Face wash for acne and dark spots

Photograph: Keegan Crasto

Get your hands on these zit-zapping superheroes

 Anyone who has ever struggled with acne knows that you have to be very careful when it comes to choosing products for your face – one wrong dab and it can spark off a whole cycle of breakouts. That’s the last thing anyone really wants, right? After tons of trials and errors you may have finally figured out the perfect mix of products that help you fight the issue, but no good skincare regime is ever complete without a good facial cleanser.

As you lather up with a good acne-fighting face wash, you’re essentially washing of dirt, excess oil, acne-fighting bacteria and even traces of make-up. As you rid your pores of these, you prevent clogging them up and in turn prevent the formation of whiteheads that can ultimately lead to painful pimples. When choosing your ideal cleanser, look for ingredients like benzoyl peroxide (that kills bacteria) or salicylic acid (which clears the layer of dead skin and dries out the pimple). It’s also important to remember that most acne-clearing face washes tend to dry up your skin, so it’s important to find a formula that does the job without making your face feel stretchy, uncomfortable or extra sensitive after use. Once you narrow down on your ideal one, use it religiously twice a day before you start with your morning or night routine, to cleanse and prep the face for the rest of the products that follow.

Here’s a look at the kind-to-skin, breakout-fighting face cleansers that must make their way to your sink ledges:

1. THE BODY SHOP TEA TREE SKIN CLEARING FACE WASH, INR 695

It comes with a potent blend of antibacterial tea tree oil which is sourced all the way from Mount Kenya. It gives you plenty of deep pore cleansing action, while cleansing excess oil and dirt build-up.

2. HIMALAYA PURIFYING NEEM FACE WASH, INR 120

It’s packed with natural ayurvedic actives like neem and turmeric that are proven to fight breakouts. Plus, the formula is super gentle, which means your face won’t feel dry and stretchy after you use it.

3. KAMA AYUREDA ANTI ACNE FACIAL FOAM, INR 595

Another ayurvedic formulation, this one features neem oil, tulsi and tea tree oil, which target breakouts and blemishes together.  It pumps out foam instead of the usual gel, which feels super light and refreshing to use.

4. NEUTROGENA OIL-FREE ACNE WASH, INR 549

This one’s a dermat favourite, and it comes with salicylic acid that wiggles its way into your pores for deep action cleansing, while keeping dryness and irritation in check.

5. THE MOM’S CO. NATURAL CLAY FACE WASH, INR 393

With a blend of toxin-free pure Moroccan Lava, Kaolin and Fuller’s Earth Clays, Activated Charcoal, and plant AHA’s, it detoxifies the face, controls acne and blackheads and tightens pores  to give you clean, bright, well-protected skin.

6. PERENNE SULPHATE FREE CLARIFYING OIL CONTROL FACE WASH,  INR, 700

Other than the usual pimple-fighting superheroes, we like this one because it also comes with glycolic acid that gently exfoliates the skin, removes the layer of dead skin cells and leaves your face more radiant with each wash.

7. SEBAMED CLEAR FACE CLEANSING FOAM, INR 580

Breakouts, whiteheads, blackheads – it’s one product that clears it all. It balances your skin’s pH levels to the optimum, and keeps it in check.

8. CETAPHIL GENTLE FOAMING CLEANER, INR 880

Another expert favourite, it’s wrapped in a creamy base of coconut and vitamin E to not only deep-cleanse but also hydrate the skin thoroughly (without clogging the pores, of course.)

9. BODY CUPID TEA TREE & NEEM ANTI ACNE FACE WASH, INR 299

A little goes a long way in hydrating the skin, fighting acne and giving you a solution to oily-skin issues in no time. Plus, the fact that it's superbudget-friendly doesn't hurt. 

10. SIMPLE REFRESHING FACIAL WASH, INR 325

It’s ideal for sensitive skin types as it doesn’t contain nasties like artificial fragrance, colour and other harmful chemicals. It’s soap-free and contains triple purified water and vitamins that ensure the gentlest cleansing and nourishing action.