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7 best acne body washes of 2024 according to our beauty experts
Tested and reviewed to actually treat your acne
I would normally never use a traditional acne cleanser on my face. Although they can be effective, most acne face washes tend to be too harsh and drying for my sensitive skin, so I stick to gentle cleansers with hydrating and soothing ingredients. Acne body washes are a different story though. The skin on our chest, back, shoulders, and butt is way less sensitive than the skin on the face, which means using an acne body wash isn't just fair game, it's encouraged.
In fact, using a well-formulated acne body wash is one of the easiest ways to treat and prevent breakouts below your chin. That's why we've rounded up the 7 best acne body washes for you to try for yourself. We've personally tested and reviewed each formula and even had dermatologists Mamina Turegano, MD, Joshua Zeichner, MD, and Michelle Henry, MD weigh in on their favourites too.
Our top picks for best acne body washes of 2024:
- 1
Beauty Pie AcidEnzyme™ Exfoliating Face & Body Cleanser
Read review - 2
Isle of Paradise Confidently Clear Body Cleanser
Read review - 3
- 4
- 5
Keep scrolling for the full list of the 7 best acne body washes, plus how to shop for an acne body wash to treat your bacne, chest spots, butt pimples, and other body breakouts.
Member price, £28.50, Non-Member price, £60
Looking for a body wash that sloughs away dead skin and blocked pores like a physical exfoliate but with none of the annoying post-buffing clean-up? Enter, Beauty Pie. Yes, our favourite beauty sub service has nailed it with this face and body cleanser that uses 2% salicylic acid and a papaya enzyme complex for peak exfoliation.
Key ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, mandelic acid
Format: Liquid
Size: 330ml
Isle of Paradise Confidently Clear Body Cleanser
You can thank the blend of lactic acid, mandelic acid, and salicylic acid in this brightening and smoothing acne body wash for its ability to prevent annoying breakouts and fade the stubborn acne scars and marks they leave behind. Not only do these acids dissolve dead skin cells and pore-clogging buildup, they have brightening benefits that help fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation too.
Key ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, mandelic acid
Format: Liquid
Size: 330ml
ZitSticka SILKSHAKE Probiotic-Rich Body Cleanser
If you have sensitive skin, then you already know that a body wash loaded with strong actives may do your skin more harm than good. That's where this gentle option from Zitsticka comes into play. It uses a blend of pre-and-postbiotics to balance the bacteria on your skin and strengthen your skin's protective barrier. Also great? It has soothing and calming properties to reduce any inflammation associated with body breakouts.
Key ingredients: Prebiotics and postbiotics, glycerin, tea tree
Format: Liquid
Size: 300ml
This gel-to-foam cleanser is from 93% natural origins and feels as refreshing as it is effective for helping reduce the appearance of body blemishes.
It's big on the tea tree, so if you aren't a fan of the zinginess that involves then it won't be for you, but in our eyes, it's the perfect morning wash.
Key ingredients: Tea tree
Format: Gel
Size: 250ml
This beauty editor favourite from Naturium is made with salicylic acid to treat and prevent body bumps and breakouts and high-quality plant-based oils to nourish and soothe skin. Plus, it's vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free too.
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycerin, safflower seed oil
Format: Gel
Size: 500ml
Q+A Salicylic Acid Body Wash
Q+A is obvs known for their gentle-but-effective formulas and this bad boy is no different. With a subtle scent of watermelon (divine) it works into a low lather to clear pores of trapped grim and sweat that could be leading to your body breakouts and then softens your skin up to boot.
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea
Format: Liquid
Size: 250ml
Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Gel Cleanser
While most acne body washes are gonna be too sensitive for your cute lil face to handle, that's not the case with this bb from Bliss. Formulated with a blend of salicylic acid, Brazilian sea water, and willow bark extract, Dr. Zeichner says "This non-irritating cleanser is great for cleaning, detoxifying, and soothing the skin on both your face and body."
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, willow bark extract
Format: Gel
Size: 190ml
Which is the best body wash for acne on body?
The best body wash for acne isn't one size-fit-all. Everyone's skin is different, and what works for your bestie might not work for you. "I put washes for body acne in two categories: supportive or therapeutic," says Dr. Zeichner. "If you are using prescription acne medications or leave-on products, then I recommend sticking to cleansers that help support the health and hydration of the outer skin layer, like Zitsticka's Silkshake Body Wash." However! If you aren't already relying on topicals to treat body acne, then you'll wanna look for a therapeutic wash that contains active ingredients.
What do dermatologists recommend for body acne?
In general, dermatologists recommend best body washes that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid for treating body acne. "Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that removes dead cells and excess oil from the surface of the skin," says Dr. Zeichner. "It is a great option for people dealing with blackheads, whiteheads, small bumps, and even acne scars." Benzoyl peroxide, on the other hand, works by lowering levels of acne-causing bacteria on the skin and reducing inflammation, explains Dr. Zeichner. "It is particularly useful in treating red, angry pimples."
How do I use a body wash for acne?
A great acne body wash doesn't just clean the surface of your skin—it also works to remove built-up oil and unclog pores. That's why you should think of an acne body wash more like a short-contact treatment rather than just a cleanser. "It is important to give the cleanser enough contact time with the skin to allow it to do its job," says Dr. Zeichner. "Applying it and immediately rinsing it off will help remove soiling from the skin, but won't give the actives enough time to penetrate through the follicles to get to where they need to go to be effective. So I tell my patients to apply a cleanser, let it sit while they sing 'Happy Birthday' to yourself, then rinse off."
Speaking of effectiveness: Dr. Henry says some manual exfoliation can help make your body wash as effective as possible. "A big part of body acne is the fact that the body does not exfoliate itself as effectively as a face, which makes it more prone to having clogged pores if one is acne-prone," Dr. Henry explains. "So adding additional exfoliation is really critical to clearing up body acne."
How to choose the best body wash for acne:
Avoid oil-based ingredients.
Since body acne forms when oil gets trapped in the pores, causing blockages and inflammation, it makes sense that you'd wanna avoid oil-based formulas that'll only exacerbate the issue. "I recommend avoiding oils that can clog pores," says Dr. Turegano. "This includes coconut oil, avocado oil, flaxseed oil, and almond oil, among others."
Consider your skin's sensitivity level.
Got sensitive or dry skin? Then be careful when choosing a wash with benzoyl peroxide. "I think that benzoyl peroxide should be used at a lower per cent strength or avoided if you have a sensitivity to it or if you have very dry skin," Dr. Turegano says. And while benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid-based formulas tend to be the most effective, an exfoliating body wash with glycolic acid may be the best choice for those with sensitive or dry skin, explains Dr. Henry.
Meet the experts:
- Mamina Turegano, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in New Orleans, LA, and co-founder of Skintap.com
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY.
- Michelle Henry, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan in New York, NY.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
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