The 7 Best Face Washes For Oily Skin (2023)

Sometimes it may be difficult to find the best face wash for oily skin. If you are oily-skinned, then, you already aware that this type of skin type needs special care everyday. It might seem like a never-ending struggle to reduce shine, regardless of how frequently you use blotting sheets or take around mattifying powder with you. It turns out that your morning routine is really one of the most important factors in preventing greasiness. Your skin will require less care during the day if you cleanse it every morning with a face wash made particularly for oily skin. Here we have listed the 7 best face washes for oily skin. Before we jump in to the list, its good to know few details about oily skin.

What causes oily skin

There are various factors that cause oily skin. Genetics is the most common factor that many individuals are born with extra active sebaceous glands (the glands that is responsible for the production of oil). The skin tends to get less oily as you get older but these glands are more active when you are younger.

The climate (hot conditions), more stress, and your hormones play a major role in how much your body is producing oil in a day. If you do not successfully remove it, then you are creating a favorable environment for dead skin cells, debris, and particle to trap on your skin. Also, the skin care product you use has the ability to develop oily skin. Heavier or too harsh products may result in more greasiness, so its good to use lightweight (like foam), oil-free skin products to reduce oiliness.

Do’s and don’ts for an oily skin

The Do’s:

  • Wash your face every morning, evening, and after exercise. While washing, don’t scrub (rub hard) your skin even to remove makeup. Scrubbing causes skin irritation, which can make it look even worse.
  • Select skincare items with the labels “oil-free” and “non-comedogenic”. The items with these labels such as cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup won’t clog your pores or result in acne.
  • Use a face wash that foams gently. Many individuals think that in order to dry up their skin, they must use a strong face wash for oily skin. But using a face wash that is excessively hard might irritate your skin and cause it to produce more oil. Find a soft, mild face cleanser instead.
  • Make sure you get makeup that suits your skin by making the appropriate choice. Look for concealers, foundations, and powders with “shine-free” or “mattifying” in their names. Look for eye shadow and liner formulations that claim to be “smudge-proof,” “crease-proof,” and “budge-proof” while purchasing.

The Don’ts:

  • Avoid touching your face. Even though you are tempted to touch your face, it can transfer bacteria, oil, and debris from your hands to your face. Touch your face only when you cleanse, moisturize, or apply sunscreen or makeup. Make sure your hands are first clean if touched.
  • Avoid sleeping with your makeup.
  • Avoid sleeping on a dirty pillowcase since you lay your face on them for too long. You may collect dirt, oil, and grime. Change or wash your bed pillowcase often to keep your face clean.

What ingredients to look for in a face wash for oily skin

  • Niacinamide– helpful for regulating oil production and reduces inflammation.
  • Glycolic acid– hydrates skin, removes dead skin cells, and helps to prevent the oil build-ups that lead to acne.
  • Benzoyl peroxide– helps if your oily skin is prone to zits. It eliminates the propionibacterium acnes (which is the cause of pimples), by acting as an anti-bacterial.
  • Salicylic acid– enters deep into the skin, helps to unclog the pores and minimize oil.
  • Zinc Pidolate– Known for its purifying properties to help remove excess oil.
  • Hydrating ingredients– You should pick a face wash that also has hydrators in it. Ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid are those you should look for.

Our top picks for best face wash for oily skin

1. CeraVe Acne Control Face Wash

Cerave face wash for oily skin

The best acne (a condition where the hair follicles are filled up with oil and dead skin cells) moisturizer on the market presently is CeraVe acne control face wash. This is designed to clear acne, and decrease blackheads, while the clays help absorb more oil. Aside from reducing acne and leaving the skin soft, smooth, and moisturized, it also maintains the skin’s protective barrier with the help of three vital ceramides and niacinamide.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, Glycerin, niacinamide, three types of ceramide.

Type: Gel

Why we recommend: A perfect blend of ingredients. It has all the ingredients that help for an oily skin.

Take a look on our other recommendations: Best face wash, Best protein powder for women, Best Multivitamin.

2. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser

The best face wash for oily skin, this La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming cleanser is perfect for your daily routine. This face wash gently removes debris, makeup, and pollutants while preserving the skin’s natural moisture barrier and pH. Thanks to its combined formulation of La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal spring water, niacinamide, and ceramide-3. With no pore-clogging residue, its mild foaming composition leaves skin feeling fresh, clean, and pleasant.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, ceramide-3, thermal water

Type: Foam

Why we recommend: This face wash has ingredient that regulates oil production in combination with hydrating ingredients. So, it will help with excess oil but will not dry your skin too much.

3. Cetaphil Oily Skin Face Wash

Cetaphil face wash for oily skin

Cetaphil Oily Skin face wash helps remove surface oils, and debris without leaving the skin feeling tight or too dry. The mild foaming, non-irritating solution is ideal for oily skin as well as sensitive and acne-prone skin. It cleanly rinses off with no residue that can clog pores or irritate the skin. Deep pore washing eliminates oil without endangering the skin’s protective layer. Use often for clean, fresh skin.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol

Type: Liquid

Why we recommend: Dermatologist Recommended. Removes excess oil and prevents pimples.

4. Neutrogena Deep Clean Face Wash

Neutragena Deep Clean Face Wash

Neutrogena Clean is a deep and penetrating face wash, that enhances the appearance and feel of skin for a bright and healthy complexion. Provides a nice, smooth finish to the skin. Cleans and removes makeup, oil, and dirt. Helps to eliminate dead surface cells which help in fresher and healthier skin tone. Specially formulated for normal to oily skin.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycerin

Type: Liquid

Why we recommend: Oil free. Contains salicylic acid along with the hydrator glycerin. Budget friendly.

5. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Face Wash

While maintaining the pH balance of the face, this mild face wash for oily skin with zinc pidolate efficiently removes debris and oil. Skin is purified and cleaned without being too dry.

Key Ingredients: Zinc pidolate, thermal water that contains natural antioxidants.

Type: Gel

Why we recommend: Zinc pidolate is well known for removing excess oil. It won’t dry out your skin after usage since it is alcohol and soap free.

6. Mario Badescu Glycolic Face Wash for Oily Skin

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming face wash

The Glycolic Foaming face wash is a brightening facial cleanser that’s is enough to be used 2 to 3 times a week for oily skin. It targets hyperpigmentation, blocked pores, and dull skin to give the skin a more youthful appearance. It is formulated with glycolic acid and humectant (preserve moisture) that clears makeup, oil, and pollutants, helps refine pores and retexturizes uneven skin. Additional advantages are provided by the combination of ingredients from chamomile, marshmallow, sage, St. John’s Wort, and yarrow extracts, which helps re-balance and leave skin glowing.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Chamomile Extract, Sage Extract. Many other plant extract.

Type: Foam

Why we recommend: Top rated vegan skin care product. Presence of glycolic acid and many plant extracts.

7. First Aid Beauty Pure Skin-Deep Cleanser with Red Clay

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Deep Cleanser with Red Clay

Finding a face wash that removes makeup and dirt without irritating oily and sensitive skin may be difficult, but this foamy gel cleanser from First Aid Beauty is a good choice. In addition to clearing the face and balancing sebum production, absorbent red clay and rosemary leaf oil also serve to protect against environmental stresses. Additionally, it has undergone allergy testing and is completely free of parabens, sulphates, and synthetic perfumes, making it especially suitable for sensitive skin. The only drawback is that this face wash is too expensive.

Key Ingredients: Red clay, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Glycerin

Type: Gel

Why we recommend: A jewel-red gel cleanser that deep cleans the skin by removing pollutants, cutting back on excess oil, and unclogging pores.