Say Goodbye to Breakouts: Top Ingredients to Avoid & Best Body Washes for Acne This Amazon Prime Day

David in Beauty & Fitness Jun 27 • 16 min read

Acne-prone skin requires special care, and knowing which ingredients to avoid can significantly reduce breakouts. Here, we identify 10 problematic ingredients commonly found in skincare products that can trigger acne.

Understanding Acne and Its Triggers

Acne is a common skin condition that can be triggered by various factors, including hormones, diet, and skincare products. For individuals with acne-prone skin, using the wrong products can exacerbate breakouts.

This blog will help you identify ten acne-causing ingredients to avoid and recommend eight body washes that have been tested by beauty editors to keep your skin clear and healthy.

10 Acne-Causing Ingredients to Avoid

1. Denatured/Stearyl Alcohol

Origin: Commonly used in skincare products as a solvent.
Why to Avoid: These alcohols can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. The skin may overproduce oil to compensate, causing breakouts.
Effect: Dryness, irritation, increased oil production.

2. Fragrance

Origin: Synthetic or natural compounds used to add scent to products.
Why to Avoid: Fragrances can irritate sensitive skin and cause allergic reactions, leading to inflammation and acne.
Effect: Skin irritation, allergic reactions, inflammation.

3. Sulfates

Origin: Commonly found in cleansers and shampoos as foaming agents.
Why to Avoid: Sulfates can be harsh on the skin, stripping away essential oils and causing dryness and irritation.
Effect: Dryness, irritation, disruption of the skin barrier.

4. Parabens

Origin: Preservatives used to extend the shelf life of products.
Why to Avoid: Parabens can mimic hormones in the body and disrupt the endocrine system, potentially leading to acne.
Effect: Hormonal imbalance, skin irritation.

5. Oxybenzone

Origin: A common ingredient in sunscreens.
Why to Avoid: Oxybenzone can cause allergic reactions and hormone disruption, contributing to acne.
Effect: Allergic reactions, hormone disruption.

6. Artificial Colors

Origin: Synthetic dyes are used to add color to products.
Why to Avoid: Artificial colors can irritate the skin and clog pores, leading to breakouts.
Effect: Skin irritation, clogged pores.

7. Mineral Oil

Origin: A byproduct of petroleum used as a moisturizing agent.
Why to Avoid: Mineral oil can clog pores and create a barrier on the skin that traps dirt and bacteria.
Effect: Clogged pores, trapped bacteria, breakouts.

8. Lanolin

Origin: A natural oil derived from sheep’s wool.
Why to Avoid: Lanolin can clog pores and is particularly problematic for individuals with sensitive skin.
Effect: Clogged pores, skin irritation.

9. Cocoa Butter

Origin: Fat extracted from cocoa beans.
Why to Avoid: While moisturizing, cocoa butter is comedogenic and can clog pores, leading to acne.
Effect: Clogged pores, breakouts.

10. D&C Red

Origin: Synthetic dye used in cosmetics and skincare products.
Why to Avoid: This dye can cause skin irritation and inflammation, leading to acne.
Effect: Skin irritation, inflammation, breakouts.

Avoiding these ingredients can help reduce breakouts for individuals with acne-prone skin. Always check product labels and consult a dermatologist if acne persists.

Best 8 Acne Body Washes for Clear Skin

1. CeraVe Body Wash with Salicylic Acid

Price: $14
Ingredients: Salicylic acid, lactic acid, ceramides, hyaluronic acid.
Benefits: Exfoliates dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and hydrates skin.
Consistency: Foaming gel.
Origin: USA.
Why It’s Great:

The CeraVe Body Wash with Salicylic Acid is the top-performing product according to testing done by Women's Health editors.

Priced at $14, it contains key acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and lactic acid which work to exfoliate away dead skin cells and purge pores of dirt, oil, and bacteria where salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that reduces inflammation and unclogs pores.

These exfoliating acids are balanced by ceramides, lipids that help restore the skin's protective barrier, as well as hyaluronic acid, a powerful hydrator.

The formula comes in a foaming gel consistency, allowing it to gently cleanse without stripping the skin or leaving it dry and irritated.

Because it contains both acne treatments and skin-soothers, it is suitable for even sensitive complexions.

Made by CeraVe, a reputable American skincare company, this body wash provides effective yet gentle acne relief for both the body and the face. In testing, it received praise for its hydrating formula that leaves skin soft and clear.

At an affordable $14 price point, it delivers results without breaking the bank. Its multi-pronged approach makes it a top choice for most skin types looking to maintain a healthy, breakout-free body.

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2. Alba Botanica Acnedote Maximum Strength Face & Body Scrub

Price: $6
Ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, walnut shell powder.
Benefits: Exfoliates dirt and oil, and treats stubborn acne.
Consistency: Thick gel.
Origin: USA.
Why It’s Great: Budget-friendly and effective, this scrub uses salicylic acid and walnut shells to deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin, making it ideal for treating persistent body acne.

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3. Mario Badescu A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap

Price: $9
Ingredients: Glycolic acid, glycerin, oat protein.
Benefits: Exfoliates, soothes, and hydrates the skin.
Consistency: Foaming gel.
Origin: USA.
Why It’s Great: This body soap uses glycolic acid for gentle exfoliation and glycerin and oats to soothe and hydrate, leaving the skin soft and smooth.

Check out other available hot promo coupons at Mario Badescu >>>> HERE <<<<

4. PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash

Price: $10
Ingredients: 4% benzoyl peroxide.
Benefits: Treats bacteria, prevents breakouts, soothes skin.
Consistency: Creamy.
Origin: USA.
Why It’s Great: PanOxyl’s creamy formula uses benzoyl peroxide to treat acne-causing bacteria without drying the skin, making it a great choice for preventing body acne.

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5. Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash

Price: $7
Ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, glycerin.
Benefits: Clears acne, prevents future breakouts, and soothes skin.
Consistency: Foaming gel.
Origin: USA.
Why It’s Great: This body wash effectively clears and prevents acne with salicylic acid while glycerin soothes and hydrates the skin, making it suitable for daily use.

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6. Clearasil 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Bar

Price: $9
Ingredients: 10% benzoyl peroxide.
Benefits: Deeply cleanses pores, and reduces acne.
Consistency: Bar soap.
Origin: USA.
Why It’s Great: This powerful bar soap contains a high concentration of benzoyl peroxide to deeply cleanse and reduce acne, offering a more sustainable option.

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7. Differin Daily Deep Cleanser

Price: $10
Ingredients: 5% benzoyl peroxide.
Benefits: Gently cleanses, treats acne, non-drying.
Consistency: Gel.
Origin: USA.
Why It’s Great: Differin’s gentle formula with benzoyl peroxide is effective for sensitive skin types, providing a deep cleanse without causing dryness.

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8. Murad Acne Body Wash

Price: $48
Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, green tea extract.
Benefits: Exfoliates, treats breakouts, soothes and hydrates.
Consistency: Foaming gel.
Origin: USA.
Why It’s Great: Although pricier, Murad’s body wash combines glycolic and salicylic acids with soothing ingredients to exfoliate and treat acne while keeping the skin hydrated and calm.

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The Takes Away

Managing acne-prone skin requires a careful selection of skincare products. By avoiding the ten problematic ingredients listed above and choosing body washes specifically formulated to treat and prevent acne, you can keep your skin clear and healthy.

Take advantage of Amazon Prime Day deals to stock up on these effective acne body washes and enjoy clearer skin all year round. Remember to consult a dermatologist for personalized advice and treatment options.