Incessant reminders to wear sunscreen and to fully remove makeup before going to bed make one thing obviously clear: The body’s largest organ, the skin, is very temperamental. So choosing a face wash, especially if you have oily skin, requires careful consideration. With help from dermatologists, we’ve uncovered the best sebum-balancing face washes for those with oily skin.
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Zenovia Gabriel, the best face washes for oily skin rely on specific ingredients—like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or sulfur—to help prevent breakouts. All three of these ingredients work to clear dead skin cells from the surface and keep pores flushed out. They also prevent bacterial accumulation and future flare-ups by controlling sebum levels in the skin.
The ultimate goal? “A cleanser [should] remove dirt, oil and other soiling from the skin without compromising the integrity of the skin itself,” says Dr. Joshua Zeichner, associate professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. Here are the best dermatologist-approved face washes for oily skin.
- Best Exfoliating Face Wash For Oily Skin: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
- Best Face Wash For Combination Skin: CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
- Best Face Wash For Sensitive Oily Skin: Bliss Rose Gold Rescue Cleanser Gentle Foaming Face Wash
- Best Face Wash For Acne-Prone Oily Skin: Goddess Cleansing Ritual Oil & Charcoal Dual Cleanser Set
- Best Drugstore Face Wash For Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Acne Face Cleanser
- Best Salicylic Acid Cleanser For Oily Skin: Murad Clarifying Cleanser
- Best Purifying Face Wash For Oily Skin: Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Cleanser Acne Treatment
Best Exfoliating Face Wash For Oily Skin
A Powder-To-Cream Cleanser
Dr. Zenovia likes Dermalogica’s daily cleanser because it gently exfoliates the skin with salicylic acid, while abating breakouts and sebum excess. It’s a rice powder-to-cream cleanser that you create in your hands, and it also contains papaya extract, colloidal oatmeal and white tea to promote a softer, brighter complexion.
Best Face Wash For Combination Skin
A Dermatologist Favorite
CeraVe will forever be a favorite of dermatologists, and Dr. Zenovia counts herself a fan of the brand’s salicylic acid cleanser. Don’t be fooled by its targeting towards “normal skin.” “This is a great, cost-effective product that can be used daily to help with oiliness,” she says. It’s especially ideal if your skin teeters between oily and normal, or if it’s oily in some spots and dry or normal in others (also referred to as “combination skin”). Lastly, this formula is enriched with ceramides which preserve skin’s moisture levels and toxin defense.
Best Face Wash For Sensitive Oily Skin
A Gentle Option
Since some lathering products may be too harsh for sensitive skin and lead to dryness and irritation, Dr. Zeichner recommends sticking to hydrating cleansers that help moisturize as they wash, like this gentle foaming cleanser from Bliss. “It is free of sulfate and parabens, and leaves the skin feeling clean and hydrated rather than dry,” he says.
Best Face Wash For Acne-Prone Oily Skin
A Dynamic Duo
As mentioned, cleansers with ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can help decrease acne and sebum production. For those with oily skin, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Lu suggests adding Charlotte Tilbury’s Goddess Cleansing Ritual to your skincare routine, with niacinamide to help with sebum control and charcoal to reduce surface oil.
Best Drugstore Face Wash For Oily Skin
A Blackhead-Banisher
There’s no shortage of cleansers at the drugstore, but if you’re searching for one that will deliver a deep clean and keep pores clear, Dr. Zeichner recommends formulas with salicylic acid. But some tend to be very drying. For a great option, consider this gentle pick from La-Roche Posay that helps remove blackheads, clear breakouts and keep irritation at bay.
Best Salicylic Acid Cleanser For Oily Skin
A Multitasking Formula
Murad’s daily cleanser, which has a medium-grade dose of salicylic acid, helps to keep pores clear and skin smooth, all without overly drying the complexion. In maintaining this balance, it helps regulate oil production to keep skin hydrated but not overly so. It soothes and fights hyperpigmentation too, thanks to the addition of green tea extract.
Best Purifying Face Wash Oily Skin
A Clinical Strength Cleanser
Sulfur is another active ingredient that’s endorsed by Dr. Zenovia, that you can use to prevent and diminish breakouts, while also mitigating oil levels in the skin. This gentle but clinical-strength sulfur cleanser from Kate Somerville is a favorite of ours for its whip-like formula. It includes oat extract to soak up excess sebum and balance oil production, plus botanical extracts to soothe and prevent irritation.
