Best Face Wash For Oily Skin
While many factors contribute to healthy skin, a good face wash can greatly assist you on this journey. To help you pick the best face wash for oily skin, here is a list of the top 8 face wash for oily skin.
Neutrogena products are often recommended by dermatologists and are known worldwide for their quality. This is a favourite among skin experts. Neutrogena Oil-Free Face Wash contains 2 percent salicylic acid, an excellent ingredient for oily, acne-prone skin. It also contains aloe vera extracts and is free of parabens. It is a gel-based face wash with a consistency that is neither too thick nor too thin and has a neutral fragrance.
Why pick Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Face Wash?
This face wash for oily skin thoroughly cleans your face, leaving it fresh and grime-free. It also helps reduce redness on the face and is suitable for all skin types. Like most Neutrogena products, this face wash comes in a travel-friendly bottle with attractive packaging. However, it can be slightly heavy on the pocket, but shelling out some extra bucks to ensure healthy skin can be a long-term investment.
Why pick MCaffeine Coffee Face Wash?
Why pick Forest Essentials Delicate Facial Cleanser Kashmiri Saffron & Neem?
Why pick Mamaearth Tea Tree Face Wash?
Why pick Minimalist Salicylic Face Wash?
What To Know About Treating Shiny Oily Skin According To A Dermatologist
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Got an oily complexion? If so, you probably already know that this skin type requires extra attention. Whether youre using oil blotting sheets multiple times a day or carrying around mattifying powder for midday touch-ups, it can feel like minimizing shine is a never-ending battle.
However, it turns out that one of the biggest secrets to reducing greasiness is actually based on how you start your day. By using a face wash specifically designed to get excess oil under control each morning, your skin will need less maintenance throughout the day.
Here, weve discovered the best face washes for oily skin. But before we get into our recommendations, we tapped Miami dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo to learn how to lessen the perpetual greasiness once and for all.
Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam
Hada Labo Face Wash for Daily Cleansing
Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Cleansing Foam
This hydrating cleansing foam effectively cleanses the skin while maintaining moisture levels for balanced, supple skin.
The star ingredient in this Hada Labo cleanser is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid pulls moisture to the skin, helping to increase hydration levels.
- May not be suitable for acne-prone skin
This cleanser contains additional ingredients that increase hydration , and is free of fragrance and color additives.
Water, PEG-8, Butylene Glycol, polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, TEA-Cocoyl Alaninate, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Starch Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Succinic Acid
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What Products To Avoid
Opting for products with oil or alcohol is a blunder when selecting the best face wash for oily skin. These ingredients will only make your skin worse by making it too dry or failing to remove excess oil from the skin. Also, ensure that you pick a non-comedogenic product to avoid clogging the pores, which can result in blackheads. Pick a face cleanser that is gentle and fragrance-free when picking a face wash for oily skin. Finding a sulphate-free product is also a great way to ensure you land up with the best face wash.
How Do I Choose A Face Wash

If youre on the market for a new face wash, youll want to take into consideration your skin type, as well as any skin concerns you may have. Its also important to keep your budget in mind. From there, you can look for products that are formulated for your skin type that may target any concerns you might have.
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What Is The Most Gentle Way To Wash Your Face
In addition to using one of the best gentle face washes, there are a few things you can do to ensure youre being gentle on the skin as you wash your face. As youre washing your skin, stick with using lukewarm water, as water that is too hot or too cold can irritate and dry out the skin. You should also avoid using a wet face towel or any other type of scrubbing tool while washing your face stick to gently massaging the cleanser into your skin with your fingertips.
How Often Should You Cleanse Your Face If You Have Oily Skin
It might be tempting to over-wash your face to prevent a greasy t-zone but cleansing too often can cause damage. Vigorously scrubbing or washing your skin can lead to stripping, which in turn makes your skin produce even more oil.
More oil ultimately ends up in a breakout, so its a chicken and egg situation. Acne is not caused by unclean skin. If you have acne-prone skin you should cleanse just as much as everyone else. Twice a day for 30 seconds. Its important to effectively cleanse to ensure makeup, sunscreen, sweat, pollution and debris are removed from the skin, reducing the risk of these leading to inflammation or occlusion of a pore says Dr Ejikeme.
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Ingredients To Look For While Picking A Face Wash
Following are the ingredients that you need to pay heed to while picking a face wash for your skin type.
1. Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid is a blessing for those with oily and acne-prone skin. It is a mild acid that helps regulate oil secretions by controlling excess sebum production. It also helps shrink pores and provides a matte look to the skin. Therefore, it is the perfect product for people with oily skin. Several face washes, including Minimalists salicylic face wash, contain this ingredient.
2. Glycolic acid: Glycolic acid is suitable for all skin types. The exfoliating properties of this ingredient help remove dead cells and excess oil to bring out a fresher, younger-looking skin. It is a great remedy for post-inflammatory scars, acne marks, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation. Glycolic acid prevents blackheads in oily skin by removing clogged pores. It is also known to increase collagen production.
3. Niacinamide: Also known as nicotinamide, Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that helps maintain your skins vitality and protects it from environmental stresses. It has gained considerable attention in the past few years due to its miraculous effects on the skin. Niacinamide effectively treats acne, acne scars, and large pores that often result from oily skin.
Best Face Washes For Acne According To Dermatologists
- Best antibacterial face wash for acne:Differin Daily Deep Cleanser
If youre prone to acne, you may have tried a few different remedies and methods to cleanse your skin, including face washes.
A face wash is important for managing acne as it rids the skin of oil, dirt, makeup, and sweat, which cause breakouts, explains board certified dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park.
The pH level of your skin care products can also negatively impact your skin, so look for products that help you maintain your skins pH.
Not every skin type is the same, so its important to shop for a facial cleanser with your unique skin type in mind. If youre confused about what your skin type is or what your skins pH level is, it may be helpful to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.
As key as a face wash is to any skin care regimen, its a given that there are tons of different acne face washes available to buy.
To help you do just that, we tapped Park and other board certified pros to break down 15 of the best face washes, based on your skin type, type of acne, and more. They also share helpful tips that can make all the difference for acne-prone skin.
Read their expert advice below.
To find the best acne face wash that suits your needs, board certified dermatologist Dr. Kemunto Mokaya suggests choosing a product based on the ingredients used in the formula.
Here are some ingredients commonly found in acne face washes to keep on your radar.
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Cerave Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
A face wash for oily skin should help balance healthy oils and control oil production.
CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser contains 4% benzoyl peroxide to address bacteria and manage oily skin. This is great news for acne-prone skin in particular.
This gentle foaming cleanser also contains niacinamide to calm the complexion.
Since breakouts don’t always back down after adolescence, having a face wash like this can be quite handy. It dissolves dirt and oils that can congest skin and lead to pimples. Still, it’s gentle enough to use every day.
The Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser supports the skin barrier with ceramides, enabling a better defense against dryness and flaking.
Ceramides are the fats or lipids that help hold our skin cells together. They make up 30% to 40% of your skin’s outer layer, the stratum corneum mentioned above. This barrier seals moisture in the skin and helps keep harmful environmental elements out.
Lower ceramide levels are associated with acne, eczema, and other skin conditions.
Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and especially dry climates can further exacerbate such skin issues, so it’s important to incorporate ceramides and help restore the skin barrier function.
This CeraVe foaming facial cleanser contains three essential ceramides that are naturally found in the skin.Face washes with ceramides can improve lipid levels and balance the complexion.
Luxe Organix Miracle Solutions Aha/bha Gel Cleanser
If you need extra help in decongesting clogged pores and calming persistent acne, this non-drying facial wash mixed with gentle amounts of salicylic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid to improve troubled skin. It also has niacinamide which helps in regulating your oils and minimizing the appearance of pores!
Miracle Solutions AHA/BHA Gel Cleanser, P289, LUXE ORGANIX, Watsons
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Clarifying Cleanser By Tata Harper
On to a more luxurious cleanser, we have the Clarifying Cleanser by Tata Harper. Dont be put off by its price, this cleanser is worth the extra cash! Not only do Tata Harper cleansers cleanse the skin, but they also treat the actual skin concern, which in this case is oil!
The Clarifying Cleanser is a foaming gel cleanser specifically designed for blemish-prone and oily skin. It deep cleans the skin by targeting the impurities to give your skin a deep clean. It leaves the skin with a lovely matte finish, without leaving your skin feeling dry or stripped.
One of the things that people love best in this cleanser is the cooling, refreshing formula. Another thing is that the ingredients are kept minimal with only 12 ingredients used to make this fab cleanser. Did I mention that all of the ingredients are natural?
Some core ingredients within this formula are Prickly Pear Enzymes that provide gentle exfoliation without irritation or over-drying. Wild Crafted Juniper Fruit helps balance oil and sebum without disrupting the natural pH balance for a healthy-looking, matte complexion.
Chlorella helps nourish the skin to soothe redness and calm irritation, plus it gives the formula its signature green colour. Mint Extract provides a cooling sensation and gives the formula its crisp, vibrant scent.
This cleanser will leave your skin looking and feeling clean, refreshed and glowing!
Can Women Use A Mens Face Wash

Yes, but again, the focus should be on your skin type, followed by your preferences.
Doing your homework on a product before use can help you decide if a product may be right for you, regardless of the demographic its marketed to. Check the manufacturers website or read the label to see what the product contains and what its supposed to do.
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Outside Of Cleansing What Habits Or Products Can Help Acne
After cleansing, moisturizing with a gentle, oil-free moisturizer to reduce peeling and irritation from anti-acne active ingredients in your cleansers and treatments can help manage acne.
Try to use noncomedogenic cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup products. Remove makeup and sunscreen thoroughly every night.
It may also help to regularly change or wash your pillowcase, avoid touching your face, and regularly wash your hair.
What Causes Oily Skin
It can be hard to pinpoint exactly why some have desert-dry skin while others struggle with oiliness. Hormones will always play a part, especially if youre changing contraception or going through menopause.
“Hormones in the body – particularly progesterone and testosterone – have a significant effect on sebum production in the skin at different points in the menstrual cycle, explains Dr Ejikeme, Founder and Medical Director of Adonia Medical Clinic.
Most notably in the second half of the cycle when progesterone rises, leading to an increase in sebum. Right before menstruation, oestrogen and progesterone fall and testosterone predominates, which can also increase sebum production in the skin. During the menopause, there are a number of changes in the hormones which can lead to breakouts.”
Acne and oily skin can go hand in hand, too. Dr Ejikeme explains what can make it worse: Acne is primarily driven by genetics but there are environmental aspects that can precipitate or aggravate it. These include occlusive oils, over exfoliation, stress, poor sleep and high sugar diets. When spots do occur, touching and squeezing them can make things worse,
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Dermalogica Active Clay Cleanser
Powered by a detoxifying blend of mineral-rich kaolin clay and purifying binchotan charcoal, the Dermalogica Active Clay Cleanser restores balance to oily skin while also clearing impurities and reducing the appearance of pores. To prevent stripping the skin of its natural oils and distributing the moisture barrier, its also formulated with aloe, broccoli extract and murumuru seed to nourish and hydrate.
Cetaphil Facial Cleanser For Normal To Oily Skin
Another budget no-frill cleanser for you! This gentle, non-stripping cleanser will leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed.
Its dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin, and clinically proven to be hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, you can be sure it wont clog your skin or cause irritations.
You can use this cleanser to treat acne-prone skin and its safe to use every day because of its gentle formula. It easily removes all makeup and dirt that has accumulated over the day.
One thing to be aware of is that the Cetaphil Facial Cleanser for dry skin has a very similar packaging, so when you purchase it make sure youre buying the correct one. I made this mistake myself and couldnt understand why my skin wasnt reacting well to the cleanser!
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Do You Have To Wash Oily Skin In The Morning And At Night
No, you do not have to wash your skin every morning and night. However, you should wash your skin if it is feeling extra greasy, or to remove product . For some, just gently cleansing in AM is a great way to start the day. However, if you also suffer from sensitive skin it can be more tricky. Start off by regularly washing your skin once daily, and see how your skin responds.
Best Bar: Drunk Elephant Pekee Cleansing Bar
Courtesy of Drunk Elephant
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Easy to use during shower
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Fragrance- and soap-free
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Not as travel-friendly
Even though it doesnt look like other face cleansers, the right face wash bar is easier to use in the shower for a young teenager and has all of the same benefits youd find in a bottle. Also, it has less of an environmental impact because it doesnt come in a single-use plastic container.
Drunk Elephants Pekee Bar, for example, is a popular gentle cleansing bar made with blueberry extract, honey, and marula oil. A true multi-tasking face wash, this bar moisturizes, tones, clarifies, balances the complexion, and is totally fragrance- and soap-free. The bar is formulated with clean, cruelty-free, and skin-friendly ingredients designed to cleanse and soothe the skin and last a long time.
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Clear Face Cleansing Foam
Sebamed Face Wash for Daily Cleansing
Sebamed Clear Face Cleansing Foam
This Sebamed cleansing foam is excellent for those with acne-prone skin that tends to be a bit oilier, as it deeply cleans pores while also hydrating for balanced skin.
This cleanser contains Montaline C40, an antibacterial ingredient that helps clean away impurities that clog pores. The mild soap also helps cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural oils.
- Contains fragrance
In addition to the Montaline C40, this cleanser contains vitamin B5 , which soothes the skin.
Water , Cocamidopropyl Betainamide MEA Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Oxidized Starch PG-Trimonium Chloride, Panthenol , Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance , Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
National Center for Biotechnology Information. “Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations”
Accessed Aug. 24, 2021.
CeraVe Face Wash for Daily Cleansing
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
This foaming cleanser is gentle and non-irritating on the skin, but still effectively removes dirt, debris, and excess oil without stripping it.
This cleanser is one of the best CeraVe products for oilier skin types, because it cleanses the skin without stripping it of its natural moisture. Maintaining the skins moisture is vital, as products that dry out the skin can actually trigger the skin to produce more oil. This cleanser allows you to protect your skin while still cleansing away excess oil, dirt, and debris.
- None