Acne is a disorder of the pilosebaceous (hair & sebaceous gland) unit commonly seen in adolescents but may also appear in adults. It is a troublesome skin issue that can affect one's quality of life regardless of age or sex. Specially formulated face washes may help reduce, eliminate and protect the skin from acne vulgaris or the common acne.
We’re going to introduce the best acne face washes available online—we even included ones that are below Php 500, so you can decide which to get depending on your budget! You can also refer to our guide to help you select a face wash that’s fit for the type of acne you may have, as guided by a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Julius Gatmaitan.
Julius T. Gatmaitan, MD, DPDS is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Metro Manila and Bulacan. Growing up in a family of dermatologists, Dr. Gatmaitan learned the importance of proper skincare at such an early age.
He believes that achieving beautiful skin can help exude one's inner glow. Thus, he empowers his patients by helping them develop proper skincare habits that they can be compliant with.
He is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and is currently offering online and face-to-face consults for dermatological concerns. Learn and discover more about your skin, hair, and nails thru Dr. Gatmaitan by following his Instagram and Facebook page.
Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Dr.Julius Gatmaitan, is not affiliated with, nor is he endorsing any of the brands we mention below. He is not claiming that the products mentioned below are the best unless proven by clinical trial outcomes and approved by authorized regulatory agencies.
**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**
The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide. For ranks 1 to 3, in addition to the buying guide, we also referred to more than 100 reviews in Lazada to come up with their respective rankings.
From ₱540
Type | Foaming |
---|---|
Best for | All Kinds of Acne |
Net Weight | 150 ml |
Notable Ingredients | Salicylic acid, Tea Tree Oil Bark, Willow bark, Saccharomyces Ferment |
From ₱450
Type | Bar |
---|---|
Best for | Adult Acne, Male Acne |
Net Weight | 106 g |
Notable Ingredients | Niacinamide, Tea Tree Oil, Centella Asiatica, Glycerin |
From ₱1,200
Type | Powder |
---|---|
Best for | Adult Acne |
Net Weight | 70 g |
Notable Ingredients | Green Tea Leaf Powder, Papaya Enzymes, Baking Soda, Coconut-Derived Surfactants |
Image | 1 ![]() CosRX | 2 ![]() Some By Mi | 3 ![]() By Wishtrend |
---|---|---|---|
Name | Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser | Miracle Bar Soap | Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash |
Features | Say Goodbye to Acne with Salicylic Acid | Exfoliate Your Way to Clearer Skin | Protect Your Skin from Damage and Free-Radicals |
Price Starts at | ₱540 | ₱450 | ₱1,200 |
Type | Foaming | Bar | Powder |
Best for | All Kinds of Acne | Adult Acne, Male Acne | Adult Acne |
Net Weight | 150 ml | 106 g | 70 g |
Notable Ingredients | Salicylic acid, Tea Tree Oil Bark, Willow bark, Saccharomyces Ferment | Niacinamide, Tea Tree Oil, Centella Asiatica, Glycerin | Green Tea Leaf Powder, Papaya Enzymes, Baking Soda, Coconut-Derived Surfactants |
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We have more product recommendations in store for you! Listed in no particular order, here are seven more of our recommended products carefully chosen by the mybest team.
From ₱299
Type | Foaming |
---|---|
Best for | All Kinds of Acne, Especially Puberty Acne |
Net Weight | 100 g |
Notable Ingredients | Salicylic Acid, Kyoto Chamomile Extract, White Cocoon Essence |
From ₱270
Type | Cleansing Gel |
---|---|
Best for | All Kinds of Acne |
Net Weight | 50 ml |
Notable Ingredients | Salicylic acid |
From ₱160
Type | Foaming |
---|---|
Best for | Male Acne |
Net Weight | 100 g |
Notable Ingredients | Mineral Clay, Witch Hazel Extract |
From ₱169.95
Type | Foaming |
---|---|
Best for | All Kinds of Acne |
Net Weight | 100 ml |
Notable Ingredients | Aloe Vera, Tea Tree Oil |
From ₱249
Type | Foaming |
---|---|
Best for | Adult Acne |
Net Weight | 100 g |
Notable Ingredients | Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Stearic Acid |
From ₱559
Type | Bar |
---|---|
Best for | All Kinds of Acne |
Net Weight | 127 g |
Notable Ingredients | Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate |
From ₱171.2
Type | Foaming |
---|---|
Best for | Male Acne |
Net Weight | 100 g |
Notable Ingredients | Magnolia Bark Extract, Menthol, Green Tea Extract, Carnitine |
Image | ![]() Senka | ![]() Celeteque | Pond’s | Human Nature | ![]() Neutrogena | Cetaphil | Nivea for Men |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Perfect Whip Acne Care | Dermo Science Acne Solution Cleansing Gel | Acne Solution for Men | Acne Defense Facial Wash | Deep Clean Acne Clearing Facial Foam | Gentle Cleansing Antibacterial Bar | Anti Acne Facial Foam 100g |
Features | A Foaming Face Wash That Feels Like a Cloud on Your Skin | Exfoliate and Reduce Acne Appearance at the Same Time | Men’s Solution for Large Pores | An Organic Way to Eliminate and Protect the Skin From Acne | Recommended for People With Oily Skin | Gentle Cleansing for Both Men and Women | Get Rid of Acne-Causing Bacteria |
Price Starts at | ₱299 | ₱270 | ₱160 | ₱169.95 | ₱249 | ₱559 | ₱171.2 |
Type | Foaming | Cleansing Gel | Foaming | Foaming | Foaming | Bar | Foaming |
Best for | All Kinds of Acne, Especially Puberty Acne | All Kinds of Acne | Male Acne | All Kinds of Acne | Adult Acne | All Kinds of Acne | Male Acne |
Net Weight | 100 g | 50 ml | 100 g | 100 ml | 100 g | 127 g | 100 g |
Notable Ingredients | Salicylic Acid, Kyoto Chamomile Extract, White Cocoon Essence | Salicylic acid | Mineral Clay, Witch Hazel Extract | Aloe Vera, Tea Tree Oil | Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Stearic Acid | Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate | Magnolia Bark Extract, Menthol, Green Tea Extract, Carnitine |
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Three different groups of acne patients may also be considered: pre-adolescent, adolescent, and post-adolescent. Post-adolescent acne may be further subdivided into persistent or late-onset type. It's important to note that the severity of acne vulgaris may appear at various stages of life.
It’s possible to suppress the bacteria by washing the sebum away with the right face wash. However, keep in mind that the skin can become sensitive during puberty, so it’s best to avoid a strong formula to avoid additional complications.
Also, puberty acne tends to get inflamed when stimulated. Hence, face washes that scrub or peel the skin may worsen the condition. As such, choose a skincare product with a gentle formula for puberty-related acne.
As such, searching for a cleansing face wash that can also act as a moisturizer is a must. Moisturizing agents like hyaluronic acid in face washes are excellent ingredients. Also, male acne is similar to puberty acne in the sense that it can inflame from stimulation so a skincare product with anti-inflammatory ingredients should also be a great option to use.
A face wash with a strong formula can help eliminate these unwanted substances from the pores. However, if the formulation is too strong, then it can dry the skin. It’s with this reason that you should get a face wash that not only has a strong formula but can also act as a moisturizer to defend your skin against this issue.
No matter what type of acne you may have, it’s important to get rid of the excess sebum while giving the skin proper moisture. However, since skin type is different for each person, it’s essential to check the ingredients of the face wash to check if it’s suitable for use on your skin.
Facial cleansers contain additives and surfactants, and these compounds can irritate sensitive skin. As much as possible, avoid any face wash with preservatives or harmful chemicals mixed in the list of ingredients.
People with mixed skin types, like a combination of dry and sensitive skin, might find it difficult to choose the right face wash. A safe bet for any skin types is to choose a skin care product without additives that gently cleans and moisturizes your skin.
Other options include soaps classified as “pure” or those that have a “soap base” because these products don’t use synthetic surfactants or harsh chemical compounds to make the product gentle on the skin.
These soaps aren’t suitable for use on dry skin, even if they do have moisturizing agents. It’s because they tend to have ingredients that cling to the skin, which can lead to other issues. It’s important to know that you should moisturize properly after washing the face.
As such, it’s not suitable for use for people with sensitive skin. Even though it’s tempting to wash the skin with plenty of foam and bubbles, use only a face wash with a gentle formula if you have sensitive skin.
However, foaming and bubbling tend to be difficult when using face wash powders, so it can become difficult to use if you’re new to this type of product. Face wash powders are also sensitive to moisture so keep it away from humid places like the bathroom.
Next, firmly wash your entire face using the foam of the face wash instead of just your hands. Thoroughly rinse your face after applying the skin care product to remove any foam, bubbling, powder, or paste that may remain.
While you’re wiping your face with a towel, don’t apply excessive pressure as it might scrape acne which will, in turn, aggravate the condition. Also, washing your face too much can worsen acne so doing the process twice a day should suffice - once in the morning and evening.
However, it’s always important to carefully check the ingredients of these products and your skin type before using them to avoid complications and issues.
If you want to learn more bout acne and how to fight it, Dr. Julius Gatmaitan shares his tips on how to care for your skin better!
Wait for 20 minutes after washing your face with a cleanser, then assess your face for the appearance of sebum. After doing that, you can assess if you have dry, oily, or combination skin type. To learn more, read my post on Instagram.
Knowledge of your skin type alone gives you an overview of what products might work for you. It is still best to team up and seek consultation with your dermatologist to achieve even better results.
Acne vulgaris or common acne is not self-limited. It is a medical problem needing a medical solution. It is a chronic disease with serious complications such as scarring, poor self-esteem, and decreased quality of life. Over-the-counter products may be beneficial but only up to an extent, it is still best to seek consultation with your board-certified dermatologists.
Do not self-medicate and experiment with different over-the-counter products. Team up with a dermatologist because you only have one skin and youʼre going to be wearing it for the rest of your life. We have already seen the complications and it’s best to be diagnosed early to avoid them.
It has been said that beautiful and healthy skin requires commitment and not a miracle. The best facial wash out there is still the one that youʼre going to be compliant with guidance from your board-certified dermatologist. We're here to guide you on your skincare journey.
The right product can help you alleviate your skin concerns and have your skin look and feel better. Check out these articles to reveal brighter and clearer skin!
We just showed you our list of the best face washes for acne in a ranking format. How did you like our guide and list?
Pimples can surface on the skin regardless of your age, so it’s best to deal with the issue as soon as you see it. There are many great facial washes for acne, but don’t forget to check your skin type and book that consultation with your dermatologist.
Re-editor: Rie N.
Reviewed By: Dermatologist Dr. Julius T. Gatmaitan, MD, DPDS
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Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
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