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The 5 Best Face Washes for Oily Skin, Tested by Byrdie Editors
These picks promise balanced and soothed skin.
Byrdie
TL;DR
The best face wash for oily skin is Sofie Pavitt’s Clean Clean Cleanser—it deep cleans the pores to remove excess oil while keeping the skin balanced and hydrated. If you’re looking for an exfoliating option, we recommend the SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel, which smooths texture and heals acne without irritation.
While your skin type usually comes down to genetics, your skin can change due to a number of external factors—including lifestyle changes, diet, hormones, or even your skincare routine. If you’ve been noticing excessively oily skin, reassessing the basics is a must if you want to balance your complexion. You should always start by finding the right cleanser. “Oily skin needs a water-based cleanser with gentle surfactants to ensure thorough cleansing,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King. “They should have ingredients that hydrate the skin and support the skin barrier.”
To find the best face washes for oily skin, we surveyed Byrdie editors on their go-to formulas, rating picks based on how well they could cleanse the skin while balancing oil, unclogging pores, and soothing irritation. After consulting with dermatologists for their expert insight, we landed on these top picks.
Top Picks
Sofie Pavitt Clean Clean Cleanser at Sephora$34
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Sonsie Cleansing Mousse at Sonsieskin.com
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SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel at Dermstore$45
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Paula’s Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser at Amazon$24
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Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser at Amazon$15
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Best Overall
Sofie Pavitt Clean Clean Cleanser
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Deeply cleanses without drying out the skin
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Luxurious, foamy lather
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Balances moisture levels
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Can irritate the eyes
Key Ingredients: Allantoin, panthenol, glycerin | Size: 3.8 oz| Cruelty-Free: Yes
From renowned celebrity esthetician Sofie Pavitt’s namesake brand, the Clean Clean cleanser is the perfect option for oily skin types— it thoroughly cleanses without stripping the complexion, which can often lead to an overproduction of oil. The gel-to-foam consistency creates a satisfying lather that effortlessly lifts makeup and impurities for squeaky clean skin. The formula is filled with gentle surfactants to clean without causing irritation, as well as soothing, moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and panthenol to keep the skin well-hydrated after cleansing. It’s safe for sensitive skin types, and it can be used day and night—or whenever you’re in need of a skin refresh.
Star Donaldson, social media director with acne-prone skin: “This cleanser makes you feel truly clean without breaking you out, and it’s still gentle enough to use every day.”
Best Foaming
Sonsie Cleansing Mousse
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Has a light, bubbly foam texture
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Lovely floral smell
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Soothing and hydrating
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Small amount of product
Key Ingredients: Aloe, ginger root extract, bisabolol | Size: 3.4 oz| Cruelty-Free: Yes
Foaming cleansers often get a bad rap, as they’re prone to stripping the skin—leaving a dehydrated complexion in their wake. That’s why this option from Sonsie is so great—it creates a lovely, satisfying foamy leather that hydrates while it cleanses. The vegan formula soothes and strengthens the skin barrier, with ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, and bisabolol—an antioxidant that protects the skin from inflammation and environmental stressors. The fragrant, but not overpowering, floral scent is inspired by co-founder Pamela Anderson’s rose garden, and it makes the cleansing experience just a bit more luxurious. We love this face wash for sensitive skin types, as it’s made with nonirritating ingredients.
Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor with oily skin: “It smells like fresh roses, has a fun foamy texture, and leaves my skin feeling clean but never stripped.”
Best Exfoliating
SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel
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Thoroughly exfoliates without irritation
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Clears clogged pores
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Safe for sensitive skin
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Thick consistency
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, caproloyl salicylic acid, menthol | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Having an effective exfoliating cleanser in your skincare arsenal is a must for oily skin types, as it can unclog the pores and provide a deeper cleanse of oil and impurities in the complexion. This one from SkinCeuticals is our top option—it gives your skin a total reset, leaving a fresh and clean canvas for any toners or serums. The cleanser is made with glycolic acid and caproloyl salicylic acid (a gentler derivative of salicylic acid) to fight congestion and smooth texture while balancing oil production. Even though it has two exfoliating acids, it’s not too harsh on the complexion, nor does it strip the skin—it also has glycerin to soothe and hydrate. While the cleanser’s consistency is slightly thick at first, it becomes more manageable as water is added.
Shannon Stubbs, writer with combination skin: “This cleanser is effective at deeply exfoliating the skin without causing any irritation. I see results directly after using—my skin looks cleansed and pretty much poreless.”
Best Gentle
Paula’s Choice CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
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Gentle but powerful formula
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Minimizes breakouts and soothes acne
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Dissolves makeup
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Could be more hydrating
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, panthenol, arginine | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you have sensitive and oily skin, finding a cleanser that can effectively remove excess oil without drying or causing irritation to the complexion can be difficult. But sensitive skin types will love this option from Paula’s Choice, which is gentle on the skin while deeply cleansing. With 0.5% salicylic acid, it’s able to unclog pores and keep breakouts at bay without being too harsh for daily use. It has a lightweight gel texture that cleanses comfortably and washes off easily, and it’s great at removing sunscreen and makeup with just one application—no need to double cleanse. With continued use, you’ll notice skin that looks clearer and smoother, with regulated oil levels.
Ali Webb, associate editor with combination skin: “This lightweight gel cleanser leaves my skin feeling balanced and hydrated, leading to a clearer complexion over time with consistent use.”
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser
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Clarifies acne-prone skin with salicylic acid
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Regulates oil production
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Soothes irritated skin
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Slightly drying
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract | Size: 5 oz| Cruelty-Free: Yes
This powerful cleanser with two forms of salicylic acid is a powerhouse for clearing blemishes and breakouts while keeping the skin healthy. A favorite of Editor Alyssa Kaplan’s, it breaks down oil for skin that feels clean and refreshed. Alongside salicylic acid, the formula also contains green tea and camellia to keep the complexion soothed. The gel texture foams up into a light lather that doesn’t strip the skin, and it works quickly to treat all types of acne—including cystic and hormonal. While it is a little drying, it’s nothing that can’t be solved with a hydrating serum or moisturizer.
Alyssa Kaplan, editor with oily skin: “It leaves my skin feeling really clean and refreshed, thanks to the cooling sensation it provides.”
What to Look for in a Face Wash for Oily Skin
- Consistency: “Foam and gel cleansers help to remove oil, sweat, and dirt,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Morayo Adisa, so we recommend water-based formulas as the best for cleaning oily skin. Oil-based cleansers may be uncomfortable to use for oily skin types, and harsh scrubs or comedogenic formulas can make excess oil even worse. When choosing a foaming cleanser, make sure it’s gentle and won’t strip the skin with daily use.
- Oil-Balancing Ingredients: You’ll notice that many cleansers for oily skin contain salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the complexion and reduces acne. It’s an ingredient that comes highly recommended by dermatologists for oily skin. “Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it can penetrate pores to gently exfoliate and remove excess oil,” says Dr. King. With continued use, you should notice that the oil production in your complexion is more balanced, and it’s not super harsh—so your skin won’t feel stripped. Dr. Adisa recommends cleansers that also contain other balancing ingredients, such as niacinamide, bentonite clay, and zinc PCA.
- GentleFormulas: Cleansers with harsh ingredients can actually do more harm than good when it comes to oily skin. Rough formulas can damage the skin barrier, which can cause the complexion to produce even more oil. Many face washes for oily skin are often marketed as ‘powerful’—so pay close attention to the active ingredients before using. A gentle, pH-balanced formula is always your best bet.
How We Tested Face Washes for Oily Skin
We believe in using the products that we recommend, so we tested the above picks in our real lives. For this story, we asked Byrdie editors to share their favorite face washes for oily skin.
- Number of Face Washes Tested: 5
- Testing Period: Six months to five years
- Factors Considered: Active ingredients, consistency, cleansing ability, formula, overall results
Meet Our Experts
For this story, team Byrdie interviewed the following experts to gather more insights:
- Dr. Morayo Adisa M.D., FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist. She is the director at Dermatology Physicians Chicago.
- Dr. Hadley King, M.D., FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. She is also a Dermatology instructor at Cornell University.
Why Trust Byrdie
Shannon Stubbs is a writer at Byrdie, where she covers skincare, makeup, haircare and more. She deals with combination skin with an oily T-zone, so she often leans on an exfoliating face wash or oil-free cleanser for a deeper clean. To write this story, she consulted Byrdie editor insights on their favorite products, and she also spoke with experts to learn more about what makes a great cleanser for oily skin.
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/best-face-washes-for-oily-skin-4584302