Soaps for pimples can play a huge role in your skincare routine since cleansing is a crucial step. Choosing an effective soap that can target acne involves a thoughtful consideration of your skin type, key ingredients, and individual responses.
Together with the guidance and expertise of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katrina Habluyas Luz, we crafted a buying guide to help you choose a pimple soap that can effectively treat breakouts. Don't forget to check out our list of the best soaps you can get from Lazada and Shopee right now!
Quick List - Top Soaps for Pimples
Luxe Organix
A Cost-Effective "Miracle" Soap Packed With Nourishing Exfoliants
Some By Mi
An Exfoliating Anti-Acne Soap for Clear and Glowing Skin
Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz, the causes of acne can be summarized in this mnemonic:
Some skin types, such as oily skin types, can increase the risk of developing acne as well. Some people are more prone to getting acne given their skin type as well as their day-to-day activities.
In order for your soap to be effective, it needs to have pimple-fighting ingredients that will help stop the formation of acne. Here are some common ones that you can look out for as you browse through different products.
Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are the two most effective ingredients to treat pimples. Benzoyl peroxide has antibacterial properties that target acne-causing bacteria, while salicylic acid is an oil-loving exfoliating (BHA) ingredient that can penetrate the pores to get rid of sebum, dead skin cells, and dirt.
Note that these ingredients could be drying and irritating, so it's best to choose a soap with a concentration of >2%. Additionally, do a patch test before use!
There are many ingredients effective to fight acne, and most of the time, it's the combination of different ingredients that does the trick. These could include benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and retinoids, amongst others.
Cleansers with active ingredients are best used slowly - start off two to three times a week. If you are able to tolerate it or with the guidance of a dermatologist, you can slowly work your way up.
To prevent the formation of comedones, blackheads, and whiteheads, avoiding pore-clogging ingredients is one of the best practices if you want to eliminate acne. According to Dr. Katrina, the common comedogenic ingredients include isopropyl myristate and its analogs, such as:
Pore-clogging ingredients are best avoided if one wants to get rid of acne. There's no one list of ingredients that are guaranteed to clog one's pores - it boils down to the response of one's skin to that particular ingredient.
A holistic approach is key to achieving and maintaining clear skin. The active ingredients in soaps and medications for pimples aim to dry out the pimple itself, so moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and colloidal oatmeal are great add-ons. These will help your skin maintain its balance and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier as well.
Remember, a good soap should not leave your skin feeling too tight and dry, so if a soap has moisturizing ingredients, then that's definitely a plus!
If you have oily skin, you are more likely to develop acne. However, that doesn’t mean other skin types are exempted from acne. According to Dr. Katrina, aside from benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, there are other ingredients that each skin type can benefit from, too.
Soaps for pimples can help regulate oil and/or reduce bacterial load. However, a complete targeted skin care routine (with proper medications from a baord-certified dermatologist) are needed to keep acne at bay.
Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Dr.Katrina Habaluyas Luz, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pimple-fighting Ingredients | Moisturizing Ingredients | Skin Type | |||||
1 | Luxe Organix Miracle Solutions AHA/BHA Soap For Face & Body | ![]() | A Cost-Effective "Miracle" Soap Packed With Nourishing Exfoliants | Niacinamide, Tea Tree Extract, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid | Glycerin | All Skin Types | |
2 | CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Bar | ![]() | Removes Dirt and Sebum With Mild Kaolin Clay | Niacinamide | Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide | Oily Skin | |
3 | QUICKFX Pimple Eraser Soap | ![]() | Helps Control Oil for Less Pimples | Niacinamide, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid | Glycerin | Dry Skin, Oily Skin | |
4 | Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Cleansing Bar | ![]() | An Exfoliating Anti-Acne Soap for Clear and Glowing Skin | AHA, BHA, PHA, Niacinamide, Real Tea Tree | Glycerin, Organic Olive Oil, Argan Oil | All Skin Types | |
5 | Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Antibacterial Bar | ![]() | Provides Gentle Cleansing for Your Face and Body | Triclosan | Glycerin, Petrolatum | Dry Skin, Sensitive Skin | |
6 | Dr. Sensitive Niacinamide + Salicylic Acid Face and Body Bar Soap | ![]() | A Powerful Cleansing Bar to Target Pimples and Control Oil | Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid | Glycerin, Coconut Oil | Oily Skin, Acne-Prone Skin | |
7 | Neutrogena The Transparent Facial Bar Acne-Prone Skin | ![]() | A Gentle, Non-Comedogenic Facial Cleansing Bar for Daily Use | Triethanolamine, TEA-Stearate, Sodium Tallowate | Glycerin | Acne-Prone Skin | |
8 | Good Molecules Clarify & Cleanse Bar | ![]() | An Ultra-Gentle Cleansing Bar With Salicylic Acid and Tea Tree Oil | Salicylic Acid, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Tea Tree Oil | Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Glycerin, Grape Seed Oil | All Skin Types | |
9 | Organic Skin Acne Care Anti-Acne Whitening Soap | ![]() | Dermatologically Tested Soap That Targets Acne and Other Skin Concerns | Tea Tree, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid | Glycerin, Soybean Oil | All Skin Types | |
10 | OMO! White AcneClear White Soap | ![]() | A Glycerin-Based Face and Body Soap for Acne-Prone Skin | Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Licorice Root Extract, Kojic Acid | Glycerin | Acne-Prone Skin, Oily Skin |
If you're looking for a soap that's both effective and affordable, Luxe Organix is the perfect choice for you. It includes AHAs like lactic acid and glycolic acid, which help brighten acne scars and reveal fresher, more radiant skin. Plus, it removes deep-seated acne-causing bacteria on the pores thanks to its exfoliating BHA, salicylic acid.
According to reviews, you don't have to worry about large-looking pores as this product is also formulated with niacinamide, which helps make pores look smaller and your skin brighter than before. However, make sure to apply SPF because the soap's exfoliating effect can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Pimple-fighting Ingredients | Niacinamide, Tea Tree Extract, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin |
Skin Type | All Skin Types |
Pimple-fighting Ingredients | Niacinamide |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide |
Skin Type | Oily Skin |
This cleansing soap is a straightforward solution for managing body acne. It goes beyond basic cleansing to target common skin concerns, such as pimples, redness, enlarged pores, and excess oil.
For one thing, glycolic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, and salicylic acid were included in the formulation. Together, these components reduce inflammation, close pores, dry up zits, and manage excess oil. Additionally, the soap helps fade leftover dark spots and stop new breakouts from occurring. Users like this product a lot, saying that it's really effective without leaving behind any stinging sensations.
Pimple-fighting Ingredients | Niacinamide, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin |
Skin Type | Dry Skin, Oily Skin |
Here's your match if you want a face wash that'll clear out impurities from all layers of your skin! With its AHA, BHA, and PHA ingredients, this cleansing bar can remove dead skin cells from the topmost layer of the skin, exfoliate from deeper within the skin, and even prevent the skin from losing moisture.
The best part? This cleanser does all of that while still being gentle to the skin. It also has added 2% niacinamide, resulting in a brighter and more even complexion. Lastly, it has natural oils and extracts, like tea tree and Houttuynia, to nourish and hydrate your skin and leave it glowing from within! Reviewers also love that it leaves a cooling effect on the skin.
Pimple-fighting Ingredients | AHA, BHA, PHA, Niacinamide, Real Tea Tree |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin, Organic Olive Oil, Argan Oil |
Skin Type | All Skin Types |
Pimple-fighting Ingredients | Triclosan |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin, Petrolatum |
Skin Type | Dry Skin, Sensitive Skin |
Achieve clearer, brighter skin with Dr. Sensitive’s face and body soap! It contains niacinamide to reduce inflammation and regulate sebum, while salicylic acid targets clogged pores to combat breakouts. Additionally, glycolic and lactic acids exfoliate dead skin cells, and vitamin C fades dark spots and brightens the complexion.
What sets this soap apart is its ability to deeply cleanse and unclog pores without drying out the skin. Buyers love how it smooths rough patches while leaving their skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. If you’re looking for an easy, effective addition to your skincare routine, this soap delivers noticeable results with minimal effort.
Pimple-fighting Ingredients | Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin, Coconut Oil |
Skin Type | Oily Skin, Acne-Prone Skin |
Pimple-fighting Ingredients | Triethanolamine, TEA-Stearate, Sodium Tallowate |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin |
Skin Type | Acne-Prone Skin |
Pimple-fighting Ingredients | Salicylic Acid, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Tea Tree Oil |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Glycerin, Grape Seed Oil |
Skin Type | All Skin Types |
The unique blend of ingredients in this bar soap, like tea tree oil, green tea extract, and salicylic acid, has been known to address a range of skin disorders effectively. If you have acne-prone, blemished, or troubled skin, Organic Skin's Acne Care soap could be your new skincare essential.
It also contains kojic acid, glutathione, and alpha arbutin, which lighten the skin and acne marks. Additionally, users noticed it not only reduced their pore size but also kept their skin hydrated, thanks to its dermatologically tested formula. This combination of safety and efficacy has contributed to its popularity!
Pimple-fighting Ingredients | Tea Tree, Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin, Soybean Oil |
Skin Type | All Skin Types |
Pimple-fighting Ingredients | Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide, Licorice Root Extract, Kojic Acid |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin |
Skin Type | Acne-Prone Skin, Oily Skin |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by Dr. Katrina.
While soaps for pimples will help you get rid of acne, it needs some assistance. In order to get clearer skin faster, you should build an anti-acne skincare routine that will give you a softer and smoother complexion. To help you out, read through our other articles down below for the best products that we found to help you achieve clear skin.
10 Best Toners for Acne-Prone Skin in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed By Dermatologist
10 Best Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Dermatologist
10 Best Serums for Acne-Prone Skin in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed By Dermatologist
Author: Bianca Angela Dela Cruz
Editor: J. Cuizon, D. Trinidad
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Luxe Organix |Miracle Solutions AHA/BHA Soap For Face & Body
No. 2: CeraVe|Foaming Cleanser Bar
No. 3: QUICKFX|Pimple Eraser Soap
No. 4: Some By Mi |AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Cleansing Bar
No. 5: Cetaphil |Gentle Cleansing Antibacterial Bar
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Beauty
Health
Household goods
PCs and laptops
Home appliances and electronics
Cameras
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Mom and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, and DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Home improvement and tools
Smartphones and tablets
Banking and finance
Insurance
Audio
Smartphone applications
Others