It doesn’t matter who you are—if there’s one thing that unites us, it’s dealing with acne. The first step to fighting acne is to find an effective face wash. “Acne-prone skin requires cleansing to prevent excess oil and bacteria from clogging pores, as well as some gentle exfoliation to slough off and prevent dead skin cells from accumulating on top,” explains dermatologist Milton D. Moore, M.D.
There are all kinds of cleansers available, so we worked to find the best of the best so that you don’t have to. We conducted hours of research to find the best acne face washes for men, evaluating each based on active ingredients, benefits, texture, and more. After consulting trusted experts—dermatologists Dr. Moore and Corey L. Hartman, M.D.—we landed on these top-rated picks. FWIW: These formulas are amazing, no matter how you identify.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best for Blackheads:
Best for Whiteheads:
NeoGen Dermalogy A-Clear Soothing Foam Cleanser at Amazon$19
Best for Oily Skin:
Best for Combination Skin:
Best for Hyperpigmentation:
Best for Inflammation:
What We Like
Strong, effective formula
Adds hydration back into the skin
Balances oil
What to Consider
May not be rich enough for very dry skin types
Active Ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, lipo-hydroxy acid | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Helps treat and prevent acne, reduces excess oil | Size: 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
So what makes this face wash the best of the best? The French pharmacy's favorite sensitive-skin-friendly formula packs a punch with maximum strength salicylic acid—the true star of any acne regimen—as well as its gentle-yet-deeper-penetrating cousin, lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA). Both of these mild exfoliators treat tough blackheads and whiteheads alongside hydrating glycerin—so when the acne goes, moisture doesn't. While it's great for treating blemishes, it's also able to control oil levels in the skin, so your complexion should become less oily overall with continued use.
What We Like
Affordable
Formulated with multiple hydrating ingredients to moisturize skin
Thick, creamy texture
What to Consider
Can irritate sensitive skin
Active Ingredients: 4% benzoyl peroxide, ceramides | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Benefits: Helps treat and prevent acne, hydrates | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Another potent acne-fighting ingredient is benzoyl peroxide. By attacking the bacteria that causes acne, it's the perfect ingredient for someone who suffers from a more inflamed type of skin issue, such as pustules or cystic acne. While anyone suffering from severe acne should see a dermatologist for the right treatment, this benzoyl peroxide product is still a good place to start. The budget-friendly formula also includes niacinamide to help soothe, ceramides to help repair, and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate. Together, these ingredients promise to help offset the dryness that can often come with using benzoyl peroxide.
What We Like
1.5% salicylic acid dissolves blackheads
Won't irritate sensitive skin
Has a cooling sensation once applied
What to Consider
May not be hydrating enough for dry skin types
Active Ingredients: 1.5% salicylic acid, green tea extract | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Helps treat and prevent acne, balances and smooths skin | Size: 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Here’s the deal: Fighting blackheads is a marathon, not a sprint. Getting them out of your pores for good means you have to play the long game. This Murad cleanser is great at demolishing those little dark spots thanks to its 1.5% salicylic acid. This dose is rounded out by skin-friendly essential oils and mattifying corn starch, so skin will be left balanced, hydrated, and clear of dirt and dead skin cells.
What We Like
Salicylic acid gradually reduces whiteheads
Feels refreshing
Calms redness
What to Consider
May be too stripping for dry skin
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, witch hazel, tea tree oil | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Helps treat and prevent acne, reduces excess oil, exfoliates | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Salicylic acid is the gold standard for your run-of-the-mill whitehead situation, as long as you don’t overdo it. This cleanser from NeoGen thoroughly cleans skin using antibacterial ingredients such as tea tree and licorice root, while salicylic acid gets that trapped oil and dead skin up and out of pores. Just like treating blackheads, whiteheads won’t just go away with a single use—it’s a process that takes time. So be patient, and use a product that does the job well. (And this product does the job really well.)
Best for Normal Skin
Bevel Face Wash
What We Like
Prevents occasional breakouts
Balances dry and oily patches
Gentle on skin
What to Consider
Scent may not be for some
Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, witch hazel, tea tree oil | Skin Type: Balanced | Benefits: Hydrates, reduces excess oil and shine | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If the occasional blemish, pimple, or zit is all you’re dealing with, then lucky you. Maintain that track record of an impeccable complexion by washing every day with a cleanser that balances out overactive T-zones and dry patches. This gentle face wash from Bevel includes ingredients such as tea tree oil, witch hazel, and niacinamide meant to help keep shine and oil under control, plus aloe vera and coconut water for some much-needed hydration. This cleanser doubles as a beard wash, so we recommend it if you have a good amount of facial hair. It deeply cleanses and hydrates without drying out the skin or your beard.
Best for Oily Skin
Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser
What We Like
Mattifies skin without over-drying
Gently exfoliates
Fragrance-free
What to Consider
Might be too strong for super sensitive skin
Active Ingredients: Kaolin, volcanic ash, glycolic acid | Skin Type: Oily | Benefits: Reduces excess oil, exfoliates | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
When oily skin becomes an all-out issue, break out the big guns. Consider those guns this Jack Black face wash. Glycolic acid is a powerhouse when it comes to helping remove dead skin cells. Add to that the excellent oil absorption properties of volcanic ash and kaolin clay—yep, the same clay that's in all those top-notch purifying masks—and you get a face wash that not only fights oil today but keeps oil at bay over time with regular use.
Best for Combination Skin
Marie Veronique Shave Prep + Daily Wash
What We Like
Formula balances combination skin
Preps the skin for shaving
Can be used on face and body
What to Consider
We wish it came with more product
Active Ingredients: Green tea leaf infusion, willow bark extract | Skin Type: Combination | Benefits: Softens facial hair, reduces excess oil | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Whether it’s dry patches, oil slicks, or somehow a hybrid of the two, combination skin is easier to keep balanced than a lot of people think. Using lactic acid, the most gentle of our face-approved acids, this tingly delight from Marie Veronique is perfect for daily use—whether you shave or not. Lactic acid has larger molecules than glycolic acid and doesn’t penetrate quite as deep into the skin. So it keeps dryness and irritation to a minimum while providing excellent exfoliation of old, oil-ridden skin cells. As a bonus, this cleanser works to soften the hair follicles and exfoliate dead skin for a smoother shave.
Best for Hyperpigmentation
NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash
What We Like
Can even the skin tone
Strong, effective formula
Helps control oil
What to Consider
Too strong for daily use
Active Ingredients: 18% glycolic acid, 2% lactobionic acid | Skin Type: Balanced | Benefits: Helps fade dark spots, exfoliates | Size: 4.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Glycolic acid does an excellent job with cell turnover without drying out your skin. It also targets hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, exceptionally well. Packed with 18% glycolic acid, this will help lift dark spots while amino acids and antioxidants plump and protect.
Since this cleanser has such a high concentration of glycolic acid, we recommend it for the exfoliation nights in your routine—so not every day. On the days when a deep clean is needed, this face wash will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Best for Inflammation
Dr. Jart+ Teatreement Cleansing Foam
What We Like
Contains soothing ingredients
Lightweight, foaming texture
Gentle exfoliation
What to Consider
Strong medicinal scent
Active Ingredients:41% tea tree oil, salicylic acid |Skin Type:Oily, acne-prone |Benefits:Helps treat and prevent acne, calms redness |Size:4 oz |Cruelty-Free:No
Found at a powerful concentration of 41% in this Dr. Jart+ wash, tea tree oil promises to work wonders on day-to-day inflammation, while a gentle dose of salicylic acid keeps pores clean and clear. You don’t need the tingle to know it’s working—the results are all the proof you need—but it sure is a nice, refreshing treat.
Best for Dry Skin
Urban Hydration Bright & Balanced Aloe Vera Leaf Face Wash
What We Like
Hydrating, soothing formula with aloe vera
Affordable
What to Consider
Has a runny consistency
Active Ingredients: Aloe leaf extract, vitamins E and A | Skin Type: Dry | Benefits: Helps treat and prevent acne, hydrates | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Yes, dry skin can also be acne-prone, especially when it's attacked with ingredients that further drive out hydration. This aloe vera face wash from Urban Hydration gently cleanses skin and clears pores to fend off acne, while aloe—the key ingredient behind the magic—keeps skin naturally smooth, soft, and yes, hydrated.
What to Look for in Acne Face Washes for Men
- Thick, Rich Texture: Dr. Hartman says that, when it comes to acne washes, it’s best to find a formula that’s strong enough to fight through hair-bearing skin—especially if your facial hair is on the longer or coarser side. “The lather should be thick and rich and able to get through beards in order to thoroughly cleanse the skin,” he says.
- Active Ingredients: As with any acne wash, Dr. Hartman stresses the importance of a formula that’s packed with key active ingredients. “Ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are both known to be vital components of an acne-fighting regimen,” he says.
- Nondrying Formula: Dr. Hartman also recommends avoiding any formulas that may be too drying. “It’s not necessary to strip all of the oil from the skin,” he says. “Some oil is essential, and causing the skin to be too dry can actually cause an overproduction of oil and an exacerbation of acne.” Look for cleansers that have hydrating ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid.
FAQ
How do guys get rid of acne?
According to the derms we spoke with, washing with a thick, rich cleanser that contains actives like salicylic acid is a good place to start to treat acne. It's best not to be too aggressive with products, though. Dr. Hartman notes some oil is essential for the health of your skin, and it shouldn't all be stripped away. Typically, people who seek to control their acne will follow cleansing with an acne treatment and then a light moisturizer.
Is soap good for acne?
Cleansing with a mild, gentle bar soap that is free of harsh sulfates can help moisturize skin and calm irritation, but it typically doesn't have the acne-fighting ingredients that a cleanser does. Using a face wash specifically made for treating acne breakouts ensures you wash with potent actives that can help unclog pores and exfoliate skin, helping to keep it clear.
Is there a difference between male and female acne?
Just like in women, acne in men is often the result of hormones. Men have higher levels of testosterone, which is linked to increased oil production, resulting in oily skin and clogged pores. As Dr. Hartman points out, there's also facial hair to think about, which can trap acne-causing bacteria and oil.
Overall, acne fighting products are effective regardless of gender, as the main ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid work universally. However, when it comes to treating adult acne in men, rich lathers and stronger concentrations may be more effective.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie commerce updates writer Shannon Stubbs added additional insights and products to this article. She's worked at Byrdie since 2022, covering beauty, wellness, and style.
Byrdie contributor Barret Wertz has been in the style and grooming editorial space for over 15 years, writing for publications such as Men's Health, GQ, and the New York Post. He considered dozens of products for this roundup, and named the picks above the best after hours of research and approval from the following experts:
- Dr. Corey L. Hartman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL.
- Dr. Milton D. Moore, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Houston, TX.