The 10 Best Face Washes for Oily Skin of 2026, According to 360+ Hours of Testing

Best Overall

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

$19

$16 at Amazon $13 at Target $17 at Dermstore

Why We Love It:  A little goes a long way with this tried-and-true gentle foaming cleanser from CeraVe. It’s no secret that CeraVe is one of the most recommended brands by dermatologists, including board-certified dermatologist Nkem Ugonabo, M.D., M.P.H., and Dr. Nazarian, for its nonirritating, gentle formulas and ubiquitous appeal at a drugstore price point. This CeraVe cleanser even doubles as a makeup remover for those days when you don’t feel like doing your whole seven-step routine before you go to bed. It’s a one-stop shop for your skin. 

Who It’s For: One tester has been using the product for years and wouldn’t change a thing about it. It’s gentle enough to use twice daily without drying out her skin, and it helps reduce oil production over time, so it keeps her skin oil-free longer than other cleansers. Plus, if you have sensitive skin, this wash doesn’t contain any fragrance and is a great option to manage oily skin without irritation. 

Worth Noting: From the name, you might expect a ton of bubbles when you suds up, but it doesn’t have a noticeable lather.

Active Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Type: Foaming gel | Size: 8, 12, 16 oz

Maggie, tester with combination/oily skin: “I’ve tried ‘luxury’ face cleansers in the past and still return to this drugstore staple. It does it all, and at an affordable price. If I ever forget to pack this, I know it’s accessible anywhere I go.”

Best With Salicylic Acid

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

$16

$13 at Amazon $13 at Target $16 at Dermstore

Why We Love It: The standout ingredient in this CeraVe renewing cleanser is salicylic acid, a powerful ingredient known for its exfoliative and deep cleansing properties. “Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and a chemical exfoliant used for treating acne, oily skin, textural changes, and various other conditions,” says Dr. Ugonabo. This face wash is fortified with additional active ingredients, such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid, to provide hydration and protect the skin barrier. “It gets nice and bubbly but still feels like I’m getting a good scrub and clean,” says our tester, who also noted you only need one pump to cover your face.

Who It’s For: While salicylic acid can sometimes be a little too irritating for sensitive skin, this face wash is still fairly gentle, and salicylic acid is a very effective ingredient for acne-prone skin. It easily washes clean and is a great wallet-friendly option to tackle breakouts and excess oil. 

Worth Noting: If you’re using it with other strong products like tretinoin, try using it only once instead of twice daily so it isn’t too drying on the skin.

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin D | Type: Gel | Size: 8, 12, 16 oz

Sophia, tester with combination, acne-prone skin: “For the price point, you really can’t beat this cleanser. You actually get results without paying a fortune. I never felt tight or itchy after using it…[and] there has been a reduction in how much oil my skin produces.”

Best Foam

Codex Labs Balancing Foaming Face Cleanser

$25

$23 at Amazon View on Codexlabscorp.com

$26

$13 at Living-beauty.com

Why We Love It: This light and bubbly foaming cleanser helps even out skin tone and texture, refine pores, and reduce oiliness over time. One of the key active ingredients, Codex’s ShaantComplex, targets oil production to help clear pores and reduce redness while glycolipids cleanse and balance the skin. The liquid texture requires more than a few drops to cover the full face, and it develops into a thin lather to gently whisk away oil buildup.

Who It’s For: Acne-prone, combination, and balanced skin types will find that this gentle cleanser does the trick. It’s also suitable for twice-daily use, as it leaves skin soft and healthy-looking, not dry.

Worth Noting: While one tester thought that it could stand to have a more long-lasting fragrance, the added basil and patchouli scent, while quite soothing, may not be the best match for sensitive skin.

Active Ingredients: ShaantComplex, glycolipids, tulsi | Type: Foaming | Size: 3.4 oz

Amandeep, tester with seasonally dry and oily skin: “After using it for a week, my skin looks clean and smooth, and I didn’t feel that it over-stripped my skin. It’s the best among other products I’ve used in the past—nothing makes my skin look as bright as this face wash.”

Best Lather

Cosmedix Purity Clean

$43 at Amazon $43 at Dermstore $43 at Cosmedix.com

Why We Love It: Cosmedix’s Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser rejuvenates and brightens even the most tired skin. The lime-green gel lathers into a thick, soapy texture that makes the face feel clean and shine-free after a good rinse in the sink (or shower, depending on your preference). Lactic acid, one of the main active ingredients, is a chemical exfoliating agent that’s known to be more gentle on sensitive skin and helps improve the surface of the skin for a smoother, refreshed appearance. The cleanser has a “thick” and “soapy” feel, says our tester, who noted it took a few rinses to fully remove the product from her face. “It left my face feeling very clean,” she says.

Who It’s For: This face wash works for any skin type, from normal to combination and oily to dry. The combination of lactic acid and tea tree oil is a powerful duo to unclog congested pores, and aloe vera helps soothe inflammation and calm irritated, damaged skin.

Worth Noting: People with ultrasensitive skin may not appreciate the subtle tightening feeling after use.

Active Ingredients: 5% L-lactic acid, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, aloe vera | Type: Gel | Size: 5 oz

Julia, tester with oily skin: “I like the texture, and the clean feeling my skin had after using the product. Especially in the summer, I feel as though it has helped with my oil control…and has actually shown results for my oily skin.”

Best for Combo-Oily Skin

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Facial Wash

$25 at Amazon $19 at Target $21 at Ulta

Why We Love It: La Roche-Posay is another dermatologist-endorsed brand, and while Dr. Ugonabo’s recommendation for people with more sensitive skin is the brand’s Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash, one tester says the Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser is hands-down her favorite, and absolutely worth the cost for the quality of the product. The thick lather seeps into pores, leaving a balanced, clean feel to the skin once it’s washed off, and over time, one tester reported that she noticed it helped minimize oil production, especially around the T-zone. 

Who It’s For: It can be difficult to find a great cleanser that meets the ever-changing needs of combination skin, but this product is free of oils and fragrance and is suitable for any skin type. It’s gentle enough for daily use and helps maintain the skin’s natural pH. 

Worth Noting: Our tester had to do a bit of scrubbing to fully remove the cleanser.

Active Ingredients: Zinc pidolate, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water | Type: Foaming gel | Size: 6.67, 13.52 oz

Joie, tester with combination skin: “I noticed my nose was less likely to get greasy and bothersome during the day when I used this in the shower in the morning. Consistently using this product, my skin felt smoother and more hydrated without it feeling too oily or too dry (which is hard to do with combo skin).”

Best Luxury

Macrene Actives High Performance Cleanser

$85

$68 at Sephora $95 at Neiman Marcus $95 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Why We Love It: This high-performance face cleanser from Macrene Actives may sit at a higher price point, but this product is worth the spend. Between ingredients like niacinamide and panthenol that help reduce breakouts and oil production, and antioxidants like pomegranate and green tea that help soothe and brighten the skin, it tackles a variety of skin care concerns to help balance oils and maintain a fresh appearance. The gel texture doesn’t develop into a foam as many of the other cleansers do, but rather into more of a creamy consistency that melts into the skin to remove impurities. Our tester appreciated the “lightweight” texture that was easy to work with.

Who It’s For: This product is super lightweight and is great for layering with other skin care products, like sunscreen, tretinoin, and moisturizing cream, according to one tester, and didn’t agitate her skin at all. Especially for people looking to treat uneven texture and blemishes and keep acne at bay, this luxurious buy is a stellar pick, and a little goes a long way.

Worth Noting: Our tester found that this cleanser was unable to dissolve her mascara.

Active Ingredients: Niacinamide, panthenol, plant-derived surfactants, antioxidants | Type: Gel | Size: 2.03 oz

Chantia, tester with combination skin and cured cystic acne: “I love how lightweight the product is. It feels very refreshing when applying this to my face after a hot day, especially…my pores, specifically in my cheek area, seem to have minimized and my cheeks feel firmer.”

Best Shine-Free Glow

Peace Out 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Gel Cleanser

$29 at Ulta $29 at Sephora $29 at Peaceoutskincare.com

Why We Love It: Using a combination of salicylic acid, maltobionic acid, and a ceramide complex, this acne gel cleanser from Peace Out gently exfoliates dry patches, clears out oil from pores, and binds water to the skin to seal in moisture and reduce redness. The iridescent jelly texture mixes into a creamy foam upon contact with water, and it helps reduce inflammation from acne and boost the skin’s natural barrier to protect and defend skin from breakouts. 

Who It’s For: While it can be tricky to tackle excess oil production in already vulnerable skin, this face wash is gentle enough for twice-daily use to bring radiance and softness despite breakouts, according to one tester. In the warmer months or when skin’s oil production is particularly high, a bit of loose powder on the T-zone keeps your skin looking refreshed and renewed with this cleanser. 

Worth Noting: Though it softened her skin and removed oil at first, our tester’s skin became oily throughout the day.

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, maltobionic acid, ceramide complex | Type: Gel | Size: 4 oz

Wasimah, tester with acne-prone, combination skin: “It left my face very clean, soft, and radiant. I noticed the change instantly as I washed my face…and it didn’t feel like [it] over-stripped my skin from its natural oils.”

Best for Sensitive, Oily Skin

Skinceuticals Simply Clean Gel Refining Cleanser

$39 at Dermstore $39 at Ecosmetics.com $39 at Skinstore.com

Why We Love It: Skinceuticals’ Simply Clean Gel Refining Cleanser not only refines pores, helps improve texture, and minimizes oil production, but it also helps cut through and remove even the most waterproof makeup. With the inclusion of fruit acids, the formula gives a nice exfoliating effect, says our tester. Start by pumping the product into your hand and working up a lather before spreading it across the face; instead of trying to lather it directly on the face first, recommend one tester—one pump of the product should do the trick. Plus, with its aqua blue bottle, you’ll never misplace this in your bathroom cabinet. 

Who It’s For: While one tester felt this could be too drying for her oily, combination skin with twice daily use, it’s a great option for more oily skin-havers to keep breakouts at bay. Especially for people with sensitive skin, one tester reported that despite being allergic to various plant botanical extracts, she had no issues with this face wash.  

Worth Noting: The packaging could be improved, according to our tester, who noted it banged around in her bathroom cabinet.

Active Ingredients: Botanical extracts, chamomile, fruit acid blend | Type: Gel | Size: 6.8 oz

Jackie, tester with oily and combination skin: “The price point is really good considering how effective it was. It had a thoughtful curation of powerful yet balanced ingredients…chamomile and aloe extracts to calm and hydrate my face and fruit acids to exfoliate my skin.”

Best Gentle

Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser

$15 at Amazon $29 at Sephora $29 at Ulta

Why We Love It: With two forms of salicylic acid working to dissolve excess oil and clear out clogged pores, plus green tea extract to help keep irritation in check, this cleanser is built for breakout-prone skin that needs effective oil control without overstripping. Our tester said it quickly cut through oil and makeup without any heavy residue, leaving her skin feeling clean and refreshed after every wash. She also noticed her skin didn’t feel tight or stripped afterward, which she called a big win for an acne cleanser. Over time, congestion improved and her skin felt more hydrated between washes than she typically gets from acne-focused cleansers.

Who It’s For: If you’re oily, breakout-prone, and tired of acne cleansers that leave your face feeling stripped, this one is for you. Our tester found that it kept shine under control while still feeling gentle enough for everyday use.

Worth Noting: Our tester noticed a slight tingle during the first few uses, though it faded quickly and didn’t turn into irritation. And while it didn’t feel drying on her skin, those who are very dry or sensitive may prefer using it once a day.

Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea extract | Type: Gel | Size: 6.75 oz

Elizabeth, tester with combination skin: “I could feel the makeup melt away and wash off fast. My skin felt wonderfully refreshed afterward, and I loved that it removed all the gunk without taking away too much of my natural oils.”

Best Cleansing Oil

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil

$20

$15 at Amazon

$20

$15 at Amazon $20 at Sephora

Why We Love It: Made with soybean oil to break down makeup, SPF, and buildup, plus ginseng seed oil for a bit of antioxidant care, this cleansing oil gets everything off without feeling heavy or harsh. Our tester said it spread easily with a thin, silky texture that felt almost like nothing on the skin, then turned milky once water was added and rinsed away completely clean. It took off stubborn mascara with no eye stinging or irritation, which she really noticed compared to other oil cleansers. After rinsing, her skin felt soft and fresh with no greasy film left behind. She also found it made removing makeup easier overall, with her skin feeling more hydrated between washes and never tight or stripped.

Who It’s For: This is a great oil cleanser for anyone who needs a first step that breaks down long-wear sunscreen, base makeup, and waterproof eye makeup without leaving residue or requiring a second pass to feel clean. Our tester found it removed heavy SPF, full-coverage base products, and mascara in one step, without scrubbing or irritation.

Worth Noting: Two pumps is enough for a full cleanse. The formula is very thin and lightweight, so a slight film can remain on hands before rinsing, but it washes off completely with water.

Active Ingredients: Glycine soja (soybean) oil, ginseng seed oil | Type: Oil | Size: 7.1 fl oz

Stephanie, tester with combination skin: “The oil cleanser spread very easily and felt really light on my skin. Once I added water, it emulsified and washed off completely with no trace of oil or residue left behind, and my skin felt soft and not overstripped afterward.”