# Face wash for acne

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/beauty/face-wash/for-acne/
Category: Beauty > Face wash. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 392 counted first-hand reports from Ulta and Sephora shopper reviews, Aug 2018 to Sep 2026.

**Question:** Which face wash works for acne?

**Short answer:** Murad Clarifying Gel Cleanser has the best record for acne: 46 of 49 reviewers said it cleared or noticeably reduced their breakouts, and it is also the best pick sold on Amazon. Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam follows at 36 of 42, then Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash at 28 of 33. Clinique All About Clean Foaming Face Cleanser has the weakest record here at 16 of 26.

**What stands out:** Store matters for two cleansers, in opposite directions. philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser scores 12 of 13 at Ulta against 11 of 19 at Sephora, while Clinique All About Clean Foaming Face Cleanser scores 4 of 10 at Ulta against 12 of 16 at Sephora.

## Ranking (buyers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | Breakouts improved | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murad Clarifying Gel Cleanser | 46 of 49 | 94% | yes |
| 2 | Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam | 36 of 42 | 86% | yes |
| 3 | Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash | 28 of 33 | 85% | yes |
| 4 | Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser | 19 of 25 | 76% | yes |
| 5 | philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser | 23 of 32 | 72% | yes |
| 6 | Fresh Soy Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser | 14 of 20 | 70% | no |
| 7 | Clinique All About Clean Foaming Face Cleanser | 16 of 26 | 62% | yes |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. Murad Clarifying Gel Cleanser

78% of reviews describe breakouts clearing or calming down, and it holds up at both stores, with 21 of 24 at Ulta and 25 of 25 at Sephora. The complaints are small: 10% mention dryness and 7% irritation.

- Praised for: Leaves skin fresh (7%), Lasts a long time (5%), Skin doesn't feel tight (5%)
- Complaints: Drying (10%), Irritates or stings (7%), Too expensive (5%)
- Reports counted: 59

### 2. Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam

74% of reviews describe breakouts clearing or calming down, and 15% call it gentle. Reviewers who list acne as a concern gave it 7 of 9.

- Praised for: Skin doesn't feel tight (17%), Gentle (15%), No irritation (7%)
- Complaints: Breaks skin out (4%), Drying (4%), Too expensive (4%)
- Reports counted: 46

### 3. Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

Breakouts clearing or calming down comes up in 54% of reviews, and 15% say the bottle lasts a long time. 10% say it left their skin tight or stripped.

- Praised for: Skin doesn't feel tight (19%), Lasts a long time (15%), Leaves skin fresh (13%)
- Complaints: Stripping or tight (10%), Breaks skin out (6%), Too expensive (6%)
- Reports counted: 52

### 4. Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser

66% of reviews describe breakouts clearing or calming down, but 17% mention a strong scent and 17% say it broke them out. Ranked on Ulta reviews.

- Praised for: Gentle (7%), Leaves skin fresh (7%), Skin doesn't feel tight (7%)
- Complaints: Strong scent (17%), Breaks skin out (17%), Drying (10%)
- Reports counted: 29

### 5. philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser

Results depend on the store: 12 of 13 at Ulta but 11 of 19 at Sephora. 23% say it removes makeup, and 9% say it broke them out.

- Praised for: Removes makeup (23%), Skin doesn't feel tight (23%), Leaves skin fresh (21%)
- Complaints: Breaks skin out (9%), Strong scent (4%)
- Reports counted: 53

### 6. Fresh Soy Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

Skin doesn't feel tight afterward for 31% of reviewers, and 21% call it gentle. The catch is that 18% say it broke them out. Sold at Sephora and Ulta.

- Praised for: Skin doesn't feel tight (31%), Gentle (21%), Removes makeup (15%)
- Complaints: Breaks skin out (18%), Too expensive (8%), Strong scent (5%)
- Reports counted: 39

### 7. Clinique All About Clean Foaming Face Cleanser

The weakest record here: 16 of 26. 20% of reviews say it broke them out and 13% mention irritation. It does better at Sephora (12 of 16) than at Ulta (4 of 10).

- Praised for: Gentle (20%), Skin doesn't feel tight (15%), Removes makeup (11%)
- Complaints: Breaks skin out (20%), Irritates or stings (13%), Drying (7%)
- Reports counted: 46

## Questions

**Which face wash works for acne?**

Murad Clarifying Gel Cleanser has the best record, at 46 of 49. Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam comes next at 36 of 42, and Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash at 28 of 33.

**Does Clinique All About Clean work for acne?**

Less often than the others here. It has the weakest record on this page at 16 of 26, and 20% of its reviews say it broke them out. Sephora reviewers were kinder than Ulta reviewers.

**Does philosophy Purity Made Simple work for acne?**

It depends on who you ask. 23 of 32 said it helped, with 12 of 13 at Ulta and 11 of 19 at Sephora. 9% of its reviews say it broke them out.

**Is a face wash enough for acne?**

Reviewers report their breakouts calming down with several of these, but results vary a lot, from 46 of 49 down to 16 of 26. If your acne is severe, painful or came on suddenly, a doctor or dermatologist is the right call.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/