Prior to getting adult acne at 26, I favored cleansers that made my face feel squeaky clean. I’ve learned over time, however, that the best type of face wash for acne and pimples — or any other kind of skin type, actually — is one that’s gentle and hydrating.
When pimples (quite literally) rear their ugly heads and feel quite painful, our first instinct is to zap them and dry them out. But this can actually do more harm than good.
How to choose the best face wash for acne and pimples
With this in mind, it’s best to look for a cleanser that won’t further disrupt your skin’s pH balance. When the skin’s pH balance is disrupted, it becomes more prone to irritation (this includes acne, among many other things).
Of course, that’s on top of having effective cleansing properties that will get rid of dirt, excess oil, and bacteria.
Another thing to consider is your skin type. You can be acne-prone and have dry skin. You can also have extremely oily skin, which may contribute to it being acne-prone. So make sure you think of these before you pick a cleanser up.
(Before you add to cart or checkout, find out the best way to wash your face here first.)
What to look for in a cleanser
Aside from a formula that helps keep the skin’s pH balanced, you can also consider looking for ingredients that are known to help soothe and treat acne and pimples:
- Salicylic Acid – This is a betahydroxy acid that’s known for reducing acne by gently exfoliating the skin (removing dead skin cells). This is also great for dissolving blackheads.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids – These work similarly to salicylic acid but they are used more for treating large pores and fine lines.
- Tea Tree Oil – This natural ingredient is known for speeding up a pimple’s drying time.
- Benzoyl Peroxide – This one helps with acne by targeting the bacteria causing it.
The best facial cleansers for acne-prone skin in the Philippines
Need options? I’m here to help. Here’s a curation of some of the best face washes for acne and pimples. They vary in pricing too! So you can definitely pick up something that’s on the more inexpensive side if you just want to test things out and then perhaps later move on to one that works to give a targeted solution for your pimple problems.
COSRx Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
Human Nature Balancing Facial Wash
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Facial Cleanser
Cetaphil Bright Healthy Radiance Brightness Reveal Creamy Cleanser
Celeteque Acne-Clearing Gentle Cleansing Gel
Acwell Bubble Free pH Balancing Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Calming Low pH Foaming Cleanser
