The Best Face Washes For Teens With Oily, Sensitive, And/Or Acne-Prone Skin

Yep – old trusty. This is one of those situations where sometimes, less is more. Cetaphil is known for its to-the-point formula that’s pretty much as simple as it gets: It’s clear, fragrance-free, gentle, and suitable for just about everyone, including those with sensitive skin. It’s also a top-seller, with over 13,000 (overwhelmingly positive) reviews to prove it. Oh, and did we mention it’s super affordable? Done and done.

The Natural and Organic Family Gentle Kids Foaming Face Wash is vegan and sulfate free, so it’s a good option for parents who don’t want their kids putting anything potentially toxic on their skin. It’s all natural for sensitive teenage skin and gently foams to wash away dirt. Plus, it has a delicious orange scent that will automatically brighten anyone’s day.

With the Clean & Clear Daily Acne Skincare Essentials Set, you have a whole skincare regimen. It starts with a foaming cleanser, followed by a toner and a moisturizer. While the cleanser should be fairly gentle on sensitive skin, take care with the toner (or even skip it!) as these can sometimes be a little rough on younger skin. The moisturizer, though, will round out your routine and leave skin silky smooth and clean. Plus, the moisturizer is oil-free, so it won’t add any extra weight to the skin.

Teenage skin is definitely prone to breakouts, but with the Kidskin – Gentle Skin Cleanser, you can keep skin extra clean and hopefully clear of spots. It’s free of parabens, sulfates, and fragrances, so it’s light on skin — but still works to keep skin clear. Kidskin was actually started by an acne-prone child and her dad who wanted a cleanser safe enough for young skin but powerful enough to get the job done.

CeraVe is another brand lauded by dermatologists. The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a moisturizing face wash with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin. These popular skincare ingredients can all contribute to better skin, but for parents, it’s not a bad idea to look into them further before letting your teen put them on their skin. However, dermatologists love CeraVe for a reason — and that’s because it works hard to keep skin clean and free of breakouts.

For teens who love wearing makeup, this Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Facial Cleanser is a good option to wash it away and also cleanse skin in the process. It’s oil-free and alcohol- free so it’s light and gentle on skin. Bonus: This cleanser is capable of gently washing away even waterproof makeup, and we all know how tricky that can be! And best of all, it’s under $6 so it’s a real budget buy.

The IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser will cleanse teenage skin and transition with them into adulthood — it’s good for all skin types and ages. It’s made with hyaluronic acid and collagen for anti-aging, which your teen doesn’t really need, but it also doesn’t hurt! Taking care of skin from an early age will keep it healthier and more elastic for longer (they’ll thank you later). You can pair this cleanser with a gentle moisturizer to have an all-around skincare routine.

The Differin Facial Cleanser is made to treat acne-prone sensitive skin. It has benzoyl peroxide in it, which is designed to target breakouts. This cleanser soaks into skin to absorb excess oil while leaving moisture behind. It was developed with the help of dermatologists and can be used on a daily basis. While you don’t have to pair this with a moisturizer, it can be, especially if skin is still dry after washing.

With Bioré Rose Quartz + Charcoal Daily Face Wash, skin gets a good (gentle) scrub. Charcoal helps cleanse skin and lift out dirt and grime. Pores will (ideally) be cleared out and minimized for smoother, clearer skin — perfect for teenagers. Bioré’s cleanser should work well on sensitive teenage skin and the rose quartz is a unique extra touch. Bonus: Bioré’s cleansers all smell fantastic (a possible selling point for your teen, if they can handle fragrances).

Proactiv is another of the most popular skincare brands, especially for young, acne-prone skin. The Proactiv Acne Cleanser is formulated with benzoyl peroxide to target breakouts, but is gentle for sensitive skin. This cleanser is made with beads for exfoliation, which is something to take caution with. Beads can be harmful on skin and cause microtears if you scrub too hard, so this cleanser should be used with extra gentle care so that it’s only cleaning skin rather than damaging it.

The Stryke Club skincare line is exclusivley for teenage boys. “Our cleansers at Stryke Club are gentle, hypoallergenic, and contain sodium hypochlorite which can help reduce bacteria involved in acne,” says Dr. Maguiness. Tons of Target customer agree, giving the Face First Wash a near-perfect rating.