Skip to main content
Taylor Swift's private jet amidst wedding preparations in 2024.
Tired woman showing effects of lack of sleep.
Delicious banana nice cream dessert for healthy eating.

Beauty

The One Face Wash You Should Never Use If You Have Acne-Prone Skin Because It Clogs Pores

November 7, 2018 by Jessica Harrington
shefinds | Beauty
Featured image

SheFinds receives commissions for purchases made through the links in this post.

Finding a facial cleanser that works for acne-prone skin is a real challenge. Some formulas are too drying while others don’t clean your pores deep enough. Without testing a million different products, it can be hard to narrow down your search for the right product for you.

While it’s true that everyone’s skin is different and what works for one person with acne-prone may not work for someone else, there are a few face wash ingredients that should just be avoided completely if you’re prone to breakouts.

If you’re worried about breakouts and acne flare-ups, you should avoid using cleansers with physical exfoliators.

Physical exfoliants are often too harsh for acne-prone skin. Many drugstore exfoliating face washes contain tiny microbeads that can cause little cuts on your face. These abrasive scrubs can damage the first layer of your skin which can lead to irritation, infections, and even more zits to pop up.

house unit img
Women Are Swapping Their Boring Water For This Ice Pop Electrolyte Mix!
Image from SHEfinds

But before you throw out all of your exfoliating products, you should know the difference between the good and bad ones for acne-prone skin. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and sebum buildup. For someone with acne, this can help smooth and soften the skin for a brighter complexion and even stop further breakouts from forming--when done correctly, of course.

Gentle exfoliating is recommended for acne-prone skin but instead of using physical exfoliating cleansers, try looking for chemical exfoliants. Chemical exfoliates help loosen dead cells with acid or enzymes.

Shop The Best Exfoliating Facial Cleansers For Acne-Prone Skin

Image from SHEfinds

CLARINS One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with Orange Extract ($38)

Image from SHEfinds

KORRES Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser ($28)

Image from SHEfinds

MURAD AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser ($39)

Image from SHEfinds

OLEHENRIKSEN Pore-Balance™ Facial Sauna Scrub ($28)

Author:

Fashion & Beauty Editorial Assistant

Jessica is a former editorial assistant of SheFinds. She covered fashion, beauty and more. Jessica’s work has also appeared in The Zoe Report, AhaLife, JoyfullyMe, and Her Campus Media.

Exploring the Italian bob hair trend for summer 2023
Woman applying concealer for a perfect complexion
Common beauty habits causing skin inflammation
Older woman enjoying her skincare routine
Drinking spearmint tea for beauty benefits
Hair mistakes potentially aging you, revealed by stylists
Anti-aging skincare tips from experts Arielle Lorre and Anthony Youn
Best foundations for mature skin to reduce fine lines
Butterfly haircut trend gaining popularity on social media
Fresh haircut styles for a polished look in 2026
Pouring shampoo into hand for hair care routine
Everyday habits that accelerate collagen breakdown
Woman experimenting with beauty trends for youthful skin
Top summer scents and fragrances for 2026
Makeup tips from beauty expert Nikol Johnson
Skincare mistakes women over 40 make that highlight fine lines
Haircuts that lift the face and distract from jowls.
Pouring vitamin D into palm for healthy skin.
Hailey Bieber's haircuts for thicker-looking fine hair.
Stylish chiffon nails design from Instagram.
Exploring the Italian bob hair trend for summer 2023
Woman applying concealer for a perfect complexion
Common beauty habits causing skin inflammation
Older woman enjoying her skincare routine
Drinking spearmint tea for beauty benefits
Hair mistakes potentially aging you, revealed by stylists
Anti-aging skincare tips from experts Arielle Lorre and Anthony Youn
Best foundations for mature skin to reduce fine lines
Butterfly haircut trend gaining popularity on social media
Fresh haircut styles for a polished look in 2026
Pouring shampoo into hand for hair care routine
Everyday habits that accelerate collagen breakdown
Woman experimenting with beauty trends for youthful skin
Top summer scents and fragrances for 2026

Beauty

Summer is my favorite season. If I could bottle up ...

Makeup tips from beauty expert Nikol Johnson
Skincare mistakes women over 40 make that highlight fine lines
Haircuts that lift the face and distract from jowls.
Pouring vitamin D into palm for healthy skin.
Hailey Bieber's haircuts for thicker-looking fine hair.
Stylish chiffon nails design from Instagram.