Oily skin needs a cleanser that removes excess oil and sunscreen without leaving the face tight, squeaky or irritated. Stripping the skin can backfire, because skin that feels dried out often compensates by looking shinier and feeling more uncomfortable later in the day.
We compared five widely used cleansers for oily and blemish-prone skin. If your skin leans dry instead, see our best cleansers for dry skin, and for breakouts our best cleansers for acne-prone skin.
What Makes a Good Cleanser for Oily Skin
What It Needs to Do
A good cleanser lifts oil, sweat, sunscreen and pollution from the skin and rinses cleanly. For oily skin that usually means a gel or light foaming texture. It should leave the skin comfortable rather than tight, so you can follow with a lightweight moisturiser.
Ingredients to Look For
Look for gentle surfactants alongside supportive ingredients such as niacinamide, glycerin, ceramides or zinc. Cleansers with salicylic acid can help with clogged pores, but they are best used once a day so they do not over-dry. Our salicylic acid guide explains who they suit.
Things to Be Careful With
Avoid very harsh, high-alcohol or heavily fragranced washes, and avoid scrubbing. Washing more than twice a day rarely helps and can irritate. If you wear sunscreen or makeup, a first cleanse with a balm or micellar water can make the second cleanse easier.
The Best Cleansers for Oily Skin
1. Best Overall: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
A foaming gel cleanser with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. It removes oil without a harsh, stripped feel and is widely available at a friendly price. See our full CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser review.
Best for: normal to oily skin and first-time routine builders
2. Best for Shine Control: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser
An oil-free foaming gel that contains zinc and is designed for oily, blemish-prone skin. It has a fresh, clean feel and rinses off easily, although some people find it too drying if used twice a day.
Best for: very oily skin that likes a squeaky-clean feel
3. Best with Niacinamide: Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser
A gentle gel-style cleanser containing niacinamide that aims to remove excess oil while staying kind to the barrier. It suits people who want a no-fuss everyday wash.
Best for: oily skin that is also easily irritated
4. Best for Clogged Pores: The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser
A budget-friendly cleanser with salicylic acid to help keep pores clear. Use it once a day at first, and pair it with a good moisturiser so the skin does not dry out.
Best for: blackheads, congestion and mild breakouts
5. Best Gentle Gel: Bioderma Sébium Gel Moussant
A purifying gel cleanser that includes a gentle exfoliating ingredient and is popular for combination to oily skin. It lathers softly and has a clean finish.
Best for: combination and oily skin
How We Chose These Cleansers
We compared cleanser type, ingredients, how well each rinses, price, availability and how comfortable the skin feels afterwards. We also drew on how often each is recommended by skincare communities and dermatology-led brands. We favoured formulas that clean well without relying on harsh stripping agents.
Quick Comparison
- CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser: ceramides, HA and niacinamide, gentle foaming gel
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser: oil-free with zinc, strong shine control
- Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser: niacinamide, gentle everyday wash
- The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser: salicylic acid for congestion, budget
- Bioderma Sébium Gel Moussant: soft purifying gel, combination to oily
How to Use a Cleanser for Oily Skin
- Wet your face with lukewarm water.
- Massage a small amount of cleanser on for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
- Follow with a light moisturiser and sunscreen. See our best moisturizers for oily skin and best sunscreens for oily skin.
Gel vs Foaming vs Salicylic Acid Cleansers
Gel cleansers are the mildest option for oily skin and work well twice a day. Foaming cleansers can feel more thorough but may be drying if the formula is harsh. Salicylic acid cleansers add pore-clearing support and are best used once a day. Many people do well with a gentle gel in the morning and a salicylic acid or foaming cleanser at night. Our oily skin routine shows where each fits.
Cleansers for Oily Skin FAQ
How often should I wash oily skin?
Twice a day is enough for most people. Washing more often can irritate and does not reduce oil in the long run.
Should I double cleanse?
If you wear sunscreen or makeup, a first cleanse with a balm or micellar water followed by a gel cleanser works well at night.
Do I still need moisturiser?
Yes. Oily skin can be dehydrated, so a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser is still helpful.
Can a cleanser get rid of blackheads?
A salicylic acid cleanser can help, but it works gradually. Our guide on how to get rid of blackheads covers a fuller approach.
Product formulas change from time to time. Always check the current ingredient list before buying.