The 12 Best Face Washes for Oily Skin 2026

Looking after oily skin requires military precision. You must carry out extensive research for any product that comes into contact with your skin, cleanse like it’s your obsession, and live in fear of future breakouts.

Unfortunately, oily skin isn’t just a curse that hangs over us during our teenage years and disappears the second we turn 20 — it’s prevalent among people of all ages. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it! Whether you’re 16 or 60, there are plenty of research-backed products out there to prevent the over-production of oil and keep clogged pores at bay.

How to Choose the Right Face Wash

We know oily-skinned folks are discerning about the products they use. So they should be — the skin is the body’s largest organ, and facial skin is particularly thin and delicate. Protect it at all costs!

To figure out which facial wash is right for you, here are some elements you should consider.

Types of Facial Washes

In day-to-day life, most people use the terms “facial wash” and “facial cleanse” interchangeably. Some brands even name their products “facial cleanser washes” for added confusion. But we like to be precise — there are some differences between these two products.

Facial washes are harsher, gel-like products that produce foam. Despite having the word “clean” in the name, a facial cleanser is less thorough at cleaning than a face wash. It’s a lighter, creamier lotion that produces minimal foam, or no foam at all.

Use a cleanser to get rid of makeup and dirt and a facial wash to entirely strip your face of unwanted oils and impurities.

Foaming gels (facial washes) are generally best for oily skin since they have a mattifying effect and dissolve oil. However, for anyone with sensitive or combination skin, it’s best to look for a gentler facial wash that produces less foam.

Check out our advice for looking after sensitive skin and combination skin.

Ingredient Quality

A few people in the world win the genetic lottery and can do no wrong with their skin. No matter how many harmful chemicals they expose their skin to, it remains smooth and flawless. Sickening, isn’t it?

Those of us with oily skin can’t afford to take such liberties, so paying attention to the ingredients list isn’t just a sensible idea — it’s a must. Harsh ingredients like parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and soap can cause irritation, especially if your skin is sensitive.

Other ingredients that help keep the skin moisturized and minimize oil production are hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and niacinamide.

We’re just skimming the surface here. To clue yourself up, read our breakdown on ingredients to enjoy and ingredients to avoid.

Non-Comedogenic

Don’t be scared off by the big word. Non-comedogenic (or non-acnegenic) skincare products don’t cause comedones, more commonly known as pore blockages and breakouts. If an item is non-comedogenic, the label will say so.

Most often, scientists test whether a product is non-comedogenic by examining how much it irritates a rabbit’s ear on a scale of one to five. There’s a tradeoff between ethics and safety.

Just because a product doesn’t have a non-comedogenic label, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily bad for the skin; maybe the brand doesn’t condone animal testing. Likewise, some “non-comedogenic” could cause acne in special cases. Everyone is different! But if you suffer from frequent breakouts and want to play it safe, non-comedogenic is the way to go.

Sensitive Skin

If your skin is oily and sensitive, you’ll need to take extra care to avoid breakouts. Even minor stressors like temperature changes can be problematic — never mind products with harsh ingredients.

As well as choosing a gentler, lightly foaming facial wash, you might want to look out for special ingredients like micellar water. We also have a special guide to looking after sensitive and oily skin.

Dermatologist Approved

All commercially available cosmetic products are subject to FDA regulations. You’re not going to find a facial wash sold in a shop that’s made by someone’s little sister in a messy kitchen that destroys your skin. At least, we hope not.

But just because a product is safe, it doesn’t mean it has much scientific basis to prove it will help control oily skin. Look out for items dermatologists have tested if you want a product that goes the extra mile — this demonstrates that medical professionals approve.

Scent

If you don’t like the smell of a facial wash, you’re not going to want to lather it all over your face every day. But smell isn’t just a trivial matter of personal preferences.

Added fragrances can cause allergies or inflammation, so a fragrance-free option is the safest bet for anyone with sensitive skin.

Cruelty-Free

Even if you’re not a vegan, you might not want to support companies who harm animals to create their products.

You may notice some brands say they avoid testing on animals “where possible” or do it only when “required by law.” Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean the brand is cruelty-free. Mainland China is one region where animal testing is a legal requirement, so major beauty companies like L’Oreal that sell there must carry out the practice.

Be warned: unless an item has a cruelty-free stamp, the company is probably carrying out animal testing.

We believe people with high-maintenance skin deserve to enjoy life just as much as anyone else. So, we’ve compiled a list of the best facial washes to help them.