A Go-To List of Our Best Cleansers for Acne & Acne Body Wash NZ in 2023

We won’t pretend that fighting acne is easy. But with solutions tailored to your skin type and concerns, it doesn’t have to be so hard!

Instead of pretending that the answer is the same for everyone, we’ve put together a list of our best acne cleansers for all skin types.

These products will clear and rebalance your skin, be it oily, sensitive, combo, or dry.

Acne is something that many people continue to deal with well into adulthood.

Whether it’s facial acne, body acne such as bacne, or acne scars and pigmentation, you need to find cleansers, treatments and acne body washes that are best for the specific problem.

What appears to be body acne can actually be a different condition, keratosis pilaris, which is also responsible for those tiny red bumps on your legs and arms.

While a good acne cleanser is a vital first step, you should also examine our top-rated anti-acne treatments as well as the best makeup removers for acne prone skin.

There are many acne causes, and even more anti-acne treatments. To just scratch the surface of explanations, acne can be caused by hormonal changes, environmental factors, bacteria build-up, and excess oil production.

The first step in your skincare routine, acne cleansers can improve your skin by working to clean away the excess oil and impurities clogging your pores.

Many of the cleansers we’ve included are extremely effective because they contain carefully chosen ingredients that exfoliate the skin, soothe inflammation, or fight acne-causing bacteria.

How to Fight Acne for Your Skin Type.

The key to fighting acne is actually about finding balance.

This means keeping the skin properly exfoliated, cleansed. and moisturised. But how you do this highly depends on your skin type.

Hydrating and calming treatments and cleansers, which won’t irritate or strip the skin, are best for overly dry and sensitive skin types.

Whereas exfoliating cleansers and treatments that rid the skin of excess sebum can be a secret weapon for those with oily skin types that don’t suffer from sensitivity.

To safely and effectively treat acne on any skin type, a philosophy of moderation is vital.

Exfoliants are often incorporated into many anti-acne cleansers because of their ability to clear pores of built-up oil, impurities, and bacteria.

Exfoliating Ingredients to Try.

• Salicylic Acid, a beta-hydroxy Acid (BHA). Due to its low molecular size, Salicylic Acid can penetrate pores deeply to diminish dead skin cells and other impurities and debris.

• Glycolic Acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Glycolic Acid is more effective than Salicylic Acid at exfoliating the surface of the skin, improving the skin’s texture and boosting its brightness.

• Lactic Acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). An ideal chemical exfoliant for sensitive skin types, Lactic Acid moisturises while it gently exfoliates the surface of the skin.

If you prefer a more natural approach to skincare, the following ingredients also work effectively to reduce inflammation and decongest pores:

• Tea Tree Oil contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that clear acne.

• Kaolin Clay helps detoxify the skin and absorb excess oil.

• Charcoal works to draw out excess oil, bacteria, and other impurities from the skin without overdrying it.

Our range of foaming, oil-based, and gel-based acne cleansers will help you target acne in a way that suits your personal approach to skincare.

All these products work to clear your pores, reduce inflammation, and fight bacteria.

The Best Face Cleansers & Body Washes for Acne.

• La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Foaming Gel promotes healthy skin by sweeping away bacteria and build-up while nourishing and balancing the skin.

• This foaming cleanser is formulated with Zinc Pidolate, which removes excess oil and makeup while preventing the formation of acne.

• The purifying formula also contains this French pharmacy brand’s signature ingredient, Thermal Spring Water, which helps calm irritated and inflamed skin and also provides antioxidant protection.

• While this cleansing formula is soothing, it can be overly drying on very dry skin.

• This cleanser is best suited to those with oily skin who are looking for a cleanser that will kill harmful acne-forming bacteria and reduce pigmentation from acne scarring.


• Alpha-H’s Clear Skin Face and Body Wash is a multipurpose acne body wash and cleanser that works to fight blemishes on problematic areas of the face and body.

• This lightly foaming acne cleanser from Alpha-H both hydrates and cools the skin with aromatic Eucalyptus, Aloe Vera, Tea Tree Oil, and Thyme, which also contain antibacterial properties.

• A combination of Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide work together to decongest the skin and reduce oil, bacteria, and debris.

• While this formula contains a series of anti-inflammatories that benefit sensitive skin, it can become drying with regular use.

• This is a perfect cleanser for those struggling with very oily skin, as the product is noncomedogenic and balances oil production with regular use. It’s also an amazing solution for those struggling with keratosis pilaris and back acne.

• Sodashi’s Clay Cleanser with Lime is a luxurious, creamy cleanser that uses ethically sourced, natural ingredients to banish blackheads and blemishes.

• The key ingredients in this gentle cleanser are Kaolin Clay and Lime Oil. Kaolin Clay absorbs oil and lightly exfoliates.

• Lime Oil contains vitamin C and also helps absorb excess sebum. This cleanser is also packed with natural antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and soothing oils such as Apricot and Olive to hydrate and revive the skin.

• This organic, gentle cleanser is incredibly kind to the skin and won’t strip the skin or cause it to produce excess oil. An amazing option for dealing with adult acne on dry and sensitive skin.

• Hunter Lab’s Charcoal Cleansing Stick is an Australian-made balm cleanser with a natural formula that works to detoxify and lightly hydrate the skin.

• Made with certified organic Charcoal, this balm cleanser absorbs impurities and leaves your skin deeply cleansed and renewed.

• Added Green Tea boosts antioxidant protection, while a blend of Argan Oil and Sweet Almond Oil leaves the skin lightly hydrated and soft.

• The sleek design of this stick balm is both stylish and practical. It’s a perfect cleanser for travel due to its ease of use.

• Say goodbye to messy formulations and stripping wipes and cleansers. Say hello to this glorious balm cleanser, which is perfect for all skin types.

• Kiehl's Blue Herbal Acne Cleanser Treatment works to deeply decongest pores and improve your skin’s overall texture.

• Formulated with Salicylic Acid, this acne cleanser helps deeply exfoliate and prevent further breakouts.

• It’s a perfect cleanser for acne-prone skin that’s oily or combination. The inclusion of Ginger Root Extract and Frankincense helps soothe the skin and regulate oil production, returning overall balance to the skin.

• Not only does this foaming acne cleanser improve the texture of the skin over time. It also leaves your complexion feeling comfortable, hydrated, and refreshed, and delivers a minty, tingling sensation to boot.

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Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.