17 Face Washes to Try If You Have Oily Skin

July 19, 2023

By: Alanna Martine Kilkeary | skincare.com by L'Oréal

Oily skin is typically caused by overactive sebaceous glands that produce an excess of sebum — one of skin’s natural sources of hydration. This often leads to a visible layer of shine on your complexion, and sometimes even clogged pores and breakouts. A key step in keeping that excess oil under control and removing impurities is to cleanse morning and night with a formula designed for oily skin.

Why It's Important To Use The Right Face Wash If You Have Oily Skin

There are lots of cleansers designed for oily skin that temporarily remove excess oil from skin’s surface. But if the cleanser is overly harsh and drying, it can also strip skin’s natural oils, causing the sebaceous glands to kick into overdrive and pump out more oil to overcompensate. To help you find a facial cleanser that works well for your specific oily skin type, we rounded up a few of our favorites, ahead.

Best Face Washes For Oily Skin

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

This cleanser contains benzoyl peroxide to fight acne and keep oil under control, and the creamy formula means it won’t dry out skin. It’s also formulated with ceramides to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser

Remove impurities, oil, face and eye makeup with this sudsy cleanser. It’s formulated with the brand’s Prebiotic Thermal Spring Water, niacinamide and ceramide-3 to sweep away gunk and soothe and hydrate skin. The formula is free of soap, sulfates, oil, fragrance, parabens and is non-comedogenic, too, making it a great option for oily skin that’s also sensitive.

Vichy Normaderm PhytoAction Daily Cleansing Gel

If you have very oily or blemish-prone skin, this drugstore face wash will help you get it under control with salicylic acid, zinc, and copper minerals. It purifies pores, removes excess oil and prevents new skin imperfections from forming. Bonus: It leaves skin feeling soft and smooth – never tight.

SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel

This cleanser by SkinCeuticals targets excess sebum and cleanses the pores with its exfoliating gel formula. It contains glycolic acid and two forms of salicylic acid to decongest pores and reveal a brighter and more even complexion.

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore-Minimizing & Polishing Powder Cleanser

For a wash that will help detox oily skin, try this polishing powder cleanser that’s infused with white clay and AHAs. It works to help minimize the appearance of pores and promote a velvety-smooth, even-toned complexion.

Thayers PH Balancing Gentle Face Wash with Aloe Vera

Formulated with soothing aloe vera and sodium hyaluronate, this gentle wash helps clarify and cleanse the skin for a comfortable, soothing finish. Thanks to the hydrating ingredients inside, it won’t leave your skin feeling dry or stripped, either: just a soft, balanced complexion.

Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser

There’s a reason this cleanser is a cult-favorite — it contains green tea and spinach for a burst of nourishing hydration with every wash. Oily skin types will love the gel texture, and it helps reduce the appearance of large pores and blemishes, too.

Aesop Amazing Face Cleanser

For a daily cleanser that won’t strip the skin, opt for this calming formula with mandarin rind and lavender oil. It helps soothe pores and combat oiliness for a refreshed and balanced finish.

Skinbetter Science Cleansing Gel

This foaming cleanser formula soothes all skin types including sensitive and oily-prone complexions, thanks to aloe and fruit extracts. The gel formula is also a total win because it’ll leave you feeling nourished and hydrated, never dull or stripped.

L’Oréal Paris Skincare Pure-Clay Facial Cleanser with Charcoal

This drugstore pick can be used as a face mask or a deep-cleaning cleanser to help draw out impurities and oiliness from the skin. It’s infused with clay and charcoal which help absorb excess sebum and deliver glowing, refreshed skin.

Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser

Formulated with french clay and plant extracts, this soothing cleanser helps detoxify oily and acne-prone skin. It transforms into a milky foam once mixed with water for a gentle wash and hydrated, radiant complexion.

Versed Keep the Peace Acne-Calming Cream Cleanser

Blemish and oily-prone complexions will love this acne-calming cleanser. It has salicylic acid plus blue tansy to help clarify and soothe pimples.

Avène Cleanance Cleansing Gel

Purify skin with this gel cleanser that whisks away dirt, oil and pollution without stripping. It has thermal spring water, milk thistle extract and gentle surfactants to help deep-clean.

INNBeauty Project Keep It Clean Hydrating Gel Cleanser

Soften and soothe oily skin with this hydrating gel cleanser that’s packed with amino acids, ceramides and vegan collagen. It helps promote a more even-looking complexion and the gel texture refreshes oily and acne-prone skin while removing excess oil.