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Home • Beauty

The Best Face Washes For Oily Skin

These oil-fighting cleansers will help you stop breakout in their tracks.
The Best Face Washes For Oily Skin
Dermalogica
By Jennifer Ford · Updated January 25, 2023

Oily skin is very temperamental. When selecting a cleanser, it’s important to choose a formula that will mitigate excess oil without causing dryness or irritation. The best face washes for oily skin typically contain ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or sulfur to prevent breakouts. And they’re usually spiked with hydrating ingredients like ceramides to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. Ahead, we lay out options that check the box, including everything from clinical-strength formulas to drugstore favorites.

Keep in mind, along with the using best face washes for oily skin, washing your face twice daily is critical for balancing your complexion. Here are the cleansers dermatologist and beauty experts recommend using day and night.

Best Face Wash For Oily Skin Overall
Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

This cleanser is infused with ceramides to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. Thanks to hyaluronic acid and aloe, it also offers hydrating and soothing benefits.

Available at Amazon
22 Shop Now
Best Face Wash For Sensitive Oily Skin
Bliss Rose Gold Rescue Cleanser Gentle Foaming Face Wash

Some lathering products may be too harsh for sensitive skin, but this hydrating cleanser leaves the skin feeling clean and hydrated.

Available at Amazon
10 Shop Now
Best Face Wash For Combination Skin
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

This formula is enriched with salicylic acid to keep excess oil at bay. It’s also non-drying since it’s loaded with ceramides that help preserve the skin’s moisture levels.

Available at Amazon
16 Shop Now
Best Exfoliating Face Wash For Oily Skin
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator

Here’s a powder-to-cream cleanser that contains papaya extract, colloidal oatmeal and white tea to promote a softer and brighter complexion.

Available at Sephora
64 Shop Now
Best Clarifying Face Wash For Oily Skin
Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Cleanser Acne Treatment

This clinical-strength cleanser from Kate Somerville contains active ingredients like sulfur to diminish breakouts and prevent irritation. It’s also spiked with oat extract and botanicals to soothe the skin.

Available at Amazon
40 Shop Now
Best Drugstore Face Wash For Oily Skin
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Acne Face Cleanser

This gentle cleanser from La-Roche Posay helps remove blackheads, clear breakouts and keep irritation at bay.

Available at Amazon
$20 Shop Now

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