The 6 Best Acne Body Washes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

ZitSticka Silkshake Body Cleanser

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Consistency
  4.6/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Cleansing Ability
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5

Packed with pre, post, and probiotics, this body wash is as nutrient-dense as it gets, so it’s no wonder that it balances your skin’s microbiome, helping good flora thrive while melting breakout-causing ones. We love that this formula contains tea tree and omegas 3,6 and 9 to diffuse the appearance of redness and irritation while ensuring a deep cleanse. During testing, we noticed a reduction in the number of pimples we had at any given time. And the ones we did have were way less painful and tended to be on the smaller side. Best of all, it helped calm redness and made the overall look of skin appear less blotchy and more balanced.

The only caveat: It requires a bit more water than we’re used to during cleansing. We found that if the skin wasn’t wet enough, then the cleanser was very creamy (as opposed to sudsy) and harder to spread across the body. When there was enough water, however, it lathered really nicely.

Price at time of publish: $25

Active Ingredients: Probiotics, Tea tree, Omegas 3, 6, and 9  | Skin Type: All  | Size: 10.14 oz. 

Best Budget

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash

4.3

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Our Ratings

• Consistency
  4.5/5
• Hydration
  4/5
• Cleansing Ability
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5

Anything that promises to clear, treat, and prevent breakouts from forming has got our attention, and this wash from PanOxyl did not disappoint. It foams nicely with some encouragement and does exactly what it says it will while still being available over the counter without a prescription.

Loaded with 10 percent benzoyl peroxide, this maximum-strength treatment can be used on both the face and body. We found that it was very strong (almost too concentrated for such a delicate area like the face); it performed exceptionally well on the skin below the neck, but we found that facial skin started to peel because of how dry it got.

Price at time of publish: $10

Active Ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide  | Skin Type: All  | Size: 1 oz., 3 oz., and 5.5 oz.

Best Scent

Starface Outer Space Foaming Body Cleanser

4.2

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Our Ratings

• Consistency
  5/5
• Hydration
  4/5
• Cleansing Ability
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  3.5/5

Sometimes your skin just needs a good refresh, and honestly, a lot of that feeling comes from the way a product smells and how it spreads. This option from Starface ticks off both of those boxes and then some. Thanks to an all-natural fragrance and a formula that reduces inflammation while also bubbling up into a soapy lather, we couldn’t get enough of this one. After using it multiple times a week, we noticed a difference in the appearance of bacne specifically and credit it to the willow bark (an alternative to salicylic acid), cica (a perennial herb that hydrates and soothes inflammation), and shea butter formulation.

If we had to change one thing, it would be how strong it is. We noticed that it can be quite drying if used every day, especially since our skin felt a little tight after use. But, when you consider how glowy and gorgeous your skin looks, we trust that you, too, will be willing to overlook it.

Price at time of publish: $13

Active Ingredients: Willow bark, Cica, Shea butter, Hydrolyzed oat | Skin Type: Oily skin, Combination skin  | Size: 8 oz.

Best for Back Acne

Truly Cherry Jelly Anti-Bacne Body Cleanser

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Consistency
  4.5/5
• Hydration
  4/5
• Cleansing Ability
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5

Truly’s Cherry Jelly body cleanser is specially formulated to target bacne (or any body acne, for that matter). It leans on a zit-zapping blend of mandelic acid, calming niacinamide, and nourishing allantoin to treat breakouts on the back without irritation. Upon contact with water, the cleanser transforms from a gel consistency to a light cream that spreads nicely across the entire body. After rinsing, our skin felt soft and refreshed, and over time, we noticed a major reduction in back acne and bumps on the back of our arms. The only thing you should know is that it can be slightly drying, so be sure to follow up with a moisturizer and try to limit use to once or twice a week.

Price at time of publish: $24

Active Ingredients: Cherry, Niacinamide, Mandelic acid, Aloe, Allantoin | Skin Type: All | Size: 8 oz.

Best Exfoliating

Murad Acne Control Acne Body Wash

4.1

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Our Ratings

• Consistency
  4.5/5
• Hydration
  4/5
• Cleansing Ability
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5

Yes, this formula is another option that is salicylic acid-based; what sets it apart is that it contains the ingredient in a 1% concentration—you don’t need to stress about irritation. Date seed powder and glycolic acid also up the exfoliation, but thanks to soothing green tea and licorice extracts, it’s still gentle enough to be used daily. It has a smooth, gel-like texture with small grains that feel exfoliating without causing abrasions or discomfort. Over time, we noticed it helped with excess sebum and oiliness and even reduced the amount of existing acne, too. Because of the exfoliating nature of the product, it’s not ideal to use daily. Try using it a few times a week in conjunction with other options.

Price at time of publish: $48

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Skin Type: All  | Size: 8.5 oz.