Best Face Scrub for Acne
| Image | Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Era Organics- Revive+ Microdermabrasion | Our Favorite | Amazon |
 | 2. Body Merry - Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser | Premium Pick | Amazon |
 | 3. Murad - AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser | Great Value | Amazon |
 | 4. Neutrogena Naturals - Acne Foaming Scrub | Amazon | |
 | 5. Clean & Clear - Blackhead Eraser Scrub | Amazon |
When you have acne-prone skin, it becomes doubly important to remove layers of dead skin cells and product residue. Otherwise, you risk clogging up your pores and triggering breakouts. To achieve this, using a face scrub is essential. Not only will it speed up your skin’s natural rejuvenation process and clear up your pores but also improve your skin’s ability to absorb any acne treatment you might be using.
The trouble with using face scrubs on acne-prone skin is that it can cause irritation, which often leads to breakouts. Indeed, some physical exfoliants are too harsh or rough on already sensitive skin. But, if you find a good exfoliating product that works perfectly on your skin, you won’t just enjoy brighter-looking skin but also fewer flare-ups in the future.
What to Look for in a Face Scrub for Acne
When you’re prone to acne, your primary concern about using face scrubs is irritating your skin and causing flare-ups. You’ll want to find a product that won’t cause any inflammation. Additionally, a good face scrub will help you lighten your blemishes and also minimize breakouts. For all these, here are the most important qualities you need to find in a facial scrub:
Gentle Exfoliators
When you’re prone to acne, the last thing you want to do is aggravate any inflammation you already have. Typical face scrubs have rough exfoliants that are commonly made of ground-up shells or fruit pits. That might be too harsh and cause tiny lacerations in the skin, which might also trigger severe acne flare-ups. To enjoy the benefits of exfoliating without worrying about breakouts and skin irritation, try to find products that use gentler exfoliators like jojoba beads, ground oats, pulverized rice, or powdered quinoa. With regular use, these will buff off dead skin cells without being too abrasive and irritating.
Complementary Acids
Some of the most effective face scrubs combine the effects of physical and chemical exfoliants. While the abrasives may get rid of dead skin cells on its own, adding complementary acids could double the product’s efficacy. Among the most beneficial acids for acne-prone skin are AHAs lactic acid and glycolic acid as well as BHAs like citric acid and salicylic acid. While abrasives will work on top of skin, these acids will work deep within the skin to speed up the rejuvenation process. Additionally, glycolic acid and salicylic acid are commonly used in acne treatments. Because of their clarifying effects, they are able to remove dead skin cells, hardened oils, and dirt not only to clear up blemishes that are already apparent but also to keep new ones from forming.
Top 5 Face Scrubs for Acne-Prone Skin
Don’t risk irritating your skin with products that just won’t work for you. Here are the best face scrubs for acne, which are known for their ability to resurface skin without fear of breakouts:
1) Era Organics – Revive+ Microdermabrasion
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The Revive+ Microdermabrasion is a facial scrub that’s meant to rejuvenate the skin by removing dull layers of dead skin cells. It also helps get rid of blackheads and erase dark spots. It is an excellent choice for people with acne because its abrasives are made of walnut shells. Not only is that better for the environment than synthetic microscrubs, but it’s also gentler on the skin despite being incredibly effective in buffing out dullness as well as improving your skin’s texture and complexion. Additionally, it contains Manuka honey, which helps reverse aging, speed up collagen production, and fight acne-causing bacteria. It also contains aloe vera and rapeseed oil, which helps repair skin and provide intensive hydration.
2) Body Merry – Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser
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The Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser by Body Merry contains exfoliators that are made of willow bark and jojoba beads. Apart from cleansing the skin to remove makeup residue, dirt, and excess oil, these ingredients remove dead skin cells to uncover fresher, brighter skin. It also helps unclog pores to avoid blackheads and acne breakouts. Additionally, it contains 2.5% glycolic acid, which works deep within the skin to speed up exfoliation. To support its skin renewal effects, it also contains MSM and kojic acid. Other than exfoliation and rejuvenation, this cleanser also offers potent anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and intense hydration benefits because it contains jojoba oil, olive oil, rosehip oil, and tea tree oil.
3) Murad – AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
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The AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser by Murad is a chemical exfoliant enhanced with abrasives to boost the skin’s natural shedding and rejuvenation process. Its exfoliators are made of jojoba beads, which are gentle enough for sensitive and acne-prone skin. AHAs included in this cleanser are glycolic acid and lactic acid, which have anti-aging as well as anti-acne effects. It also contains salicylic acid (the BHA most commonly used for acne), which helps dissolve dirt, keratin plugs, and hardened sebum. Additionally, it contains sodium PCA, which is a known humectant to keep the skin hydrated. When used 2-3 times a week, this exfoliating cleanser should reveal brighter, healthier, and younger-looking skin.
4) Neutrogena Naturals – Acne Foaming Scrub
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The Acne Foaming Scrub by Neutrogena Naturals contains abrasives made of jojoba ester beads, which gently scrubs off dead skin cells, excess oils, dirt, and makeup residue to reveal naturally brighter and even-toned skin. Indeed, it is gentle enough to use as a daily cleanser. It boasts a formulation that’s 93% derived from nature, so it’s not only environment-friendly but also more suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Also, it contains wintergreen leaf bionutrients, which is a potent source of salicylic acid. That makes it an excellent choice for people with acne. Additionally, this foaming scrub contains no harsh sulfates, petrolatum, parabens, nor phthalates.
5) Clean & Clear – Blackhead Eraser Scrub
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The Blackhead Eraser Scrub by Clean & Clear is one of the most affordable facial scrubs suitable for people with acne-prone skin. It contains nature-derived microbeads to exfoliate the surface of the skin. These beads come in three micro sizes to cleanse deeply and address all your exfoliation needs. Additionally, it contains 2% salicylic acid to boost cellular renewal. The salicylic acid also helps reduce the appearance of acne and blackheads that have already formed on your skin. It also keeps blemishes from forming again in the future. Although this is an incredibly potent anti-acne scrub, it is gentle enough to use daily.
Tips for Using a Face Scrub When You Have Acne
When you have acne-prone skin, the benefits of using a face scrub are tremendous. However, you need to use such products with care because, as much as they can help clear your skin, they can also cause breakouts if you don’t use them properly. Here are some tips you can follow to avoid flare-ups when using physical exfoliators:
- Use on cleansed skin. Unless the directions on the packaging say otherwise, cleanse your skin with a gentle facial wash before using your face scrub. That keeps you from rubbing dirt and dead skin cells into your pores.
- Scrub gently. The effects of a good facial scrub will be enjoyed with regular use. Don’t scrub too vigorously and hope for instant results. Doing so will also cause redness and irritation, which can lead to breakouts. Instead, massage your face scrub gently onto your skin and use it as often as twice a week.
- Apply an after-scrub product. Your moisturizer might work fine, but there are also products formulated specifically for use after exfoliating. These products won’t just restore moisture but also help your skin repair itself after a good scrubbing.
- Wear sunscreen. While it’s good practice to wear sunblock daily, it’s even more important after using an exfoliator. Scrubbing your skin will make it more prone to sun damage, so it’s good to apply protection prior to sun exposure.
While the wrong face scrub can cause redness, irritation, and flare-ups on acne-prone skin, a good one can bring out the best in your complexion, erase blemishes and scars caused by acne, and improve your overall appearance. Hopefully, the tips and recommendations above will be enough to guide you through your pursuit of a face scrub that’s perfect for you.
