5 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin
DISCLOSURE: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY TERMS OF USE POLICY FOR MORE INFO. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you’re battling the excess shine, enlarged pores, and persistent breakouts of oily skin, finding the right cleanser can be a game-changer. The key is finding a cleanser that effectively removes dirt, oil, and impurities without over-stripping your skin and potentially compromising its protective barrier… which can actually trigger even more oil production!
Below, I’ll be going over the 5 best cleansers for oily skin that hit the sweet spot between being powerful enough to combat excess oil and shine, while still being gentle enough to maintain and support your skin's natural barrier (and they’re affordable!).
Best Cleansers for Oily Skin
This cruelty-free and fragrance-free cleanser has a smooth, lightweight, foaming formula that provides your skin with intense moisture, while clearing congestion, gently exfoliating, and balancing oil. With natural herbal ingredients such as plum water and plum extract, which are natural AHAs, and mung bean extract, which provides antioxidant protection and hydration, this cleanser also supports skin cell turnover and a healthy skin barrier. It boasts the perfect balance between both managing and supporting oily skin.
This gentle, acne-fighting cleanser starts as a gel-like consistency that turns into a soft lather upon use. Its key active ingredient, salicylic acid, helps to gently cleanse your pores, dissolving build-up that can contribute to breakouts, and gives the appearance of smaller pores and smoother, more refined skin. Arginine and other vitamins simultaneously help soothe and soften the skin, allowing for effective cleansing without any drying or redness that may come from the salicylic acid.
This micro-foam cleanser is full of both balancing and calming ingredients that make it a great option for all skin types (even sensitive skin). Ingredients like witch hazel, tea tree extract, and other AHAs work to get rid of skin impurities and promote cell turnover, helping to prevent congestion. Ingredients like beta glucan and cica work to soothe and nourish the skin, helping to prevent irritation and support the skin barrier.
Additionally, this cleanser has a low pH, similar to the natural pH of your skin, which further supports skin functionality; and the micro-foam consistency allows it to get deep into pores for optimal cleansing.
Though this one’s call the “Good Morning” cleanser, it’s great for morning or night. Both gentle and effective, this gel cleanser turns to foam upon use and helps cleanse and balance the skin without over-stripping it. Its key ingredient, BHA (which is arguably one of the best ingredients for oily skin), gently exfoliates and gets deep into the pores to help clear out any congestion. Tea tree oil soothes the skin and strengthens the skin barrier for bright and healthy skin.
CeraVe is always a great, basic option if you’re looking for a gentle, no-frills, but effective skincare product. The gel-like formulation of this cleanser is so light, cleansing without leaving your skin feeling any tightness or dryness. However, it starts foaming as you cleanse, making it great for clearing the pores and controlling oil.
As with almost all their products, this cleanser boasts 3 essential ceramides that help maintain the skin’s natural barrier. And with other super ingredients niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, this cleanser also deeply hydrates the skin, while brightening and evening out skin tone.
No matter which cleanser you choose, remember that gentle, consistent cleansing is the foundation of any effective skincare routine for oily skin. And since everyone's skin is unique, you may need to experiment a bit to find your perfect cleanser match. However, I hope that the options in this list help you on your way to finding one that works for you. Trust me, your future self will thank you for taking the time to find the right product for your skin’s needs. Happy cleansing! ✨