Soak up oil and reduce the look of pores with these shine-fighting formulas.
As anyone with oily skin will tell you, dealing with a consistently slick complexion can feel like a full-time job. While we naturally produce oil to keep our skin soft and supple, too much of it results in that perpetually shiny look and increased breakouts—especially when it’s hot and humid outside. But there are plenty of sheen-fighting products out there to help. A good oily skin routine starts with the right face wash with at least one ingredient that will dissolve excess oil. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King says Beta-hydroxy acid is one of the best ingredients for the job. Naturally, antibacterial tea tree oil is another good one.
With that in mind, we tested over 85 face washes over a month, using them twice daily to zero in on the best ones for oily skin. Our team of testers evaluated each product on its ingredients, consistency, cleansing ability, and ease of use. Then we paired these results with guidance from a board-certified dermatologist and an aesthetician before naming these our favorite formulas for keeping that oily sheen at bay.
Best Overall
Hyper Skin Hyper Even Cleansing Gel
Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, vitamin E | Skin Type: Acne and blemish prone | Size: 5 fl oz| Cruelty-Free: Yes
Hyper Skin’s gel cleanser takes on breakouts, clogged pores, and dullness with mandelic acid1 (one of the gentler exfoliating acids) and powerful botanicals such as licorice root2 and willow bark to calm inflammation and prevent future breakouts. There’s even a touch of vitamin E3, aloe, and mushroom extract to soothe irritation.
We enjoyed its gel-like texture that emulsifies into creamy milk when combined with water. It felt like we were adding a protective layer over the face. It also has quite a strong fruity and floral fragrance which we personally enjoyed but may not be tolerable to the more sensitive nose. If you wear quite heavy makeup, you may need to do a double cleanse to remove it all.
Best Budget
Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive, combination| Size: 6.7 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No
The hero ingredient in our budget-friendly pick, Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Facial Cleanser, is salicylic acid. This BHA helps dissolve oil and dirt while boosting cell turnover, revealing a more radiant complexion. The foamy formula is also oil-free, non-comedogenic, and has been tested and approved by dermatologists.
We found it easy to spread this lightweight gel over the face and into every crevice, allowing us to get a really good clean. Although it wasn’t great at removing makeup (we used an oil-based cleanser beforehand to do that) it definitely left our skin feeling clean and fresh. Although we experienced a little tightness after washing, it was never uncomfortable. Overall, we think this is a great face wash for everyday use.
Best Overall Runner-Up
Pai PHAZE PHA Clarifying Face Wash
Key Ingredients: Polyhydroxy acids, prebiotic inulin, glycerin | Skin Type: Acne and blemish-prone | Size: 3.38 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
One not-so-desirable side effect of oily skin is an increased chance of breakouts, from blackheads to acne. This gentle foaming wash was created to clear congestion and leave skin ultra-clean without stripping it. Polyhydroxy Acids or PHAs (a gentler version of AHAs) exfoliate the complexion without increasing sensitivity, while chicory root-derived prebiotic inulin strengthens the skin barrier and a corn-based sugar complex adds hydration that sticks around long after you’ve rinsed off the suds.
We loved the lightweight, ultra-foamy consistency of this wash, which never left our skin feeling tight or parched after use. In fact, our tester noted that it added a long-lasting layer of moisture to her complexion that stood up amazingly to winter weather. During the testing period, her skin was noticeably softer and seemed more illuminated than usual. Although she appreciated the beautiful glass bottle, our tester was concerned about the risk of it smashing if she accidentally dropped it.
Erinn, age 35-44 with combination skin
“Overall, I would say my skin had more glow to it, which could be the result of the extra moisturizing ingredients in the product. It also felt softer.”
Best Gentle
ANUA Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, heartleaf hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive, and blemish-prone | Size: 5.07 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
A “Holy Grail” oily skin cleanser can clean out pores and minimize excess oil without sensitizing the skin. This luxuriously foamy option by ANUA is effective but gentle, utilizing salicylic acid to exfoliate dead skin cells and help control sebum production, heartleaf to calm inflammation, and hyaluronic acid4 to deeply hydrate. ANUA recommends using an oil cleaner first to remove makeup and sunscreen, followed by this bubbly formula to deep clean pores and refresh your complexion.
We loved the texture of this face wash, which lathered easily and felt as if it was exfoliating the skin slightly. After rinsing, there was no residue left behind and the face looked squeaky clean. We definitely felt the need to slather on a layer of moisturizer after using this cleanser to counteract its exfoliating effects and noticed our complexion was super soft and smooth afterward.
Alex, age 35-34 with oily skin
“My skin is smoother than it’s been in a while, very vibrant and soft. I would definitely recommend this for people with oily skin who need something stronger than general face soap but nothing too aggressive.”
Best Sustainable
Blueland Facial Cleanser Starter Set
Key Ingredients: Oat, kaolin clay and vitamin E | Skin Type: Very sensitive, eczema prone | Size: 8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This gentle facial cleanser from Blueland will take you straight back to your high-school science class. It begins life as a powder before you decant it into a reusable bottle and mix it with water. After shaking for a few seconds, the mixture is activated and ready to use.
We gave this one very high marks for how gentle and soothing the creamy, gel texture felt on the skin, not to mention how well it removed makeup with just a single cleanse. It’s also derm-tested, comprised of plant-based ingredients such as oat, kaolin clay, and vitamin E. Best of all, each powder refill lasts around a month, and when it’s empty, you just need to replace it, reusing the glass bottle included in each starter pack. We love the sustainability factor here, but if you’re not into mixing things to create your face wash, this one might not be for you.
Best Detoxifying
Boscia Detoxifying Black Charcoal Cleanser
Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal, vitamin C | Skin Type: Oily, acne and blemish prone | Size: 5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re prone to blackheads and whiteheads, this detoxifying cleanser from Boscia can help. The formula warms on contact with the skin and contains a clarifying combination of activated charcoal5 to absorb oil and tighten the look of pores, and radiance-boosting vitamin C6 to help refine skin texture. Use this face wash with a Konjac Cleansing Sponge enhanced with acne-fighting black charcoal for the cleanest, softest, smoothest results.
This gel formula has a thicker, heavier texture than we’re used to—it didn’t glide over our skin like foam or oil. However, it was easy to rinse off and left our skin feeling undeniably lighter and tighter. It seemed to absorb impurities effortlessly and, with consistent use, our pores appeared diminished and our skin looked cleaner and healthier.
Mike, age 25-34 with oily skin
“I love how it absorbs impurities so well and you could feel your face become smoother as you wash the product off.”
Best Pore-Minimizing
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser
Key Ingredients: Lavender essential oil, peppermint essential oil, natural salicylic acid, rosemary essential oil, organic grape water | Skin Type: Oily, congested and blemish prone | Size: 5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
When pores become clogged with sebum and debris, they expand, making them more obvious to the naked eye. Keeping pores clean, then, is the secret to making them smaller and less noticeable. This pore-minimizing cleanser from Caudalie contains salicylic acid to clear away impurities and absorb excess sebum without leaving skin stripped. The result is smoother, cleaner skin and shrunken pores.
This thick gel cleanser felt luxurious to use and removed all makeup––even mascara residue. It cleaned our skin thoroughly without drying it out, and didn’t cause any irritation or sensitivity. We were impressed by how soft our skin was after use, and how much tighter and smaller our pores appeared.
Maggie, age 25-34 with oily skin
“I feel like my pores are less visible after use and it thoroughly removed oils without drying my skin out. I feel like this product left my skin glowing and softer after use.”
Best Drugstore
Cetaphil Oil Removing Foam Wash
Key Ingredients: Zinc, glycerin | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive and blemish prone | Size: 8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No
If you prefer to do your beauty shopping at the drugstore, you can’t go wrong with the sensitive skin-conscious brand Cetaphil. This foamy formula removes oils from the skin’s surface and contains zinc7 to reduce the inflammation associated with acne. Glycerin provides a dose of gentle hydration to ensure your skin doesn’t dry out, leaving your complexion nice and soft.
The foaming lather spreads quickly and easily removes face makeup (our tester can’t attest to how it does on eye makeup since she doesn’t wear any). She felt it cleansed well without stripping the skin but rather left it feeling hydrated. It’s a super gentle cleanser though, so if you want a deeper, more exfoliating clean, we’d suggest trying another option on this list.
Julie, age 35-44 with combination/sensitive skin
“My skin looks and feels clean and moisturized after using the face wash. It did not leave any residue or a greasy feeling.”
Best Two-in-One
Clean & Clear Morning Burst Day & Night Cleanser
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, ginseng root, cucumber, glycerin, brown algae extract | Skin Type: Oily and blemish-prone | Size: 16 fl oz total | Cruelty-Free: No
So, you’re routinely cleansing day and night, but are you using two separate formulas for each face-washing session? Having cleansers specifically for your evening vs morning routine (a gentler one for the morning and a deeper one for the evening) is helpful for oily skin as it helps the skin stay clean without making it too dry. Clean & Cleanr’s morning formula is designed to gently remove oil and refine skin texture with radiance-boosting vitamin C, antioxidant ginseng root, and skin-soothing cucumber extract. Meanwhile, the evening formula removes makeup and leaves skin hydrated and soothed with glycerin and brown algae extract.
We liked using two targeted cleansers in our routine. The morning formula lathered nicely and left our skin feeling clean and refreshed without any unpleasant tightness. The evening formula was less foamy but did an excellent job of removing all traces of makeup when we used it with a washcloth. Our skin felt a little tight but we took that as a sign that the cleanser was doing its job. While the formulas didn’t leave our skin dry, we would recommend following up with a good moisturizer.
Holly, age 59 with normal/mature skin
“I just couldn’t believe how well it took off the eye makeup without having to use an added step.”
Best for Sensitive Skin
First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser
Key Ingredients: Red clay, rosemary leaf oil, camellia leaf extract, bisabolol | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive, and acne-prone | Size: 4.7 fl oz total | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Oily, sensitive skin is often prone to acne. This deep cleanser from First Aid Beauty aims to clear congested pores and calm inflammation, leaving skin soft, supple, and blemish-free. Detoxifying red clay8 and rosemary leaf oil9 help balance sebum production and clear out any clogs, while camellia10 sinensis leaf extract and camomile-derived bisabolol soothe and protect.
We loved the lightweight texture of this gel formula, which removed all makeup and cleaned the skin thoroughly without stripping natural oils from the skin. It didn’t irritate our tester’s sensitive skin whatsoever and it was gentle enough to use twice a day. After rinsing, her skin felt refreshed, rejuvenated, and bouncy.
Gabrielle, age group 25-34 with combination, acne-prone skin
“This is a great product for those with sensitive skin. It feels so light that I never felt at risk of overstripping, and I didn’t experience any burning, dryness, or other types of irritation.”
Best for Everyday
La Roche-Posay Foaming Face Wash
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramide-3 | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive, combination| Size: 13.52 fl oz total | Cruelty-Free: No
If you’re looking for an everyday cleanser that’s gentle yet effective at curbing oiliness, this pick from La Roche-Posay is our recommendation. It contains the brand’s signature prebiotic thermal spring water, along with radiance-boosting, oil-balancing niacinamide11, and hydrating ceramide-312 to protect the skin barrier.
This formula creates a luxurious lather that requires a washcloth to remove instead of simply splashing the face with water. We loved how effectively it reduced oil and shine, leaving our skin soft and clean but not stripped dry—even on cold winter days.
Donna, age range 35-44 with combination skin
“It never made my skin feel stripped or dried out but it also made it feel really clean.”
Best Lightweight
Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramide-3 | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive, combination| Size: 13.52 fl oz total | Cruelty-Free: No
This gel formula leans on papaya and grapefruit enzymes to remove dirt and sebum, leaving skin refreshed while keeping the skin barrier intact. For a deeply purifying effect, the brand recommends using the Enzyme Cleansing Gel as a face mask, letting it sit on your skin for one to five minutes before washing it off.
This is one of the lightest cleansers we’ve ever tried. The ultra-silky formula doesn’t really lather up as you work it into your skin, and we opted for two applications to get that fully cleansed and refreshed feeling. It did a good job of removing oil buildup and our skin felt noticeably smoother afterward.
David, age range 25-34 with oily skin
“This product feels so light that I never feel at risk of overstripping or sensitizing my skin, no matter how much of the product I dispense during a session.”
Best Cooling
Ole Henriksen Oil Control Cleanser
Key Ingredients: Glycolic and Lactic acids, neem seed oil, green tea | Skin Type: Oily | Size: 5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This cooling eucalyptus- and peppermint-infused face wash from Ole Henriksen turns your cleansing routine into a soothing sensory experience. Enriched with glycolic and lactic acids (AHAs13) to help loosen and remove dead skin cells, the formula exfoliates and clears the complexion while remaining very gentle. Additionally, a cocktail of soothing botanicals including antioxidant neem seed oil14 and clarifying green tea15, helps cleanse and protect the skin.
The thick-gel consistency of this wash lathered nicely and we adored the cooling, tingly sensation that left our skin feeling super clean. Our sensitive skin did experience a little redness, probably due to the exfoliating AHAs, but it was also undeniably softer and smoother. Any oiliness was gone and our complexion looked very matte. We also liked the scent: minty, a little sweet, and a bit herbaceous.
Britney, age 25-34 with oily skin
“It made my skin feel really matte after I washed it and I felt very fresh and clean due to the cooling effect.”
Best Brightening
Shiseido Deep Cleansing Foam
Key Ingredients: Kirishima Mineral Spring Water, rice germ oil | Skin Type: Oily, blemish-prone | Size: 4.22 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No
The signature Japanese ingredients in Shiseido’s Deep Cleansing Foam (including Kirishima Mineral Spring Water and softening rice germ oil) work to absorb excess sebum, protect against environmental stressors (like pollution), and polish away rough skin, revealing a brighter, more radiant complexion.
The formula has a thick gel consistency that lathered into a rich foam. A dime-sized amount was all we needed to cover the face and remove the day’s makeup. Each time we used this cleanser our skin looked brighter afterwards. It helped remove oiliness and ultimately reduced the breakouts we experienced during the testing period. Although we didn’t find the formula particularly moisturizing or smoothing, it did help clear up patches of redness, which was an unexpected plus.
Kyle, age group 35-44 with oily skin
“A new favorite! My face always felt cleansed and brighter afterwards.”
Best Exfoliating
Caudalie Deep Exfoliating Cleanser
Key Ingredients: volcanic sand microbeads, grape water, menthol | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Size: 2.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Although chemical exfoliants like AHAs are all the rage in beauty, we’re partial to a physical exfoliator. This cleanser from Caudalie contains natural volcanic sand microbeads to slough off dead skin and pore-clogging dirt, revealing a smoother, softer, more radiant complexion. The addition of menthol also gives the formula a delightful skin-tingling effect.
We enjoyed the sensation of this scrub, which made our face feel invigorated every time we used it. The volcanic sand felt natural, as opposed to synthetic microbeads, and rinsed off without any residue. We used the formula several times per week, as directed, and our skin looked and felt amazing each time: clean, tingly, and much less oily. We just wish it was a bit more cost-effective, but if you use it sparing, we think the results will be worth the price.
Adam, age 39 with oily skin
“It made my skin feel and look fresher. I think it may have even helped reduce some redness in my skin.”
Best Foaming
Origins Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash
Key Ingredients: Kelp extract, wheat protein, tourmaline | Skin Type: All | Size: 5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For a super satisfying foamy wash, reach for this frothy cleanser from Origins. A Sephora bestseller, it calls on hydrating broad-leaf kelp extract16, skin-firming wheat protein, and detoxifying tourmaline (yes, as in the crystal), to gently cleanse the face, removing impurities and mattifying oily zones while also nourishing the skin.
The consistency of this cleanser is dreamy; just a little dab and it foams up like a cloud. It was incredibly gentle on our skin but did a great job of removing all the grime that can accumulate after a day in the city. Our skin was left squeaky clean but never stripped or dry. We used this formula twice daily as directed and found the experience so delightful that we were tempted to use it as a body wash, too.
Donna, age range 35-44 with combination skin
“The foam is just glorious. I wish they made this as a body wash. It never made my skin feel stripped or dried out but it also made it feel really clean.”
What to Look for in a Face Wash for Oily Skin
- Ingredients Targeted for Oily Skin: According to Joshua Ross, celebrity aesthetician and founder of SkinLab, you want to make sure the cleanser you pick has some type of ingredient that’s going to help address the excess oil your skin produces, not simply wash it away. Oil-dissolving salicylic acid and naturally antibacterial tea tree oil are both great ingredients for this purpose.
- Foam: Many cleansers for oily skin have foam formulas; they typically contain a higher amount of sulfates to help better remove oil. That being said, a little bit of foam goes a long way. Formulas that are too foaming can actually end up stripping and over-drying the skin, cautions Ross, which can trigger the production of more oil. A low level of foam is your best bet.
- Gel Formulas: Gel textures are Ross’s top choice for oily skin. They’re strong enough to remove dirt and oil but tend to be a bit more hydrating than those super-foaming variants.
FAQ
How do you get the most out of a face wash for oily skin?
Use it as you would any other face wash. One caveat: If you are trying to get the most bang for your buck from an active ingredient, such as salicylic acid, leave it on for 30 to 60 seconds before rinsing off. This allows the ingredient to be in contact with your skin long enough to work.
What ingredients should you avoid in a face wash for oily skin?
Ideally, any kind of oil, as well as thicker, heavier, moisturizing ingredients (think shea butter or coconut oil).