The 16 Best Face Washes for Oily Skin, According to Byrdie Editors and Derms

Best Overall

Hyper Skin Hyper Even Cleansing Gel

$28 at Sephora $28 at hyperskin.com $28 at Revolve

Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid, vitamin E | Skin Type: Acne and blemish prone | Size: 5 fl oz| Cruelty-Free: Yes

Hyper Skin’s gel cleanser takes on breakouts, clogged pores, and dullness with mandelic acid (one of the gentler exfoliating acids) and powerful botanicals such as licorice root and willow bark to calm inflammation and prevent future breakouts. There’s even a touch of vitamin E, aloe, and mushroom extract to soothe irritation.

We enjoyed its gel-like texture that emulsifies into creamy milk when combined with water. It felt like we were adding a protective layer over the face. It also has quite a strong fruity and floral fragrance which we personally enjoyed but may not be tolerable to the more sensitive nose. If you wear quite heavy makeup, you may need to do a double cleanse to remove it all.

Best Budget

Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser

View on Neutrogena.com

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive, combination| Size: 6.7 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No

The hero ingredient in our budget-friendly pick, Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Facial Cleanser, is salicylic acid. This BHA helps dissolve oil and dirt while boosting cell turnover, revealing a more radiant complexion. The foamy formula is also oil-free, non-comedogenic, and has been tested and approved by dermatologists.

We found it easy to spread this lightweight gel over the face and into every crevice, allowing us to get a really good clean. Although it wasn’t great at removing makeup (we used an oil-based cleanser beforehand to do that) it definitely left our skin feeling clean and fresh. Although we experienced a little tightness after washing, it was never uncomfortable. Overall, we think this is a great face wash for everyday use.

Best Overall Runner-Up

Pai PHAZE PHA Clarifying Face Wash

View on Paiskincare.us

Key Ingredients: Polyhydroxy acids, prebiotic inulin, glycerin | Skin Type: Acne and blemish-prone | Size: 3.38 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

One not-so-desirable side effect of oily skin is an increased chance of breakouts, from blackheads to acne. This gentle foaming wash was created to clear congestion and leave skin ultra-clean without stripping it. Polyhydroxy Acids or PHAs (a gentler version of AHAs) exfoliate the complexion without increasing sensitivity, while chicory root-derived prebiotic inulin strengthens the skin barrier and a corn-based sugar complex adds hydration that sticks around long after you’ve rinsed off the suds.

We loved the lightweight, ultra-foamy consistency of this wash, which never left our skin feeling tight or parched after use. In fact, our tester noted that it added a long-lasting layer of moisture to her complexion that stood up amazingly to winter weather. During the testing period, her skin was noticeably softer and seemed more illuminated than usual. Although she appreciated the beautiful glass bottle, our tester was concerned about the risk of it smashing if she accidentally dropped it.

Best Gentle

ANUA Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam

$13 at Amazon

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, heartleaf hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive, and blemish-prone | Size: 5.07 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A “Holy Grail” oily skin cleanser can clean out pores and minimize excess oil without sensitizing the skin. This luxuriously foamy option by ANUA is effective but gentle, utilizing salicylic acid to exfoliate dead skin cells and help control sebum production, heartleaf to calm inflammation, and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate. ANUA recommends using an oil cleaner first to remove makeup and sunscreen, followed by this bubbly formula to deep clean pores and refresh your complexion.

We loved the texture of this face wash, which lathered easily and felt as if it was exfoliating the skin slightly. After rinsing, there was no residue left behind and the face looked squeaky clean. We definitely felt the need to slather on a layer of moisturizer after using this cleanser to counteract its exfoliating effects and noticed our complexion was super soft and smooth afterward.

Best Sustainable

Blueland Facial Cleanser Starter Set

View on Blueland.com

Key Ingredients: Oat, kaolin clay and vitamin E | Skin Type: Very sensitive, eczema prone | Size: 8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This gentle facial cleanser from Blueland will take you straight back to your high-school science class. It begins life as a powder before you decant it into a reusable bottle and mix it with water. After shaking for a few seconds, the mixture is activated and ready to use.

We gave this one very high marks for how gentle and soothing the creamy, gel texture felt on the skin, not to mention how well it removed makeup with just a single cleanse. It's also derm-tested, comprised of plant-based ingredients such as oat, kaolin clay, and vitamin E. Best of all, each powder refill lasts around a month, and when it’s empty, you just need to replace it, reusing the glass bottle included in each starter pack. We love the sustainability factor here, but if you’re not into mixing things to create your face wash, this one might not be for you.

Best Detoxifying

Boscia Detoxifying Black Charcoal Cleanser

View on Boscia.com View on Shopbop.com

Key Ingredients: Activated charcoal, vitamin C | Skin Type: Oily, acne and blemish prone | Size: 5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re prone to blackheads and whiteheads, this detoxifying cleanser from Boscia can help. The formula warms on contact with the skin and contains a clarifying combination of activated charcoal to absorb oil and tighten the look of pores, and radiance-boosting vitamin C to help refine skin texture. Use this face wash with a Konjac Cleansing Sponge enhanced with acne-fighting black charcoal for the cleanest, softest, smoothest results.

This gel formula has a thicker, heavier texture than we’re used to—it didn’t glide over our skin like foam or oil. However, it was easy to rinse off and left our skin feeling undeniably lighter and tighter. It seemed to absorb impurities effortlessly and, with consistent use, our pores appeared diminished and our skin looked cleaner and healthier.

Best Pore-Minimizing

Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser

$30 at Amazon $30 at Sephora View on Caudalie.com

Key Ingredients: Lavender essential oil, peppermint essential oil, natural salicylic acid, rosemary essential oil, organic grape water | Skin Type: Oily, congested and blemish prone | Size: 5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When pores become clogged with sebum and debris, they expand, making them more obvious to the naked eye. Keeping pores clean, then, is the secret to making them smaller and less noticeable. This pore-minimizing cleanser from Caudalie contains salicylic acid to clear away impurities and absorb excess sebum without leaving skin stripped. The result is smoother, cleaner skin and shrunken pores.

This thick gel cleanser felt luxurious to use and removed all makeup––even mascara residue. It cleaned our skin thoroughly without drying it out, and didn’t cause any irritation or sensitivity. We were impressed by how soft our skin was after use, and how much tighter and smaller our pores appeared.

Best Drugstore

Cetaphil Oil Removing Foam Wash

$29 at Amazon $13 at Target $13 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Zinc, glycerin | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive and blemish prone | Size: 8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No

If you prefer to do your beauty shopping at the drugstore, you can’t go wrong with the sensitive skin-conscious brand Cetaphil. This foamy formula removes oils from the skin’s surface and contains zinc to reduce the inflammation associated with acne. Glycerin provides a dose of gentle hydration to ensure your skin doesn’t dry out, leaving your complexion nice and soft.

The foaming lather spreads quickly and easily removes face makeup (our tester can’t attest to how it does on eye makeup since she doesn’t wear any). She felt it cleansed well without stripping the skin but rather left it feeling hydrated. It’s a super gentle cleanser though, so if you want a deeper, more exfoliating clean, we’d suggest trying another option on this list.

Best Two-in-One

Clean & Clear Morning Burst Day & Night Cleanser

$11 at Amazon $12 at Target $15 at Walgreens

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, ginseng root, cucumber, glycerin, brown algae extract | Skin Type: Oily and blemish-prone | Size: 16 fl oz total | Cruelty-Free: No

So, you’re routinely cleansing day and night, but are you using two separate formulas for each face-washing session? Having cleansers specifically for your evening vs morning routine (a gentler one for the morning and a deeper one for the evening) is helpful for oily skin as it helps the skin stay clean without making it too dry. Clean & Cleanr’s morning formula is designed to gently remove oil and refine skin texture with radiance-boosting vitamin C, antioxidant ginseng root, and skin-soothing cucumber extract. Meanwhile, the evening formula removes makeup and leaves skin hydrated and soothed with glycerin and brown algae extract.

We liked using two targeted cleansers in our routine. The morning formula lathered nicely and left our skin feeling clean and refreshed without any unpleasant tightness. The evening formula was less foamy but did an excellent job of removing all traces of makeup when we used it with a washcloth. Our skin felt a little tight but we took that as a sign that the cleanser was doing its job. While the formulas didn’t leave our skin dry, we would recommend following up with a good moisturizer.

Best for Sensitive Skin

First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser

$24 at Ulta $24 at Target View on Firstaidbeauty.com

Key Ingredients: Red clay, rosemary leaf oil, camellia leaf extract, bisabolol | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive, and acne-prone | Size: 4.7 fl oz total | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Oily, sensitive skin is often prone to acne. This deep cleanser from First Aid Beauty aims to clear congested pores and calm inflammation, leaving skin soft, supple, and blemish-free. Detoxifying red clay and rosemary leaf oil help balance sebum production and clear out any clogs, while camellia sinensis leaf extract and camomile-derived bisabolol soothe and protect.

We loved the lightweight texture of this gel formula, which removed all makeup and cleaned the skin thoroughly without stripping natural oils from the skin. It didn’t irritate our tester’s sensitive skin whatsoever and it was gentle enough to use twice a day. After rinsing, her skin felt refreshed, rejuvenated, and bouncy.

Best for Everyday

La Roche-Posay Foaming Face Wash

$17 at Amazon $20 at Ulta $15 at Target

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramide-3 | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive, combination| Size: 13.52 fl oz total | Cruelty-Free: No

If you’re looking for an everyday cleanser that’s gentle yet effective at curbing oiliness, this pick from La Roche-Posay is our recommendation. It contains the brand’s signature prebiotic thermal spring water, along with radiance-boosting, oil-balancing niacinamide, and hydrating ceramide-3 to protect the skin barrier.

This formula creates a luxurious lather that requires a washcloth to remove instead of simply splashing the face with water. We loved how effectively it reduced oil and shine, leaving our skin soft and clean but not stripped dry—even on cold winter days.

Best Lightweight

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel

$12 at Amazon $16 at Sephora $16 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, ceramide-3 | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive, combination| Size: 13.52 fl oz total | Cruelty-Free: No

This gel formula leans on papaya and grapefruit enzymes to remove dirt and sebum, leaving skin refreshed while keeping the skin barrier intact. For a deeply purifying effect, the brand recommends using the Enzyme Cleansing Gel as a face mask, letting it sit on your skin for one to five minutes before washing it off.

This is one of the lightest cleansers we’ve ever tried. The ultra-silky formula doesn’t really lather up as you work it into your skin, and we opted for two applications to get that fully cleansed and refreshed feeling. It did a good job of removing oil buildup and our skin felt noticeably smoother afterward.

Best Cooling

Ole Henriksen Oil Control Cleanser

$33 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Glycolic and Lactic acids, neem seed oil, green tea | Skin Type: Oily | Size: 5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This cooling eucalyptus- and peppermint-infused face wash from Ole Henriksen turns your cleansing routine into a soothing sensory experience. Enriched with glycolic and lactic acids (AHAs) to help loosen and remove dead skin cells, the formula exfoliates and clears the complexion while remaining very gentle. Additionally, a cocktail of soothing botanicals including antioxidant neem seed oil and clarifying green tea, helps cleanse and protect the skin.

The thick-gel consistency of this wash lathered nicely and we adored the cooling, tingly sensation that left our skin feeling super clean. Our sensitive skin did experience a little redness, probably due to the exfoliating AHAs, but it was also undeniably softer and smoother. Any oiliness was gone and our complexion looked very matte. We also liked the scent: minty, a little sweet, and a bit herbaceous.

Best Brightening

Shiseido Deep Cleansing Foam

$36 at Ulta $36 at Target $36 at Target

Key Ingredients: Kirishima Mineral Spring Water, rice germ oil | Skin Type: Oily, blemish-prone | Size: 4.22 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No

The signature Japanese ingredients in Shiseido’s Deep Cleansing Foam (including Kirishima Mineral Spring Water and softening rice germ oil) work to absorb excess sebum, protect against environmental stressors (like pollution), and polish away rough skin, revealing a brighter, more radiant complexion.

The formula has a thick gel consistency that lathered into a rich foam. A dime-sized amount was all we needed to cover the face and remove the day’s makeup. Each time we used this cleanser our skin looked brighter afterwards. It helped remove oiliness and ultimately reduced the breakouts we experienced during the testing period. Although we didn’t find the formula particularly moisturizing or smoothing, it did help clear up patches of redness, which was an unexpected plus.

Best Exfoliating

Caudalie Deep Exfoliating Cleanser

$38 at Amazon $38 at Sephora View on Caudalie.com

Key Ingredients: volcanic sand microbeads, grape water, menthol | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Size: 2.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Although chemical exfoliants like AHAs are all the rage in beauty, we’re partial to a physical exfoliator. This cleanser from Caudalie contains natural volcanic sand microbeads to slough off dead skin and pore-clogging dirt, revealing a smoother, softer, more radiant complexion. The addition of menthol also gives the formula a delightful skin-tingling effect.

We enjoyed the sensation of this scrub, which made our face feel invigorated every time we used it. The volcanic sand felt natural, as opposed to synthetic microbeads, and rinsed off without any residue. We used the formula several times per week, as directed, and our skin looked and felt amazing each time: clean, tingly, and much less oily. We just wish it was a bit more cost-effective, but if you use it sparing, we think the results will be worth the price.

Best Foaming

Origins Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash

$15 at Sephora $27 at Ulta $15 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: Kelp extract, wheat protein, tourmaline | Skin Type: All | Size: 5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For a super satisfying foamy wash, reach for this frothy cleanser from Origins. A Sephora bestseller, it calls on hydrating broad-leaf kelp extract, skin-firming wheat protein, and detoxifying tourmaline (yes, as in the crystal), to gently cleanse the face, removing impurities and mattifying oily zones while also nourishing the skin.

The consistency of this cleanser is dreamy; just a little dab and it foams up like a cloud. It was incredibly gentle on our skin but did a great job of removing all the grime that can accumulate after a day in the city. Our skin was left squeaky clean but never stripped or dry. We used this formula twice daily as directed and found the experience so delightful that we were tempted to use it as a body wash, too.