Best Cleansers For Oily Skin: Top 10 Choices In 2024
Control sebum production to keep your skin matte with these facial cleansers for oily skin.
Dr. Kendall Roehl is a board-certified plastic surgeon with 20 years of experience at Memorial Plastic Surgery in Houston, Texas. She offers cosmetic surgery procedures for the face, body, and breasts including facelifts, tummy tuck surgery, and breast reconstruction.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.
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Experience: 11 yearsRamona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
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Too much of anything is bad. This is especially true when it comes to oily skin. The natural oils in your skin help maintain the skin barrier. However, they can go into overdrive any time! Hence, you end up keeping your compact, anti-sebum powder, and blotting papers handy. But with the right face cleanser with clinically verified ingredients, you don’t need to worry about carrying around all these products. A good cleanser helps control excess sebum production and keeps your skin matte for long. Keep scrolling to find out more about the top-rated face washes with positive reviewers’ experiences for oily skin.
In This Article
What Causes Oily Skin?
Your skin type is usually something you are born with. If you have oily skin, it means your glands produce too much sebum (an oily or greasy substance). Sebum is meant to keep your skin naturally moisturized. But with an overdose of sebum, you end up with a shiny-looking, oily face. Besides genetic predisposition, oily skin can also occur due to hormonal changes, diet, stress, and humidity.
One way of tackling oily skin is to wash it regularly. But how often should you wash your face? How often is too often? Let’s discuss this in the next section.
How Often Should You Cleanse Your Face If You Have Oily Skin?
As a rule of thumb, wash your face in the morning, at night, and after you exercise. Use a gentle, foaming cleanser for oily skin to cleanse your face. Harsh or aggressive formulas will remove the healthy moisture from your skin and leave you dry and lifeless.
If you suffer from oiliness throughout the day, even after regular face washes, use an oil-control moisturizer or wipe your face with a moisturizing wipe as and when required. However, remember to moisturize your face whenever you wash it. You can also exfoliate your face thrice weekly to remove excess oil, dirt, and grime from your pores.
So, which cleansers will give you the best mattifying results? We have curated a list of the best cleansers for oily skin below. Take a look!
Best Face Washes And Cleansers For Oily Skin
1. Cetaphil Pro DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash
If you are looking for a drugstore formula, this is the best one out there. Cetaphil Pro DermaControl Foam Wash removes impurities, excess sebum, and all traces of makeup to give you squeaky clean skin. This daily face wash keeps your face oil-free all day long.
- Clinically-proven formula
- Non-comedogenic
- Hypoallergenic
- pH-balanced formula
- Suitable for all ages
- Paraben-free
- Fragrance-free
None
2. Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser
This cleanser is the winner of the Allure Reader’s Choice Award, 2019. With its clinically proven ingredients, it addresses skin issues, such as oiliness, wrinkles, dullness, and fine lines. Its gel-based formula is powerful yet gentle on your skin. It is so gentle that you can use it for double cleansing as well. This gentle cleanser for oily skin types promotes a healthy skin barrier and skin texture. This video review will help you understand more about the product and know if it offers accurate and proven efficacy.
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- No formaldehyde-releasing agent
- Alcohol-free
- Cruelty-free
- 100% vegan
- Recyclable packaging
None
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 795 Amazon acclaimed reviews, this product is sure to find a place in everyone’s shopping bag.
3. Neocutis Neo-Cleanse Exfoliating Skin Cleanser
This cleanser gently retexturizes your skin. Its gentle exfoliating formula feels comfortable on your skin and is suitable for normal to oily skin. This lightweight cleanser contains a key ingredient, glycerin, that prevents stripping your skin of its natural oils. You can go in with micellar water before using this cleanser and wash your face with lukewarm water for best results. The double cleanse will help remove heavy makeup. However, the AHA (glycolic acid) in it will increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. You need to apply sunscreen after using this cleanser.
- Dermatologist-tested
- No artificial colors
- No artificial fragrances
- Not tested on animals
- Sulfate-free
- Dye-free
None
Cetaphil Pro DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash | Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser | Neocutis Neo-Cleanse Exfoliating Skin Cleanser | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Type | Oily | Oily, Combination, Dry, Normal | Oily |
| Dimensions | 1.68 x 2.8 x 7.57 inches | - | 1.75 x 1.75 x 6.75 inches |
| Weight | 9.6 Ounces | 8 Ounces | 1.6 Ounces |
| Dimensions | - | 6.3 x 2.8 x 2.5 inches | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 571 | 795 | 114 |
| Price | - | $39 | $38.0 |
4. Burt’s Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream
If you like using completely natural products, this is the cleanser for you. It is a 99.9% natural cream cleanser that removes dirt, makeup, and excess sebum from your face thoroughly. This affordable face wash contains key ingredients chamomile and aloe vera extracts that soften your skin and keep it feeling fresh for long. This makes it the ideal choice for oily skin types. If you are still unsure, check out the honest review of this chamomile-aloe vera cleanser.
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Petrolatum-free
- SLS-free
- Does not cause irritation
- Suitable for all skin types (including extremely sensitive skin)
None
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 668 reviews claiming its efficacy.
5. Natural Outcome Oily Skin Cleanser
The Natural Outcome Oily Skin Cleanser exfoliates oily and acne-prone skin, cleans pores, and prevents acne. This exfoliating cleanser has a key ingredient, grapeseed extract, a natural cleansing oil, that helps keep the top layer of skin healthy. Citrus fruit extract cleanses, stimulates, and regenerates the skin, and tea tree extract fights acne and controls greasy skin.
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Sulfate-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Dye-free
- Natural healing ingredients
None
6. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Face Wash
If you have oily and acne-prone skin, you need to try out this facial cleanser. It is an oil-free formula with salicylic acid that gently cleanses your skin and pores to help you get rid of excess sebum and acne. It also prevents further breakouts. This cleanser is ideal for oily complexion and leaves skin soft after a single cleanse. To find out more about this blackhead-fighting cleanser, check out this video.
- Non-comedogenic
- Oil-free
- Residue-free
- Clinically-proven
- Dermatologist-recommended
None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
A whopping 989 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
7. First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Deep Cleanser
Reduce excess oil and draw out impurities with the First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Deep Cleanser. It effectively unclogs pores, leaves the skin clean, and balances the complexion. The cleanser is infused with rosemary leaf oil and red clay that balances the sebum production, purifies your skin, and hydrates your skin. In addition, glycerin infused in the cleanser helps in providing smooth skin. This makes it a great addition to your skin care routine.
- No artificial colorant
- No alcohol
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Sulfate-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Dermatologist-tested
None
8. Avene Eau Thermale Cleansing Foam
This product has a mattifying effect on your face. This is a soap-free face wash suitable for oily and sensitive skin types. Its gentle cleansing formula removes dirt and makeup from your face. This mattifying cleanser contains thermal spring water, which has an instant soothing effect on your skin. This is a must-have in your skin care routine.
- Soap-free
- Contains moisturizing agents
- Contains glutamic acid
- Silicone-free
- Paraben-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-comedogenic cleanser
- Non-drying cleanser
None
9. Olehenriksen Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser
This product is the winner of the Refinery29 Beauty Innovation Award. As the name suggests, it helps your oily skin find a balance by reducing excess sebum and purifying the skin’s pores. It deeply cleanses your skin by lifting and loosening the dead skin cells and dry skin clogging your pores. Applying sunscreen is a must after using this cleanser as it contains AHAs.
- Contains AHAs (glycolic and lactic acid)
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Sulfate-free
- Antiseptic properties
None
Pro Tip10. Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser
This is a unique cream-to-foam cleanser that controls oil without drying out your skin. It removes dirt, excess sebum, and traces of makeup. It also claims to reduce the visibility of enlarged skin pores. It helps restore your skin’s balance and improves its texture. It is one of the best oil-absorbing cleansers that may help in sebum control and acne control.
- Non-drying
- Suitable for oily to combination skin types
- Colorant-free
- Fragrance-free
None
11. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser for Oily Skin
This foaming gel cleanser contains zinc picolinate that removes dirt and excess sebum from your skin effectively. It does not dry out your skin and is suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin as well.
- Non-comedogenic (tested)
- pH-balanced formula
- Contains thermal spring water
- Paraben-free
- Alcohol-free
- Soap-free
None
Rating
5/5
12. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
This calming cleanser has a unique formula that contains three essential ceramides (1, 3, and 6-II). This unique formula cleanses your skin and removes excess oil without hampering the skin barrier. This affordable face wash contains hyaluronic acid that helps retain the moisture levels in your skin and keep it calm.
- Contains niacinamide
- Non-comedogenic
- Non-irritating
- Fragrance-free
- Developed by dermatologists
- pH-balanced formula
None
13. Garnier SkinActive Face Wash
Garnier SkinActive Face Wash is made with 96% natural extracts. It is a deep pore cleanser that not only cleanses your skin thoroughly but also visibly reduces the size of your pores. This natural acne fighter contains green tea extracts that calm your skin and keep it nourished.
- Paraben-free
- Dye-free
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is so liked by shoppers that it has gained over 493 great reviews on Amazon.
14. Tatcha The Deep Cleanse
This is a daily-use gel cleanser that has an exfoliating effect on your skin. It gently exfoliates your pores, lifts all dead skin cells and impurities, and leaves your skin hydrated and soft. This refreshing cleanser lathers into a creamy foam and is suitable for even the most sensitive and delicate skin types. It is one of the best pore-refining cleansers out there.
- Oil-free formula
- Dermatologist-tested
- Cruelty-free
- No synthetic fragrances
- Sulfate-free
- Urea-free
None
15. Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser
Wash away dirt and impurities from the skin with the Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser. This clay cleanser is formulated with green clay, bentonite, white kaolin, rice oil ester, and olive oil ester. The esters help to soften the sensitive skin and make the skin look healthier. In addition, the green clay pulls oil, impurities, dirt, makeup, and pollution out of the pores without making the skin dehydrated. Moreover, this clay-based cleanser makes the skin softener, balanced, cleaner, and radiant.
- Suitable for all skin types
- Cruelty-free
- Sustainable
- Non-irritating
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
None
16. The Organic Pharmacy Peppermint Facial Wash
This antibacterial face wash is suitable for both men and women. Its gentle formula keeps your skin clean and feeling fresh. It also claims to reduce spots and blemishes.
- Antiseptic properties
- Contains natural extracts
- Contains tocopherol
- Sulfate-free
- Detergent-free
- Does not irritate your skin
- Blemish-control cleanser
- The formula keeps changing.
From the reviews above, you might have a fair idea of what the best cleansers for oily skin are made of. Let’s take a look at it in detail below.
What Makes The Best Cleansers For Oily Skin (Buying Guide)
- Oil-Control Ingredients: The formula that offers a thorough cleansing experience but does not use oil for the same is a great product for oily skin types. Look for ingredients like AHAs, red clay, neem, and green tea extracts to remove excess oil from the skin.
- Acne-Control Ingredients: Oily skin is often accompanied by acne outbursts. This is why you need a cleanser that also caters to acne issues. Salicylic acid is found in many good-quality cleansers that treat and prevent acne. The presence of salicylic acid will also mean it is a blackhead- and whitehead-fighting cleanser.
- Hypoallergenic Formula: Oily skin attracts dirt and experiences acne more than other skin types, keeping the skin irritated. This is why you need to avoid allergens to prevent future breakouts and further damage. So, before you buy a product, go through the ingredient list to ensure that it does not contain any harsh ingredients like parabens, sulfates, silicone, or artificial colors or fragrances.
- Moisturizing Ingredients: The aim of using a cleanser for oily skin is to remove excess oil and not strip the essential oil from your skin. Your skin will still need to retain some healthy moisture. This is why every good cleanser must contain dermatologist-tested and moisturizing ingredients in its formula. Look for ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, and olive extracts.
Infographic: Dos and Don’ts Of Cleansing Oily Skin
Cleansing oily skin is a vital step in maintaining good skin health and a clear and balanced complexion. However, using the wrong cleanser or improper techniques can exacerbate oily skin concerns. Check out the infographic below to explore essential dos and don’ts to achieve effective and gentle cleansing for your oily skin without causing unnecessary irritation or excess oil production.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
The skin has natural oils that act as a protective shield to keep it healthy. But if the oil or sebum is produced excessively, it might turn out ugly by attracting dirt and impurities. So, the skin needs special cleansers that can control excessive sebum and make you appear glowy. The top-notch cleansers listed in our article help you address common skin concerns and keep the skin healthy and fresh all day long. The Cetaphil Pro DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash is a dermatologist-recommended product, perfect for acne-prone skin. As the name suggests, the Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser makes use of superfood ingredients to cleanse and balance the skin’s pH, whereas the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Face Wash is an affordable option suitable for everyday use, due to its gentle formula. Some cleansers are enriched with natural herbs and can even restore moisture loss and natural glow. Refrain from using cleansers with sulfates, parabens, and other harsh chemicals.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach. She conducted thorough research and checked out various online user feedback forums and reviews to prepare this list of the best cleansers for oily skin. These cleansers and face washes control excessive sebum, clean the skin, and purify the pores. The given products are also known to maintain overall good skin conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of cleanser is the best for oily skin?
A mild foaming cleanser is the best option for oily skin. It effectively removes dirt and pollutants without drying the skin. It is because foam cleansers tend to have gentle surfactants or cleaning agents that provide clear skin.
Is cleansing good for oily skin?
Yes, cleansing is definitely good for oily skin. Face washes and cleansers containing ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid help in curbing excess oil production.
What is the right time to use a cleanser for oily skin?
If you have oily skin, use a cleanser twice a day, once in the morning and before going to bed. This will balance your pH level, give your skin proper nourishment and a radiant glow, and maintain its natural moisture.
Read full bio of Dr. Kendall R. Roehl
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Read full bio of Aditi Naskar
Read full bio of Ramona Sinha
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