Grooming Editor

What is the Best Face Wash for Oily Skin? The Top 12 Best Products

The right face wash for your skin type is a gift that keeps on giving, but if you get your choice of face wash wrong, it can rapidly turn into a curse. Those with oily skin can experience a range of problems unique to their skin type, and face washes can be the perfect tool to battle them, or the trigger that sets them off. In this post, we explain to you what you should be looking for in a face wash if you have oily skin, as well as talk you through the best face wash for oily skin.

What to consider when choosing a Face Wash for Oily Skin

All face washes, regardless of what skin type they’re most suitable for, will include a surfactant that acts as a cleansing agent, removing oil, dirt and pollutants from the skin’s surface. There are 3 further factors to consider when choosing a face wash for oily skin, however:

  1. Face washes will take care of the skin’s surface, but oil production starts in the pores, where blockages often occur – choosing a face wash with absorbent ingredients such as clay or charcoal can help to break down and remove sebum deposits in the pores.
  2. Blocked pores interfere with your ability to generate new skin cells and shed old skin cells – this means a face wash with exfoliating properties is an extremely effective way to help deal with oily skin and its symptoms. By sweeping away dead skin cells, and helping to stop their build up in the pores, exfoliating helps to bring your skin’s oil production cycles back into balance.
  3. Stripping too much moisture from the skin can cause it to overproduce oil – this means that harsh cleansing agents, while they can be extremely effective in the short term, can worsen the problem of oily skin. Using a gentler cleanser with a lower foaming action for a couple of weeks is a great way to test out whether this could be a problem for you.

The Best Face Wash for Oily Skin

  1. Clinique for Men Oil-Control Face Wash 200ml
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    Clinique for Men Oil-Control Face Wash 200ml

    The Clinique For Men Oil-Control Face Wash makes use of gentle cleansing and conditioning agents to remove dirt and regulate oil production without stripping excessive moisture from the skin. A fantastic choice for newcomers, as its unlikely to aggravate underlying sensitivity.

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  2. Bulldog Skincare For Men Oil Control Face Wash 150ml
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    Bulldog Skincare For Men Oil Control Face Wash 150ml

    The Oil Control Face Wash from Bulldog uses naturally anti-bacterial and acne-controlling Witch Hazel, Willow Bark, and Juniper. Vegan and cruelty free, as well as extremely affordable, we highly recommend picking it up and giving it a go if you have oily skin.

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  3. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 200ml
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    La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel 200ml

    La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Purifying Cleansing Gel is an extremely gentle cleanser with hypoallergenic ingredients, specifically formulated for oily skin. Low foaming and using non-comedogenic and balancing ingredients, it unclogs the pores without causing irritation or stripping moisture from the skin excessively.

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  4. ESPA Invigorating Facewash 150ml
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    ESPA Invigorating Facewash 150ml

    The ESPA Invigorating Face Wash is a cleanser that that contains Peppermint, Lemongrass, Lime and Lemon, stimulating ingredients that revitalise and refresh oily skin, as well as Oat Extract, Olive Oil, and Wheat Extract to replenish hydration and condition the skin.

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  5. Triumph & Disaster Ritual Face Cleanser 150ml
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    Triumph & Disaster Ritual Face Cleanser 150ml

    The Triumph & Disaster Ritual Face Cleanser is a gently exfoliating face wash that makes use of anti-bacterial Tamanu Oil, and vitamin and mineral rich Peppermint Oil, ensuring your skin is clear of blemishes, and revitalised.

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  6. Anthony Exfoliating and Cleansing Bar 198g
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    Anthony Exfoliating and Cleansing Bar 198g

    The Anthony Exfoliating & Cleansing Bar is an ideal solution for those who suffer from clogged pores. Containing skin-polishing Jojoba Spheres, as well as Shea Butter and Coconut Oil to restore softness and suppleness to the skin, it dislodges deep lying dirt and sebum while replenishing nutrition.

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  7. Clinique for Men Charcoal Face Wash 200ml
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    Clinique for Men Charcoal Face Wash 200ml

    The Charcoal Face Wash from Clinique For Men uses the absorbent properties of charcoal to remove deep lying dirt from the pores. Acting a little like a charcoal mask, as the charcoal sets on your face, it penetrates into the pores, soaking up dirt, dead skin cells and impurities, which are then easily washed away with water. A great choice for those with clogged pores that react badly to over-exfoliation.

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  8. Elemis TFM Deep Cleanse Facial Wash 150ml
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    Elemis TFM Deep Cleanse Facial Wash 150ml

    In all their products, Elemis make use of a blend of the most effective naturally inspired and scientifically derived ingredients. Combining nourishing Milk Protein, Oak Bark, Spearmint, and Peppermint, their Deep Cleanse Facial Wash is guaranteed to perform.

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  9. L:A BRUKET No. 098 Face Cleanser 120ml
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    L:A BRUKET No. 098 Face Cleanser 120ml

    L:A Bruket No.098 Face Cleanser is a face wash that uses natural and organic ingredients such as Cocoa Butter and Olive Oil to regulate moisture levels as well as surfactant cleansing agents to effectively combat oiliness.

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  10. Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser
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    Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser

    The Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser uses Glycolic Acid to exfoliate while cleansing to ensure pores are thoroughly unclogged and your skin is refined and clear. When applied in greater quantities and left to rest on the skin, it can be used as a mask to rapidly resurface and rejuvenate the skin.

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  11. Hanz de Fuko Gentle Face Wash 237ml
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    Hanz de Fuko Gentle Face Wash 237ml

    Hanz De Fuko’s Gentle Face Wash not only smells and looks incredible, but effectively strips away grease and dirt without irritating the skin. Its refreshing Orange scent, its inclusion of antioxidant-rich Rooibos Leaf and Pomegranate, and soothing Aloe Vera mean that it’s effective for all skin types, but those with oily skin will be particularly grateful for it.

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  12. Baxter of California Deep Cleansing Bar Charcoal Clay
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    Baxter of California Deep Cleansing Bar Charcoal Clay

    Another cleanser that makes use of the absorbent properties of Charcoal, the Baxter of California Deep Cleansing Bar with Charcoal Clay mops up dirt and grease from the skin, allowing it to be easily washed away. Combating blackheads and clogged pores, as well as regulating oil production, this soap bar is a firm favourite at Mankind.

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Vanessa

Vanessa

Writer and expert

Creative storyteller. Believer in the power of natural ingredients and cruelty-free formulas. Always puts skincare first for a no-makeup look.