Best Overall

PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash

$10

$10 at Amazon

$13

$8 at Ulta$10 at Target

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 With Salicylic Acid

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash

$34

$29 at Amazon$10 at Target

$19

$10 at Walmart

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

Neutrogena’s Body Clear Acne Wash foams up beautifully to give you that deep-clean feeling, clearing breakouts with its main acne-fighting ingredient: 2% salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is an add-on you want to see in your body wash formula, given its ability to penetrate skin deeply and unclog pores. Use this option 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 fresh and clean after each use without being stripped of natural oils, though we recommend using a body lotion afterward, as it’s not the most hydrating formula.

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 Dry Skin

Cetaphil Acne Relief Body Wash

$10

$10 at Amazon$9 at Target

$14

$9 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 for Cystic Acne

Murad Acne Control Body Wash

$49

$45 at AmazonView on UltaView on 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 Back Acne

Curology Acne Body Wash

$10 at Target

$13

$11 at WalmartView 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, leaving the 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 in her back (a usual problem area), as well as her chest 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 KosasView on Credo Beauty$22 at Kohls.com

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, tester with sensitive skin prone to bumps: “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

$17 at Amazon$17 at Ulta$17 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.”