11 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin

Finding the right cleanser for oily skin can be extremely hard. We can all be prone to acne and shine from time to time, however, for those with oily skin, this is a daily battle.

Luckily, there are plenty of cleansers out there that will leave your skin feeling matte, while also deep cleaning your skin and pores to prevent any future breakouts. 

Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser

OLEHENRIKSEN Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser

Use this cleanser to deep clean and purify your pores.

Thanks to the powerful AHAs included in this cleanser, it will help to reduce oil production and unclog your pores, all without stripping the skin. 

Created with a Green Fusion Complex and neem seed oil, these powerful ingredients will deep clean the skin, leaving it feeling healthy and refreshed all in one use.

You’ll also find glycolic and lactic acid in this cleanser, which will remove any dead skin cells, preventing your pores from becoming clogged and causing more sebum production. 

Caudalie Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser

Caudalie Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser

This cleanser has been specially designed for anyone with normal, combination or oily skin.

It will cleanse your skin without drying it out. The natural salicylic acid and grape water will gently exfoliate, purify the skin and absorb any excess oil. 

It’s been formulated as a lightweight gel so it won’t feel heavy when applied or clog any pores which can lead to future breakouts. 

You’ll also be pleased to know that Caudalie has been working hard to make its products more environmentally friendly, reducing their packaging and plastic use.

It’s a vegan formula and also gluten-free and cruelty-free. 

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Exfoliating Cleanser with AHAs & Enzymes

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Cleanser with AHAs & Enzymes

If you suffer from enlarged pores and an uneven texture, then this cleanser is perfect for you.

It will foam on the skin to cleanse away any excess oil, makeup and dirt to leave you with clean and refreshed skin.

Key ingredients include Papaya, Pineapple and Pumpkin enzymes which work at gently exfoliating the skin without drying it out and AHAs such as glycolic and lactic acid to reduce the appearance of pores and clear any dirt. 

Results show that after just one day, 94% of users agreed that their pores felt cleansed and purified and that the cleanser had thoroughly cleared the skin of dirt and oil. 

Bioderma Sebium Foaming Gel Face and Body Cleanser

Bioderma - Sébium Foaming Gel - Face and Body Cleanser - Makeup Remover Cleanser - Face Wash for Combination to Oily Skin

Created for both combination and oily skin, this foaming gel cleanser will purify and deep clean without drying out your skin, which can lead to an overload of oil being produced.

Over time, this cleanser will regulate your oil production and leave you with smooth and refined skin. 

It’s been designed with key technologies such as Fluidactiv Patent, which targets sebum and minimizes its appearance. Zinc Gluconate will help to mattify the skin and Zinc and Copper Sulphate will purify the epidermis. 

To use this cleanser, you should apply it to wet skin and then massage it into foam. Next, rinse it off with warm water. For the best results use both morning and night. 

Cetaphil Face Wash

Cetaphil Face Wash, Daily Facial Cleanser for Sensitive, Combination to Oily Skin, NEW 16 oz, Fragrance Free,Gentle Foaming, Soap Free, Hypoallergenic

Use this cleanser to reduce the appearance of pores, protect your skin’s natural barrier and remove any dirt and excess oils.

Thanks to it being a hypoallergenic formula, it can even be used on the most sensitive of skins. 

After use, 100% of consumers agreed that this cleanser left their skin feeling cleansed and felt that all oil and impurities had been removed. 

Once combined with water, it will turn into a gentle foam that will remove all dirt and excess oil without stripping away your skin’s natural barrier. 

The hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic formula is free of parabens and sulfates.

Paula’s Choice Skin-Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser with Aloe

Paula's Choice SKIN BALANCING Oil-Reducing Cleanser with Aloe, Face Wash for Oily Skin & Large Pores

Keep your pores clear from any dirt or grime with this cleanser while also balancing your oil production without drying out the skin.

This oil-reducing cleanser will reduce the appearance of pores to leave you with a smooth and refined skin texture, without leaving it feeling tight and uncomfortable. 

After use, 95% of users agreed that their skin felt refreshed, 93% agreed skin appeared less oily and 90% agreed their skin’s texture had noticeably improved. 

Use this cleanser twice a day, in the morning and night. Apply it to a wet face and then massage it into the skin in circular motions and rinse with warm water. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser for Oily Skin

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser for Oily Skin, Alcohol Free Acne Face Wash, Oil Absorbing Deep Pore Cleanser, Oil Free, Light Scent and Safe for Sensitive Skin

This cleanser will gently remove impurities from the skin that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

Infused with Zinc Pidolate, this key ingredient will help to purify the skin and keep your skin’s pH level in check. 

It’s a foaming cleanser that will balance your oil production without drying out the skin.

Recommended by a whopping 90,000 dermatologists, you can be sure that this cleanser won’t let you down. It’s even so gentle that it can even be used on nearly all sensitive skin types. 

This cleanser is also free from any harmful ingredients such as fragrance, oil and alcohol. You should use it both morning and night for maximum results. 

Fragrance free, soap free and non-comedogenic product.

Chic Republic All Natural Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser

All Natural Activated Charcoal Facial Cleanser - Organic Daily Acne Treatment, Face Wash for Smooth Skin, Pore Minimizing Facewash, Anti Aging Skin Rejuvenation, Aloe Vera Gel, Coconut Oil

This multi-use cleanser will not only help to combat your oily skin, but it will also help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots.

It will bring aid to your oily skin by drawing out and cleansing your skin of impurities and unclogging pores so that your skin can breathe again. 

Formulated with tea extracts including green tea, white tea and rooibos, these are powerful antioxidants that will calm and defend the skin from environmental factors to help give you clearer and healthier skin. 

You’ll also find moisturizing properties in this cleanser which will add hydration to the skin and leave it feeling refreshed.

Added vitamins such as Vitamin C and B5 will give your skin a healthy glow and protect its natural barrier. 

Paraben free, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic and vegan product.

Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser for Combination & Oily Skin

Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser for Combination & Oily Skin, Oil-Free Face Wash with Salicylic Acid & Aloe Vera, Deep Pore Clean

Created with salicylic acid, aloe vera and chamomile, this cleanser will help to control your oily skin by breaking down excess oils and impurities, while also ensuring it stays feeling both soothed and refreshed. 

Highlighted ingredients are salicylic acid to gently exfoliate both the skin and pores, thyme extracts to clarify the skin and provide it with its anti-bacterial qualities and aloe vera and chamomile extract to soothe and moisturize the skin. 

You should gently massage this cleanser onto wet skin and then rinse it off with warm water. 

A vegan, oil free and gluten free product.

ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil Korean Facial Cleanser

MA:NYO FACTORY Pure Cleansing Oil Korean Facial Cleanser, Blackhead Melting, Daily Makeup Removal with Argan Oil

If you suffer from blackheads, then this cleanser will soon help to melt them away and leave you with clear and refined skin.

It’s been designed to remove blackheads without any irritation which will also make it a perfect product if you suffer from sensitive skin. 

This cleanser has been jam-packed with powerful ingredients such as argan-kernel oil, vitamin E and antioxidants to nourish, protect and soothe the skin. 

Just because it’s an oil cleanser, don’t let this put you off if you have oily skin. It’s all healthy oils that will nourish your skin and help to keep your oil levels balanced to stop your skin from producing sebum in excess. 

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Foaming Face Wash

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Foaming Face Wash, For Oily Skin

This micellar cleanser will work at mattifying the skin.

It will lift away dirt, oil, and makeup to leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed. You can use it both AM and PM for the best results. 

Designed to be a gentle formula, you can use this cleanser on sensitive skin to leave it feeling fresh and looking glowing. The micellar in this cleanser will work as a magnet to remove makeup without the need for any vigorous rubbing. 


Cleansers should be a key part of your skincare routine if you have oily skin.

They help to remove any excess oils, dirt and makeup from your skin, all of which can lead to clogged pores, breakouts and the overproduction of oil. 

You’ll want to look out for key ingredients such as charcoal, tea extracts and AHAs. All of these products will help to refine your skin and improve its texture while protecting its natural barrier and helping to balance your oil levels.

The majority of cleansers will also be foaming ones that you can rinse off, ensuring that no residue is left on the skin, which causes clogged pores and breakouts.