Ready to know more about San Diego?

Subscribe
Partner Content MAY 20, 2022

13 Best Face Washes for Acne (2023)

Stop wasting your money on regular face washes that don’t do anything for acne

13 Best Face Washes for Acne (2023)
Best Face Washes for Acne

Best Face Washes for Acne

Sponsored content provided by Machines Agency


Having acne can lower self-esteem and make even the most confident person isolate themselves. However, a good face wash can make acne completely manageable. You don’t have to continue suffering from acne. There are plenty of products out there that can help treat this irksome, confidence-destroying skin condition. 

Acne often doesn’t just appear on the face. Stubborn acne can wreak havoc on other parts of the body as well. And, contrary to popular opinion, acne doesn’t care how old you are. Adult acne is one of the most common skin conditions, and one of the primary reasons people visit the dermatologist. 

In fact, acne is so common that there are multiple face washes for treating acne that you can choose from. However, it can be difficult to know which face washes are going to be worth the money, which face washes have real, verified reviews, and which face washes won’t irritate your acne-prone skin even more. 

Stop wasting your money on regular face washes that don’t do anything for acne, and start using these currently trending face washes for acne in 2023. 

1. Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser

Best Face Washes for Acne - Blu Atlas

Best Face Washes for Acne – Blu Atlas

The No. 1 product for relieving the symptoms that accompany acne and for clearing up your skin, Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser works instantly to start reducing the number of breakouts you’re experiencing. 

This unisex, all-natural formula is the best choice for suffers of acne who need a product that actually works. Acne will become manageable when you use the Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser, which often is sold out due to high demand. 

Suitable as a daily face wash for acne-prone skin, this all-natural face cleanser is formulated with volcanic ash. This natural ingredient removes all excessive oil from your skin, which is beneficial for acne sufferers. 

By removing the impurities from your skin, you’ll end up with fewer breakouts. The other premium ingredient, lactobacillus ferment filtrate, has been shown to provide soothing and skin strengthening properties, which are also crucial for acne-prone skin.

Because it contains all of these beneficial acne ingredients, make sure Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser is next on your list of face washes for acne. If you want clear skin, you’ll need to secure a bottle of this. 

2. JustNutritive Acne Clear Face and Body Wash

Best Face Washes for Acne - Just Nutritive

Best Face Washes for Acne – Just Nutritive

Specifically designed to clear up acne no matter where it appears on your body, JustNutritive Acne Clear Face and Body Wash does exactly what it says it will do, and when you’re shelling out big bucks for skin-care products, that means a lot. 

Aloe vera won’t be the only ingredient working major magic on your skin. Other acne-fighting ingredients, such as jojoba oil, castor seed oil, andiroba oil and foraha oil, work as a team to let your skin begin healing from acne.

This hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic cleanser will become your go-to cleanser for your acne because it contains so many natural, effective ingredients. It’s impossible to say no to a formula that’s sulfate-free, lanolin-free and fragrance-free – three things that you need to avoid when you have acne-prone skin.

If you have JustNutritive Acne Clear Face and Body Wash in your arsenal, acne will no longer be a major problem in your life. 

3. DRMTLGY Gentle Acne Cleanser

Best Face Washes for Acne - Drmtlgy

Best Face Washes for Acne – Drmtlgy

Do you have sensitive skin and need a face wash for acne that isn’t harsh? DRMTLGY Gentle Acne Cleanser will change your skin from acne-prone to clear after only a couple of washes. Fast results make this one of the top choices for anyone suffering from acne. 

The 2% salicylic acid in this acne cleanser’s potent, oil-free formula begins to work upon contact to heal your acne. No need to wait several weeks for acne-clearing results – with powerful salicylic acid, acne has nowhere to hide. 

When you’re treating acne, you need to make sure you have the right tools, and it doesn’t get any better than DRMTLGY Gentle Acne Cleanser. If you’re in urgent need of a soothing wash for your face and body, this is the product for you. 

4. Perricone MD Acne Relief Gentle & Soothing Cleanser

Best Face Washes for Acne - Perricone

Best Face Washes for Acne – Perricone

Acne can lead to itchy, inflamed skin. If you need immediate relief, choose Perricone MD Acne Relief Gentle & Soothing Cleanser. Its non-foaming formula will soothe your irritated skin. 

This gentle cleanser manages to remove acne-causing impurities without making your skin excessively dry. Lightweight and fragrance-free, dead skin cells, oil and sebum are effectively removed every time you use this soothing face cleanser for acne. 

No other face cleanser deeply cleanses sensitive, acne-prone skin like Perricone MD Acne Relief Gentle & Soothing Cleanser. 

5. Exposed Skin Care Facial Cleanser

Best Face Washes for Acne - Exposed

Best Face Washes for Acne – Exposed

Exposed Skin Care Facial Cleanser understands that you want clear skin, and that’s what you’ll get when you use this effective facial cleanser for acne. The main ingredients are salicylic acid, pro-vitamin B5 and sage extract, which form the acne-fighting dream team.

Salicylic acid is a common acne medication, while provitamin B5 regulates the amount of oil your skin is producing and sage extract works to prevent any excessive drying that occurs after you wash your face with this cleanser. 

If moisturized skin and fewer breakouts sounds amazing to you, get a bottle of Exposed Skin Care Facial Cleanser to take control of your acne. 

6. Jack Black Balancing Foam Cleanser

Best Face Washes for Acne - Jack Black

Best Face Washes for Acne – Jack Black

Make treating acne the simplest part of your daily routine with Jack Black Balancing Foam Cleanser, which is made with 0.5% of salicylic acid to clear up mild forms of acne.

Turmeric, lactic acid and aloe vera extract are a few of the other premium ingredients that can be found in this intense foaming cleanser that is never tested on animals. Lactic acid gently exfoliates your skin and aloe vera soothes inflammation, both of which are useful for people who need to manage the symptoms of their acne. 

Sulfate-free, oil-free, vegan and dermatologist-tested, the Jack Black Balancing Foam Cleanser prevents further breakouts and treats current ones at the same time. 

7. Almond Clear Face & Body Wash 

Best Face Washes for Acne - Almond Clear

Best Face Washes for Acne – Almond Clear

To get your wish for clear skin granted, purchase Almond Clear Face & Body Wash. Not only will it look pretty on your bathroom counter; it also makes your skin look the clearest it’s ever been. 

Experience everything we’re talking about for yourself by testing out Almond Clear Face & Body Wash. 

8. TreeActiv Acne Eliminating Face Cleanser 

Best Face Washes for Acne - Treeactiv

Best Face Washes for Acne – Treeactiv

If you want to get rid of acne, have some TreeActiv Acne Eliminating Face Cleanser on hand. People with moderate to severe acne are the best candidates for this acne-eliminating cleanser. 

Free of chemicals and parabens, this cleanser uses benzoyl peroxide, sulfur and lactic acid to clear up your skin. Sulfur and activated charcoal remove oils from your skin and deeply cleanse beneath the surface.

Whatever is causing you to constantly break out, the TreeActive Acne Eliminating Face Cleanser will get to the root of the issue. 

9. Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser

Best Face Washes for Beauty - Tata Harper

Best Face Washes for Beauty – Tata Harper

Pricey but effective, the Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser promises to give you smooth, clear, comfortable skin. Tired of oily, acne-prone skin making your eyes burn? There won’t be any regrets after you’ve tried this clarifying cleanser for your acne.

The four main acne-fighting ingredients are prickly pear enzymes, lactic acid, citric acid and salicylic acid. In order to reduce redness caused by acne, this cleansing formula contains organic ingredients chlorella, mint extract and raw harvested honey.

Let your skin live its best life with Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser. Use Tata’s cleanser twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. 

10. CLn Acne Cleanser

Best Face Washes for Acne - CLn

Best Face Washes for Acne – CLn

This is one of the best face washes for acne we’ve found. CLn Acne Cleanser doesn’t fail when it comes to healing your acne-ridden skin and won’t ruin your expensive towels. 

This formula contains 0.5% salicylic acid and sodium hypochlorite to reduce blemishes by removing impurities from your pores. Use with CLn Facial Moisturizer for the best acne-clearing results. This cleanser is mild enough to be used anywhere on your body where acne is showing up and causing a problem. 

Get rid of acne once and for all when you begin using CLn Acne Cleanser. You’ll be wondering where this hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, paraben-free acne cleanser has been all your life. 

11. iS Clinical Cleansing Complex

Best Face Washes for Acne - IS Clinical

Best Face Washes for Acne – IS Clinical

Treating your acne is as easy as adding iS Clinical Cleansing Complex to your skin-care regimen. The royal treatment your skin deserves is only one blue bottle away. 

One of the highest-rated face washes for acne, this cleanser is 100% worth the price tag. When acne-free skin is the name of the game, you need strong ingredients like white willow bark to mildly exfoliate your skin, and chamomile and Centella asiatica to heal the damage caused by breakouts. 

Acne can be a difficult skin condition to tackle, but with iS Clinical Cleansing Complex, treating even the most severe acne conditions will be a piece of cake. 

12. Lerosett Botanical Acne Cleanser

Best Face Washes for Acne - Lerosett

Best Face Washes for Acne – Lerosett

Sure, you could buy a generic face wash from a local grocery store. Or you could simply choose the Lerosett Botanical Acne Cleanser. Potent yet gentle, this acne cleanser promises to give you blemish-free skin from the first wash. 

Formulated with supremely effective acne-fighting 2% salicylic acid and 60% aloe vera, this is the best way to get rid of blemishes once and for all. Reviewers of this powerful acne cleanser can’t stop raving about how smooth their skin has been since they began using it. 

Untimely acne breakouts will be history after Lerosett Botanical Acne Cleanser starts working on your skin. Wash your face with this and watch your skin transform before your eyes. 

13. Derma-E Very Clear Acne Cleanser 

Best Face Washes for Acne - Derma - E

Best Face Washes for Acne – Derma – E

When you want the highest-quality ingredients in your face wash, buy Derma-E Very Clear Acne Cleanser to effectively treat your acne by lowering the amount of sebum your skin produces. Potent ingredients like salicylic acid and tea tree oil won’t let acne control your life any longer. 

Impurities build up in your skin quickly, and in order to remove all of those impurities from your skin, salicylic acid provides your pores with a deep clean. This organic, cruelty-free formula is best suited for those who suffer from blackheads. 

You won’t be stuck with acne when you add Derma-E Very Clear Acne Cleanser as a daily face wash. Organic ingredients are ready to welcome your skin to a new era of smooth, blemish-free skin. 

What are the main causes of acne?

Acne is a commonly occurring skin condition that happens when your pores become blocked with impurities like oil or dead skin cells. Contrary to popular belief, acne doesn’t just show up on the face. Acne can also appear on your chest, back and shoulders. 

The causes of acne will vary from person to person. The most common causes of acne in teenagers and adults include:

 

  • Genetics 

  • Puberty changes

  • Menstrual cycle timing

  • Unbalanced hormones due to hormonal disorders 

  • Excessive amounts of chronic stress

  • Having an unhealthy diet

  • Picking at your skin

  • Overactive oil glands making skin excessively oily 

  • Side effect of daily medications

  • Weather conditions 

  • Presence of too much yeast

  • Acne-causing bacteria 

 

The treatment for the skin condition will vary from person to person, and will depend on what is causing your acne. 

 

If you have a suspicion that your acne is caused by unhealthy eating habits, the best course of action would be to trade the junk food for more organic, healthier meals and snack options. 

 

If your acne is caused by stress, find ways to physically and mentally relax. Acne that’s caused by overactive oil glands or acne-causing bacteria can be treated with one of the best face washes for acne from the list above. 

Isn’t acne found only in teenagers?

Sadly, teenagers aren’t the only ones who are prone to acne. Adults are as susceptible to breakouts as teenagers; however, adults get acne due to different reasons. Dealing with acne as an adult is more common than many people realize, because puberty isn’t the only cause of acne. 

 

Although having adult acne can be more difficult to treat, it’s not impossible. All it takes to treat adult acne is finding out what is causing your acne. Once you discover the cause, treating your acne will be a simpler process. 

What are the different types of acne?

People suffer from various types of acne, including:

 

  • Blackheads: Open pimples that are filled with sebum, dead skin cells or oil, and have a dark center. 

  • Whiteheads: Closed pimples that are filled with oil and dead skin, and have a pale center. 

  • Fungal acne: Inflamed bumps that start appearing on the skin, caused by excessive amounts of yeast in the pores.

  • Papules: Inflamed, itchy bumps that appear red or pink depending on your skin tone. 

  • Cysts: Oversized pimples filled with pus. These will often leave behind annoying scars. 

  • Nodules: Pimples that are very deep-seated in your skin, making them especially huge and painful when they appear. 

 

No two people are going to have precisely the same type of acne; however, if you know someone who has acne that looks similar to yours, ask them about products they use to manage their acne. 

There are online communities devoted to bringing together people who deal with acne. These online communities can be found on sites such as Reddit, Facebook and Quora, and can provide some of the best resources for people suffering from any type of acne to relate to each other and share product recommendations. 

Does acne differ in severity?

Yes, acne differs in severity from person to person. The different levels of severity for acne are:

 

  • Grade 1 – Mild

  • Grade 2 – Moderate 

  • Grade 3 – Moderately severe 

  • Grade 4 – Severe 

To know how your acne ranks, you’ll need to make a trip to the dermatologist. They will be able to diagnose your type of acne and how severe your case is, and will give you recommendations on how to take control of your acne. 

Should I visit a dermatologist to help get control of my acne?

Making an appointment to see a dermatologist should be the first step in taking back control of your skin. Dermatologists are there to help with all skin conditions. They know best when it comes to managing your acne long-term. 

Don’t hesitate to see a dermatologist, particularly if none of the OTC options are working for you. There’s a great chance he or she can prescribe a stronger topical acne medication for your acne condition. 

Acne varies in severity, so unfortunately there will be times where nothing you can buy online or in a store will work. That’s where a dermatologist can help save your skin from further breakouts. Clear skin might only be a doctor’s visit away. 

How can I take control of my acne using at-home methods?

If you rather try some at-home methods to manage your acne before heading over to the dermatologist’s office, try the tips and tricks below.

  1. Mom was right: Stop touching your face! Picking at your face introduces dirt and germs lingering beneath your fingernails to your face. 

  2. Don’t ever pop your pimples, no matter how tempting it is. Popping can cause acne scars to start appearing. 

  3. Wash your face and body right after any serious sweating. 

  4. Exfoliate your face at least twice a week to remove dead skin and sebum buildup. 

  5. Don’t use exfoliation brushes, just exfoliating cleansers, scrubs or masks. 

  6. Use lukewarm water when washing your face or showering. 

  7. If you’re a woman who enjoys wearing make-up every day, opt for non-comedogenic make-up products that are gentle on acne-prone skin. 

  8. Take extra caution when removing facial hair. Improper hair removal can irritate your skin and cause acne breakouts to worsen. 

  9. Skip the washcloth and use your hands to cleanse your face. 

  10. Change your bed sheets at least once a week. You should also change the towels you use for your face on a daily basis. 

  11. Watch your diet, because some foods may be a cause of your breakouts.

  12. Use sunscreen and moisturizers that are specifically meant for your face, instead of just for your body. Even if it’s not sunny outside, put on sunscreen since there are still UV rays hitting you on the cloudiest of days. 

These are the most effective ways you can treat and manage your acne from the comfort of your own home. We suggest trying at least several of these lifestyle changes and seeing if your acne improves. As mentioned above, expect to see different results depending on the type of acne you’re dealing with. 

What specific ingredients in face washes aid with treating acne?

When it comes to effectively treating acne, you’re going to want skin-care products that have beneficial ingredients like:

  • Salicylic acid 

  • Alpha hydroxy acids

  • Vitamin C

  • Sulfur 

  • Retinol

  • Tea tree oil

The ingredients above are going to be the best for fighting your acne. Many of the best face washes for acne that we shared include these ingredients. 

What ingredients should I avoid in face washes when treating acne?

Having acne-prone skin means watching out for harsh ingredients that don’t agree with your skin, such as:

  • Lanolin

  • Synthetic fragrances

  • Coconut oil

  • Olive oil 

  • Cocoa butter

  • Algae extract 

  • Silicones

  • Alcohol

  • Benzaldehyde 

These ingredients can make acne worse, so be sure to read the ingredient list on the products you choose.

Does chocolate increase the chances of acne appearing?

It’s widely believed that certain foods such as chocolate make acne worse. However, chocolate has not been clinically proven in any studies to cause acne in teenagers or adults. 

Keep enjoying your chocolate guilt-free knowing it’s not a main cause of breakouts. The occasional chocolate bar should do no harm to your acne. 

What should I do if I have an allergic reaction to a face wash?

If you have an allergic reaction to a face wash, stop using it immediately. Throw the product away, and take note of the key ingredients in that particular product. That will help you determine which compounds you react to, so you can avoid any products that contain those ingredients in the future. 

What do I do if I have acne scars? 

Acne scars can be frustratingly hard to get rid of, especially when you feel as if you just began to get rid of one problem only for another problem to show up. 

Face wash helps get rid of acne scars, too. Turmeric has been shown to be intensely effective at reducing the appearance of acne scars. Focus on finding face washes that contain turmeric if you’re feeling self-conscious about the way your acne scars look. 

Which are the most effective face washes for acne on this list?

These face washes below are the most potent for treating acne:

What are the lowest-cost face washes for acne on this list?

For those on a  tight budget, all of these cost-effective face washes are the best ones for managing your breakouts:

What if face washes don’t work for my acne?

If you’re frustrated with spending money on acne medication products that just aren’t doing it for you, try one of our suggested face washes. We’re sure some of the products on this list will improve the appearance of your acne-prone skin and reduce the number of breakouts you experience.

However, if you’re at your wits’ end with acne, it’s time to make an appointment with a dermatologist. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel; all it takes is finding the right products that make your skin acne-free. 

Trust us, they’re out there and waiting to treat your acne-prone skin. Don’t give up on finding a skin-care product that works with your skin. 

Not everyone will be able to have naturally clear skin, but there is something out there that will work for you and give you the clear, acne-free skin you are craving. 

.

Subscribe to our newsletters

Select Options

By subscribing you confirm that you agree with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Studio S OCTOBER 22, 2026

Milan Design + Build Helps San Diegans Remodel With Confidence

The San Diego home remodeling company works on full homes, kitchens, bathrooms, home additions, ADUs, garages, landscapes, and hardscapes.

Milan Design + Build Helps San Diegans Remodel With Confidence
Courtesy of Milan Design

Most homeowners want two things before they commit to a remodel: a realistic sense of cost and a clear picture of what the finished space will look like. Milan Design + Build helps deliver both through its online remodeling estimator and personalized design consultations, supported by a showroom experience and 3D renderings.

“The online estimate gives homeowners a starting number in about a minute, and the showroom and 3D renderings let them see materials and layouts before anything is built,” says David Noriani, CEO of Milan Design + Build. “Keeping design, permits, and construction with one team helps us manage expectations and keep everyone working toward the same vision.”

Courtesy of Milan Design

Modern design is a particular focus for Milan, with an emphasis on clean lines, natural light, functional layouts, and carefully selected materials. The team adapts each design to the homeowner’s lifestyle and the character of the property. Milan Design + Build combines thoughtful design with construction expertise, creating spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.

The online estimator covers kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, full-home remodels, and ADU construction. At Milan’s showroom on Carroll Road, visitors can review real materials, finishes, and design options, meet the design-build team, and discuss project scope, budget, and timing. Consultations can also be held virtually for homeowners who prefer to start remotely.

At Milan Design + Build, one integrated team works on the entire project. Design and construction aren’t divided between separate firms. The process begins with a consultation and feasibility review, followed by design, space planning, and 3D renderings developed from detailed measurements and digital scans. The team also coordinates architectural plans, structural engineering, city approvals, and material selection, with construction overseen by a dedicated project manager.

Homeowners can explore their remodeling options, get an initial estimate, or request a design consultation at MilanBuild.com.

Courtesy of Milan Design

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 10, 2026

La Jolla Institute for Immunology Announces $55 Million Fundraising Campaign

The Campaign for La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) will fuel scientific innovation and medical advances

La Jolla Institute for Immunology Announces $55 Million Fundraising Campaign
Courtesy of La Jolla Institute for Immunology

Philanthropists and Scientists Join Forces for a Bold $55 Million Campaign

La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) is going public with a bold bet: a $55 million campaign to propel medical research into a new era. The Campaign for LJI will fuel discovery, empower scientific innovation, and expand the impact of immunology on human health. 

The Institute quietly kicked things off in 2023, guided by its Board, campaign volunteers, and early believers. Nearly 80% of the $55 million goal is already in hand. Now LJI is opening the doors and inviting the whole community to carry their visions across the finish line and back discoveries that change how LJI researchers understand, treat, and prevent disease. 

And there’s a bonus. To mark the public launch, LJI Board member and Campaign Honorary Chair Anthony R. Carr is offering a special matching gift so new donors can double their impact. Full details are here. 

The Promise of Immunology

Immunology has already rewritten human history. Advances in immune science helped wipe out smallpox, pushed polio to the brink of elimination, and revolutionized how we prevent and treat infectious disease. Today, immune-based therapies are opening doors for patients with cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other serious illnesses once considered untreatable. 

For nearly four decades, LJI scientists have stood on the front lines, driven by one insight: the immune system shapes disease in virtually every organ in the body. By decoding how the immune system works and how to harness it to prevent and treat disease, LJI researchers are chasing the Institute’s ultimate mission: Life Without Disease®. 

To make that mission real, the Institute pairs world-class scientists with cutting-edge technology, speeding up breakthroughs and turning discoveries into transformative new therapies that ease suffering worldwide. 

The Campaign for LJI supercharges that momentum, uniting the vision of the Institute’s scientists with a community that believes in research. Focused on advancing LJI’s most promising areas of study, the campaign aims to help build a future free from the burden of disease, a goal that demands bold ideas, lasting partnerships, and generous philanthropic support.

The Campaign for LJI will advance research across three critical pillars: 

1. President’s Priority Fund. Flexible, unrestricted dollars let big ideas move now, not later. Scientists can launch high-risk, high-reward projects, bring experts together across disciplines, build transformative technologies, and train tomorrow’s scientific leaders. 

2. Center for Sex-Based Differences in the Immune System. Male and female immune systems don’t respond the same way, and LJI researchers are tracing the fundamental differences down to individual cells and molecular pathways. The Campaign will speed up this pioneering work, revealing hidden drivers of disease and paving the way for more precise, biologically informed therapies for autoimmune disorders, infectious diseases, cancer, and beyond. 

3. Center for Vaccine Innovation. Immunologists, bioengineers, and vaccine experts are teaming up to design the next generation of vaccines and immune-based therapies. With donor support, LJI scientists can engineer longer-lasting and more personalized vaccines, pinpoint the cellular mechanisms driving protective immunity, and refine delivery methods to prevent autoimmune disease and treat cancer. 

A Lasting Impact

As the campaign enters its public phase, LJI welcomes new partners and supporters to join this landmark initiative. Community support is essential to accelerating scientific discovery, and there are many meaningful ways to help shape the future of immunology. Donors may direct their gifts to any campaign priority or other area of interest. As a comprehensive campaign, all gifts to LJI count toward the campaign goal, regardless of designation. Join the campaign, and multiply your impact with our limited-time matching opportunity. 

To explore the campaign, visit imagine.lji.org.

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 9, 2026

Paving the Way for New Knee Treatments

Scripps orthopedic surgeons are investigating stem cells as an alternative to joint replacement

Paving the Way for New Knee Treatments
Courtesy of Scripps Health

Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education at Scripps Clinic recently received a $12.7 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to investigate whether they can transform stem cells into tissue that can repair some types of knee injuries. Currently, if a patient has lost most, if not all, of the cartilage in their knee, then their doctor will recommend a total joint replacement. Joint replacement is safe and effective, but patients who’ve only lost part of their cartilage often don’t qualify. A stem cell-based treatment would provide these patients an option that doesn’t involve donor tissue. Click here for more on the preclinical trial process. 

For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 9, 2026

Healing by Design

Artwork throughout the Lusardi Tower at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas promotes hope and healing

Healing by Design
Courtesy of Scripps Health

The recently opened Lusardi Tower at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas is a state-of-the-art addition to the hospital staffed by dedicated team members who’ve helped make Scripps one of the nation’s leading healthcare systems. Complementary to that medical excellence, the Lusardi Tower also represents the latest expansion of the Scripps Arts for Healing Program. The philanthropic initiative strategically places nature- and community-based artwork throughout the hospital to support health and well-being. Both Scripps Encinitas and Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla have healing arts programs as part of new building projects and growth on the campuses. Click here to read more about the Healing Arts Program and how residents from a nearby retirement community showed their support. 

For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 4, 2026

A Guide to South Park

From century-old Craftsman homes to vegan fantasy bars, dive bars, and a tiki room built for exactly two people, this is one of San Diego’s great little neighborhoods

You may not realize it, but Balboa Park is bigger than Central Park (in fact, 1.5 times larger). Pressed right up against its southeastern edge is a little architecture farm built on old trolley bones, where houses look like someone was collecting architectural styles and local businesses are still run by people who seem personally invested in keeping this place interesting.

This is South Park. 

To understand why it feels the way it does today—less like one commercial strip and more like a handful of tiny villages—you have to go back to the trolley.

How the Trolley Built South Park

The land that became the original South Park Addition (the subdivision’s original name) was surveyed in 1870 and officially filed in 1890, but the neighborhood really started becoming a neighborhood in the early 1900s. The Bartlett Estate Company began developing and marketing the tract in earnest around 1906, pairing lots and new homes with something extremely useful if you lived outside Downtown in the horse-and-buggy era: an electric streetcar.

On May 1, 1906, the South Park and East Side Railway made its first trip. Developers didn’t just build near transportation; they helped pay for the transportation, then used it to sell the dream. Downtown had industry, noise, and congestion. Out here were palms, sidewalks, utilities, room to breathe and a four-cent ride back to the city.

It worked. Homes began filling in around the streetcar route, and little commercial clusters grew around the places where people got on and off. That transportation pattern is still written into South Park’s geography. Some of the neighborhood’s odd street geometry is also due in part to the trolley—the old line cut across parcels instead of politely obeying the grid, leaving behind pieces of land that later businesses learned to build around. Places like Station Tavern sit on the former easement and station site of San Diego’s No. 2 trolley line.

Then San Diego went big for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in neighboring Balboa Park. The exposition transformed much of the park and helped push the city through another burst of building and growth. South Park was right there to absorb some of that momentum.

And the people building houses here had taste.

Walk the residential streets now and it can feel like somebody planted an architectural sample garden: Craftsman, Prairie, Mission Revival, Tudor Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival. Creedence Clearwater Revival. All the revivals. The neighborhood includes work by Irving Gill, one of the defining architects of early modern California; Gill-designed Prairie homes still stand along Granada Avenue.

The city formally designated the South Park Historic District in 2017, recognizing roughly 400 properties and a period of significance stretching from 1906 through 1949. In other words, a lot of what makes the place feel old is actually old.

South Park Today

While the trolley eventually disappeared, the basic idea behind it didn’t. South Park is still a neighborhood organized around little pockets of human activity: a couple blocks where you can buy a record, drink a beer, find a 60-year-old lamp, eat a vegan burger beneath gothic beasts, browse a bookstore, and walk home past a century-old Craftsman.

The 30th-and-Fern area may be the clearest example. Several surviving buildings there date to South Park’s early development, including the old Fire Station No. 9, Rose Grocery building, and Burlingame Garage. What began as infrastructure for a young streetcar suburb became the neighborhood’s commercial heart.

That history is also partly why buying a house here can be competitive. There isn’t some endless supply of vacant land waiting around the corner for another subdivision. Much of the neighborhood filled in generations ago, and the architecture itself is part of the appeal.

San Diego Mag’s been documenting the city for 78 years. And we’ve been looking for a partner who loved the city enough to help us tell its stories. Redfin is that partner. They’re helping us tell the story of some of the city’s most unique neighborhoods. They launched Redfin Early Access this year to get their people in first and to see certain coming-soon and exclusive listings on Redfin before they appear on other major real-estate sites.

First up: South Park.

Here are some of the people and places worth knowing here:

Whistle Stop Bar

Big Kitchen Cafe

Start with Judy “the Beauty” Forman, because it’s difficult to explain South Park without her. The former social worker bought Big Kitchen in 1980 and turned a neighborhood breakfast joint into a gathering place for artists, musicians, activists, politicians, eccentrics, and pretty much anyone who needed somewhere to belong. As Judy puts it, “I built this for people who others passed over.”

One of those people was a young single mom named Whoopi Goldberg, who worked as a dishwasher here before the Whoopi Goldberg part of her career happened. Today Big Kitchen still serves breakfast and lunch Thursday through Monday.

3003 Grape Street

Whistle Stop Bar

Whistle Stop reopened in 2001, right as South Park’s little independent-business ecosystem was finding a new generation. Owner Sam Chammas—also connected to Live Wire and, later, Station Tavern—helped turn it into the kind of neighborhood bar where the calendar can jump from a DJ night to live bands to some strange communal event nobody at a normal sports bar would propose.

The room still has that laid-back, slightly sweaty house-party quality. Check what’s happening before you go, because Whistle Stop changes personality depending on the night: sometimes neighborhood beer, sometimes everyone dancing beneath the disco ball like work tomorrow was canceled.

2236 Fern Street

Station Tavern

Station Tavern may be the most literal example of old South Park becoming new South Park. It opened in 2009 on land once crossed diagonally by the No. 2 trolley line, and architect Lloyd Russell incorporated that history into the design rather than pretending the weirdly shaped lot wasn’t weirdly shaped. The project won the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s Grand Orchid Award the same year it opened.

Sam Chammas built the place as an open-air burger-and-beer spot with big communal tables, a backyard, room for kids, and room for dogs. It still works exactly that way: get a burger, get the tots, let everybody spread out, stay awhile.

2204 Fern Street

Kindred + Throne Room

Kindred arrived in late 2015 looking nothing like the beige-and-leafy vegan restaurant stereotype. The place went full gothic fever dream—heavy music, wild cocktails, decadent plant-based food—and eventually collected national vegan accolades plus local Restaurant of the Year and design honors.

And in 2026, it got even weirder. Hidden behind a chain-mail passage inside Kindred is Throne Room, a medieval-fantasy cocktail chamber whose mythology grew out of a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired map the Kindred team created for a 2017 Coachella pop-up. The 90-minute experience has scroll menus, plant-based mezze, cocktails and zero interest in pretending restaurants need to behave normally.

1503 30th Street

Bad Madge & Co.

Vinyl Junkies Record Shack

Vinyl Junkies has good music-scene DNA. Founder Eric Howarth previously ran indie label Hi-Speed Soul, whose roster included acts like Nada Surf and Swervedriver, then teamed with Casbah owner Tim Mays after the pair had spent years putting on Vinyl Junkies record swaps.

They opened the South Park brick-and-mortar shop in 2017, and it remains a buy-sell-trade temple for people who understand that owning music on a physical object is irrational in exactly the right way. Go flip through the new arrivals. Leave holding something you had absolutely no intention of buying.

2235 Fern Street

Bad Madge & Co.

Bad Madge is what happens when “vintage store” doesn’t quite explain the situation. Owner Tanya McAnear and her team fill the shop with furniture, clothing, barware, records, art, jewelry, collectibles, and various objects that seem like they may know things about their previous owners. The shop opened in 2011 and has made reuse and upcycling part of its identity ever since. Go in without looking for anything specific—specificity will only slow you down.

2205 Fern Street

Thread + Seed

Across the neighborhood’s vintage-and-vinyl universe sits Thread + Seed, a local boutique built around clothing, denim, gifts, and personal styling. Its South Park shop has an especially deep denim program—petite, tall, wide-leg, straight, flare—and the store also offers one-on-one styling built around color and body type. In other words, this is where you go after deciding the jeans currently on your body have betrayed you. South Park understands that sometimes personal renewal begins with pants.

2220 Fern Street

The Book Catapult

Seth Marko started The Book Catapult as a book blog in 2006. In 2017, he and his wife, Jennifer Powell, turned it into an actual bookstore in South Park, specializing loosely in fiction, local interest, and children’s books while maintaining the more important bookseller skill: putting something into your hands that you didn’t know you needed.

There are staff picks, author events, signed books, and the dangerous possibility of walking in for one title and emerging with four. Because no one ever died thinking, “I shoulda read less.”

3010-B Juniper Street

Partner Content
Partner Content NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Tastemakers Fall 2026: Valle

Chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and craft mixers - meet our 2026 Tastemakers, the minds behind the magic.

Tastemakers Fall 2026: Valle
E-SDM—Valle-2026—Tastemakers_WEB

Roberto Alcocer, Chef

Chef Roberto Alcocer showcases all that Mexican cuisine and culture has to offer at Oceanside’s Valle. The Michelin-guide recommended restaurant takes inspiration and techniques from all over Mexico—with a heavy Baja influence—and blends them with local San Diego ingredients to create original and delectable contemporary Mexican cuisine. The seasonal tasting menu allows Chef Alcocer to experiment with the freshest available ingredients, creating dishes that defy guests’ expectations, while the wine list features more than 100 labels from Mexican artisans. Even the restaurant’s walls are a celebration of Mexican culture, all decorated with work from artists of Baja.

“My favorite part of being a chef of Valle is being able to showcase the Mexico that I know to everyone who visits,” Chef Alococer says. “Not only through the food, but with the design, culture, and welcoming service.”  

Try This!

Lobster Taco: Flour sourdough tortilla with lobster shell bisque and local red spiny lobster

Valle

222 North Pacific Street, Oceanside, California 92054
866-723-8906  | valleoceanside.com

Partner Content

Thousands of savvy locals already get it.

San Diego's best restaurants, experiences, and events—handpicked and delivered to your inbox weekly. You in?

Close the CTA

Contact Us

1230 Columbia Street, Suite 800,

San Diego, CA