Our All-Time Best Face Washes for Oily Skin
I’ve been using our best overall pick since 2018!
If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
The dewy look may still be trending among beauty enthusiasts on TikTok, but I guarantee you they don’t have oily skin. As someone with a lifetime of chronically oily skin, I understand the matte look will always be in for our skin type. With twice-daily use, face washes for oily skin can help regulate oil production and prevent your countenance from looking like a greaseball.
These beauty editor-approved face washes also decongest your pores, ensuring blackheads and zits are a thing of the past.
Best Face Washes for Oily Skin
- Best Overall: Phytomer Oligopur Purifying Cleansing Gel
- For Eliminating Acne: PCA Skin Facial Wash for Oily-Problem Skin
- For the Gentlest Cleanse: SEEN Face Wash
- For a Foaming Face Wash: Epionce Gentle Foaming Cleanser
What to Consider
Here’s my quick and dirty guide to shopping for face washes for oily skin.
Formulation
Not all face washes are created equally. Some are creamy but typically more hydrating and suited for those with normal, dry, and mature skin types. Instead, those with oily skin should opt for gel or foam cleansers. In our guide to the best face washes, dermatologists recently told me that gel cleansers are fantastic because they help remove oils and clear out stubborn pores. Foam cleansers are also great for removing product residue, including makeup and sunscreen.
Best Ingredients
Skincare ingredients are a significant factor separating a good face wash for oily skin from a fantastic one. Our ideal face cleanser must use active ingredients that purify and prevent the skin from turning into an oil slick.
- Salicylic acid gets deep into the pores to soften and dissolve gunk that causes acne, blackheads, keratosis pilaris (KP), and seborrheic dermatitis.
- Willow bark extract contains salicin, an ingredient similar to salicylic acid. It also has an antioxidant effect that may help with signs of aging.
- Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that smoothes and brightens dull complexions. If you’re dealing with dark spots, definitely opt for a face wash containing this active ingredient.
- Glycolic acid is also an AHA. It unclogs pores, brightens uneven skin tone, and improves dry, bumpy, and rough skin texture. It also has the added benefit of attracting water for an anti-aging effect.
- Azelaic acid is antibacterial with keratolytic properties to minimize acne and smooth rough skin patches. It's also anti-inflammatory, so it can help calm rosacea.
How We Chose
There’s a lot of noise in the beauty industry, especially regarding publications sharing product recommendations — I would know: I’ve been covering this space since 2016 and have worked for several leading outlets, including NBC News. And to be frank, sometimes it seems like items aren’t put through their paces, like rigorous testing, as they should.
Editor-Tested
Always staying true to our mission of bringing you the Best of the Best gift-worthy products, I wanted to keep this list tightly edited and only included four elite products that have been integral to my skincare routine over the last five years. I found three of these products through my skincare fairy godmother, esthetician Alessandra Cavallero of Spa Bem-Ti-Vi in San Francisco. Her treatments and skincare suggestions, including these face washes, have helped me reach my skincare goals.
Created by Pros
Speaking of experts, a commonality among my picks is that skincare professionals founded each brand. For example, Harvard-trained dermatologist Dr. Iris Rubin, M.D., launched the skincare and haircare brand SEEN. Another excellent option is PCA Skin, a medical-grade skincare brand founded by an aesthetician and developed by a dermatologist.
Price
Given their prestige, you’re paying mid-range prices ($32-$40), but each bottle lasts me for several months, so the cost per use is relatively low. For instance, the SEEN Face Wash is only $32, and I’ve had my bottle for four months, meaning I spend $8 a month or $2 a week to use a dermatologist-approved face wash.
Regardless of which face wash for oily skin you select, with regular use, you can expect purified and rebalanced skin without relying on blotting paper 24/7. Keep scrolling for the 411 on how to shop for a new cleanser and my ride-or-die, expert-loved face washes for oily skin.
Pros
- My go-to since 2018
- Smells like a French spa
- Lightweight texture feels great in the palm of my hands and on my face
Cons
- Skip if you prefer foaming cleansers
No one talks about Phytomer, and honestly, I think it’s because it’s a brand you typically find at select spas, including Cavallaro’s Spa Bem-Ti-Vi. It was also available on Dermstore but sadly disappeared, and I was heartbroken.
However, the brand recently made an Amazon debut, and my skin is happy for easier online access to this cleanser – and so will yours!
I named this our best overall face wash for oily skin because I’ve used this cleanser since early 2018. So what makes it so damn good? It utilizes two proprietary ingredients: Absolute Marine Matifier, a polymerized sugar from microalgae that keeps my skin matte throughout the day, and oligomer, which is freeze-dried seawater concentrate, to prevent a dull complexion.
A shiny T-zone? As Mariah Carey once said, “I don't know her.” This cleanser does a fantastic job of keeping my face shine-free and I no longer use oil blotting sheets. On days my skin is feeling extra breakout-prone, I’ll bring out my LED face mask for additional anti-acne power.
Unlike cheap and harsh face washes that overdry my oily skin, Phytomer’s light blue gel cleanser leaves my face feeling clean and soft — never taut. With consistent twice-daily use, it helps clear up my skin and helps me look and feel great — so treat yourself and a loved one to this best overall pick.
More: Dermatologists Love These Anti-Pollution Skincare Products
PCA SKIN Facial Wash for Oily-Problem Skin
Pros
- Uses chemical exfoliants to gently minimize rough skin texture
- Helps eliminate pimples over time without stripping natural moisture
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers say the color of the cleanser is different from the image, but that hasn't been my experience
PCA is an underrated skincare brand, but its face wash for oily skin is on point! I’ve been using mine on and off since 2019 when Cavallaro said it’s suited for eliminating shine and treating breakouts. My skin remains mattified throughout the day whenever I use this cleanser, so I rely on it after working out or during the spring and summer seasons.
Unlike harsh face scrubs, this cleanser utilizes lactic acid to exfoliate and moisturize the skin, while aloe vera softens, and gluconolactone has antioxidant powers to calm the skin and treat pesky breakouts. I prefer this option over their 5% benzoyl peroxide cleanser because the latter is too drying for my skin.
Also, while branding doesn’t impact any product’s efficacy, I think it makes it less intimidating for men to want to upgrade their skincare routine.
Case in point: My dad is also #blessed with very oily skin, lives in a humid area, and has an active lifestyle, so he’s shiny 24/7. After sacrificing my beloved bottle of PCA facial wash to him, my dad saw an immediate and long-term improvement in his skin’s oiliness. Even my mom noticed a difference in his skin, noting his oily complexion stays cool and mattified throughout the day.
Pros
- Non-irritating face wash
- Safe for acne, eczema, and sensitive skin
Cons
- Removes makeup, but I need to go in with something else for mascara and eyeliner
Dr. Rubin understands that simplicity is sometimes the best way to save your skin. Her fragrance-free and non-comedogenic face wash is compatible with all skin types, including oily.
It’s designed to nourish our face and remove impurities — and that’s exactly what it does. Glycerin lightly conditions without congesting pores, a major problem area for me. There’s also squalane to help rebalance the skin barrier and bisabolol to soothe tired skin.
Dealing with sensitive skin, too? Not a problem! This pH-balanced cleanser is safe for delicate skin and is the only option on this list to earn a National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
And don’t just take my word for it. Online reviewers can’t get enough of this epic face wash for oily skin. “This product is great for my face. I feel much cleaner after use. This is great for oily, greasy faces (like mine),” says a 5-star Amazon review.
Epionce Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Pros
- Rebalances your skin pH levels
- Minimizes the appearance of large pores
Cons
- Skip if you don't like cleansers made with plant-based active ingredients
Would you prefer a face wash that foams up nicely? Epionce is the ideal solution for anyone who desires a gentle foam cleanser that removes pesky oil, dirt, and even makeup without overstripping the skin.
Although designed for normal and combination skin types, I think it does an excellent job of rebalancing my oily complexion and preventing clogged pores.
It’s a relatively newer addition to my routine, but this face wash came suggested by Cavallero, and I trust her no-BS approach to skincare. Notably, it relies on easy-to-pronounce ingredients we know and love, like glycerin.
This face wash also contains dates and extracts of orange, marshmallow root, lavender, and willow bark. These ingredients rebalance, soothe, and calm my skin, especially after a rigorous day of testing new beauty products.
Cavallero and I aren’t the only fans. With hundreds of glowing reviews across retailers like Amazon and Dermstore, Epionce is a definite winner for many. To quote a 5-star Amazon review, “This is my number one facial cleanser! I've tried so many in my lifetime and have suffered from acne/oily skin. This is the only wash gentle enough on my skin, and it calms my excessive oil production. If I wear makeup, then I wash twice at night, and it works great!”
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.
Watch Next
Best Red Light Therapy Devices, Per Beauty Experts
9 LED Face Masks for Better Skin
7 Best High-Frequency Wands to Zap Away Acne
The Best Sunscreens for Under Makeup
