The 8 Best Acne Body Washes for Clearer, Smoother Skin From Neck to Toe

Best Overall

Nécessaire The Body Acne Wash

$20 at Amazon $20 at Sephora $20 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, zinc PCA, niacinamide, glycerin | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 8.4 oz

Nécessaire’s acne wash is packed with the same powerful skincare ingredients found in top face-focused formulas. Salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant, clears pores and tackles breakouts, zinc PCA and niacinamide work to calm inflammation and reduce redness. Glycerin helps to draw much-needed moisture into the skin without leaving it greasy. The brand gets bonus points for the metal bottle and pump dispenser, which are easy to use and look chic in the bathroom.

The formula helped calm our tester Alexa's hormonal back acne, leaving her skin feeling smooth and refreshed. It also reduced stubborn pigmentation left behind after past breakouts. She said her skin was glowing after using this formula for a few weeks.

Alexa, tester with combination skin prone to hormonal acne: “I have hormonal acne which is hard to control, but I think this wash did help calm it. It also smoothed my skin and reduced pigmentation.”

Best Budget

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash

$10 at Amazon $10 at Target $8 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: 10% benzoyl peroxide | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 5.5 oz

This budget buy is a dermatologist-recommended favorite for clearing body acne. The formula’s star ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, a topical antibiotic that helps treat mild-to-moderate acne by reducing inflammation and killing acne-causing bacteria. With regular use, it can help banish body breakouts, but one word of warning: benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics, so reach for an old or white towel after using this body wash.  

Because this formula is medicated and not hydrating, we only used it on specific acne-prone areas instead of the entire body. It seemed to prevent breakouts during periods when we would normally experience them (for example, after working out and while traveling) and helped reduce underarm shaving bumps. This formula left skin clean and clear, although it might be too harsh for those with very dry or sensitive skin. Our tip is to follow this body wash with your favorite lotion to prevent that taut, stripped feeling.

Mollie, tester with hormonal acne: “I saw that some of my hormonal acne and breakouts I usually get from working out were not appearing like they normally would.”

Best for Dry Skin

Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash

$10 $9 at Amazon $9 at Target $10 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycerin, shea butter, soybean oil | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 20 oz

Acne-fighting formulas are known for their drying effects—not ideal if your skin already lacks hydration. But this body wash from Cetaphil is designed to go easy on dry and sensitive skin. The main blemish-busting ingredient is salicylic acid. Moisturizing glycerin, shea butter, and soybean oil add a hefty dose of hydration that lasts up to 24 hours. 

You can use this wash daily without ever overdrying the skin. Thick and creamy, it glides on like a body lotion and leaves the skin nice and hydrated without any oiliness. At the beginning of the testing period, our tester Kristin's skin went through a purge phase, where she experienced more breakouts, but by week three, the formula had cleared her acne completely, even eliminating her keratosis pilaris.

Kristin, tester with combination skin: “My skin wasn’t stripped or tight, which is how salicylic acid can often make it feel. I did like that it still maintained a hydrating feeling even with the acne-fighting abilities.”

Best Foaming

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash

$25 $23 at Amazon $10 at Target $16 $10 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycerin | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 8.5 oz

You can’t beat a foamy formula when you're seeking that deep-clean feeling. Neutrogena’s Body Clear Acne Wash froths up beautifully, clearing breakouts with salicylic acid and hydrating the skin with glycerin—two trusty skincare favorites known for being gentle on all skin types. Use it head to toe daily, and you’ll see incremental improvements in the clarity and texture of your skin. 

We appreciated the simplicity of this foaming body wash, which did a good job of clearing up breakouts. Our tester, Madison, said her skin felt good after each use—fresh and clean without being stripped of natural oils. Remember that it’s not the most hydrating formula, so we recommend using a lotion afterward.

Madison, tester with occasional acne: “When used consistently, the body wash helps treat acne. I noticed a difference in the areas of concern after the testing period. I still get hormonal zits, but the body wash keeps them in check.”

Best for Cystic Acne

Murad Acne Control Body Wash

$48 at Amazon $48 at Ulta $48 at Dermstore

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, date seed powder, glycolic acid, green tea extract, licorice root extract | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 8.5 oz

If you’ve ever experienced a cystic acne breakout—the kind that erupts in painful, sometimes pus-filled pimples deep in the skin—you know it can be hard to focus on anything else. This effective formula from Murad can offer some welcome relief. It’s enriched with salicylic acid to treat breakouts, date seed powder, glycolic acid to slough off dead skin cells, and green tea and licorice root extract to soothe inflammation and reduce redness. 

Our tester, Chantia, liked the grainy texture of this body wash, citing that it did a good job of exfoliating the skin and opening up pores for a deep clean. Her skin not only felt cleansed after using it but also hydrated and nourished; the dry spots and peeling she usually experiences noticeably decreased during the testing period.

Chantia, tester with combination skin prone to breakouts: "The body wash helped to eliminate and prevent acne. There were fewer breakouts than usual, specifically on my back and chest.”

Best for Sensitive Skin

Curology Acne Body Wash

$14 $13 at Amazon $14 $13 at Target View on Curology.com

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, tea tree, glycerin | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 6.8 oz

Sensitive skin types will appreciate this dermatologist-designed body wash from Curology. The lightly foaming formula helps curb acne and body pimples using our old pal salicylic acid, plus a splash of antibacterial tea tree oil and hydrating glycerin. Used daily, it helps keep pores squeaky clean without being harsh on easily irritated skin. 

This creamy body wash lathers well and leaves skin feeling clean and fresh. Our tester, Elizabeth, appreciated that it was gentle and didn’t irritate her skin or make it feel tight and dry. She noticed a reduction in body acne—especially problem areas like the chest, back, and butt—when she used it multiple times a week.

Elizabeth, tester with acne-prone skin: “While using this body wash, I got fewer breakouts on my problem areas. Though the pimples didn't completely disappear, it seemed to help them disappear quicker.”

Best Exfoliating

Kosas AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash

View on Kosas $22 at Amazon $22 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids, tropical fruit enzymes, allantoin | Skin Type: Acne-prone, normal, oily | Size: 9 oz

With a blend of acids (glycolic, lactic, and mandelic, to be specific) and tropical fruit enzymes, this fresh-smelling body wash exfoliates the skin to unclog pores, smooth skin texture, and prevent future blemishes. Our tester, Caitlyn, appreciated that it was gentle enough for daily use, and we have allantoin, a soothing ingredient often found in skincare, to thank for that. A quarter-sized amount of product is all you need—the formula lathers nicely and spreads across the entire body with ease. While those with very dry skin may find it too drying, those with oily, balanced, and acne-prone skin will appreciate how quickly this formula gets to work.

Caitlyn Martyn, associate editor with sensitive skin: "Aside from the incredible scent, I loved how well the wash cleansed my skin post-workout. Since I started using it, I haven't experienced any chest or back acne."

Best for Bumps

Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash

$16 at Amazon $16 at Target

Key Ingredients: Glycolic, lactic, pyruvic, and tartaric acids, red algae | Size: 16.9 oz

Creamy and soft, this exfoliating body wash is sneakily effective at eradicating bumps and blemishes. It contains a range of acids—glycolic, lactic, pyruvic, and tartaric—to slough off dead skin and pore-clogging oil that leads to breakouts. And while it sounds like it would be irritating, it's not—thanks to red algae, an ingredient that keeps skin calm. Our tester, Caitlyn, loved that it's fragrance-free, making it a solid choice for those with allergies to added fragrances. Keep in mind that you may need to stick with it to see results, but it'll be well worth it.

Caitlyn, tester with sensitive skin prone to bumps: "I was surprised by the formula's effectiveness. It appears creamy and nourishing—which it is—but sends bumps on my arms and legs packing."