Dealing with hormonal acne can be frustrating as they are quite difficult to control. But with the right skincare products, you can keep them at bay. Here, we will discuss about best face washes for hormonal acne that will treat and prevent future breakouts. Hormonal acne is a common skin problem caused by hormonal fluctuations and stress that affects almost everyone. Although they occur in both men and women, they are more common in women, intensifying with our menstrual cycle. They mostly affect the chin and jawline area, leaving acne scars.

According to Dr. Swapna Priya, a dermatology consultant at CARE Hospitals, “When washing your face with hormonal acne, it's important to adopt a gentle and consistent skincare routine to help manage breakouts and minimize irritation. Everyone's skin is unique, so it may take some experimentation to find the right routine and products that work for you. Consistency and patience are key when managing hormonal acne.

According to Dr. David Lim, an Australian-based board-certified dermatologist, “There's two distinctions with hormonal acne which is very important to understand that is hormonal acne caused by excess hormones which include hormones such as Prolactin, Testosterone,or  DHEAS. These can actually lead to acne that's hormonally driven but the most common cause of hormonal acne is due to overtly sensitive oil glands. As dermatologists, most of us investigate to exclude the former. Now hormonal acne is very different compared to normal teenage acne because hormonal acne is often called jawline acne or adult female jawline cystic acne. This type of acne usually flare up during your menstrual cycle and often these lesions are deep, painful, and as the name suggests, along the jawline area.” 

Hormonal acne can be a total nuisance when it comes to getting treated but based on our first hand experience, we have put together a list of face washes for hormonal acne that will deep cleanse your skin, getting rid of all the oil, dirt, makeup, and sweat, and leave you with a clearer, healthier complexion.

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  Best for Instant Results

  Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser for Combination & Oily Skin

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Treat your hormonal acne without troubling your skin barrier with Mario Badescu's facial cleanser. Curated for acne-prone skin, this cleanser is infused with salicylic acid, and aloe vera. While aloe vera soothes and calms the inflammation, salicylic acid deep cleanses the pores, and shrinks the size of acne. The vegan formula comes with a soothing thyme fragrance that adds a soothing note to your cleansing routine. Follow this up with a gentle toner and moisturizer to prevent acne, zits, and blemishes.

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Best for Severe Breakouts

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash

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Topping our list is the clinically proven, dermatologist-recommended PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash. Armed with 10% benzoyl peroxide, this facial wash for acne reduces the acne-causing bacteria, appearance of pores and excessive oil by getting rid of dead skin cells. The maximum-strength face wash kills over 99% of acne-causing bacteria in 15 seconds, per an independent laboratory study. It cleanses and unclogs the pores, assisting the skin to shed more effectively. This foaming face wash contains moisturizer that can help combat the dryness caused by benzoyl peroxide.

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Best for Oily Skin

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser

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Formulated with zinc pidolate, La Roche-Posay's gel cleanser is made for oily skin. It cleanses and purifies the skin gently, removing excess oil and impurities. In addition, the presence of thermal spring water, rich in selenium, acts as a natural antioxidant that reduces inflammation and skin irritation, lowering the occurrence of breakouts. This cleanser for hormonal acne has been recommended by over 90,000 dermatologists worldwide for its effective soothing properties and fast visible results.

4

Best Exfoliator

Botanic Tree Glycolic Acid Face Wash

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Enriched with the goodness of glycolic acid, and several skin-friendly natural ingredients, the gel face wash by Botanic Tree minimizes acne, evens skin tone, and brightens the complexion. Glycolic acid easily penetrates the skin and gently exfoliates dead skin cells, removing excess sebum. Components like lavender work to kill acne-causing bacteria, tea tree oil combats redness, willow bark extract clears clogged pores, and bamboo tightens the skin. Moreover, these ingredients also prevent the formation of acne. It is also infused with nourishing ingredients such as moisturizing shea butter, hydrating seaweed, and soothing peppermint.

5

Most Luxe Formula

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

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Founded by dermatologist and pharmacist, Dr. Howard Murad, this mild cleanser utilizes the power of salicylic acid to fight the worst breakouts, keeping skin clear and healthy. The clinically proven, science-backed cleanser for hormonal acne unclogs pores and purifies blemishes, preventing future breakouts. The hydrating gel formula also has green tea extract, a natural antioxidant that soothes skin irritation and inflammation. It is an unscented exfoliator suitable for oily, sensitive, and combination skin.

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Best Scrub for Men

RUGGED & DAPPER - Premium Mens Face Wash

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Skincare for men differs from that of women based on their skin's specific needs. RUGGED & DAPPER produces straightforward grooming and skincare products for men with powerful and multi-tasking formulas. The daily scrub facial cleanser has plant-based exfoliants that go deep into the skin to remove grime and oil, reducing acne and clearing the complexion. It is an advanced, highly-effective formula infused with aloe vera, vitamin C, willow bark extract, jojoba seeds, borage oil, gotu kola, and burdock root that eliminates breakouts and blemishes, without affecting the skin's moisture, making it perfect for oily and acne-prone skin.

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Best for Skin Irritation

Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash

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The breakout-clearing foaming face wash by Dermalogica dives deep into the pores, clearing the dead skin cells to remove the trapped oil and acne-causing bacteria. Formulated with ance fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, tea tree extract, lavender, camellia sinensis, and orange peel extracts, it not only helps to reduce existing acne but also prevents future breakouts. The tea tree and lavender help soothe irritated skin while the orange peel extracts revive and refresh the skin.

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Best for Expecting and Nursing Mothers

Belli Skincare Anti-Blemish Facial Wash Gel Cleanser

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With a target to eliminate breakouts and hormonal acne, Belli’s anti-blemish facial wash gel cleanser is formulated with antioxidant-rich ingredients. A blend of powerful ingredients like lactic acid, green tea, lemon peel, olive oil, camellia, and cucumber extract makes this cleanser a powerhouse to combat acne, skin blemishes, and imperfections. Free from common acne-fighting components like benzoyl peroxide and glycolic acid, this facial wash for acne does not cause your skin dryness or irritation. Its ingredients are also safety-tested to treat the hormonal acne of expecting and nursing mothers.

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Best for Kids and Pre-teens

T-Blast Foaming Facial Cleanser

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Hormonal acne first makes its appearance during our adolescent years. Our teenage skin has to be handled with care. Not all ingredients can be applied to it. T-Blast offers a foaming facial cleanser specifically made for kids and pre-teens. The mild face wash provides gentle cleansing, keeping acne under control. Formulated with key ingredients like 0.4% natural tea tree oil, it reduces excess oil and soothes redness and inflammation, without stripping off the skin’s moisture. Suitable for daily use, it can be the start of a proper skincare routine for your kid or teen.

10

Best for Cystic Acne

PCA SKIN Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Facial Cleanser

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Harnessing the power of active ingredients benzoyl peroxide, phytic acid, and gluconolactone, the facial cleanser from PCA SKIN is the ultimate solution for acne-prone and oily skin. This acne face wash has 5% benzoyl peroxide dives deep into the skin, unclogging pores and removing existing acne. Phytic acid gently exfoliates to reveal clear, glowing skin. Gluconolactone moisturizes and nourishes skin for a better complexion. This non-drying formula is perfect to combat cystic acne and stubborn blemishes.

11

goPure Vitamin C Facial Cleanser

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Visibly brightening and smoothing skin texture, the goPure Vitamin C gentle cleanser is also infused with aloe vera and rosehip oil that deeply cleanses and hydrates the skin. Clinically proven to brighten skin complexion, the botanical ingredients-rich formula effectively reduces pores, improves skin texture, and provides healthy acne-free skin. It is also enriched with natural antioxidants that prevent free radical damage and minimizes the signs of aging. This hormonal acne cleanser is also suitable for daily use as a makeup remover as well as severe acne.

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Peach Slices | Acne Clarifying Cleanser

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Stubborn impurities and trapped oil can cause havoc on your skin. Acne Clarifying Cleanser from Peach Slices is formulated with 2% salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, Cica, and cucumber that penetrates deep into the skin to clear all impurities for visibly smooth and clean skin. The salicylic acid unclogs the pores, gently exfoliating and cleansing impurities to prevent further breakouts. Hyaluronic acid not only hydrates the skin but also reduces wrinkles, fine lines, and scars. In addition, Cica and cucumber reduce and soothe skin inflammation. Suitable for all skin types, the plant-based formula is free from chemicals and artificial dyes.

13

Versed Keep The Peace Acne-Calming Cream Cleanser

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Versed Keep The Peace Acne-Calming Cream Cleanser has apple fruit extract, blue tansy, and 1.5% salicylic acid to treat and prevent hormonal acne. The apple fruit extract works to gently exfoliate and unclog pores, reducing sebum production while blue tansy is a natural antioxidant that cools and calms inflamed and irritated skin. Salicylic acid cures and eliminates breakouts without affecting your skin’s moisture and natural oil. This foaming cleanser is non-drying and unscented made ideally for oily skin.

Hormonal acne often affects your T-zone and it is not a simple task following a proper acne-fighting skincare routine. The first step of any skincare routine is washing your face with a proper face wash. Amidst so many acne-treating face washes in the market, look for these key factors while choosing the best face wash for hormonal acne: 

• Active ingredients: The most effective active ingredient that keeps hormonal acne at bay is the anti-inflammatory benzoyl peroxide. It treats and prevents acne by unclogging pores and shedding dead skin cells, killing the acne-causing bacteria trapped underneath.

“Benzoyl peroxide is a common topical treatment for acne, and its effectiveness can vary from person to person. However, it can take several weeks or even months for benzoyl peroxide to provide the full benefits, and individual results may vary”, says Priya.

“Here are a few key points to keep in mind when using benzoyl peroxide:

• Consistency is Important: For best results, it's crucial to use benzoyl peroxide consistently as directed. This often involves applying it once or twice daily, depending on the product's instructions.
• Start with a Lower Concentration: If you're new to benzoyl peroxide, it's advisable to start with a lower concentration (e.g., 2.5% or 5%) to minimize the risk of irritation. Some people find that lower concentrations are just as effective as higher ones but with fewer side effects.
• Continue Use for Prevention: Even after your acne has cleared up, some dermatologists recommend continuing to use benzoyl peroxide as a preventive measure. This can help to keep pores clear and reduce the likelihood of new breakouts.
• Be Mindful of Side Effects: Benzoyl peroxide can cause dryness, redness, and peeling, especially when you first start using it. If you experience excessive irritation, it may be helpful to reduce the frequency of application or switch to a lower concentration. Moisturizing regularly can also help alleviate dryness.
• Consult a Dermatologist: If you have concerns about your acne or the use of benzoyl peroxide, it's advisable to consult with a dermatologist. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your skin type, the severity of your acne, and other factors.

Remember that individual responses to acne treatments can vary, and what works well for one person may not work as effectively for another. If benzoyl peroxide doesn't seem to be providing the desired results, or if you experience severe irritation, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.”

Other components such as the exfoliants salicylic acid and glycolic acid reduce pores and sebum production, preventing blackheads, whiteheads, and skin inflammation.

• Hydrating ingredients: When treating acne, it is essential to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized. “Moisturizing is generally recommended for individuals with hormonal acne. While it might seem counterintuitive to apply moisturizer to acne-prone skin, keeping the skin well-hydrated is important”, continues Priya. Hence, the presence of ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin in your face wash is pivotal to prevent  your skin from drying out.
• Skin type: Your skin type will decide the texture of your face wash. For oily skin, foam or gel face washes are ideal while cream cleansers are for sensitive or dry skin. 

Customer Reviews: While buying products online, another important step is to browse through customer reviews. They will have all the pros and cons of the products.