When it comes to your face, finding the best face wash for oily skin that isn’t too harsh can be a challenge. It’s important to find a balance between the two, and there are plenty of gentle cleansers to choose from. What’s most crucial is finding a cleanser that won’t dry out or damage the natural moisture barrier or pH balance of your skin, which can damage, dry out, and compromise the look and feel of your sensitive facial skin.
See also:
The 10 Best Face Washes for Oily Skin:
1.) OLAY Face Wash for Oily Skin
OLAY Foaming Face Wash is a gentle formula that you can use every day, twice a day, to help cleanse your oily skin. It’s specially formulated to get rid of oil build-up without over drying your skin, leaving it soft and smooth to the touch. It also does not leave behind a greasy film, which many cleansers do. Just a little bit of the foam goes a long way in lathering up your entire face. Many customers love that it not only leaves their skin feeling fresh, but it also works well to remove makeup before bed at night. People overwhelmingly rave about the reduction or even total elimination of acne breakouts this face wash for oily skin prevents.
2.) Neutrogena Shine Control Face Wash
This dermatologist-tested daily scrub cleanses deep into your pores to remove excess oils, dirt, and grime. It uses rice protein to continue absorbing oils long after you’ve finished washing. This wash will leave you shine-free for hours. The specialized formula protects your skin’s natural moisture barrier and prevents your skin from drying out. Many customers recommend using this only once a day, although it is gentle enough to be used in the mornings and before bed. They say that they only need it once a day, which proves the effectiveness of the absorbing qualities of the rice protein. It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, and it won’t leave a film behind. It’s a small 4.2-ounce tube, but a little bit goes a long way. It will last you a long time, especially if you’re only using this face wash for sensitive skin once each day.
3.) Garnier SkinActive Face Wash with Green Tea for Oily Skin
This deep pore formula penetrates deep to remove excess oil and dirt, and reduces the appearance of the size of your pores. It’s vegan-friendly, using 99% naturally-derived ingredients. It is produced without parabens, sulfates, dyes, or silicones, making it a popular choice for those with extremely sensitive skin. The green tea purifies and mattifies the skin while the rose water soothes and rehydrates your natural skin moisture barrier. The aloe juice refreshes and hydrates your skin for a smooth, sleek finish. This cleanser is gentle enough to be used every day, up to two times per day, and you do not need a lot of product to properly lather and hydrate. This is a sought-after cleanser is a must-have for those looking for a hypoallergenic product that will eliminate oily skin.
4.) Vivo Foaming Facial Cleanser
This cleanser is one of the best face washes for oily skin products on the market because it does so much more for your skin than simply eliminating the oils. Vivo Per Lei Foaming Facial Cleanser exfoliates deep into your pores to eliminate all kinds of build-up, along with dry, flaky and dead skin leaving you with a refreshed and relaxed glow. The exfoliation also helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines. The Dead Sea minerals help reduce breakouts from acne and reduce issues from eczema and psoriasis. It leaves the skin feeling hydrated and soft, rather than tight and dry. It works great for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Customers who purchase this exfoliant remark about how smooth their skin feels afterwards, especially after a few days of use. It’s also great as a makeup remover at night. It’s gentle enough to be used once or twice daily.
5.) Insta Natural Vitamin C Facial Cleanser
This cleanser harnesses the power of the antioxidant properties found in Vitamin C and aloe, which rejuvenates and invigorates the skin while protecting it. It also contains anti-aging properties as it removes dry, dead skin and reduces the appearance of sun damage and dark spots. It cleanses deep into your pores without over-drying your skin. It also does not leave a greasy film, and it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin. Insta Natural believes in providing products which are free from harmful ingredients for clean and pure beauty. Aloe vera works to reduce the signs of aging while coconut water rehydrates and refreshes the skin’s moisture barrier for all-day hydration. Because of the all-natural ingredients, Insta Natural’s cleanser is perfect for sensitive skin that can’t take toxins or harsh chemicals. Customers love the entire line of products Insta Natural offers for their oily, sensitive, or dry skin.
6.) Bioré Daily Blue Agave and Baking Soda Liquid Cleanser for Combination Skin
It’s a reasonable price, and it’s one of the most popular cleansers for all kinds of skin on the market. Not only does it exfoliate dry, flaky skin, rejuvenating and exfoliating in the process, it targets your pores down deep. It removes excess oil and dirt, along with makeup. Many customers rave about the fact that while they’ve had to cleanse 2-3 times per session with other face washes for oily skin, this cleanser only takes one time to properly clear out pores. It’s a pH-balanced, oil-free formula that is dermatologist-tested. Even with sensitive skin, it can be used up to twice daily without irritating or over-drying your skin.
7.) Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
Cetaphil is one of the primary dermatologist-recommended facial cleansers that works well for all skin types. It’s a great face wash for sensitive skin as well as oily skin because it’s hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and soap-free. It’s gentle enough to be used twice daily and removes everything from oil to dirt to makeup. Only a small amount of cleanser is needed to work up a good lather and thoroughly exfoliate deep down into your pores. It’s light and doesn’t leave a residue behind, yet it doesn’t strip your skin of its natural moisture barrier. This cleanser is recommended for people of all ages, from children to adults, and can be integrated at any point as part of your daily skin care regimen.
8.) LuxeOrganix Purifying Facial Cleanser
This pH-balanced and fragrance-free formula cleanser is one of the most well-regarded for facial cleansers for all kinds of skin types. It’s sulfate- and paraben-free, reducing redness while also not aggravating the skin or stripping it of its hydration. It’s been shown to reduce acne and blackheads, while also improving elasticity and collagen properties in the skin. It exfoliates for anti-aging qualities such as pore minimization and reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It removes makeup with ease in one wash, while soothing the skin of redness associated with eczema and rosacea. It’s made with organic and natural ingredients, and it’s not tested on animals. It is also free of PEG compounds and phthalates. It’s useful for people of all ages, from teenagers to the elderly. It renews the skin while allowing for your skin’s natural glow to shine through.
9.) TruSkin Vitamin C Daily Facial Cleanser
MSM, Vitamin C, rosehip oil, and aloe vera combine to make a powerful, hydrating cleansing foam face wash to tackle oily, dry, and sensitive skin types. It is sulfate-, paraben-, and alcohol-free, making it a popular choice for those with sensitive skin. It also utilizes organic ingredients, is vegan, and is cruelty-free for those who want their skin products tested responsibly. This TruSkin cleanser helps prevent breakouts, while simultaneously hydrating pores without leaving behind a greasy film. It’s a gentle cleanser than can be used in the morning and at nighttime before bed, and it won’t dry out your skin. It also contains anti-aging properties to reduce the effects of sun damage, dark spots, and lines and wrinkles.
10.) Clean & Clear Essentials Foaming Facial Cleanser
For those who have been utilizing skin care products for their troublesome acne and oily skin since their teenage years will recognize Clean & Clear as one of the leading skin care product manufacturers. Trusted by millions of teenagers to clear up a breakout before prom night, Clean & Clear continues to be a brand you can use into adulthood to tackle pesky oily skin problems. This cleanser removes dirt, makeup, and any excess oils without over-drying your skin or damaging your moisture barrier. It works best in conjunction with the Clean & Clear skin care line, including the astringent and moisturizer. It utilizes coconut oil to rehydrate your skin without leaving a greasy residue behind.
What Causes Oily Skin?
There are a number of factors that could be contributing to your oily skin, including over-washing, using the wrong skin care products, or skipping the moisturizer. Other factors may be out of your control, while others may be fixable with a few lifestyle changes. Some contributors of oily skin include:
- Genetics
- Diet
- Age (skin tends to dry out as we age, and younger people are more prone to oily skin)
- Environmental factors
- Season changes and climate
- Certain medications
- Enlarged pores
Luckily, there are ways to control and limit the impact of some of these factors, including using face washes for oily skin in the morning, at night, and after exercise. Keeping your oily pores cleansed can help prevent acne and an oily skin primer can help control shine.
Getting your oily skin under control can also help conditions that result from excess oils, including seborrheic dermatitis. Ironically, the excess oil can result in dry, scaly patches on the skin of the face, and excessive dandruff on the sides of the scalp. It can be an extremely uncomfortable and embarrassing condition, which while treatable, is a lifelong struggle.
With time and trials of different cleansers, you can successfully tackle many of the challenges associated with oily skin. If you are unsure of where to begin, consult with your dermatologist to assess what products your skin needs on a daily basis.
While you may think that using a cleanser is enough, moisturizing in the morning and at night before bed is also important. This helps keep your skin pH and moisture-balanced. It should be lightweight so that it doesn’t clog your pores, while also being hypoallergenic for sensitive and irritated skin. Many skin care lines that offer products for oily skin cleanser also offer follow up moisturizers which can be used twice a day for optimal results.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to taking care of that shiny T-spot, or helping your skin realize its natural glow, finding the right cleanser may take a while. However, the best face washes for oily skin will not only rehydrate your skin while removing the oil, but it will leave you with a smooth, refreshed feel and appearance to your skin.
Joan S. Wilson is a lifelong makeup and skincare enthusiast. She used to work as a makeup artist for 5 years. Joan is always curious and wants to learn more when it comes to makeup and skincare. She tries her best to make other people’s skin health better. This is why Joan is so passionate about writing articles on beauty topics. She always looks for products that are high-quality, dermatologist-tested, and does that it says on the label. In every article, she shares her knowledge to make your life healthier and happier!