Acne, also known as zits, is a skin condition that is caused due to clogged pores and bothers people every now and then. Be it on the face, back, upper chest, shoulders, or on arms, acne is nothing less than a nightmare. So, to help you bid farewell to these uninvited bumps on your skin, we bring to you the best body washes for acne. These body washes with potent and active ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide pave the way for the smooth, soft, supple, and spotless skin that you always wished for. But, before kickstarting your shopping spree and bringing home a top-grade body wash for acne, take time to acquaint yourself with some essential information regarding acne and the vital ingredients that calm them down. 

Acne affects areas like the shoulders, back, upper chest, and face as they are rich in sebaceous glands. It mainly occurs in young adults and adolescents. Talking about an at-home treatment of acne, a body wash infused with key ingredients like azelaic acid, topical nicotinamide, salicylic acid, sulfur, alpha‐hydroxy acid, and zinc can be super effective (1). While talking about the ingredients which help in covering acne scars and marks, Dr. Saloni Vora Gala, a dermatologist says, “Exfoliating agents like glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid do help in reducing post-acne marks that are brown, black or reddish along with the appropriate amount of moisturizing and sunscreen usage. In addition, witch hazel helps in reducing acne and pigmentation. It fastens the skin cell renewal process which normally happens every 4-5 weeks and reduces the activity of pigment-producing cells. Over a while, skin becomes smoother due to the removal of outer dead cells, debris, and unclogging of pores.” So, look no further and snag the best body wash today itself.

Check out our top recommendations for the same below!

• 1
  Best Overall

  amazon basics clarifying body wash

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Bid adieu to face and body acne with amazon basics’ clarifying body wash that comes with an effective salicylic acid acne treatment. It is a dermatologically-tested pink grapefruit body wash that helps in fighting against breakouts and preventing new ones. In addition to naturally-derived pink grapefruit, it is also enriched with vitamin C. To be noted, this foaming body wash for acne doesn’t dry out your skin. Talking more about its goodness, it is free from parabens and phthalates and thus great for everyday use. 

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid

 

 

2

Most Cost-effective

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash

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Knock off the unpleasant affair of whiteheads and acne with Neutrogena’s clear body wash featuring micro clear technology. This is another pink grapefruit body wash that treats and helps in preventing body acne. It is specially made of antioxidant-rich vitamin C for those dealing with acne-prone skin and breakouts. The best of this body wash is its acne-medicating formula that penetrates deep into your skin and cuts down the source of acne and breakouts. It also lathers well and unclogs clogged pores. 

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid

 

3

Best for Sensitive Skin

CeraVe SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin

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Cleanse and exfoliate your skin without hampering its natural protective barriers with this SA body wash from CeraVe. This body wash crafted for rough and bumpy skin features a flawless skin-soothing formula with key active ingredients mentioned below and three essential ceramides. CeraVe, being called the no. 1 dermatologist-recommended skincare brand, leaves no stone unturned in making your skin acne-free, smooth and supple. Plus, it doesn’t contain any harsh microbeads that irritate your skin. 

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide

 

4

Best Botanical Cleanser

Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap

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It wouldn’t be wrong to consider this botanical body wash by Mario Badescu as a wake-up call for your body as it contains super-invigorating ingredients such as ginseng and grapefruit extracts. What makes the formula more powerful is that it employs glycolic acid as its hero exfoliant to treat stubborn body acne and lesions for smoother skin. Through our research, we discovered that this product contains only one cleansing surfactant but has plenty of humectants — meaning it won’t overdry the skin. Besides, the bubbles you get with this product are airy and loose, thus, gentler on your skin. 

5

Most Smoothing

NATURIUM The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Wash

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Naturium brings to you a smoothing body wash for achieving soft and supple skin. It is an unscented body wash that is developed for all skin types. Plus, it seamlessly sloughs off dead skin with natural ingredients like red algae and leaves it hydrated. You can also use it as a multi-purpose cleanser to wash away dirt, grime, and impurities dwelling on your face. With advanced formula and a rich blend of active ingredients, this body wash is definitely worth adding to your skincare regime.

Active Ingredients: Glycolic, lactic, pyruvic, and tartaric acid

 

 

6

Best for Daily Use

PanOxyl ACNE CREAMY WASH

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Clear existing acne with Panoxyl’s creamy wash that also prevents forming of new breakouts. It is formulated to be gentle on your skin and crafted to treat acne on your face as well as your body. Plus, it is an antimicrobial wash that is an expert in killing acne-causing bacteria. Furthermore, this body washes effectively washes off deep-seated grime in the pores on your upper chest, face, and body. To top off, it works fast to fade away blemishes. 

Active Ingredients: 4% Benzoyl peroxide

 

7

Nourishing Gel-based Cleanser

proactiv. ACNE BODY WASH

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Infused with soft vitamin-E encapsulated beads, this acne body wash from Proactiv is mild and thus best for acne-prone and sensitive skin. As you lather this body wash, the beads melt on your skin while the soothing aloe vera, sweet almond oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter pave way for healthy, clear, nourished, and smoother skin. In addition, the gel-like texture glides on your skin and makes it squeaky clean. Meanwhile, the active ingredient clears up the acne blemishes and prevents new ones from forming. 

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid

8

Ideal for All Skin Lesions

CLn® high performance SportWash

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Wave goodbye to infections, acne, rashes, razor bumps, and folliculitis with Cln’s high-performance body wash. For all those who have a hectic schedule or are into sports, this is the skincare essential that you need to invest in. It effectively cleanses the skin and helps maintain hygiene. Also, it is dermatologically and clinically tested to decrease skin irritation. Besides, this body wash is free from steroids, antibiotics, parabens, fragrances, and triclosan. 

Active Ingredients: Sodium hypochlorite

 

9

Best for Deep-cleansing

Murad ACNE CONTROL Acne Body Wash

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Treat and prevent breakouts on your back, shoulder, and the rest of the body with Murad’s acne body wash. Along with its active ingredients mentioned below, jojoba beads, and green tea extracts penetrate deep into the pores and prevent the formation of breakouts right from the source. In addition, the luxurious blend of ingredients manually exfoliates your skin and leaves behind the smooth skin that you always wished for. To sum up, this is an all-over acne treatment body wash that is worth every penny. 
Active Ingredients: Salicylic and glycolic acid

 

10

Best Clean Formulation

SheaMoisture AFRICAN BLACK SOAP SOOTHING BODY WASH

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Soothe your blemish-prone skin with SheaMoisture’s African Black Soap body wash. This body wash is enriched with the goodness of aloe vera, oats, vitamin E, and palm oils to cleanse your troubled skin. Moreover, with its gentle yet effective formulation, it leaves your skin thoroughly nourished and hydrated. It also smells great while leaving behind softer and smoother skin. The best thing — this body wash is free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and mineral oil.  
Active Ingredients: Contains no active ingredients

11

ALMOND CLEAR Face & Body Wash

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Powered by skin-enhancing active and botanical ingredients, this Almond Clear face and body wash wins all hearts. It effectively clears acne and folliculitis to improve the appearance of your blemished-prone skin. The body wash also gently exfoliates and removes blackheads, whiteheads, fungal acne, and pimples. In addition, it calms down inflammation and redness. Wait, there is something more — this skincare essential stimulates the production of collagen for attaining firm skin. 

Active Ingredients: Mandelic acid

 

12

MISUMI BLEMISH CLEAR BODY WASH

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Here is the solution to attain blemish-free skin – Misumi’s acne body wash formula that effectively removes impurities and prevents breakouts. Enriched with lavender, blueberry, sugarcane, and pineapple, this body wash exfoliates the skin and unclogs the pores. It also stimulates collagen production and improves overall skin’s texture. Furthermore, this body wash is specially crafted for keratosis pilaris treatment and back acne. To top off, it even smoothes bumpy and uneven skin tones most refreshingly. 

Active Ingredients: Salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acid 

This was all about the best body washes for acne that work wonders on your skin. To make every penny of yours count while buying one, we have given below a useful buying guide.

 

Here are a few aspects that you should consider before splurging on a good quality body wash for acne.

Skin Type: Always analyze your skin type before buying any body wash for acne. Certain active ingredients might react with your skin. One such ingredient is glycolic acid. According to Amber Johnson, an esthetician, and cosmetologist, dermatologists say that glycolic acid is safe for all skin types however, it is best used for people with oily and acne-prone skin types. Thus, products with high concentrations of glycolic acid should be used with caution, especially on very dry and sensitive skin. It is also advisable to read the specifications, features, and skin type for which the body wash is crafted.

Ingredients: Make sure the body wash contains ingredients like glycolic acid. According to Saloni Vora Gala, a dermatologist, glycolic acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that removes dead cells, unclogs pores, reduces pigmentation, improves texture, reduces the appearance of fine lines, reduces acne, and brightens skin. The next key ingredient is niacinamide. Amber Johnson, an esthetician, and cosmetologist says, “Niacinamide is water-soluble that aids acne-prone skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, and aging skin. It is the topical version of Vitamin B3(niacin) that helps control and regulate the sebaceous glands, provides a protective layer that fights ultraviolet rays, pollution, and toxins, and also lightens dark spots.”

Formula: Ensure that you invest in a body wash that is free from harmful toxins or chemicals. It is beneficial to rely on a paraben-free, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, and vegan body wash for everyday use. If you possess sensitive skin, make sure you grab a wash that features a gentle and lightweight formula.