Using a face cleanser is the foundation of any skin care routine, but when you have oily skin? It's a non-negotiable. Cleansing helps reduce that over-production of sebum—also known as our skin's natural oils—to keep things more balanced and unclog your pores.
Still, some cleansers can go too far, over-drying or stripping skin of all that sebum, which can create dry patches, or even make the problem worse. Deep breaths though—we gathered 14 editor-approved (and top-reviewed) face washes for oily skin, so you can choose the best formula for your skin. Plus, keep reading for expert tips from New York City-based dermatologist, Hadley King.
Related article: The 15 Natural and Organic Face Washes That Actually Work
The Best Face Washes for Oily Skin
DERM PICK
Peach Slices Oil Control Balancing Cleanser
PROS
- Great price
- Balancing ingredients
King recommends this new—and reasonably priced—cleanser from Peach Slices, calling it "an innovative approach to oil control."
Expert Review:
"It uses niacinamide, zinc, and green tea extract for oil control. I like that these are all things that aren’t harsh or drying," says King.
BEST WITH HYALURONIC ACID
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser
PROS
- Great price
- Fragrance-free
Neutrogena's Hydro Boost line is always a favourite, and their gel cleanser is no exception. Don't be fooled by the word "hydrating" here—oily skin types still need hydration—it will still wash away excess oil, dirt, sunscreen, and more.
Customer Review:
"My friend has the clearest skin, and on our Mexico trip together i borrowed this cleanser from her. My sunburn and acne was instantly soothed. Ever since I've used this, my skin has felt so clean and non-irritated. I LOVE this cleanser and I couldn’t recommend it more." —Maddies201
BEST JELLY CLEANSER
BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser
PROS
- Refillable
If you like a creamy lather when you cleanse, you'll love this jelly formula from Byoma. Made with licorice root and green tea to balance, plus a Tri-Ceramide Complex, it leaves skin soft, not stripped.
Customer Review:
"I love that a little goes a LONG way, it lathers well and my face feels great afterward. No dryness or anything, just soft and clean. My face cleared up really well after about a week of use and has stayed that way ever since." —Meghan
BEST ULTRA-GENTLE CLEANSER
Paula's Choice RESIST Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
PROS
- Nice texture
- Gentle
Somehow, Paula's Choice created a foaming cleanser that's also soap-free. The sorcery! But it works, and replenishes skin with hyaluronic acid, a ceramide blend, and aloe as it cleanses away sebum.
Customer Review:
"i thought no cleanser existed that would be good for my oiliness, clear up some acne, and be good for my sensitive skin. But this is that all in a bottle. i love how foamy it is and it feels like silk on my skin!"
BEST CLEANSER AND MASK
BABOR Cleanformance Clay Multi-Cleanser
PROS
- 2-in-1
This formula features oil-absorbing kaolin clay, but because it also has sunflower and grapeseed oils, it won't overdry skin. Plus, it can also be used as a mask when left on for 10 minutes.
Customer Review:
"This cleanser is great for my sensitive skin. It cleanses without drying out the skin, leaving my face feeling clean and supple. It smells great too!" —Candice
BEST EXFOLIATING CLEANSER
Tatcha The Deep Cleanse Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser
PROS
- Uses a gentle enzyme exfoliant
Rather than using physical exfoliants, which can be harsh, this formula relies on natural fruit exfoliant to unclog pores and leave skin super-soft. Plus, it's oil-free and creates the loveliest lather.
Customer Review:
"I can't say enough good things about this cleanser. I have sensitive, oily, blemish-prone skin, and this cleanser keeps my skin looking clear and radiant without drying it out." —Michelle0809
BEST COOLING CLEANSER
Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash
PROS
- Feels refreshing
- Great lather
This frothy face wash might have been one of the first "grown-up" products in your skincare routine. And guess what? It still holds up, thanks to a gentle but effective formula and pop of zingy mint that leaves you and your skin feeling refreshed.
Customer Review:
"I love this product because it cleans your skin gently yet thoroughly, not harsh at all. Leaves a soft texture to the skin once rinsed off, you can tell it works when you wash your face." —Sandy
BEST CLAY CLEANSER
Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser
PROS
- Contains aloe
Amazonian White Clay is the hero ingredient in this beloved cleanser as it's both rich in minerals and known for its ability to absorb excess oil. Win-win.
Customer Review:
"I’ve been using this as my daily face wash for about a year and I absolutely love it. My skin is blackhead-prone and this helps so much plus leaves my face feeling soft." —Nicole M12
BEST FOR BRIGHTENING
Hyper Even Gentle Brightening Gel Cleanser
PROS
- Gently exfoliates skin
Mandelic acid, licorice root, bearberry, and willow bark help not only with oil control, but also a brighter, more even glow with each wash. Let it sit 30 seconds before rinsing for the best results.
Customer Review:
"When I washed my face with the wash it doesn’t take much but a dime size amount. It lathers so beautiful and I could feel all the dirt washing off. This is the cleanest my skin has felt. It was almost a shame to use moisturiser afterwards." —sadiehoops
BEST WITH SALICYLIC ACID
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
PROS
- Great value
- Good for breakouts
From derm-loved CeraVe comes this gel cleanser formulated with pore-clearing salicylic acid, strengthening ceramides, and soothing niacinamide. It's a great all-around cleanser for acne-prone and combination skin too.
Customer Review:
"Make this purchase! This cleanser is refreshing, no scent and leaves your skin hydrated and feeling invigorated. I have been using this for a couple weeks now and it has taken the place of my Medical Grade cleanser for a fraction of the cost. Don't sleep on this product. —Mandy
BEST FOR SENSITIVE OILY SKIN
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash
PROS
- Has nourishing and soothing ingredients
CONS
- Some reviewers found it drying
Another derm-favourite option, La Roche-Posay's foaming cleanser has niacinamide and glycerin to keep skin soothed, and is suitable for sensitive skin as well.
Customer Review:
"Best foaming cleanser it make my skin feel soft the whole day even after exercising my face feels clean It helps with my acne and my skin has been feeling cleaner and smoother."
BEST NON-FOAMING
Holifrog Shasta AHA Acid Wash
PROS
- Also contains replenishing ingredients like aloe and rosehip oil
Prefer something that doesn't foam at all? Go for this AHA cleanser from Holifrog, which utilizes a blend of lactic, glycolic, and mandelic acids to deep-clean pores, rather than a soapy lather.
Customer Review:
"Shasta has a way of ridding my skin of all the sweat and debris from working out without irritating it. It always restores and makes my face feel so smooth. Everybody needs to give this one a shot!" —Megan
BEST FOR BREAKOUTS
Herbivore Aquarius BHA + Blue Tansy Clarifying Cleanser
PROS
- Gentle ingredients
This teal gel is formulated with willow bark (which naturally contains salicylic acid), calming blue tansy, and oil-absorbing zinc PCA—so all your bases are covered. Plus, let's be honest, it looks so pretty next to the sink.
Customer Review:
"Loving this cleanser! I have super oily skin and live in the south (lots of humidity) and this has done a great job at keeping my skin less slick. It’s not as sudsy as I was expecting, so I use one more pump than directed but I’m loving it!" —IndiaElizabeth
BEST WITH GLYCOLIC ACID
OLEHENRIKSEN Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser
PROS
- Gently exfoliates
Eucalyptus-spiked and packed with glycolic and lactic acids, this cleanser comes close to recreating the spa experience in your bathroom each and every day.
Customer Review:
"If you use this and let it sit on your face for a few minutes you'll feel it actually deep cleanse your pores and that's the real game changer. The smell isn't off-putting and a little goes a long way." —alimaee
What type of cleanser is actually best for oily skin?
According to King, it depends on the formulation, as well as your personal preference. "For example [the Peach Slices cleanser] is sulfate-free. You don’t need all those detergents to still have effective cleansing," she explains. She also notes that having skin-supporting ingredients, such as hydrating aloe vera and ceramides, is just as important as having those that control oil production. "Overall, that’s going to be better because you’re not making the skin barrier dehydrated, which causes inflammation, which causes more sebum," says the derm. That being said, she says that for those with oily skin, "I would stay away from a heavy balm cleanser."
Which ingredients are best for oil control?
King name-checks niacinamide, zinc, and green tea extract for their oil control benefits. However, she also mentions breakout-busting salicylic acid, "as it penetrates the pores and helps to remove the sebum." In addition, the derm says oil-absorbing ingredients like charcoal or clay can be of help.
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