Best Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin

For those of us living with acne prone skin (us included), finding the right skin care is essential for managing our breakouts and keeping our skin happy.

If you have acne prone or oily skin (or both) then you'll know the feeling after using a cleanser to remove excess oil from the skin, to leave your skin feeling clean and fresh. But finding the best face wash for acne can be difficult. Even more so if you have combination skin or you struggle with severe or cystic acne.

A good cleanser is essential part of an everyday skin care routine, regardless of your skin type. But for oily skin types and those who struggle with acne, you need a cleanser and makeup remover that cleanses and leaves the face feeling clean, without drying out the skin too much or stripping the skin of its natural oils.

Which might sound counterintuitive. If you have oiliness and acne spots, then you want to use a face wash that gets rid of oil on the skin, right? No! A cleanser that leaves your face feeling tight will lead to dryness - and then your skin will overcompensate and produce even more oil!

The best face washes for acne-prone skin cleanse and protect the skin barrier without stripping the skin and leaving it wanting more.

Without the right skin care products, acne can become worse, resulting in increased oiliness and breakouts and a worsening of all of the associated problems linked with confidence and overall self-esteem.

For the best results, it is recommended that you use a soothing, gentle cleanser twice a day, in order to remove dirt and bacteria as well as makeup. Here, we take a closer look at acne as a condition, give an acne overview, explain the best cleanser for acne and breakouts and explain what you should look out for and avoid when buying skin care products.

What is Acne-Prone Skin?

Acne is a long-term skin condition that results in spots that range from pimples, blackheads and whiteheads to angry red papules and yellow, pus filled pustules.

It's very common and is believed to affect more than 600 million people worldwide. Most people with acne experience spots and breakouts on their face, and some experience the same on their backs and chest.

The causes of acne range from genetic and hormonal, to stress and lifestyle. Essentially, excess oil on the skin, called sebum, collects in the pores and leads to acne and this can be triggered by any of the causes of acne. This excess oil traps dead skin cells, bacteria, stale makeup, sweat, dirt, grime and environmental pollutants in the pores, which then leads to spots.

The severity of acne can vary significantly from person to person, and can be triggered or worsened by stress and hormonal changes, such as those experienced during menstrual cycles, the onset of puberty, pregnancy or the menopause.

What Causes Acne?

As we discussed above, there are many causes of acne. Most cases of acne are down to our genetics or hormones. If we have a close family member with acne, then we're more likely to also experience acne breakouts.

Hormone wise, androgens, which are the male sex hormones, are often to blame. Female bodies also contain androgens, just to a lesser extent. If we have an excess of androgens, then these signal to the pores to expand and produce more sebum. This results in oiliness, meaning that our skin is prone to spots and breakouts.

Added to this, if we have skin that doesn't shed its dead cells easily (and this is again down to genetics) then a buildup of dead skin cells will irritate your skin and add to the pore blockages.

Depending on your specific skin type, if you also have sensitivities, combination skin types or another condition such as rosacea, then your skin can also become stressed out and tend to break out.

Does Oily Skin Cause Acne?

Oily skin and acne often go hand in hand. Having oily skin doesn't necessarily cause acne or mean that you will develop it, but it may increase your chances of experiencing breakouts.

Is a Facial Cleanser or Face Wash Best for Acne?

Gel cleansers, cream cleanser, acne foaming cleansers, clarifying cleansers, washes that exfoliate the skin - these are just some of the cleansers for acne-prone skin available on the market. And it's positively mind boggling isn't it!?

For people with acne, it is usually best to opt for a gentle, creamy cleanser that nourishes and respects your skins needs without being irritating to the skin.

The best cream cleanser for your acne will contain natural, soothing ingredients such as chamomile and marigold, as these both calm, rather than inflame or irritate the skin. The Sönd Rebalance & Reset Cream Cleanser, for example, combines these ingredients with shea and cocoa butter, for a pleasant, soothing experience on the skin without drying.

If you prefer to use a foaming face wash, beware, as these may contain ingredients such as soap that can certainly rid the skin of dirt, but may also dry the skin and make specific skin concerns such as irritation, worse. So, in answer to the question, is the best facial cleanser for acne a creamy one or a foaming one, the creamy gentleness wins out.

If you do opt for a foaming face wash, which removes dirt and other impurities, look for one with natural ingredients (and no soap). Choose one that promises to manage breakouts without drying the skin, causing damage to the skin or stripping the skin of its natural protection.

If you have oily and combination skin, it can be tempting to choose a medicated gel acne face wash or a face wash with benzoyl peroxide to help dry out your skin. But as we mentioned above, doing so will cause your skin to overcompensate and produce more oil. So your best bet is to use a cream cleanser to cleanse your skin and retain moisture.

It is also best to find a product that is alkaline based, rather than one that is overly acidic. Most skincare products will provide the pH level on the packaging, which tells you whether they are acidic, alkaline or neutral.

A pH of seven is considered neutral, with higher numbers representing alkaline and lower numbers representing acidic substances. Most industry products are in the region of 5.5, but a pH score of just over seven is preferable.

Exfoliating to Remove Dead Skin Cells

We've mentioned the perils of dead skin cells building up and clogging the pores a few times in this article. So it's a good idea to slough away dead skin cells using an exfoliating product.

Mechanical exfoliators such as loofahs, facial brushes and face washes for oily skin that contain beads and pieces of fruit stone designed to get rid of dead skin cells can be quite harsh on the skin. Therefore, the best way to use an exfoliator is to use a mild fruit acid, such as salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is ideal for keeping acne prone skin clear and smooth.

Avoid Harsh Acne Cleansers

Acne sufferers benefit from anti inflammatory treatments and so, generally, are better off avoiding harsher facial scrubs or moisturisers. Some of the more abrasive spot treatment products are likely to cause damage to existing spots, which can increase the chances of acne scars and might also lead to further irritated skin. Choosing the best spot cream is crucial!

Similarly, it is important to stay away from products which are designed for people with a different skin type. For example, if you have sensitive skin, you should steer clear of many harsher, more acidic products and choose those that are gentle on the skin.

If you are unsure what your skin type is, it is usually best to speak to either a dermatologist or a cosmetologist, as they will be able to confirm it for you and make recommendations that will be suitable for you and your type of acne.

The Sönd Cream Cleanser: The Best Acne Face Wash

In order to combat acne effectively, you need to develop an acne treatment regime and your cleanser should form a significant part of this. Indeed, you should use your cleanser first thing in the morning, and last thing at night before you go to bed, in order to remove dirt, bacteria and other impurities, and rebalance your skin.

Cleansing in the morning can help to remove some of the excess oil and dead skin cells that build up during the night, while cleansing at night will remove the impurities that build up over the course of a typical day. When using a cream cleanser, be sure to pay attention to both the face and neck, using warm water.

Aside from the use of a cleanser, a gentle, non pore blocking day cream will help to restore moisture to the skin. A good day cream, containing ingredients like shea butter, will help to soothe some of the irritation that occurs from dry skin and can be applied several times a day, as needed. Moreover, a serum with silica as the active ingredient can also help to keep the skin oil free and offer an extra layer of protection.

Tea tree oil can also be a useful ally in the fight against acne, although it should be used sparingly, as it can also dry out the skin, which can cause further irritation and soreness.

While the link between diet and acne remains controversial, some studies have suggested a low-glycemic diet as a means of aiding acne treatment. Medications, such as anti inflammatory retinoids can also help.

Nevertheless, the first-line treatment is a good skin care plan and that begins with the use of an effective daily cleanser.

This article is not meant to treat or diagnose. Please visit your doctor for advice about any health concerns you may have.