I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with acne for a greater portion of my young adulthood—as sarcastic as the term “pleasure” may sound here, I mean it. Yes, my acne journey has been fraught with tears, stress, and momentary defeat. However, it also introduced me to a world of skincare treatments and products that eventually blessed me with fewer breakouts, (almost) even skin, and an even smoother texture along the way. There’s no way I can give all credit to one particular product—though face sunscreens and vitamin C serums have helped to lighten spots left behind from breakouts—but investing in a reliable acne face wash was perhaps the best decision I’ve ever made.

Let’s take it back to the basics, though. “Acne results from a combination of factors, including increased oil production and a buildup of dead skin cells that lead to clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation. In some cases, it can also be related to a hormonal component or other external factors such as certain products or triggers,” NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, said. With so many elements contributing to breakouts, acne treatments, especially facial cleansers, aren’t one-formula-fits-all.

According to Dr. Garshick, staying away from heavy oils is your best bet if you’re troubled with acne-prone skin.

“Heavy oils can contribute to clogged pores and worsening breakouts. Additionally, avoid harsh soaps or abrasive scrubs—which can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause microtears in the skin barrier, cause dryness, and may make it harder to tolerate other acne-fighting products,” she explains.

To help make your shopping experience seamless, we rounded up the 14 best acne face washes to eliminate current breakouts and avoid future ones.