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Are you done with cleanser leaving your skin stripped of moisture?

Don’t worry, you’re far from alone. For those of us with oily skin, it can feel like cleansers either do way too much and leave our skin dry, or don’t do enough and cause us to break out no matter our skincare routine for oily skin. You’ll be happy to hear that I’ve spent the last few hours discovering the best facial cleanser for oily skin so you can feel confident and glowing in your own skin.

You’ll know what I mean when I say oily skin, more than other skin types, needs to have oil control and at the same time stay hydrated. Knowing how to take care of oily skin is not easy to do when every day can leave your skin feeling greasy. If you’re looking for all day matte skin that is still hydrated and healthy, then check this out.

There’s more you can do.

I’ve compiled this list of best face wash for oily skin that will help control your oil production as well as providing oil-free cleansing that helps to mattify your skin whilst providing the moisture it needs. If youre into diy, you can try a diy facial cleanser for oily skin.

A word of advice- if you have breakouts and oily skin, it could be that your pores are getting clogged. Avoid using oils in cleansers as this can be triggering your skin too.

Glowing skin is just around the corner!

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Best Facial Cleanser For Oily Skin - A Review

1.

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash

best facial cleanser for oily skin and acne

Looking for the best drugstore facial cleanser for oily skin? Look no further.

Neutrogena is ideal if you are on a budget but want an oil-free, everyday cleanser that won’t clog your pores or make you break out. I’m talking about cleansing your skin and treating your acne at the same time. It provides everyday hydration without clogging your pores or leaving your skin shiny.

I love that this cleanser has been dermatologically tested to keep shine at bay, including mattifying the skin and refining pores. It contains Micro clear technology as well as salicylic acne medicine to fight breakouts even before they appear. This includes blackheads and acne scars.

But let me tell you about this.

A great feature of this is that it doesn’t contain oil, and is non-comedogenic providing lightweight cleansing that leaves your skin matte. It’s perfect if you have blemish-prone skin and clogged pores. It contains a lovely pink grapefruit scent as well as naturally derived grapefruit extract with vitamin c.

What more can I say? Neutrogena is also paraben free and aluminum free so you won’t be irritating your skin or drying it out. If you’re looking for an all day matte finish that leaves your skin feeling fresh all day, then it’s a winner!

Click on the blue button below to take a look for yourself!

Pros
  • Pink grapefruit extract
  • Contains salicylic acid
  • Micro Clear technology
  • Oil free
Cons
  • Can make your skin dry

Latest deal: Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash

2.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

best drugstore facial cleanser for oily skin

This is my favorite facial cleanser for oily skin.

The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is a gentle way of cleansing the oil and dead skin cells from your skin whilst at the same time balancing oil production. If you have oily skin that gets dry and sore from using stripping cleansers, then this one is worth having a look at.

This cleanser dispenses as a clear gel to then foam as you lather it. That means you can cleanse and break down oil on your skin without drying it up. It is non comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores and is also fragrance free. My favorite ingredient in this is niacinamide, which helps prevent breakouts and also soothes skin. .If you want a cleanser that is non drying and gentle on skin, but tough on oil, then I highly recommend this one.

But that’s not all.

Cerave has essential ceramides that are found in the skin and in the lipid barrier. That means it has exactly what your skin needs to maintain and restore the barrier. This is particularly useful since many cleansers strip the skin and damage the skin’s barrier. Ceramides will help your skin heal and be the best version of itself.

Whether you have sensitive, or oily, acne-prone skin, the Cerave cleanser has a gel to foam consistency that can help to deep cleanse and treat oil, helping to smooth rough bumps without drying the skin. It contains everything your skin needs to be healthy and is fragrance-free and paraben-free.

Check out the 5-star reviews!

Pros
  • Gel-to-foam technology
  • Contains niacinamide and ceramides
  • Non comedogenic
  • Fragrance free
Cons
  • Can be strong for sensitive skin

Latest deal: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

3.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Facial Cleanser

best face wash for oily sensitive skin

Looking for a quality drugstore cleanser?

La Roche Posay is ideal if you need a gentle cleanser that is oil free. This cleanser has a gel formula that your skin will love and gently cleans out dirt for plump, glowing skin.

I love that this cleanser has been formulated with zinc pidolate and gets rid of impurities without unbalancing the skin’s pH levels. This refreshing foaming gel texture makes it perfect for oily skin struggling to deep cleanse their face. That means you can cleanse your face from the day’s dirt, bacteria and oil without drying out your skin too.

But wait let me tell you about this.

A great feature of this is that it contains La Roche Posay Thermal Spring water like all of the brand’s products. In this gel cleanser, it acts as a soothing antioxidant and is rich in selenium to restore products the skin. It will plump your skin and give you a smooth skin feeling that leaves your skin nourished. It’s perfect if you have oily or sensitive skin and clogged pores. This cleanser will help to tighten your pores after cleansing, to prevent breakouts.

What more can I say? La Roche Posay brand is known to be a leading skincare brand that provides all the right ingredients in their products so you can keep your skin cleansed and healthy. It is allergy tested and dermatologist tested, as well as being oil free and fragrance free.

Click on the blue button below to take a look for yourself!

Pros
  • Contains Purifying zinc pidolate
  • Soothing thermal spring water
  • Gel consistency
  • Oil free and fragrance free
Cons
  • Not cruelty free

Latest deal: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Facial Cleanser

4.

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Deep Cleanser with Red Clay

best facial cleanser for oily sensitive skin

If you’re looking for a cleanser that does it all, stop here.

The First Aid Beauty Skin Cleanser with red clay is one of the best cleansers on the market for oily skin types. It instantly absorbs impurities and works to nourish the skin as well as leaving it clean and fresh, without clogging pores. It has been the go to for oily, combination, and even normal or dry skin types. With a quick absorption formula that will make it super easy and nourishing to put on.

This cleanser is ideal if you need to balance oil production and it is fragrance free and gentle even for irritated, sensitive skin. The cleanser is suitable for oily skin, dry skin, combination and normal skin types, so the whole family can benefit from it. Try using it daily, for an instant improvement in your skin tone. It is free from common irritants such as alcohol, mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde and oxybenzone among others. This struct policy for ingredients means that your skin is getting the very best products with none of the drawbacks.

But that’s not the best part.

Not only that but this cleanser contains red clay to help purify the skin at a deeper level and is strong enough to remove dirt and grime from the day, including makeup. It is infused with rosemary leaf oil for its antibacterial properties. Glycerin helps it to hydrate the skin and give it a smoother appearance. These ingredients are made to leave your skin feeling fresh and clean, but definitely not dry.

This works wonders on oily skin and has FAB Antioxidant booster to help protect against environmental aggressors with licorice root and feverfew as well as white tea extracts. As someone with oily or sensitive skin, you need a cleanser like this in your life.

Have you added this one to your basket yet?

Pros
  • Free from common irritants
  • Balances oil production
  • Contains Glycerin and aloe
  • Wont leave skin dry
Cons
  • Smells weird

Latest deal: First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Deep Cleanser with Red Clay

5.

Face Wash by CETAPHIL

best face wash for oily skin

This one is a drugstore must-have.

The Cetaphil Face Wash cream is a daily facial cleanser made for normal to oily skin types. if you want clean, fresh skin that helps to rebalance oil production and break down dirt then it’s perfect. If you have damaged their skin’s natural barrier but still want to achieve that fresh faced look, then give this one a try.

I love that the Cetaphil face wash is suitable for daily use, and has been clinically proven to deep clean your skin. That means for all of us struggling with clogged pores and breakouts, this is perfect. The daily face wash has been designed to remove surface cells, and dirt as well as makeup without stripping your skin of moisture. If you have oily skin but don’t like harsh cleansers that leave your face feeling tight and dry, then you’ll love this one.

But wait let me tell you about this.

An extremely important feature of the Cetaphil is that it is fragrance-free and paraben-free, as well as being non comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts. This makes it great if you have sensitive skin as well. You’ll be happy to know it rinses and cleans the skin without leaving behind any residue. No wonder it is recommended by dermatologists!

Cetaphil is up there when it comes to good cleansers for oily skin that promises to deliver clean, hydrated skin and an all day matte finish I’d be surprised if you’d never heard of it, there’s probably a reason why so many people consider it a staple in their skincare routine. , I’d say it does the job pretty well and it’s value for money, it’s a winner!

Click on the blue button below to take a look for yourself!

Pros
  • Budget friendly
  • Fragrance free and suitable for sensitive skin
  • Cleans skin without leaving it dry
  • No residue left behind
Cons
  • Doesn’t have a nice smell

Latest deal: Face Wash by CETAPHIL

6.

Paula's Choice SKIN BALANCING Oil-Reducing Cleanser

best acne face wash

This is one of the best products for cleansing oily skin.

Paula’s Choice Skin balancing cleanser is ideal for oily skin types with a clean formula and no hidden harmful ingredients. Their cleanser is directly formulated with natural extracts and hydrating ingredients to gently cleanse your skin.

Many people who struggle with oily skin actually end up using harsh products that unbalance the oil and make it worse. To break this vicious cycle, this cleanser is designed to erase grime and mattify shine without stripping the skin of vital moisture. To help with that, it includes glycerin that protects the moisture barrier and aloe for lightweight hydration that soothes the skin.

But that’s not all.

The best part about Paula’s choice is that their cleanser contains loads of good ingredients to nourish your skin. If you’re looking to get rid of dirt and get glowing skin, then give this one a try. Packed with cocunt derived cleanser to gently break down dirt and remove oil in a natural way. It provides plumping hydration that doesn’t clog pores, and ceramides to repair the moisture barrier, making it the perfect addition to your skincare routine. It also contains aloe to soothe irritated skin, or skin that is more sensitive and red.

Whether you have sensitive, or oily acne skin Paula’s Choice cleanser is paraben free and fragrance free, but more importantly, it is cruelty free too. This is a good opportunity to care for the environment as well as your skin.

Overall, I’d say this is worth checking out.

Pros
  • Mattify shine
  • Contains glycerine for moisture
  • Aloe for soothing hydration
  • Coconut derived cleanser
Cons
  • Slightly pricey

Latest deal: Paula’s Choice SKIN BALANCING Oil-Reducing Cleanser

7.

Vichy Normaderm Daily Acne Face Wash

best oily skin face wash

This acne face wash ticks all the boxes, let me tell you why,

The Vichy Normaderm daily acne face wash serum has ingredients that are safe for sensitive skin whilst helping to clear acne and pimples, with a lightweight formula that will make it super easy and nourishing to put on. It has also been dermatologically tested and contains key properties for soft hydrated skin.

This serum is good for oily skin as it has been formulated to prevent breakouts and unclog pores. I love that it contains 0.5% salicylic acid to gently exfoliate the skin and break down oil as well as treating acne. This makes it perfect if you struggle with frequent breakouts. Vichy also contains their famous mineral-rich vichy volcanic water to strengthen and repair the skin barrier.

Now, before you go listen to this.

For many of us, we rely on results and when it comes to vichy cleanser, it delivers. You can expect after the first wash to see a matte finish, no shine, and a fresh face. With consistent use, after a week of using the cleanser, you’ll notice reduced pimples and overall clearer skin. After a month of use, you’ll notice you have fewer acne blemishes, pores, and blackheads. As usual the results take time to see, but once you are consistent and patient with it?> Id say its worth it

This works wonders on sensitive skin and I would say it makes for the best daily cleanser for oily skin. Allergy, tested and paraben free, were sure your skin will love it.

Have you added this one to your basket yet?

Pros
  • Contains salicylic acid
  • Contains mineral rich volcanic water
  • Paraben free and allergy tested
  • Helps clear blemishes
Cons
  • Smells like peppermint

Latest deal: Vichy Normaderm Daily Acne Face Wash

Best Face Wash For Oily Skin – A Buyer’s Guide

Do you struggle with excess oil?

Join the club. For many of us, it’s a constant struggle, and you might feel that whatever you use ends up giving you oilier skin. When it comes to face washes, when you’re struggling with acne and clogged pores, you want to use ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and glycolic acid or an exfoliating cleanser with beta hydroxy acid.

The key with very oily skin is that you don’t want to strip it of moisture, so a foaming cleanser will be perfect. If you have combination skin or acne prone oily skin then find a good cleansing gel or a gentle foaming cleanser to absorb excess oil. To ensure it doesn’t damage your skin barrier, use face washes with hyaluronic acid.

The best washes for oily skin remove excess shine, prevent acne breakouts, remove excess sebum, keep pores clear but your skin hydrated. If you struggle with dry skin then go for a cream cleanser to get your skin soft but still remove oil. For something stronger try a purifying face wash or a salicylic acid cleanser to remove dirt and keep pores clear.

What cleanser works for you?

Causes of oily skin

Some of the main symptoms of oily skin include shiny or greasy skin, acne or breakouts, clogged pores, blackheads, rough skin, and large pores. When you have this skin type, you might notice some products make you break out, or even your makeup might melt quickly during the day.

Oily skin is when the skin produces too much sebum, also known as overproduction of sebum from the sebaceous glands. This disbalance means your skin has too much oil, making it look greasy, shiny, and sometimes cause breakouts too. Here’s what may be causing it:

Genetics– Sometimes people are born with oily skin, and there’s nothing you can do about it. The same way people are born with dry or sensitive skin, it’s in the genes!

Hormonal/Puberty- Many people get oily skin during puberty when hormones are unbalanced and sebum production can be unbalanced too. The good news is this can go away with time, but it may be the cause of breakouts in the meantime.

Using the wrong products/makeup- Sometimes using oil-based products that clog pores can make your skin produce more oil or be unable to absorb it well.

Overwashing your face– When your strip your skin of sebum, it tries to rectify it by producing more, and that’s how you find yourself with constantly greasy skin even after washing it.

Your environment- Hot, humid weather can make you sweat all day, including having a shiny, oily face.

There can be different things causing your skin to get oily, but if oily skin is just your skin type, then there are a few things you can do to properly take care of oily skin. Here are my tips to care for this skin type no matter what’s causing it!

What to look for in a facial cleanser for oily skin

When it comes to choosing the right facial cleanser for your skin type, there are a couple of things you want to look out for. If you have oily skin, here are some tips for picking out a cleanser:

Oil free- For very dry skin types, a cleanser that is oil based rather than waterbased can help retain moisture better than other cleansers.

Gentle formulas- Sometimes oily skin is caused by a damaged skin barrier, so always make sure to check the ingredients and avoid harsh or aggressive cleansers containing sulfate or drying alcohols and fragrance.

Go for the right ingredients– this is super important for oily skin, look out for ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and hyaluronic acid to exfoliate and fortify the skin barrier.

How to use facial cleanser in skincare routine

Here are some tips for using a facial cleanser in your routine:

Wash your face twice a day– even for oily skin types, you need to be careful not to overwash your face, but not to skip washing it either. With the right cleanser, it won’t dry out your skin, and you need to remove dirt and makeup daily.

Use lukewarm water- avoid using hot water or very cold water on your face as this can dry out your skin even more.

Use a cleansing brush– if you want a deeper clean, avoid a harsh cleanser or scrubs. I would recommend investing in a cleansing brush to gently clean deeper.

Follow up with oil free skincare– After cleansing, it’s very important to apply a toner such as glycolic acid, and then continue with a moisturizer and spf designed for oily skin.

Final Thoughts

There are so many face washes for oily skin, a clay cleanser, a foamy cleanser like cerave foaming cleanser, a drugstore face wash, an oil free acne wash or a physical exfoliant.

They’re perfect for preventing future breakouts, tighten pores and effectively cleanse to give you a balanced complexion. The best products have natural ingredients, an active ingredient that gently exfoliates dead cells, bonus points if it has a refreshing scent.

What are your favorite face washes for oily skin?

Summary

jess rowley

Jess Rowley

Cheif Editor & Nail Technician Expert

ABOUT

Jess Rowley, a veteran nail tech, has been studying beauty over the last 11 years and has completed the nail technology program in California. Watching the latest trends in beauty, Jess searches for the highest quality products that make your nails feel loved.