Attention, Oily Skin Types: You *Need* These Face Washes (2024)

When I finally learned that traditional cleansers and gels were too stripping for my skin, I turned to cleansing balms, which turned out to be the magic non-drying skincare step I needed, since there are no harsh cleansing ingredients involved. Smooth this balm over your makeup-caked face and then rinse or wipe away with a cloth for a clean, hydrated face.

THE REVIEWS: "Great cleansing balm for double cleanse," writes one reviewer. "I couldn’t believe the amount of makeup and gunk that it removed from my face"

The MVP in this bb? Niacinamide, which, in addition to smoothing fine lines and helping to fade hyperpigmentation, also keeps your skin barrier healthy (aka the part of your skin that protects your natural moisture). It's the perfect cleanser to pair with your niacinamide serum.

THE REVIEWS: "I have found the HOLY GRAIL of face wash for sensitive skin," according to one review. "This product cuts through a full face of make up with just 1 pump and lather. Leaves my skin smooth & soft. I have had less acne since using this for a month or so."

This cleanser will gently attach to and remove the excess oil on your face as you cleanse, thanks to the charcoal in the formula. Oh, and it’s also packed with vitamin C, which when used regularly, has skin-brightening effects.

THE REVIEWS: "I have combination skin that is prone to breakouts," writes one reviewer. "The cleanser is not overly drying and leaves my skin very soft. The warmth feeling is very soothing."

All your excess oils will wash away with this foamy lather, but you’ll still be left behind with moisture thanks to hydrating aloe vera extract. Plus, both aloe and the sunflower seed oil in this formula are soothing, if you’re prone to redness or irritation.

THE REVIEWS: "This has been the best cleanser for my oily/acne-prone skin," writes one tester. "It keeps me matte all day and makes me feel super refreshed."

Bad news first: Oily skin and acne go hand in hand. Good news: This face wash for oily skin exists and it’ll help clear your breakouts. The glycolic and lactic acids get rid of the excess oil and dead skin cells that can lead to pimples. But unlike some face washes for acne-prone skin, you won’t have to worry about your skin feeling dry and tight afterward. There’s neem-seed oil in the formula, which cleanses without stripping your skin.

THE REVIEWS: "I have always struggled with blackheads, pores, and extremely oily skin," writes one tester. "But this product is amazing at controlling it."

Having oily and sensitive skin can make it feel like you’re playing a game of Russian roulette whenever you put anything on your face. But don’t worry, this face wash for oily skin is here to save the day. It contains red clay, which helps to absorbs excess oil. What it doesn’t contain? Artificial fragrances, alcohols, and sulfates—all ingredients that could cause your sensitive skin to freak out.

THE REVIEWS: "This is my favorite face wash of all time," writes one tester. "I’ve tried SO MANY as a teenager, and I will never use another one besides this. It totally got rid of the little bumps on my forehead which were extremely stubborn. Buy it!!"

This budget-friendly face wash for oily skin works just as well as the pricier cleansers, trust. It contains a trio of super ingredients—ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. When they all come together on your face, your skin will be left feeling moisturized, soothed, and refreshed. Not bad for drugstore skincare, right?

THE REVIEWS: "This lotion absorbs nicely, leaves my face feeling hydrated and comfortable without looking like an oil slick," writes one reviewer. "It's a no fuss, does-what-it's-supposed-to-do type of product."

This face wash for oily skin basically does everything (except get you down to inbox zero—sorry, you’re on your own for that). Thanks to salicylic acid, it’s able to dissolve oil and dead skin cells to clean your pores and get rid of acne. Plus, it’s packed with soothing ingredients—like eucalyptus, tea tree, and balm mint—that help calm irritation and inflammation.

THE REVIEWS: "I have somewhat acne-prone skin that always breaks out more during the winter, and since I've been using this face wash I barely even get a single pimple at a time," according to one reviewer. "It feels great and gets all the makeup, dirt and oil off my face leaving it nice and clean."

I hate to break it to you, but you can’t shrink your pores (their size is mainly determined by genetics, so blame mom and dad). But with this face wash for oily skin, you can make them look smaller. Excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells can stretch out your pores, making them look massive. Fruit fibers in this formula exfoliate your face and clear out all the gunk to help make your pores look invisible.

THE REVIEWS: "I have oily skin and it feels amazing on my skin, and it doesn’t have a strong fragrance, which is always a plus!" writes one tester. "10/10 recommend!"

The green ingredients in this face wash for oily skin—kale, spinach, and green tea—are packed with antioxidants, including vitamin C. Translation? This one breaks down dirt and makeup while also giving your skin a mini glow-up.

THE REVIEWS: "Love this face wash! I have highly sensitive dry skin that reacts to everything," according to one tester. "This stuff is amazing and has not caused my skin to peel at all."

I’ve used this face wash for oily skin for years—that’s how much I’m obsessed with it. It’s great for people with combination skin—meaning you have parts of your face that get super greasy (hi, T-zone) and other parts that stay really dry. This oil-free cleanser is formulated with broad-leaf kelp extract, wheat protein, and tourmaline to help keep your skin shine-free but feeling smooth and soft.

THE REVIEWS: "This face wash is honestly so soft and refreshing. It feels so clean on my face," according to one tester. "I also enjoy the texture—soft and smooth, cloud-like almost."

If you’re looking to make the switch to organic skincare, this face wash for oily skin is a must-have. With naturally derived salicylic acid, provitamin B5, and vitamin E in the formula, it’s able to unclog pores, get rid of extra oil, and cleanse without that stripping feeling.

THE REVIEWS: "I have extremely sensitive skin, and even gentle cleansers dry my skin; not this wash," writes one tester. "It leaves my skin feeling clean, without the tightness sensation."

Salicylic acid is an MVP ingredient, especially if you deal with breakouts on the regular. It dives right into your pores, dissolving all the ~gunk~ inside to prevents zits from popping up in the first place. Plus, it also helps minimize the appearance of your pores (a win-win, truly).

THE REVIEWS: "I suddenly got really bad acne on my forehead and after two weeks it was still there," writes one tester. "After less than a full week of using this product one to two times per day, most of the acne is gone and what's left has gotten smaller."

Thanks to the lightweight, serum-like formula of this face wash, it cleans your skin without being too rough. Bonus: The gentle texture paired with hyaluronic acid leaves your skin feeling plump and bouncy.

THE REVIEWS: "It calms my skin, does not strip skin and I feel refreshed and my skin brightened after," writes one reviewer.

This cleansing balm doesn’t strip your skin dry like a regular face wash—the sweet almond oil in the formula balances out your skin (so, yes, you can use it even if you're acne-prone) and melts your makeup right off, setting you up for the second step of your double cleanse.

THE REVIEWS: "This balm is great at removing makeup, and leaves my face feeling so moisturized," writes one reviewer.

With a formula that’s gel-like (not sticky), this soothing jelly face wash for oily skin gets your face squeaky-clean in one go. That means you don’t have to scrub your face raw just to get your matte foundation off without a trace.

THE REVIEWS: "I always end up going back to this," writes one tester. "It removes makeup but is also gentle enough to use on my makeup free days. Doesn’t leave my face feeling dry either!"

Figure out the cause of your oil

Whenever you’re dealing with a frustrating and unknown skin issue, it’s best to start by chatting with a dermatologist (either IRL or via a virtual derm appointment) to determine what’s actually causing the oiliness. Once you’ve figured out what's behind your oily skin (hormones, irritation, acne, genetics, etc.), it’ll be easier to pick the right face wash (like a moisturizing cleanser or an oil-free cleanser).

Look at the ingredients

This is where you have to do a bit of detective work. Once you’ve determined the source of your oily skin, you can look out for the right ingredients. If your skin is dry or dehydrated, look for moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil or hyaluronic acid, and avoid cleansers made with alcohol. If the oil in your skincare products is actually causing your skin to look oily, opt for oil-free skincare products instead.

• Kavita Mariwalla, MD, is board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mariwalla Dermatology in West Islip, NY. Dr. Mariwalla specializes in skin cancer detection and treatment, and has previously spoken with Cosmopolitan on the topic of getting rid of oily skin.

Sami Roberts is the beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan with four years of experience researching, writing, and editing health, social media, and skincare-related stories that range from the best blackhead masks to face washes for oily skin to viral DIY face masks. She’s an authority in all skincare categories, but is an expert when it comes to oily skin, thanks to a lifetime of dealing with an excessively shiny forehead and acne-prone skin. She regularly tests and analyzes cleansers, moisturizers, and deodorants, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists to assess new formulas and brands.

Ama Kwarteng was the associate beauty editor at Cosmopolitan for nearly three years, and has eight years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and entertainment across print and digital, including the best body lotions for dry skin and how to DIY a facial at home. Her body lotion picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and personal testing.