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10 Of The Best Cleansers For Oily Skin

Au revoir afternoon oiliness.

By and Tori Crowther
cleansers for oily skinpinterest
Elle UK

Sometimes, washing your face can feel like a chore, and spending money on a product that washes down the drain can feel, well, a little pointless. But trust us when we say, getting cleansing right is a routine game-changer, especially if you have oily skin.

A cleanser designed specifically for oily skin can help tackle greasiness and shine, which often leads to breakouts.

It’s common for people with oily skin to see their complexion as more resilient than sensitive skin types, so they tend to use more potent ingredients in hopes it’ll banish excess oil once and for all. Sadly, overly stripping the skin is only going to exacerbate the problem, so striking the balance between hydrating and oil-controlling is key.

What to look out for in cleansers for oily skin?

The great thing about cleansers is that you can have two (not accounting for make-up removal) depending on how your skin is acting that day: one for when your skin is feeling a little on the irritated or dry side, and another when it feels like a pool of grease, to put it bluntly.

There are a few key ingredients to look out for when it comes to cleansers for oily skin. The first is salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that expertly mops up excess oil and breaks down the bonds of dead skin cells, which often leads to breakouts. It can also help to exfoliate if you get body acne so throw a salicylic acid cleanser in the shower, too.

'For those with oily skin, my recommendation is to opt for a mild, gentle foaming or gel cleanser that incorporates a blend of soothing and effective ingredients,' says Aesthetic Nurse Amanda Azzopardi. 'This combination will help maintain a balanced complexion, minimise blemishes, and leave the skin looking and feeling its best. Look for non-comedogenic and oil-free options that contain key ingredients like Glycolic Acid an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), which provides superficial exfoliation, Salicylic Acid a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) to target blackheads, oily pores, and blemishes deep within the skin, or Benzoyl Peroxide with its antibacterial properties to increase cell turnover.'

Finally, be wary of anything too stripping or drying on the skin. Although formulations have come a long way in the last few years, if you find your skin feels particularly parched after cleansing, steer clear of foaming cleansers. These have the ability to cleanse thoroughly, which is great for a lot of people, but for others, it can prove a little too much.

How often should I use a cleanser for oily skin?

Cleansers should be used twice daily to make sure all grime from the day is removed. However, you should not be using a potent active-packed cleanser twice daily, as this might strip your ski and lead to irritation. Instead, start by alternating between a hydrating and active cleanser, using the latter a few times a week in the evening to begin with.

You’ll soon be able to see and feel how often you need an acid cleanser. The key is to not overdo it and ruin your delicate skin barrier.

Keep reading to shop our favourite cleansers for oily skin to help banish those breakouts and stop that overdrive of oil production.

Shop the best cleansers for oily skin

1

CeraVe Blemish Control Face Cleanser

Blemish Control Face Cleanser
1

CeraVe Blemish Control Face Cleanser

£13 at Cult Beauty

Is your oily skin casually accompanied by unprovoked breakouts and pesky congestion? If so, it's good to keep some salicylic acid on side. This targeted cleanser also harnesses the power of hectorite clay, three essential ceramides and niacinamide too, banishing shine and keeping your skin calm and clarified without that stripped, squeaky feeling.

2

SkinCeuticals Blemish and Age Defense Corrective Gel

Blemish and Age Defense Corrective Gel
2

SkinCeuticals Blemish and Age Defense Corrective Gel

The idea that you grow out of oily or blemish-prone skin when you exceed your teens just isn't always true. You can wake up to a slick and congested complexion no matter your age, so having an oily skin cleanser that's formulated for adult skin is essential. This refreshing gel does just that, sloughing away excess sebum, dirt and impurities without ever leaving your skin feeling stripped.

3

Farmacy Beauty Whipped Greens Oil-Free Foaming Cleanser

Whipped Greens Oil-Free Foaming Cleanser
3

Farmacy Beauty Whipped Greens Oil-Free Foaming Cleanser

If you're looking to upgrade your everyday cleanser to a modern oil-free formula, let us introduce you to this gentle and pH-balanced lather. With a lightweight foaming texture, this nourishing blend of moringa and papaya replenishes hydration without ever stripping your complexion.

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4

Pai Skincare Phaze Rebalancing PHA Cleanser

Skincare Phaze Rebalancing PHA Cleanser
4

Pai Skincare Phaze Rebalancing PHA Cleanser

Now 20% Off

You're guaranteed to find at least one of Pai's cult classic products in the ELLE beauty team's bathroom cupboard and this new skin-smoothing cleanse is the latest to make the cut. Gently exfoliating, this gel face wash combines sugar complex and plant-derived PHAs to buff away surface blackheads and texture.

5

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel

Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel
5

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel

Now 20% Off

If your oily skin is reactive and irritation prone, this clarifying cleanser should be top of your shopping list. Infused with La Roche-Posay’s signature thermal spring water, it comforts and refreshes agitated skin without compromising on a deep and thorough clean.

6

Oskia Violet Water Clearing Cleanser

Violet Water Clearing Cleanser
6

Oskia Violet Water Clearing Cleanser

Now 20% Off

With a hat trick of clarifying, purifying and calming promises, this blemish fighting cleanser is ideal for congested oily skin. Think prickly pear, salicylic acid, pro-vitamin B5, violet willow extract, colloidal silver and prebiotics, all in one deep cleansing formula.

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7

Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance™ Oil Control Cleanser

Find Your Balance™ Oil Control Cleanser
7

Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance™ Oil Control Cleanser

Now 20% Off
Credit: .

Blending neem seed oil and exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids, this cleanser works to gently lift any dead skin cells and eradicate excess oil. It leaves skin feeling refreshed and smoother, and helps control excess sebum so well, it stops T-zones getting slick by lunch time. This in turn results in less blemishes — a win-win.

8

Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Purifying Gel

Normaderm Deep Cleansing Purifying Gel
8

Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Purifying Gel

Credit: .

This sloughs away everything from dirt to dust and pollutant particles, leaving you blemish-free. It helps to rebalance oiliness without leaving behind tightness and doesn't irritate sensitive skin. It also helps smooth out any irregular texture, banishing pesky bumps and reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

9

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash

ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash
9

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash

If blackheads are the bane of your life, this lightweight cleanser foams to unclog pores, mattify oiliness and prevent future spots from forming. On top of seeing less spots, you might also notice a reduction in redness, leaving skin looking smoother and brighter.

With that being said, it's a potent formula, so build up frequency to ensure you don’t strip away your skin’s much-needed natural oils.

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10

Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser

Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser
10

Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser

Credit: .

Sensitive skin means avoiding anything abrasive, which is why this cleanser — infused with organic grape water and salicylic acid — tops our list. The texture is on the thicker side, and creates a rich lather when mixed with water to provide a deep clean.

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