If you've got oily skin, we recommend this face cleanser from tried-and-true brand Cerave.
Oily skin has its fair share of benefits and drawbacks. Those of us blessed with oily or combination skin tend to have fewer wrinkles but might struggle with acne and clogged pores (it’s me, hi). This is why having the best face wash for oily skin at the ready is crucial. Think about it: All day long, your skin is a magnet for grime, collecting dirt, germs, bacteria, makeup, sweat, dead skin cells, pollution, and who knows what else. (Plus, there’s the issue of excess sebum!) Without proper cleansing, it's difficult to achieve clear skin: Not only is there a chance for your skin to get irritated and break out, but environmental pollutants can cause oxidative damage, leading to wrinkles and accelerated skin aging.
But don’t freak out and start washing your face 10 times a day — excessively cleansing your skin, no matter the type, can only irritate it and cause more damage and even dryness. Twice a day is usually fine, though you probably want to clean your face after sweaty activities like exercise or a hike. Now, the question is, what type of face wash is best for oily skin? The truth is, all face washes are not made equal.
Sure, many skin-clearing cleansers work well for most skin types, but there are also cleansers with ingredients specially formulated for oily skin. With my combination and greasy T-zone skin, I’ve tested more face washes for oily skin than I can count. Keep reading to learn which ones I consider to be the best for any type of budget.
Update, August 26, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best face wash for oily skin remains unchanged.
Texture: Gel-to-foam | Size: 16 ounces | Skin Type: Normal, oily | Cruelty free: No | Active ingredients: Ceramides 1, 3, 6-II, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Featured on our best face wash list, this Cerave foaming cleanser is adored by many for its ability to remove excess oil and sebum while still being gentle. While the foaming formula is ideal for oily skin, it does so without being overly aggressive. Harsh cleansers can sometimes backfire, causing your skin to over-produce sebum as a reaction to stripping ingredients. This can result in clogged pores, blackheads and acne.
This formula deeply cleanses and purifies the skin, while also incorporating ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to protect the skin's barrier and calm the skin, all while delivering powerful hydration and anti-aging benefits. You can’t go wrong with this affordable, fragrance-free cleanser.
Texture: Gel | Size: 6.77 ounces | Cruelty free: Yes | Skin type: Combination, acne-prone, normal, oily | Active ingredients: Natural charcoal, salicylic acid
If you have big pores like me, a cleanser that focuses on deep cleaning is the way to go. Bioré is known for its pore-targeting products (quick hello to my good old friend, Bioré Pore Strips). This popular face wash contains natural charcoal, which is believed to draw out impurities from the skin (though there still needs to be more research on that), and has salicylic acid, which is an ingredient that dermatologists recommend for oily skin.
During my testing, I noticed fewer blackheads and clogged pores on my nose and cheeks, which was an instant win for me, not to mention the affordable price tag. Note: It has a light fragrance, which didn’t bother me, but might be a dealbreaker for some.
Texture: Gel | Size: 7 ounces | Skin type: Oily and combination | Cruelty free: Yes | Active ingredients: Lactic acid, aloe vera leaf juice, gluconolactone
If your skin isn’t just oily but also problematic, i.e., prone to breakouts and clogged pores, this gel cleanser from PCA is one to add to your cart. It contains lactic acid, an AHA that gently exfoliates and buffs away dead skin cells while fighting breakouts. There’s also aloe vera extract and gluconolactone to help soothe inflammation and calm down red skin. And for a luxury brand, it’s a pretty decent price, especially as a little bit of the cleanser goes a long way.
Texture: Cream-to-foam | Size: 5 ounces | Skin type: All | Cruelty free: Yes | Active ingredients: Aloe, green tea leaf, papaya enzymes, aloe, kaolin
If you’re looking for an oily skin-friendly face wash that’s free of harsh chemicals and made with lovely botanicals, try this K-beauty gem. Just don’t be intimidated by the mile-long ingredient list (especially because it’s made with 99% naturally derived ingredients like green tea leaf, papaya enzymes, kaolin, aloe, chamomile, etc.). The foamy cleanser mildly exfoliates the skin so you’re left with a super-soft canvas that feels nourished instead of stripped down. It became a fast favorite because of how effective it was in removing my makeup and cleaning my pores, especially after a long, sweaty day of wearing a full-coverage foundation!
I believe micellar water is one of the best inventions of the 21st century. It simplifies my skincare routine so much that I have no excuse to ever be lazy! Bioderma’s Sébium line is targeted at oily, combination, and acne-prone skin, effectively removing makeup and dirt through pure, soap-free science. When it comes in contact with the skin, it uses micelle molecules that encapsulate and remove dirt and you don’t even have to turn on the faucet! While it’s effective at removing heavy foundation, it isn’t as gentle on the eyes as Bioderma’s Sensibio, and some people complain about its fragrance.
My skin absolutely loves this Glow Recipe cleanser, which can be used by all skin types. It has antioxidants that help protect against free radicals and hydrating hyaluronic acid. But specifically for us oily skin types, it contains a blend of AHAs (plant-derived lactic acid and glycolic acid) to gently exfoliate the skin, fight acne and reduce the appearance of pores. I love the light blueberry scent but it might be too much for sensitive noses.
Texture: Gel | Size: 7 ounces | Skin type: Oily and combination | Cruelty free: Yes | Active ingredients: Lactic acid, aloe vera leaf juice, gluconolactone
If your skin isn’t just oily but also problematic, i.e., prone to breakouts and clogged pores, this gel cleanser from PCA is one to add to your cart. It contains lactic acid, an AHA that gently exfoliates and buffs away dead skin cells while fighting breakouts. There’s also aloe vera extract and gluconolactone to help soothe inflammation and calm down red skin. And for a luxury brand, it’s a pretty decent price, especially as a little bit of the cleanser goes a long way.
Texture: Cream-to-foam | Size: 5 ounces | Skin type: All | Cruelty free: Yes | Active ingredients: Aloe, green tea leaf, papaya enzymes, aloe, kaolin
If you’re looking for an oily skin-friendly face wash that’s free of harsh chemicals and made with lovely botanicals, try this K-beauty gem. Just don’t be intimidated by the mile-long ingredient list (especially because it’s made with 99% naturally derived ingredients like green tea leaf, papaya enzymes, kaolin, aloe, chamomile, etc.).
The foamy cleanser mildly exfoliates the skin so you’re left with a super-soft canvas that feels nourished instead of stripped down. It became a fast favorite because of how effective it was in removing my makeup and cleaning my pores, especially after a long, sweaty day of wearing a full-coverage foundation!
I’ve been a beauty writer and editor for more than a decade, and have tried almost every oily skin-friendly face wash imaginable. Now that I’m 40 and menopausal, my oily skin is definitely more dehydrated than ever before. However, I still get greasy (especially in my t-zone and especially by mid-day). I also wear makeup almost every day, so I have high expectations for my face cleanser.
For this story, I tried over two dozen face washes across a range of price points, from budget-friendly drugstore gels to luxe foaming cleansers. I used each one consistently over several weeks, paying close attention to the following:
Cleansing power: Did the formula effectively remove excess oil, makeup, sunscreen and sweat without leaving my skin stripped or squeaky?
Texture: Was the wash a lightweight gel, a creamy foam or a clay-based cleanser? Did it create a satisfying lather that rinsed away easily or was it difficult to work with?
Ingredients: I looked carefully at the formulas to see if they contained proven ingredients for oily skin, such as salicylic acid, niacinamide, clay or zinc. Then, I checked them against hydrating ingredients, like aloe and hyaluronic acid to prevent over-drying.
Oil control: After washing, did my skin stay fresh longer throughout the day, or did shine return within hours?
Gentleness: Did the cleanser keep my skin balanced, or did it trigger irritation, tightness or breakouts?
Compatibility: How well did each formula play with the rest of my skin care routine (serum, essence, toner, moisturizer and SPF)? Did they work well or cause pilling?
Bioderma Sébium H2O Micellar Water: Bioderma’s Sébium line is targeted at oily skin and effective at removing heavy foundation, but it isn’t as gentle on the eyes as Bioderma’s Sensibio, and some people complain about its fragrance.
Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Exfoliating Face Wash: This cleanser contains a blend of AHAs (plant-derived lactic acid and glycolic acid) to gently exfoliate the skin, fight acne and reduce the appearance of pores. However, the blueberry scent but it might be too much for sensitive noses.
Tula Keep it Clear Acne Foam Cleanser: With 2% salicylic acid, this foam wash effectively fights acne and clogged pores on oily, congested skin, but can feel a little too drying.
Tata Harper Clarifying Pore & Oil Control Cleanser: If you like "clean beauty," you'll like the plant-forward ingredients in this Tata Harper face wash, but if you're sensitive to fragrance, you may not appreciate its ultra herbaceous scent. (I'd also suggest using something more gentle to remove eye makeup — this is where a double cleanse works best.)
While dry skin types should look for face wash formulas with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to lock in hydration, Dr. Marmur says salicylic acid-based cleansers are a great choice for those with oily skin. “[They] can help remove excess oils, unclog pores, and keep the skin hydrated,” she says. Beyond salicylic acid, here's exactly what to look for when it comes to ingredients:
BHAs, including salicylic acid: Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, also recommends salicylic acid for oily skin, noting that as a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), it provides effective chemical exfoliation. “BHAs dissolve the bonds that hold dull, dead skin cells on the surface of skin, allowing the skin to gently shed and reveal a smoother, brighter surface,” she explains. Because they’re oil-soluble, BHAs can penetrate and clear pores, making them ideal for normal to oily, acne-prone skin. “They help reduce blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and milia,” she says, adding that their anti-inflammatory properties also make them suitable for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.
Glycolic acid: This is another favorite of our experts. Dr. Tess Mauricio, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills and San Diego, recommends opting for gel or foaming cleansers with ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid. “Cleanser with glycolic acid is great for oily skin as it helps to chemically exfoliate and break down sebum,” adds Dr. Mara Weinstein Velez, a fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist in Rochester, New York.
According to the CDC, people touch their faces 23 times per hour, which is terrifying when you think about it. Needless to say, it’s important that we all wash our faces — and wash them the correct way! “Start with lukewarm water and apply the cleanser to a damp face; wash for about 30 seconds max," Dr. Ellen Marmur, a New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare, tells Yahoo. She says to avoid using brushes or harsh washcloths, and instead clean your hands first and then cleanse your face with your fingertips. “Massage the cleanser in the creases around the nose and in the eyebrows,” she adds. “Don’t let cleansers sit on the skin too long, and gently pat the face dry with a clean, gentle towel.”
After you're done washing, Dr. Marmur says to immediately apply a silky serum to the damp skin to increase the efficacy of the active ingredients and moisturizers — something we noted in our best hyaluronic acid serums list.
When it comes to the best formulas for oily skin types, many of the experts I spoke with suggested using cleansers with a foam or gel-like consistency:
Foaming cleansers lather and become bubbly, lifting dirt and grime from deep within the pores.
Gel cleansers are lightweight and non-greasy and usually turn into a foamy lather, easily removing dirt and excess oil.
Dr. Ellen Marmur, MD, Board-certified dermatologist
Hadley King, MD, Board-certified dermatologist
Tess Mauricio, MD, Board-certified dermatologist
Mara Weinstein Velez, MD, FAAD, Board-certified dermatologist
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
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