7 Acne-Prone Skin Friendly Cleansers We Think You Should Try

Formulated to regulate an imbalanced pH and microbiome, this lightweight gel cleanser utilises a phylobioma active to control sebum production and improve the appearance of imperfections. While zinc PCA reduces sebum production and clarifies the complexion, and La Roche-Posay’s signature Thermal Spring Water improves hydration and softens skin.

Sizes: 200ml

Key features:

• Phylobioma active controls sebum production and improves the appearance of imperfections
• Zinc PCA reduces sebum production and clarifies the complexion
• La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water improves hydration and softens skin
• Lightweight gel texture
• Lathers into a purifying foam

Available at:

• $19.77 from Priceline
• $27.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $32.95 from Adore Beauty

This rich, foaming cleanser exfoliates dead skin and regulates the production of pore-clogging sebum to manage breakouts, and prevent future incidents too. Plus, it’s enriched with a soothing blend of mugwort, tea tree and centella asiatica extracts, which aim to promote a calm complexion.

Sizes: 100ml

Key features:

• Contains an exfoliating blend of AHA, BHA, and PHA
• Enriched with soothing mugwort, tea tree, and centella asiatica extracts to balance sebum production
• Exfoliates dead skin and unwanted texture
• Unclogs pores
• Rich foaming formula

Available at:

• $15.95 from Lila Beauty
• $18 from Kanvas Beauty
• $25.99 from Priceline

Make way for better skin and clear out excess oil, sebum, and breakout-causing bacteria with this gel cleanser from Murad. It utilises two types of exfoliating salicylic acid, as well as antioxidant-rich green tea to regulate, balance and soothe acne-prone skin.

Sizes: 200ml

Key features:

• Contains two types of salicylic acid
• Enriched with soothing, antioxidant-rich green tea
• Removes excess oil and breakout-causing bacteria
• Purifies pores of excess sebum
• Gel cleanser formula

Available at:

• $49.30 from Oz Hair & Beauty
• $58 from Sephora

Formulated with acne-prone and sensitive skin in mind, this soap-free gel cleanser gently removes excess oil, sebum and build-up on the skin for a purified complexion. While milk thistle seed derived Comedoclastin™ aims to mattify, and Avène Thermal Spring Water soothes unhappy skin.

Sizes: 200ml

Key features:

• Suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin
• Enriched with mattifying milk thistle seed derived Comedoclastin™ and soothing Avène Thermal Spring Water
• Soap-free and pH-balanced
• Regulates the excess production of sebum and oil
• Respects the skin’s natural protective barrier

Available at:

• $16.79 from Priceline
• $22.39 from Chemist Warehouse
• $29.99 from Adore Beauty

Designed to be used during flare-ups, this cleanser features an unusually high pH level to promptly address problematic skin. Within a week of use, this gentle cleanser promises to minimise the appearance of breakouts. However, we would recommend returning the skin to it’s natural pH level with a gentle essence or toner after every use, as well as minimising the frequency of use (think: every three days) after seven days of consecutive application.

Sizes: 150ml

Key features:

• Designed to be used as a breakout-minimising treatment
• Can be used consecutively over a week
• Use every three days to maintain desired results
• Contains high concentration of salicylic acid
• Use in conjunction with a pH-balancing toner or essence

Available at:

• $11.90 from Lila Beauty
• $13 from Beauty Amora
• $17.50 from Kanvas Beauty

After a cleanser that’s gentle enough to use on skin that’s just beginning it’s skincare journey? This non-drying gel to foam cleanser has been formulated with oily and acne-prone skin, but it’s gentle enough to use on unpredictable pre-teen complexions too. It helps to remove breakout-causing bacteria from pores, as well as excess oil and sebum. It even calms and soothes unhappy skin too.

Sizes: 100ml

Key features:

• Suitable for ages 12+
• Contains Triple Tea Complex™, citric acid, and willow bark extract
• Non-drying, gel to foam formula
• Removes breakout-causing bacteria from pores
• Minimises excess oil and sebum
• Calms and soothes unhappy skin

Available at:

• $39 from Sephora

Give your skin barrier a bit of love with this aloe vera, oat, essential minerals and electrolytes-enriched gel cleanser. It gently removes makeup, SPF, oils and dirt, while simultaneously soothing and replenishing a stressed out complexion.

Sizes: 150ml

Key features:

• Enriched with aloe vera, oat, essential minerals and electrolytes
• Gel foaming cleanser
• Soap-free, fragrance-free, and pH-balanced
• Reinforces the skin’s natural moisture barrier and promotes moisture retention
• Soothes stressed out skin

Available at:

• $35 from MECCA