10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (2024)

10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (1)

Are you experiencing post-gym breakouts? If you have oily skin, the combination of excessive sweating during exercise and touching shared workout equipment can create the perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria.

The good news is, you're not alone — the market is filled with products that claim to help solve this issue and give you a clearer, more balanced complexion.

Not sure where to start? The Men’s Health Lab has tested over 34 brands and handpicked the best cleansers for oily skin that really work. These spot-busting scrubs will banish excess oil and dirt, leaving you with healthier, smoother skin.

    Which Cleanser Is Best for Oily Skin?

    Is Cleanser Necessary for Oily Skin?

    Making sure to remove any dirt and sweat from skin is a must if you want to tackle acne. Cleansing every morning and night – and after a particularly sweaty workout – will help reduce the risk of clogged pores or inflammation. However, it’s important not to overdo it.

    Washing skin too often will only strip the skin and damage its natural barrier, which leads to more irritation. The same also applies to over-exfoliating, so ditch the abrasive grains for a more effective approach, like one of these high-powered cleansers.

    Dr Derrick Phillips, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, says: ‘Cleansing is an important part of any skincare routine as it provides a clean canvas for you to apply your skincare.’

    If you have oily skin, he suggests avoiding harsh cleansers (especially alcohol-based products, which will dry out the skin) as these can cause irritation and even increase oil production. He also advises steering clear of oil-based cleansers that can ‘clog the pores, triggering acne breakouts.’

    Dr Phillips' top tips for readers with oily skin are:

    1. Use a gentle cleanser as they are less likely to dry out the skin and stimulate oil production.
    2. Avoid oil and alcohol-based cleansers.
    3. Use non-comedogenic products that have been formulated with blemish-prone skin in mind and are less likely to clog the pores and cause acne breakouts.
    4. Cleanse in the morning, evening and after exercise.

      What Causes Oily Skin and Acne?

      ‘Sebum is a natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands of the skin,’ says Dr Phillips. ‘Acne develops when there is increased sebum production combined with abnormal thickening of the lining of the pores, which prevents dead skin cells from shedding and leads to blocked pores and blackheads/whiteheads. This creates the perfect environment for bacteria to flourish, leading to red spots, pustules and cysts.’

      We all know that lifestyle choices can have a huge impact on our skin too, and acne is no exception. While it's hard to pinpoint every single factor that can trigger breakouts, Dr Phillips believes ‘the most important factors in the development of acne are genetics, hormones, medications, and stress’. Tackling it may sound tricky, but there are some basic rules you can follow to help keep your complexion looking clear and healthy.

      For starters, a diet that's high in sugar can cause our bodies to produce more insulin, which leads to inflammation and – you guessed it – breakouts. So, if you want to keep your skin looking its best, try to reduce your sugar intake.

      Dr Phillips adds that, while there's not enough evidence to prove some foods cause breakouts, ‘it is widely accepted that acne is associated with high glycaemic load diets’, such as sugary foods and drinks, which are thought to ‘stimulate increased sebum production’.

      Stress is another common culprit when it comes to acne, but a good sleep routine (eight hours a night, ideally) and regular exercise can help you unwind and minimise its effects. Just be sure to take precautions at the gym, where bacteria can easily be transferred from equipment to your face. Wipe down machines before use and wash your towels frequently.

      And after your workout, always take a shower to wash away any acne-causing bacteria. But avoid using water that's too hot, as it can strip your skin of its natural oils.

      How We Test

      Over 470 testers with mild to extremely blemished skin tried 34 brands of cleansers formulated for all ages and skin types for a four-week period. They assessed the quality of the product, how clean it left skin, how well it helped control blemishes, and whether it left the skin feeling hydrated.

      They also assessed the packaging and how easy it was to use. These are the best cleansers for oily skin, based on their findings.

      1

      Best cleanser for oily skin

      Vichy Normaderm Phytosolution Intensive Purifying Gel 400ml

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (12)

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (13)

      Now 12% Off

      This face wash is designed to sweep away everything you may pick up at the gym — from dust to dirt to pollutant particles — to leave skin blemish-free.

      We loved the gel texture that left skin feeling fresh while also reducing breakouts. If you suffer from an oily T-zone, we found it helped rebalance skin’s oiliness too, without leaving any tightness behind.

      2

      Best cleanser for acne prone skin

      Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser 177ml

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (14)

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (15)

      Now 14% Off

      Banish pesky blemishes and soothe your skin — without stripping away essential oils and moisture — with this impressive, low-foam cleanser. Use it twice a day and you’ll notice any gunk clogging up your pores, disappear.

      What sets this cleanser apart is its formula, which is loaded with salicylic acid and nourishing botanicals such as aloe vera, chamomile, and thyme. These game-changing ingredients achieve a healthy-looking complexion, and the silky texture and deep cleansing power leave skin feeling refreshed and purified. Testers were pleased to see a significant reduction in blemishes and a rebalancing of oily complexions.

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      3

      Best cleanser for blackheads

      Garnier Pure Active Intensive 3 in1 Charcoal Anti-Blackhead Wash, Scrub & Mask 150ml

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (16)

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (17)

      Costing you just over a fiver, we found this one gave skin a much needed detox, successfully reducing excess oil and sebum to clear the complexion.

      It came into its own when reducing the appearance of pores and blackheads, as well as working to calm any post-shave redness and inflammation.

      4

      Best for softer skin

      No7 Men Oil Control Exfoliating Face Wash 150ml

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (18)

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (19)

      Claiming to unclog pores – without upsetting sensitive skin – we found this cleanser helped keep us shine-free and reduced how often spots reared their ugly heads.

      The final result? Skin appeared noticeably brighter, and as soft as a Labrador puppy.

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      5

      Best face wash for oil control

      Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser 147ml

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (20)

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (21)

      Yes, you should work up a sweat during your workout but if you find skin is still greasy after you’ve showered, there may be a problem.

      Don’t fret though, as this exfoliating cleanser sweeps away dead skin cells and tackles oiliness to leave you with smoother, clearer skin. We found it did a great job at controlling oil throughout the day, so you don’t end up looking like a greaseball by noon.

      6

      Best budget men's face wash

      L'Oreal Men Expert Pure Carbon Purifying Daily Face Wash Cleanser 100ml

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (22)

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (23)

      A little goes a long way with this exfoliating cleanser. We noticed it gave skin a refreshing tingle when applied, and cleared breakouts — which, at under £6, makes it a total bargain too.

      Note: due to the charcoal, the cleanser is a dark black, so keep it away from any white towels and flannels to avoid stains.

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      7

      Best for sensitive oily skin

      Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser 150ml

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (24)

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (25)

      Does your skin get really red after a workout and feel sensitive to touch? It’s important to avoid using anything too harsh then, as it will only make the irritation worse.

      Instead, opt for a gentler cleanse. This option still creates a rich lather without being too stripping, and we found it immediately left skin clearer.

      8

      Best for quick results

      Bioderma Sebium Purifying Foaming Gel 500ml

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (26)

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (27)

      There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a cooling sensation on your skin after a hot and sweaty gym sesh. This foaming cleanser instantly did the trick, calming skin to help reduce any redness and inflammation after just one use. We also noticed fewer pesky blackheads.

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      9

      Best 2-in-1 cleanser and mask

      Lab Series Oil Control Clay Cleanser + Mask 100ml

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (28)

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (29)

      Keep your bathroom sink clutter-free with this 2-in-1 cleanser that also doubles up as a face mask or spot treatment.

      We found it successfully rebalanced skin, soaking up any unwanted oil to leave it feeling hydrated. It even worked well on beard hair, earning it our seal of approval.

      10

      Best for dull skin

      Dermalogica MediBac Clearing Skin Wash 250ml

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (30)

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (31)

      Containing invigorating ingredients such as balm mint, menthol and eucalyptus, this wash is designed to give dull skin a wake-up call, while tea tree oil soothes any breakouts.

      We found it quickly worked to reduce any redness caused by spots and left skin looking plumped and moisturised ready for the day ahead.

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (32)

      Tested byOrla Badger

      Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester

      Orla is our Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester and has extensive knowledge of skin and hair composition thanks to her first class bachelor's degree in cosmetic science from the Universy of the Arts London. She also spent time as a Formulation Chemist intern at Amelia Knight Cosmetics.

      10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab (2024)
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