Finding one of the best acne body washes is never easy, especially when you consider how unique everyone's skin is. Ideally, you'd be looking for a product that corresponds to your skin type and includes active ingredients that rebalance your skin and acts as acne treatment without causing any unwanted side effects.
Generally, when treating acne-prone skin you'll want to go for acne body washes that include helpful ingredients such as zinc, salicylic acid, glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide. But as you may have already found with other skincare products, the abundance of choice can seem a tad overwhelming.
Now, before you go off on a hunt for the best acne body washes, make sure you know what skin type you have, since this will play a big part in finding the perfect one for you. For example, if your skin is on the drier side, you would likely also want your body wash to include some hydrating ingredients you'd typically find in quality moisturisers such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. For those with oily skin, you might be better off with a more suitable option that won't clog your pores or leave your skin feeling too greasy.
Feeling inspired to upgrade your skincare routine? Check out our guides for the best face masks, anti-ageing creams, night creams, gradual tanner, sun cream, eye creams, cleansing bars, hyaluronic acid serum and vitamin C serums. We can also help you pick the best moisturiser, the best moisturiser for dry skin and the best moisturiser for combination skin.
Best acne body washes at a glance
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel Wash, WAS £15 NOW £12, LookFantastic
We've put together a guide on the best acne body washes that fit every budget and preference. So if you need help finding one that works for you, there's no need to be shy – scroll down and get cracking.
For more shoppable beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Scroll to view our full edit of the best acne body washes…
Best acne body wash overallLa Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel WashWhy we love it: Let's face it – you can pretty much never go wrong with La Roche-Posay. Targeted to treat pimples and zits as well as oily, blemished and acne-prone skin, this exfoliating acne treatment features a powerful blend of active ingredients such as salicylic acid, zinc and thermal spring water. At the same time, this cleanser is also hypoallergenic and gentle on sensitive skin. What more can we say?
Customers are saying: Exfoliates perfectly, leaving skin balanced and feeling smooth without causing any dryness or oiliness.
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Best natural acne body washDr Jacobs Naturals Sweet Tea Tree Body WashWhy we love it: Combining the moisturising power of aloe vera and vitamin E, this body wash features natural ingredients such as tea tree oil, olive oil and coconut oil to treat eczema, as well as oily, irritated and acne-prone skin. It has an incredibly gentle formula that's fragrance-free, sulfate-free and paraben-free, making it perfect for the whole family.
Customers are saying: A slightly thicker formula that's gentle on the skin and has the ability to clean well.
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Best affordable acne body washMario Badescu AHA Botanical Body SoapWhy we love it: An invigorating blend of fruit enzymes, ginseng, and linden for an affordable price? Sign us up. This botanical-powered acne body wash refreshes and revitalises sensitive skin to leave it feeling clean, bright, and smooth. Did we mention that it also contains glycerin for a gentle hydrating effect?
Customers are saying: One customer notes that this cleanser has helped them treat ‘chicken skin’ on their legs.
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Best probiotic acne body washZitsticka SilkshakeWhy we love it: Powered by pre-biotics, post-biotics and pro-biotics, this exfoliating body cleanser effectively combines skincare with your regular shower routine. It's hydrating and moisturising for your skin, designed specifically to nourish and soothe and prevent future breakouts.
Customers are saying: Great for treating bacne and keratosis pilaris. Has a pleasant scent.
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Best acne body wash for dry skinCeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser with Salicylic Acid for Dry, Rough & Bumpy SkinWhy we love it: This hydrating cleanser combines the power of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and three scientifically-identified essential ceramides to reinforce your natural skin barrier. Great for exfoliating dead skin cells and unclogging pores associated with dry, rough and bumpy skin. It's also vegan and cruelty-free, which is always a plus in our book.
Customers are saying: Good at preventing acne breakouts, smoothing skin for better foundation application.
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Best acne body wash barClinique Anti Blemish Solutions Cleansing Bar for Face and BodyWhy we love it: Ideal for all skin types, this mild cleansing bar is good to use on both your face and body. It has a gentle, non-drying formula that's bound to prevent blemishes and reduce breakouts on acne-prone places like your chest, back and shoulders. Use daily to unclog your pores.
Customers are saying: Doesn't irritate the skin, cleans the skin without causing dry patches, blackheads or whiteheads.
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Best acne face and body washAlpha-H Clear Skin Daily Face and Body WashWhy we love it: This 2-in-1 face and body wash is a non-foaming gel that's powered by salicylic acid, which allows it to clarify skin and remove excess oil. Derived from coconut, its formula combines with botanicals like eucalyptus and tea tree oil for a soothing effect. At the same time, it's delicate enough to be used on a daily basis as a body and face wash.
Customers are saying: Very liquid consistency, perfect for both oily and combination skin.
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Best acne body wash for oily skinThe Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body WashWhy we love it: If you're looking for something to help deal with blemishes and oily skin, this one's for you. Armed with tea tree oil, this daily body wash is great for clearing out and invigorating your skin thanks to its refreshing formula. The best part is that it does so without drying out your skin. Win-win.
Customers are saying: Perfect for acne-prone skin. One customer notes that this product helped with their body breakouts.
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Best acne body wash with glycolic acidTypology Anti-blemish Shower GelWhy we love it: Want to unclog your pores, reduce imperfections and balance the skin? Typology's anti-blemish shower gel is just the thing for you, thanks to its biodegradable and natural surfactants, which create a delicate foam that leaves your skin is soft, supple and comfortable. Did we mention that it features glycolic acid, which helps dissolve dead skin?
Customers are saying: Runny consistency, so a little goes a long way. Very suitable for bacne and skin impurities on the body. However, it may not be suitable for people with sensitive skin due to its inclusion of glycolic acid, which may cause irritation.
How to use acne body wash
Although acne body washes have some specific ingredients and carefully-crafted formulas to treat all types of acne-prone skin, the process of using them is more-or-less the same as a typical body wash. Regardless of what acne body wash you're using, you'll generally want to wet and lather your skin with the product before washing away with water. Some dermatologists recommend letting the product sit on your skin for a minute or so to give your skin a chance to absorb helpful nutrients. However, it's equally important that you ensure that all the product rinses off your skin to prevent it from drying and clogging your pores and potentially causing further skin breakouts.
Which acne body wash is right for you?
While it's safe to say that the goal of acne body washes is to… well, treat acne, the reality is that everyone's skin is unique. What works for some may not work for others, so it's important to choose an acne body wash with active ingredients that fit your particular skin type and personal preference.
If your skin is on the oilier side, we recommend looking into The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Body Wash, which contains fair trade tea tree oil that invigorates and refreshes your skin without drying it out. On the other end of the spectrum, if you're someone who has dry, bumpy skin, the CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser With Salicylic Acid for Dry, Rough & Bumpy Skin would be a sensible choice. Its gentle, lightweight formula contains a blend of hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and ceramides that provide a hydrating effect on your skin to help dissolve dead skin and unclog pores. Those looking for a solid 2-in-1 wash can go for the Alpha-H Clear Skin Daily Face and Body Wash to clarify skin all over while also removing any excess oil that occurs on skin.
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