Seven of the best cleansers for oily skin types
If you have oily skin, you've probably gone through plenty of cleansers that promised to control sebum production and give you a shine-free finish, only to be left disappointed – or worse, with irritated skin. This is because the best cleansers for oily skin aren't necessarily the ones that promise to control oil, but to balance your skin overall.
Like cleansers for acne-prone skin, picking the wrong product can actually irritate your face and make the problem worse, not better. Some ingredients can lead to irritation because they alter the function of the epidermal barrier, and it's not uncommon to find this occurring with products designed for oily skin types.
Thankfully there has been a lot of development in the skincare space regarding cleansers for oily skin. There are plenty in the market that are designed to help balance sebum production, not block it. Clear out your cupboard and stock up on some of our favourites.
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
This is one of cult skincare brand The Ordinary's most popular products because it works on every skin type. The simple, affordable cleanser is a gel-to-oil texture that uses a blend of squalane and other skin-similar ingredients to reduce its impact on the skin barrier, and is a great choice if you're using active skincare products to target oil production and enlarged pores, as it soothes and hydrates the skin while also removing makeup and dirt, without compromising the skin barrier.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Gel
This alcohol and paraben-free gel is designed to be used daily, helping to reduce excess sebum and tighten pores without drying out the skin. Its ingredients have been picked to protect even sensitive skin types, which is why it's so popular.
"I have sensitive (prone to getting eczema on my face) combination skin (oily t-zone) and truly feel as though this product has helped me to regulate and control my breakouts," one reviewer raved on Adore Beauty.
"Same as most people, I've tried a slew of cleansers with varying degrees of results, this one certainly is the front runner, and I've been using it now for 18 months."
Paula's Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser
Paula's Choice is renowned for its science-backed formulas, so it's a great skincare brand to consider when you've tried everything and find nothing works. The Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser has hydrating hyaluronic acid and aloe to nourish the skin barrier, while it also helps reduce enlarged pores and keep excess oil at bay.
Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense
Using the skin-balancing botanical red clover, Medik8 Pore Cleanse Gel Intense helps control sebum production and tighten pores – but it's also full of exfoliating hydroxy acids like salicylic acid, lactic acid and mandelic acid, which help clear pores that can often end up blocked due to excess sebum. A great choice if you're dealing with skin that's really greasy by the end of the day, or when you first wake up – although this product is maybe one to steer clear from if your skin is easily irritated due to the amount of exfoliating acids.
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
A beauty editor favourite, this classic cleanser by Dermalogica has stood the test of time. First launched in 1986 (and actually the first product from the brand), the Special Cleansing Gel is another all-rounder, suitable for an array of skin types. For those with oily skin, it deep cleanses and removes makeup without disturbing the skin's barrier. In short, it's a simple, efficient product with a lot of positive reviews.
"This is the best cleanser, hands down, no competition," one fan writes on Adore Beauty. "It deep cleans your skin without drying it out or irritating. Honestly, it has raised the bar so high no other cleanser compares."
Skinstitut Glycolic Cleanser 12%
One of the most popular exfoliating cleansers in the market, Skinstitut's Glycolic Cleanser 12% is a must-have for anyone who battles with clogged pores or dull skin – both common among those with oily skin. The glycolic acid helps to remove dead skin cells and decongest pores, making it a great end-of-day cleanser for oily skin types. If your skin is prone to irritation, look at the L-Lactic Cleanser instead, which is a little more gentle.
COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
COSRX is one of the best affordable skincare brands available (you might know the Korean skincare brand for their famous snail mucin products), and the Low-pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is another simple, effective product that can help balance oily skin. Using tea tree oil and beta-hydroxy acid to control sebum production and unclog pores, the cleanser won't strip skin in the process, making it great for those concerned about sensitivity.
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