You've probably read somewhere on this site that acne face washes can be kinda sucky. It's true. Even though active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide used in traditional acne cleansers are excellent zit zappers, they're usually paired with harsh sulfates—i.e., stripping cleansers usually found in dish soap—and the combination is way too drying and irritating for your sweet lil face.
The good news? The skin on your chest, back, shoulders, and butt is way less sensitive, which means acne body washes aren't totally off the table to soothe your breakouts. In fact, using a well-formulated body wash for acne is one of the easiest ways to treat and prevent breakouts below your chin. Here's what dermatologists Mamina Turegano, MD, Joshua Zeichner, MD, and Michelle Henry, MD, have to say about using an acne body wash to treat bacne, chestne, butt pimples, and other body breakouts—all without turning your skin into a dry, flaky mess.
✔️ P.S., This is new, up-to-date info! We updated this article in March 2023 to add new body washes for acne our editors are buzzing about, delete outdated oldies, and check in with new experts for tips on adding a body wash for acne to your routine.
Now onto the good stuff! Ahead, the best body washes for acne, according to dermatologists:
Ready to kiss your body acne buh-bye? Keep scrolling for the full list of the 13 best body washes for acne, plus how to shop for a new acne body wash like a pro.