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Best Cleanser for Oily Skin

Oily skin needs foaming cleanser that doesn't strip. Here are the 5 best picks.

· 5 min read

Our #1 pick

Best overall
Under $25

Foaming gel with niacinamide, the oily-skin default

Check price on Amazon →

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The short answer
Best cleansers for oily skin: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, CeraVe SA Cleanser (salicylic acid), First Aid Beauty Pure Skin, Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, and SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cleanser. Foaming gel format works best.

Quick answer: cleanser for oily skin

  • Best overall: CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
  • Lowest price tier: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser (Under $25)
  • Splurge: SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cleanser (Under $100)

Oily skin benefits from foaming cleansers that cut through sebum without damaging the barrier. Niacinamide + ceramides are ideal additions. Avoid bar soap (pH too high) and stripping surfactants.

Best Cleanser for Oily Skin: the 5 picks at a glance
# ProductPrice tier Why it made the list
1 CeraVeFoaming Cleanser Under $25 Foaming gel with niacinamide, the oily-skin default
2 CeraVeRenewing SA Cleanser Under $25 Salicylic acid cleanser for combo acne/oily skin
3 Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser Under $25 Stripped-down gentle cleanser
4 CeraVeHydrating Cleanser Under $25 Non-foaming option for drier T-zone days
5 SkinMedicaAHA/BHA Cleanser Under $100 Treatment cleanser, 2-3x weekly

Our top 5 picks

2

CeraVe

Renewing SA Cleanser

Salicylic acid cleanser for combo acne/oily skin

Under $25 Buy →
3

Vanicream

Gentle Facial Cleanser

Stripped-down gentle cleanser

Under $25
4

CeraVe

Hydrating Cleanser

Non-foaming option for drier T-zone days

Under $25 Buy →
5

SkinMedica

Premium

AHA/BHA Cleanser

Treatment cleanser, 2-3x weekly

Under $100 Buy →

More on cleanser for oily skin

Frequently asked

Should oily skin double cleanse? +

Only if wearing makeup or heavy SPF. Oil cleanse first, then water cleanse. Not needed for bare skin.

Is foaming cleanser too stripping? +

CeraVe Foaming has niacinamide + ceramides built in. Won't strip when used correctly.

What is the best cleanser for oily skin? +

Our top pick for cleanser for oily skin is CeraVe Foaming Cleanser. Foaming gel with niacinamide, the oily-skin default. The runner-up is CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser.

How much should I spend on cleanser for oily skin? +

The 5 picks here run from the Under $25 tier (Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser) up to the Under $100 tier (SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cleanser). Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser is the lowest-cost way in, and SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cleanser is the splurge.

Premium Beauty

More Premium Beauty picks

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CurrentBody

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Microcurrent, red light and percussive therapy in one handheld. Replaces three single-purpose gadgets.

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Therabody

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TheraFace PRO

Red light + microcurrent + percussive + cleansing. Sci-fi gadget.

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Augustinus Bader

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The Cream

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