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The best acne body washes in 2025
I gathered dermatologist-recommended acne body washes and highly rated options aligned with their shopping guidance.
Best overall
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mian recommends this cleanser for acne-prone and oily skin. At 10%, this cleanser contains the highest strength of benzoyl peroxide in an OTC product, says Ibrahim. The high percentage makes it an extremely effective option that also helps with inflammatory acne, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano.
Aside from its main ingredient, which helps prevent and combat current breakouts, it also has a gentle, non-stripping texture that makes it ideal for use on the face and body, according to Ibrahim. However, if you’re not looking for a maximum-strength option or have sensitive skin, consider using the PanOxyl 4% Benzoyl Peroxide Wash, says Turegano.
Best for mild acne
This is a great option for those who can’t tolerate benzoyl peroxide, have mild acne or want to work on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, says Turegano. This wash has glycolic and salicylic acids to help unclog pores, keep skin smooth, and help with post-inflammatory marks, she says.
Best hydrating body wash
“As someone prone to body acne and who sweats a lot in the summer, this body wash makes me feel amazing after a long day at work,” says NBC Select editorial operations associate Jem Alabi. “It helps to clean out my pores but doesn’t leave me red afterwards, which I appreciate since I have sensitive skin. I noticed less pimples on my arms and chest after a few weeks of regular use and the pump on the bottle is so ergonomic.” This body wash is ideal for sensitive and dry skin, and has salicylic acid paired with hydrating glycerin, says Song. The fragrance-free option has a gel-like consistency that becomes a silky lather. After applying it, leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off completely, according to the brand.
Best for active lifestyles
This fragrance-free and hypoallergenic body wash has low levels of sodium hypochlorite, which reduces all microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeast, according to Song. It’s also great for all skin types, including those with eczema-prone skin, she says.
Best scented
This exfoliating and soothing body wash has a 4.5-star average rating from over 300 reviews at Kosas and is suitable for daily use for all skin types, according to the brand. Reviewers say this helps combat acne breakouts and leaves skin feeling smooth and soft, plus it has subtle notes of jasmine, rose, orange flowers and sandalwood. If you prefer a different scent, this body wash is also available in Juicy Clean, which has notes of orange and vanilla.
Best bar soap
Song recommends this bar soap because of its main ingredient, sulfur. “Sulfur is an effective acne-fighting ingredient suitable for sensitive skin prone to redness, including rosacea,” she says.
Best for hyperpigmentation
One of Mian’s favorite acne body washes is this one from Necessaire because it’s great for those with acne-prone skin who need hydration. Aside from acne-fighting ingredients, it also has ingredients like niacinamide to help reduce any discoloration due to acne, according to the brand.
Best exfoliating
This body wash is a great option because salicylic acid exfoliates the skin, while other ingredients, including ceramides, strengthen the skin barrier while exfoliating with salicylic acid, according to Mian. Luckily, because it has ceramides and additional ingredients, this counteracts the drying and stingy feeling one might get with using salicylic acid on its own, says Ibrahim.
Best budget pick
This sudsy body wash has plant-based cleansers to give your skin a deep clean without leaving it feeling dry and tight, according to the brand. Reviewers say that this option from Dove helps with their mild to moderate acne, and rather than other body washes, this one has left their skin the most hydrated. They also say the fresh and herbal scent can linger on their skin for hours but doesn’t have an overwhelming quality. This wash has a 4.6 star rating from over 1,000 reviews on Amazon.
Best anti-inflammatory
This product contains a key acne-fighting ingredient known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, says Song. It comes in a gentle cream formulation available in two different concentrations: 10% for oily skin and 4% for sensitive skin, she says.
Best with retinol
Retinol isn’t just an expert-recommended ingredient for your face — you can also use it in your body care routine to smooth out your skin. This Olay body wash is a favorite of Alabi. “I was worried that it would dry my skin out since retinol can be harsh the first couple weeks, but this soap is actually moisturizing and made my skin so much smoother, especially my legs. As someone with keratosis pilaris, I highly recommend this,” she says. The formula has vitamin B3 to moisturize your skin, too, according to the brand.
Best for uneven texture
Prequel’s cleanser, made for both your face and body, removes excess oil and helps repair your skin barrier using ingredients like glycerin and salicylic acid. “As someone with back acne, after using this cleanser for a couple of weeks I noticed a clear difference. My breakouts were less frequent and my skin feels softer and smoother,” says NBC Select editorial intern Andriana Kourkoumelis.
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How to shop for acne body washes
Dermatologists recommend considering factors like consistency and whether or not a product is noncomedogenic. However, the most important thing to note when shopping for an acne body wash is the ingredients found in the formula. Below, my experts discuss what you’ll want to look for and what to avoid:
- Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is a smaller molecule of beta hydroxy acid. This goes down into your pores and cleans out debris, making sure your pores are not clogged, says Mian.
- Retinoids: Like salicylic acid, retinoids will help with oil production by reducing it and can also clear clogged pores, according to Turegano.
- Alpha hydroxy acid: Regular exfoliation can help prevent dead skin cells from building up, says Turegano. Lactic acid and glycolic acid are alpha hydroxy acids that work at the surface level of the skin, clearing away dead skin cells so they don’t block your pores, says Mian.
- Sulfur: This is proven to be an anti-acne ingredient, says Ibrahim. It helps exfoliate the skin and remove excess oil, experts say.
- Niacinamide: This ingredient is gentle and often linked with hydrating the skin, along with improving its tone and texture. In addition, niacinamide can also help decrease oil production, says Mian.
- Hypochlorous acid: Bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes, or C. acnes, can multiply and cause inflammatory breakouts. Products with hypochlorous acid can help reduce this bacterial growth, which often leads to acne, says Turegano.
- Benzoyl peroxide: This ingredient is bactericidal, meaning it decreases bacterial count in the skin, which helps decrease inflammation, according to Mian. Like hypochlorous acid, products with this can reduce bacteria linked to acne, says Turegano.
- Common irritants: According to Song, some of these include alcohols and fragrances, which can lead to skin irritation and allergies.
Although these formulas will include most ingredients, they may vary in concentration. Opt for lower concentrations (for example, benzoyl peroxide between 2-5%) to avoid excessive irritation, which can lead to worsening of acne and rashes, says Song.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Mamina Turegano is a triple board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist in Louisiana.
- Dr. Omer Ibrahim is a board-certified dermatologist and CEO of Salmalita Cosmetics in Chicago.
- Dr. Teresa Song is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City.
- Dr. Kiran Mian is a board-certified medical and aesthetic dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology & Laser Center in New York City.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter at NBC Select. For this piece, she interviewed four dermatologists and researched many acne body washes on the market. Bianca recommended products the dermatologists shared with us and met their shopping guidance.
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