Oily skin can be a blessing and a curse.

As a teenager, the struggle of unflattering breakouts and pimples made oily skin unbearable.

Later in adulthood, we might thank our oily skin when we appear surprisingly younger than our dry-skinned peers. Oil helps preserve the skin’s youthfulness, resulting in thicker skin and fewer wrinkles.

Characteristics of oily skin include:

• Visibly large pores
• Visible shine all over the face
• Frequent acne breakouts
• Less visible fine lines and wrinkles

But all in all, oily skin is one thing that makes us shine while simultaneously taking the shine off our day when we don’t care for it properly.

One of the key components of caring for oily skin is incorporating a good face cleanser for oily skin into our daily skincare routine.

Face Wash for Oily Skin vs Cleanser

The terms ‘face wash’ and ‘cleanser’ as often used interchangeably. However, cleansers are specifically designed to cleanse, hydrate and soothe the skin, whereas face washes are intended to deep clean and unclog pores. Cleansers are formulated to be gentler on the skin than face washes and have less chance of skin purging occuring. Most commercial skincare products for oily skin contain soothing agents to avoid drying out the skin.

Best Face Wash for Oily Skin Ingredients

When shopping for a face wash for oily skin, you’ll want to choose a product with ingredients designed to unclog pores and prevent pimples from reoccurring. Some face washes for oily skin contain ingredients that will leave sensitive skin itchy, irritated or flaky.

The three best ingredients to look for in face wash for oily skin are

1. Salicylic Acid
2. Benzoyl Peroxide
3. Glycolic Acid

Here’s a quick breakdown of these ingredients and how they work in a face wash for oily skin.

Salicylic Acid	Benzoyl Peroxide	Glycolic Acid
Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) Removes dead skin cells Unclogs pores Promotes skin cell turnover Regulates oil production Effective for whiteheads and blackheads	Organic acid in peroxide family Antimicrobial Anti-inflammatory Kills acne-causing bacteria Strips excess oil from the skin Best for pustules and inflamed pimples	Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Exfoliates skin while retaining moisture Promotes skin cell turnover Dissolves bonds that hold dead skin cells together Brightens skin Stimulates collagen production

Face washes and cleansers for oily skin usually contain at least one of the three ingredients and will likely feature it on the product label, so you don’t have to look very hard!

Some products designed for sensitive skin and natural face washes contain other formulas with alternative ingredients to effectively unclog and cleanse pores.

With so many facial cleansers for oily skin available on the market, it can be tough to decide which is right. We've narrowed it down to the 10 best face washes for oily skin and the key features of each product.

Best Overall: Face Wash for Oily Skin

Do you look for skincare products from highly reputable brands you can trust? If so, CeraVe is the number one dermatologist-recommended skincare brand. All of CeraVe’s skincare products contain a blend of three essential ceramides to help restore the skin’s natural protective barrier.

The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin is the best overall face wash for oily skin. Not only is it designed and tested by dermatologists, but it’s a great price and available at local pharmacies.

The product is an all-in-one gel-based facial cleanser that removes excess oil, dirt, and makeup. That’s a great perk if you want to save a few dollars and avoid buying makeup remover separately!

The key features of the cleanser for oily skin include:

• Ceramides: Support skin barrier and retain moisture
• Hyaluronic acid: Restores skin plumpness and volume, smooths skin texture
• Niacinamide: Calms skin and restores moisture

It is a gentle and effective cleanser to use in the morning and at night. In the morning, it works to remove oil produced during sleep and refresh the skin before applying moisturizer. At night, the product removes all the environmental stressors we are exposed to throughout the day, from the air, pollution, touching our faces, and the products we put on our faces.

Best Cleanser for Oily Skin

Don’t ya love having oily skin that is sensitive too? Oily skin feels greasy to the touch, is shiny all over, and is prone to blemishes. Sensitive skin becomes itchy, flaky, and inflamed when exposed to harsh chemicals in skincare products. Look for cleansers labeled gentle, non-comedogenic, and oil-free.

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser provides the cleansing properties essential for oily skin while leaving the skin hydrated and soft. Its formula contains a powerful blend of mild ingredients designed to gently remove bacteria and oil without leaving the skin dry or flaky.

The product is an effective cleanser for oily, dry, and combination skin, making it a bathroom staple for the whole household with all skin types!

Key features of the cleanser for oily skin include:

• Fragrance-free
• Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic
• Gentle cleansing formula
• Contains glycerin to retain moisture

Best Face Wash For Oily Skin and Acne

Stubborn acne’s worst enemy is a face wash with benzoyl peroxide. PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash contains 10% benzoyl peroxide, a powerful antibacterial ingredient that kills acne-causing bacteria. The maximum strength formula is the most potent over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide face wash for oily skin, available without a prescription.

There’s no doubt that a face wash containing the highest concentration of benzoyl peroxide is the best face wash for oily skin and acne. It helps remove dirt and oil from pores, clear existing acne, and prevent future breakouts from forming. The product claims it contains moisturizing ingredients to combat dryness, but the reviews say it is a little harsh and dries out the skin.

Still, the benefits of clear, acne-free skin outweigh a little dryness.

Key features of the face wash for oily skin include:

• 10 % benzoyl peroxide
• Maximum strength formula
• Clears acne and prevents future breakouts

Best Natural Face Wash For Oily Skin

Natural skin care products are made of ingredients derived from natural sources, including mineral, plant-based, or animal-derived products. They do not contain synthetic ingredients that some people believe will harm your skin when used long-term.

If you are looking for the best natural face wash for oily skin, try Tree to Tub Gentle Foaming Soapberry Face Wash. The daily facial cleanser is made with all-natural, organic ingredients to cleanse, clarify, and balance oily, problematic skin. It is designed with a formula to combat oily skin and treat breakouts without causing dryness, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin. Natural ingredients like soapberry, acai, shea butter & chamomile restore the moisture for glowing, radiant skin.

The key natural ingredients include:

• Tea tree extract to regulate oil production
• Aloe vera and chamomile to soothe skin
• Peppermint oil to refresh and cleanse the skin

The chart below shows a few of the most effective natural ingredients you can use to make DIY face wash for oily skin at home.

Natural Ingredients	Properties
Olive oil	Effective in maintaining the pH balance of the skin. Draws out impurities from the skin. Nourishes the skin without leaving it oily.
Honey and Lemon Juice	2 tablespoons of honey mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Lemon juice is a cleansing agent and regulates oil production. Honey nourishes and hydrates the skin.
Chamomile tea	Anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. Improves circulation to the skin and repairs the damage caused by environmental factors. Reduces oil in the skin.
Apple cider vinegar	Exfoliating properties to remove dead skin cells. Balances skin pH levels. Absorbs excess oil.

Best Menthol Face Wash

Do you love the soothing sensation of peppermint? The irresistibly refreshing feel of peppermint skincare products is thanks to menthol. Menthol is an organic compound derived from herbs like peppermint and eucalyptus. When applied to the skin, menthol provides a cooling effect, leaving the skin feeling fresh. People with excessive oil production tend to love this refreshing sensation in cleansers for oily skin.

Cleanse and refresh oily skin with Beauty by Earth’s Foaming Face Wash in Peppermint Tea Tree. The formula contains natural and organic ingredients designed to treat blemishes naturally. It is a foaming face wash that penetrates the skin to flush out impurities for a deep clean that doesn’t dry or irritate the skin. Added peppermint oil provides the soothing sensation of menthol and a relaxing aroma.

The key features of the face wash for oily skin include:

• Antibacterial cleansing formula
• Tea tree oil for anti-inflammatory effect
• Peppermint for cooling menthol effect
• Aloe vera to flush toxins

Best Face Wash For Oily Skin and Blackheads

Many cleansers, scrubs, and face washes for oily skin feature the product’s ability to improve acne and kill acne-causing bacteria. Even though blackheads are a type of acne, face washes to treat blackheads, including blackheads in the ear and blackheads on the nose, need superior exfoliating properties.

Dr. Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel is a deep cleansing face wash for oily skin with salicylic and glycolic acid. These exfoliating ingredients provide the skin with a deep cleanse and work to lift dead skin cells and refine pores. This makes it an excellent product for oily skin with blackheads. It was even featured in Forbes Magazine as ‘A Blackhead-Buster That Keeps Skin Clear’.

Key features of the face wash for oily skin include:

• Removes dirt, oil, and makeup
• AHA & BHA to exfoliate dead skin cells
• Balances skin pH
• Helps unblock pores

Face wash for oily skin and blackheads help exfoliate the pores and lift debris. Cleansers work best when used with a blackhead removal tool for stubborn blackheads.

Best Oil Control Face Wash

Oily skin is sometimes just oily. We may not need all the extra ingredients designed to target breakouts and kill acne-causing bacteria. Regulating sebum production is essential if you want your skin to be less greasy and have a less natural shine.

Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser is a cleanser designed to regulate sebum production without stripping the skin of vital moisture. It removes dirt, oil, sunscreen, and makeup. The cream-to-foam cleanser visibly reduces pore size and unclogs pores while helping to control oil and excess shine.

Key features of the facewash for oily skin include:

• Coconut-derived cleanser to remove dirt and oil
• Aloe vera for lightweight hydration
• Glycerin to protect the skin’s moisture barrier

Best Anti-Aging Face Wash for Oily Skin

While oily skin is slower to show signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, it is not exempt from the aging process. When choosing a face wash for oily skin that is mature or aging, it is essential not to choose one with ingredients that will dry out your skin. Glycolic acid is one of the best ingredients for aging, oily skin. It is an anti-aging agent with exfoliating properties to reduce fine lines and wrinkles while clearing out oil and dead skin from clogged pores.

Touch Glycolic Acid Cleanser contains 10% glycolic acid to exfoliate dead skin cells and regulate oil production effectively. Once the dead skin cells are removed, it encourages cell turnover to reveal bright, rejuvenated skin. Glycolic acid alone is known as a multi-tasking agent to treat oily skin and signs of aging. The Touch Glycolic Acid Cleanser formula contains added ingredients like camellia, an antioxidant that reduces skin damage and boosts collagen production. Customers rave about this cleanser, claiming it’s “the holy grail for glowy skin”.

Key features of the facewash for oily skin include:

• 10% Glycolic Acid
• Camellia to boost collagen production
• Aloe Vera & Chamomile to soothe skin
• Green Tea for antioxidants

Best Face Wash For Men Oily Skin

Have you wondered if there’s a difference in the skin of men vs. women? Well, there is! Many face washes for oily skin are designed as unisex products, but if you’re a man and you have oily skin, you might want a cleanser for men.

Testosterone determines the masculine characteristics of the male skin. Compared to female skin, it is thicker, oiler, and ages slower. The lower pH level of male skin also makes it particularly prone to acne.

If you’re looking for the best face wash for men with oily skin, choose a product with powerful ingredients like charcoal and salicylic acid. Everyman Jack Activated Charcoal Face Wash is specially designed for male skin and highly effective for active guys. Its formula contains activated charcoal that draws out dirt, oil, and toxins from pores that causes breakouts. Combined with salicylic acid to clear out pores, the cleanser effortlessly penetrates through thick, rugged skin.

Key features of the face wash for oily skin include:

• Activated charcoal
• Salicylic acid
• Formula designed for men’s skin

Best Exfoliating Face Wash for Oily Skin

Exfoliation is an essential step for every skin type’s skincare routine. Clearing away dead skin cells and excess oil from the surface layer of the skin improves the skin’s radiance, clarity, and youthfulness. Oily skin benefits from regular exfoliation to unclog pores and prevent breakouts from occurring.

Paul’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a best-selling skincare product for oily skin. It works to regulate sebum production and unclog pores while exfoliating away dead skin cells, dirt, and oil, for smooth, toned skin. The product targets enlarged pores, blemishes, black and whiteheads, and fine lines and wrinkles. It contains highly effective BHA Salicylic Acid, which mimics the natural exfoliation process to shed dead skin while unclogging and clearing pores.

Key features of the face wash for oily skin include:

• Unclogs and clears pores
• Smooths and evens skin tone
• Green tea extract to soothe skin
• 2 % Salicylic Acid for exfoliation

Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin

Just because your skin is over producing natural oils doesn’t mean you should skip using a moisturizer. Sometimes oily skin produces excess oils as a response when it is dehydrated. Stripping the skin of its natural oils without proper rehydration will cause the skin to produce more oils. If you have oily skin, you should still use a daily moisturizer designed for oily skin. The best overall moisturizer for oily skin we’ve found is Belif the True Cream Aqua Bomb Moisturizer for Combination to Oily Skin.

It’s a little more expensive than basic drugstore moisturizers without draining your wallet like a luxury cosmetic moisturizer. The product is a lightweight, oil-free hydrating gel cream clinically proven to increase skin hydration by up to 70%. The Napiers Aqua Formula moisturizes the skin while delivering minerals and antioxidants for increased elasticity and smooth texture.

The key ingredients of the moisturizer for oily skin include:

• Lady’s mantle: Anti-inflammatory and astringent properties
• Squalene: Fatty molecule to moisturizer and soften skin
• Ceramide 3: Helps maintain skin hydration

Apply Belif the True Cream Aqua Bomb after you use a cleansing balm for oily skin before bedtime for the ultimate nourishment!

Wash Away Oily Skin Worries

Oily skin isn’t ideal, but neither is dry skin. It’s very rare to have naturally ‘perfect’ skin, and as we get older, we must add to and adjust our skincare routine. Fortunately, dermatology and skincare products are so advanced we can easily find everything we need to balance out oily skin.

Get your shine under control! Finding the best face wash for oily skin is the first step!