotic +

If you’ve already used up tons of skin products to control your acne but you’re still not seeing results, then it’s probably a good idea to add an acne supplement to your routine.

Clear-Biotic + combines probiotics with vitamins to boost your body’s resistance against acne. It works by promoting gut health so you’ll have a stronger immunity against acne-causing bacteria and infection.

I find the product really good since it contains three different strains of probiotics: Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus and Bifidobacterium Bifidum. It also has vitamins, too.

The supplement is contained in gelatin capsules which means they contain beef. If you are allergic to this type of meat, there are other supplements for acne you can try.

For the complete list of the best vitamin supplements for acne prone skin, you can use this link.

What We Like:

  • Contains probiotics and vitamins
  • Can also be taken by people with eczema
  • Boosts gut health

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Contains potential allergen
  • No third party verification about its purity
Top picks Products For Acne Prone Skin - Skincare Ldel Cosmetics Retinol Day Cream

Skincare Ldel Cosmetics Retinol Day Cream

Retinol creams are great for people with acne prone skin but they can also be damaging, particularly without the right information.

They can cause increased photosensitivity which means your skin can get sunburned or damaged quicker. However, when used properly, retinol creams can boost your skin’s elasticity, increase your cells’ turnover rate and slow down the signs of aging.

For the best retinol creams for acne prone skin, Skincare Ldel Cosmetics Retinol Day Cream ranks first. It contains 400,000 IU of vitamin A and offers sun protection with SPF 20.

It’s quite a thick product. In case you’ll be applying makeup after it, make sure it’s completely absorbed by the skin first to avoid clumping.

What We Like:

  • Has a high amount of vitamin A
  • Contains SPF 20
  • Doesn’t leave a glossy finish

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Thick formulation
  • Can cause your makeup to wear off easily

Tips and Tricks on How To Find The Best Products For Acne Prone Skin

For acne prone skin, just the idea of trying out a new product can sound really intimidating, right?

Trust me. You have all the reasons to feel that way.

But, consider this:

Sticking with a bad product can be a lot worse. The longer you use it, the more damage it can cause your skin.

This, however, doesn’t mean that you should try out just about any product advertised for acne prone skin. The idea is to know how you are going to sort out the best products from mediocre ones.

Here’s a quick guide you can use in selecting products:

Moisturizer

As much as possible, stick with moisturizers that have a lightweight formulation, preferably water-based ones. Make sure that you pick one that’s non- comedogenic and free from preservatives, fragrances and waxes.

Some of the best ingredients to look out for include glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Stay away from moisturizers that are heavy since they can easily clog your pores.

Face Masks

Face masks should contain as much natural ingredients as possible to avoid skin irritation. Charcoal is a great product to have in your face mask since it naturally attracts impurities like magnet.

Scrubs

Scrubs are essential for acne prone skin since they help unclog pores and stimulate skin cell regeneration. In choosing the best scrub, make sure that you get one that doesn’t contain too much abrasive particles.

Although it’s meant for scrubbing dead skin cells, it’s still best if you can stick with using gentle products on your skin.

Sunscreen

For acne prone skin, zinc oxide and titanium oxide are the best ingredients to look for. They offer great sun protection with minimal risk of skin breakout.

In terms of formulation, you should look for sunscreens that have non-greasy formulation to avoid clogging your pores.

Toners

Toners have a lot of benefits to acne prone skin. They help get rid of the dirt and impurities your facial cleansers may have missed.

They also help restore your skin’s natural balance after washing.

One good tip you should keep in mind when buying toners is to look for ones with salicylic acid, witch hazel or glycolic acid. These ingredients are highly effective in controlling oil, taming inflammation and unclogging pores.

Conclusion

Finding the best products for any skin type is not an easy job. This difficulty greatly increases if you’re dealing with acne-prone skin.

Since any wrong ingredient or formulation can cause a major skin breakout, you have to be very careful about the products you apply on your skin. With this list of the best products for acne prone skin, you’re already halfway through your journey towards clear and glowing skin.

Dermatologists Recommendation:

The Best Products For Acne Prone Skin – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

Product Recommendation

The best products for acne prone skin are those which have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial (against Cutibacterium acnes) and comedolytic (inhibits formation of comedones or black and white heads) agents that can also control oily skin. One of the best over- the-counter line of products in the market  for acne-prone skin  is Differin. It is comprised  of a wide range of products from a cleanser, toner, a retinoid for acne treatment, pimple mark corrector and a sunscreen. The following products are good regimen for acne-prone skin.
a. Cleanser: DIfferin Daily deep cleanser. It contains benzoyl peroxide which has an antibacterial activity against  Cutibacterium acnes. It is also  an anti-inflammatory and a comedolytic agent that is proven effective for mild and moderate acne vulgaris.
b. Toner: Differin pore-minimizing skin toner. It contains witch hazel which has an anti-inflammatory ability. It  can remove excess oil from the skin surface and unclog comedones  minimizing the appearance of pores, without striping the natural skin moisture.                       c. Differin gel acne treatment: It has adaplene 0.1 % gel which is a synthetic retinoid. Adapelene is a comedolytic and an anti-inflammatory that can dry up pimples easily. It can also reduce oil production. It is less irritating than other prescription retinoids which leads to  good treatment compliance. It can improve the appearance of pimples marks. It is water-based formula that is oil-free, alcohol-free and fragrance-free. Studies have shown that it can reduce mild to moderate acne lesions at 12 weeks of treatment. It can also be used for maintenance treatment to prevent future acne breakouts.                  
d.Lastly,  a skin care line is not complete without a sunscreen.  Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with SPF 30  is a broad spectrum sunscreen that is non-comedogenic, non-greasy and fragrance-free. It dries easily leaving a matte finish. It is recommended to be used while on Differin gel. 
Top 10 Products for Acne-01

Related Post

Dr Kathleen May Eusebio-Alpapara

A board-certified dermatologist who practices both medical and cosmetic dermatology

Leave a Comment

63 Shares
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin63