Find the best benzoyl peroxide face wash for your skin type, skin condition, and budget! Overall, my top recommendation is Replenix BP 5% Acne Wash.
You’ve probably come across benzoyl peroxide products in groceries, drug stores, and dermatologist clinics alike and felt at a loss about where to begin.
Cleansing your face with a benzoyl peroxide face wash helps combat breakouts and unclog pores by targeting C.acnes, the bacteria that is responsible for causing acne (Healthline).
However, benzoyl peroxide is also very drying so make sure to pair it with moisturizers or lotions with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
With that, we listed down the best benzoyl face washes with hopes that you’ll find the best benzoyl peroxide face wash or cleanser to clear up breakouts for good!
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Here are my top recommendations:
Best For:
✅ Acne
✅ Blackheads
✅ Whiteheads
✅ Clogged Pores
Key Ingredients:
⭐ 5% Benzoyl Peroxide USP
⭐ Only 7 Ingredients
Key Features:
👍 pH Balanced
👍 Non-Drying / Non-Irritating Formula
Bust blemishes and replenish your skin with the Replenix BP 5% Acne Wash.
As the name implies, this face wash contains 5% benzoyl peroxide, which makes it great for beginners as it targets acne without drying out the skin too much. It has a clean and effective formula with only seven ingredients to minimize the possibility of irritation.
Replenix Acne Wash is also soap-free, non-drying, and pH balanced, making it great even for sensitive skin types.
After all, this daily cleanser is part of a professional skincare line by Topix Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Glycolix Elite and the manufacturer of multiple private label dermatologist brands.
Meanwhile, those with persistent and cystic acne may want to take a look at the Replenix BP 10% Acne Wash with Aloe Vera.
This face wash is more suitable for moderate to severe types of acne and is formulated with aloe vera to offset the increased drying effects of 10% BP.
Our Verdict: Replenix BP 5% Acne Wash features a minimal ingredient list that works great for beginners starting out with benzoyl peroxide cleansers. Those who want to take it up a notch could go for its sister, the Replenix BP 10% Acne Wash with Aloe Vera.
Pro Tip: some reviewers mentioned that they both work great as a body acne wash.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Dry Skin
✅ Sensitive Skin
✅ Budget Friendly
Key Ingredients:
⭐ 4% Benzoyl Peroxide
⭐ 3 Essential Ceramides
⭐ Hyaluronic Acid
⭐ Niacinamide
Key Features:
👍 Soothes & Hydrates
👍 Creamy Foam
Get board certified dermatologist care at drugstore prices using the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser!
CeraVe is a well-loved drugstore brand known for its dermatologist developed formulas. This particular face wash contains effective skin loving ingredients such as:
I personally use this to treat mild acne and I love that I can use it twice a day without drying out my skin. It produces a creamy foaming texture when lathered and it truly does feel as if my skin is cleansed (not stripped!) after every wash.
Reviewers on Amazon seem to agree with me as they rave about how this cleanser diminished their breakouts and cleared their clogged pores without causing hypersensitivity.
Regardless, I do advise that you patch test when first using it as some people complained of a burning sensation.
Our Verdict: Specifically designed for acne prone skin, the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser uses 4% benzoyl peroxide and moisturizing ingredients for acne treatment and clear skin maintenance.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Blackheads
✅ Cystic Acne
✅ Severe Acne
✅ Stubborn Acne
Key Ingredients:
⭐ 10% Benzoyl Peroxide
⭐ Glycolic Acid
⭐ Lactic Acid
Key Features:
👍 Follow up with Moisturizer
PanOxyl is a well-known acne medication brand and the PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash should be your go-to if you want a higher concentration of active ingredients.
This face wash contains 10% benzoyl peroxide which makes it great for targeting inflammatory acne. It also uses glycolic acid and lactic acid to remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture.
But while this formulation is great for treating breakouts, it could also end up damaging your skin barrier which could then aggravate your existing acne.
In fact, I’ve used this before and I never got through an entire tube because I found it a tad too strong for my mild acne.
Editor’s Note: PanOxyl was the first acne treatment brand that I used after my family doctor introduced it to me when I was struggling with teenage acne.
Just remember to use a rich moisturizer or serum after using this cleanser to make sure that your skin stays hydrated. It’s also not as foaming as other washes so don’t use a sizeable amount on your face just trying to get suds. A pea-sized amount should do.
Our Verdict: Combat severe acne using the PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash featuring 10% benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, and lactic acid!
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Adult Acne
✅ Mature Skin
✅ Blemishes
✅ Textural Irregularities
Key Ingredients:
⭐ 5% Benzoyl Peroxide
⭐ Gluconolactone
⭐ Phytic Acid
Key Features:
👍 Large 7 oz Format
👍 Professional Quality
Fine lines and acne don’t stand a chance against the PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser!
This creamy cleanser sets itself apart by employing a balanced mix of acne fighting and skin soothing ingredients such as:
This formulation works particularly great for those dealing with adult acne since it renews aging skin while clearing up blackheads and blemishes.
Just make sure to give it time to work as many reviews on Amazon say that it takes an average of three months to see noticeable results.
Our Verdict: An anti aging and antibacterial cleanser in one, the PCA Skin BPO 5% Cleanser uses benzoyl peroxide, gluconolactone, phytic acid, and soothing plant extracts to manage breakouts, reduce wrinkles, and minimize redness.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Beginners
✅ Sensitive Skin
Key Ingredients:
⭐ 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide
⭐ Hyaluronic Acid
⭐ Chamomile Extract
Key Features:
👍 Bestselling Acne Kit
Keep up with the Kardashians and achieve Kendall Jenner’s model skin with the Proactiv Cleanse Renewing Cleanser!
It uses 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, which is the lowest concentration on this list. This means it’s best suited for mild to moderate types of acne or helping prevent breakouts for acne-prone skin.
The Proactiv cleanser also employs hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated and chamomile extract to soothe and revitalize skin.
Just be aware that it has micro-exfoliating beads which some users have found abrasive and irritating.
If you’re up for it though, check outthe complete Proactiv acne kit which includes the Revitalizing Toner (step two) and Repairing Treatment (step three). The Repairing Treatment contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide while the Revitalizing Toner employs glycolic acid to exfoliate dead skin cells.
Our Verdict: The Proactiv Cleanse Renewing Cleanser is a celebrity go-to as it uses 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and chamomile extract to clear stubborn acne without leading to dry skin. You could also get the complete Proactiv acne kit for maximum efficacy.
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