The best acne face washes for teens

Choosing the right skincare products when you’re a teen can be tough. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 31 of the best acne face washes for teens. Parents and teens will love these acne face cleansers meant to calm and refresh skin in the tumultuous years of hormonal changes.

Our top picks can address the complex issues teens face when it comes to skincare like hormones, pimples, and oil production while simultaneously reducing the negative effects of thick makeup concealers, comedogenic foundations, and airtight primers glazed over suffocating pores. Nothing makes pores purified and breathable like a clean, vegan face wash full of premium ingredients meant to prime the skin.

1. Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser

Skincare is largely marketed towards women and teen girls, so isn’t it incredible that Blu Atlas has created a face wash for men and young men too. As a nourishing unisex exfoliating cleanser, this refreshing face wash leaves skin rejuvenated and purified. It contains Volcanic Ash, which depletes excess oil and purifies the pores leaving acne-prone skin refreshed and ready for the next step in a quality skincare routine.

What’s unique about this face wash is the Pomegranate Seed Oil that provides the skin with antioxidants, fatty acids, and protein to nourish skin while protecting it from free-radical damage. Often these nutritious substances are found in the face serums applied after the cleansing step. But with Blu Atlas’s Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser, skin gets a dose of some of the most vital ingredients right from the start.

It also contains Lactobacillus Ferment Filtrate, a unique ingredient that nourishes the skin’s microbiome. Some face washes are harsh and can strip skin of its natural oils and healthy bacteria. But with the Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser, the microbiome gets a healthy dose of the nutrients it needs from the Lactobacillus Ferment Filtrate.

2. Youth to the People Kale + Green Tea Spinach Vitamins Superfood Cleanser

Even though mom always told us to eat our greens, it’s surprising to find we really should be wearing them. This Superfood Cleanser is a beautiful experience in a bottle. Rich with phytonutrients from greens like kale, smoothing properties from spinach, and loaded with antioxidants from green tea, this lightweight gel-icious face wash loves on those pores by setting them free of impurities.

It’s designed for acne-prone skin and won’t cause dryness. Glides over the skin effortlessly while leaving our conscience just as clean. It’s cruelty-free, vegan, and sustainable, making it one of the best acne face washes for teens. To use, apply it into wet hands and rub gently to lather. Apply to face then rinse well.

3. Byroe New York Gentle Hydrating Cleanser Balm

If dry skin is the culprit, this is the best face wash for teens to both remove impurities and moisturize at the same time. Get ready for a clearer, brighter expression after gently massaging this “sorbet” into skin and watching it eliminate traces of makeup, skin buildup, and the dull pallor only dryness can create. It’s formulated with a complex of antioxidants and ferulic acid and loaded with anti-aging vitamins. It’s paraben and phthalate free and never tested on animals.

For this face wash, apply to dry skin; then, gently massage over any makeup residue. Rinse.

4. Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser

For those in the oily, dry or combo skin categories, this delightful cleanser is designed for you. The amino acid complex goes to work removing dirt and excess makeup while delivering a soothing dose of aloe vera leaf juice to keep skin balanced. Then, it goes deeper, using the Moringa extract to actually cleanse deep within pores where marks of pollution can reside.

This Squalane + Aminio Aloe Gentle Cleanser is a green product where integrity towards the environment was used in the production process. Even the reviews explain how good it is for teen-skin where acne is present.

To be used morning and night. Squirt a small dose into hands and emulsify with warm water then apply to the face. Rinse and pat dry.

5. Fleur and Bee So Clean! Facial Cleanser

There’s something about a sustainable glass bottle, premium ingredients, and the knowledge that renewable wind-energy powered the process that makes the Fleur and Be So Clean Facial Cleanser so special. It’s these special qualities that caused Allure, Popsugar, and InStyle to recognize the product for the premium experience it offers. The company boasts a confident 30 day money back guarantee because they know they’ve packaged happiness in a bottle. It’s a lightweight, clean foaming gel delivering soft-skin results.

First, dampen the face and mix a small amount of face wash into hands. Gently massage all over the face, rinse, then dry. To be used morning and night.

6. Madd Hippie Jelly Cleanser

Jelly Cleanser offers an incredible assortment of vitamin-rich berries and hyaluronic acid to protect, moisturize, and calm the appearance of redness as it cleanses over the surface. It’s gentle yet potent enough to remove sunscreen and makeup as well as debris from a busy day—all while depositing the kind of moisture skin needs most. It’s sustainable, clean, and full of antioxidants, making it one of the best face washes for teens.

Apply gel cleanser to an already wet face before gently circulating over the skin. Rinse, then pat dry.

7. Vitamin C Glow Powder Cleanser

Powered by an enzyme found in the Papaya fruit, this face cleanser leaves skin smooth and dewy for an all-day wear we want you to experience. There are no fake-fragrances here, so skin is left refreshed with only natural ingredients as this cruelty-free cleanser gently roughs up dead skin cells and dissolves them in the rinse.

Moisten hands and apply about a quarter-sized amount. Rub hands together until the substance creates a paste-like quality. Massage into skin; then, rinse and dry.

8. The Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser

Acne-prone skin gets a dose of blueberry antioxidants that both increase the youthful bounce of healthy collagen fibers as well as balance out skin tone. The Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser contains AHA, which unclogs impurities, minimizing the effects of build-up so acne can decrease over time. Clean ingredients lead the way with this effective yet gentle, gel-to-foam cleanser.

Just dispense one little pump into wet hands and massage face skin for about 60 seconds. Rinse with warm water.

9. Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser Gelee Nettoyante Fondante by Drunk Elephant

Gentle surfactants derived from coconuts reach and pull out excess oil and makeup, leaving a clean refreshed medium behind. To aid in the makeup removal process, the Beste No. 9 uses a nourishing oil called Virgin Mirulla. Then, this clean, paraben-free cleanser lays on cantaloupe extracts rich in antioxidant properties to increase hydration evenly across the surface of the skin, letting it sink into deeper layers for a truly healing effect.

To use, apply to either wet or dry skin and add water to hands before applying.  Gently move hands across the contours of the cheeks and under eyes and forehead. Rinse, pat dry and use at night.

10. Nip and Fab Hydrate Dragon’s Blood Fix Cleansing Pads

These gentle disc-pads are formulated with dragon’s blood and witch hazel to plump skin and minimize pores. They are easy to use and will not harm the environment. They work on the skin by exfoliating the surface to remove dead skin and pollution, leaving behind a soft, refreshed face.

These easy-to-use pads can be wiped over the face to remove impurities and makeup. It’s as easy as that.

11. Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser

This moisturizing skin conditioner is great for all varieties of teen skin. It covers oily, dry and combo types, leaving a refreshed and smooth feel. By using Poloxamer as an ingredient, this teen face wash is tear-free and can be used to remove makeup on the lashes. It’s cruelty-free, vegan, and blended with premium ingredients, including Rose water and Pro-vitamin B5.

Just use a couple pumps and massage it into skin that’s already been dampened with water. It’s such a gentle serum, it can even be used over the lashes to remove mascara. Rinse and dry skin gently.

12. The Aveda Botanical Kinetics Pure Cream Cleanser

From Sunflower Seed Oil to Bark Extract, this face wash is a botanical experience that leaves skin free of dirt and buildup. Teens experiencing dry skin will love this soft, creamy wash, as its oil-based properties are used to gently rid skin of unwanted impurities. It’s tested by dermatologists, cruelty-free, vegan, and manufactured in a facility powered by wind-driven energy.

Can be used in both the morning and at night by gently maneuvering it over damp skin on the face, including the neck area. Rinse well then dry.

13. Pacifica Vegan Ceramide Extra Gentle Face Wash

This lightweight cleansing face wash is formulated with Marshmallow Root extract and Calendula to delicately soothe and purify sensitive skin. It contains vegan ceramides that add special hydration to the skin barrier. It’s fragrance-free and does not contain mineral oil, phthalates, parabens, or SLS. The gentle, premium, sustainable ingredients make it the perfect choice for any skincare routine.

This face wash can be used either in the morning to refresh and calm skin or at night to remove makeup and pollution. Just apply a small amount and work it into the skin then rinse.

14. Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser

Dye-free and paraben-free, this brightening cleanser saturates skin in the essence of soy extract which can balance oily areas as well as supply moisture to the dry parts. It’s almost like it can read our skin, and we are so happy it does. The Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser can also smooth out rough patches, address dark spots, and leave skin shining bright in the aftermath of soy-rich cleansing.

Bottle needs to be shaken before use. Then apply by using just a small amount and lathering it across skin. Rinse then dry.

15. Thrive Face Wash

Natural and premium ingredients are sometimes the best places to start off a teen’s skincare routine. Thrive Face Wash offers only the best plant-based recipe for this gel face wash meant to deliver skin from impurities, leaving it feeling refreshed.

It contains antioxidant rich plant extracts that remove the bacteria and fungus which can lead to acne while reducing inflammation and excess oils. But it won’t dry skin out. It’s loaded with vegetable glycerin which mimics the type found in skin already, replenishing lost moisture and leaving skin feeling smooth. It’s cruelty-free, vegan and sourced through a process of sustainable, regenerative farming.

Great for a nighttime ritual removing impurities from the day or for awakening the senses in the morning, this face wash is meant to be placed into hands and worked into a lather then applied to an already damp face. Rinse and dry and feel renewed!

16. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

Moisture is so important when it comes to face washes. That’s why The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is perfect for increasing moisture-retention in the skin using plant-derived Squalane. This type of hydrating oil is so similar to the skin’s natural oil that it blends in perfectly, yet stays balanced.

There is never too much oil-production even with the addition of Squalane. Instead the skin’s barrier is extra hydrated as it cleans the surface, removing impurities, makeup, and even sunscreen. It’s vegan, cruelty-free and alcohol-free.

Use the natural warmth of hands and rub the product between them until the consistency changes to more like an oil. Apply to the face then rinse with warmer water than cooler. Make sure to patch-test on skin before using fully.

17. Fresh Mini Soy pH-Balanced Hydrating Face Wash

This Mini Soy Face Cleanser has a special kind of design: it targets the skin’s pH, creating balance, keeping it in a healthy range. Why is this so important, especially for teens? The skin’s pH is the measurement of how acidic or alkaline it is. The effects of a balanced skin pH can lead to healthy, vibrant, moisturized skin glow that is not just good for the appearance of skin, but for the function and vital role it plays in protecting the body.

Skin sweats, takes in nutrients or blocks out unwanted particles, it keeps the body cool, secretes important oils, acts as a hydration barrier, and so much more. Skin pH affects the role the skin plays. By keeping a healthy and balanced pH, skin can function more effectively at its tasks, keeping acne at bay.

To use, just apply to damp skin, rinse and dry.

18.  I Dew Care Matcha Mood Soothing Green Tea Wash Off Mask

A mask might not originally be thought of as a cleanser, but the effects of the I Dew Care Matcha Mood mask are so good at getting skin clean and prepped for whatever lies ahead, we just had to add it to the mix.

This beautiful green tea mask is inspired by a couple of trend alerts we don’t want to miss: ice cream and matcha. Its soothing green look is complemented by its creamy texture, mimicking the fun and tantalizing experience of ice cream, yet nourishing skin like only the antioxidant-rich matcha can do. It’s vegan, clean, and oh so yummy for skin.

Apply a healthy dose across the face and keep the spread even. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes working its magic. Rinse with warm water while gently removing the mask with circular strokes.

19. Blemish Breakthrough Acne Clarifying Cleanser Mini

This gel cleanser keeps pores clean, minimizes acne, and balances skin tone by using Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, and Zinc PCA—all without breaking the bank. At only $5 per mini bottle, teens will experience great skincare at an affordable price. It’s best for oily, acne-prone skin and is cruelty-free and vegan.

For nighttime and morning use, apply a couple pumps to the face and extend it down onto the neck. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

20. Blueland Facial Cleanser

Clean, premium ingredients, minimalist packaging, plant-based vitamin E, Oat, and Kaolin Clay, plus fragrance-free and can balance skin—can it get any better? This power-to-gel cleanser is a one-of-a-kind gentle face wash that impacts our skin’s moisture for the better while keeping pores refreshed with Coconut Acids. It’s easy to mix, does not contain added chemical fragrance, and is Leaping Bunny Certified.

A little mixing is needed before using this face wash. In the first bottle, pour it half full of cool water then add the powdered mix to it and shake well. Make sure to let it sit for an hour before application. Once it’s ready, massage into skin, rinse and dry!

21. FHF New Groove Hemp Wash Gel Cleanser

Its most notable ingredient is “fast absorbing full spectrum Hemp.” What that means is our skin is cleansed, soothed, hydrated and basically pacified with the derivatives of Hemp Seed oil. Filled with omegas, fatty acids, phytochemicals, flavonoids, and CBD, this gel cleanser does more than just purify skin. It also delivers a healthy dose of antioxidants to fight free radical damage while increasing moisture-retention and decreasing red inflammation.

22. Beauty By Earth Foaming Face Wash Citrus Lavender

It’s possible the clean wind energy used to manufacture this face wash wafts the scent of citrus lavender everywhere, creating the calmest work environment on the planet. At least, that’s what we imagine. But using this gentle, citrus lavender coconut oil-based cleanser will at least leave our skin in the calmest state it has ever been in.

Skin gets to enjoy the luxurious experience of Sunflower Seed Oil, Organic Aloe Vera, and Rosemary extract culminating in a skin-rich experience that wards off acne, increases moisture, and leaves a scent so delicious, we might forget time and space.

23. Paula’s Choice Original Results Hydrating Cleanser

Teens get the best of all worlds with the gentle yet strong and effective cleanser by Paula’s Choice. It’s able to remove impurities, makeup, etc., without compromising the integrity of the skin’s moisture levels. It’s loaded with Chamomile flower extract meant to deliver a healthy amount of antioxidants able and willing to fight off free radicals while smoothing skin.

24. Tata Harper Superkind Softening Cleanser

Be super kind to skin with this beautiful blend of botanicals that nourishes skin deeply, calms inflamed areas, and strengthens the skin’s barrier, encouraging moisture retention. Many of the ingredients used to create this skin-nourishing face wash are sourced from organic farms and packaged with care. There are no sulfates or harsh exfoliators so skin stays calm and refreshed with every wash.

25. Versed Keep the Peace Acne-Calming Cream Cleanser

Specially formulated to reduce acne-breakouts and protect the skin’s natural oils, this cleanser stays loyal to healthy, refreshed and clean skin by supplying it with Apple fruit extract and Blue Tansy. It aids skin in maintaining a healthy balanced pH and is cruelty-free.

26. Juice Beauty the Organic Solution Green Apple Brightening Gel Cleanser

Plant-based, botanical juices are the driving forces behind this face wash’s masterful ability to cleanse and brighten sensitive skin. It makes use of malic acid from green apples to exfoliate and minimize pores. The hydration comes from the power of green algae and it purifies skin with lemon and dandelion extracts.

There are zero parabens, sulfates, phthalates, artificial dyes and fragrances in this cruelty-free, vegan face wash experience. It’s also loaded with vitamins, phytonutrients, and flavonoids making this one of the best face washes for teens.

To apply, simply rub a small amount into face and neck in the morning and rinse.

27. Kravebeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser

Craving beauty is a thing of the past once that Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser seeps into pores and refreshes skin from beyond the skin barrier. It’s rich in Vitamin B5 and Sodium PCA, which both aid in moisture retention.

The Hemp Seed Oil then holds onto the moisture and maintains it deep within the skin, leaving skin looking rejuvenated and healthy. It’s loaded with antioxidants from the matcha green tea which fight against the harmful effects of free radical damage. This vegan, cruelty-free and minimalist-inspired brand enjoys providing the best of the basics.

28. Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash

This face wash is so good at getting rid of impurities while softly exfoliating the skin with the use of AHA, leaving it refreshed and ready for the next step. It’s great for oily skin due to the zesty, lemon Alpha hydroxy Acids that gently remove dirt and grime while brightening skin. The aloe delivers soothing hydration while the antioxidants from white tea fight against free radicals. It’s paraben, fragrance, and dye-free, putting this vegan, cruelty-free face wash on the top of the tier.

29. Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Enzyme Foam Cleanser

What starts as a cream and ends as a foam and leaves skin looking lush and vibrant? The Tiger Grass Enzyme Foam Cleanser by Dr. Jart. It’s a one-of-a-kind foaming face cleanser filled with antioxidants and amino acids that work to protect, revive, and clean skin and pores. This face wash is composed of premium components that gently relax sensitive skin so it can go to work on the cellular level repairing itself. It’s creamy and moisturizing and designed to be gentle on delicate skin.

30. Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid and Shea Butter Exfoliating Cleansing Bar

Winner of Allure Magazine’s Best of Beauty, this minimalist face wash bar is tried and true when it comes to gently exfoliating the dermal surface and moisturizing it with nourishing Shea Butter. There are no harsh chemicals involved as it softly culminates into a lather, removing debris and unwanted impurities. It’s fragrance-free, vegan, and anti-cruelty.

31. The Mario Badescu Cleansing Oil For All Skin Types

Oils for the face and hair are on the rise in 2023. What may have left us worried about acne or a greasy look in the past, now is formulated to give us top-of-the-line results for our skin. The Mario Badescu Cleansing Oil works for all skin types, grabbing onto makeup products attached to the skin and thoroughly pulling them off, but in a gentle and moisturizing way. It makes use of Bran Oil, Primrose, and calms the senses with a beautiful hint of lavender essential oil. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and does not contain synthetic dyes or fragrances.