The best cleanser for oily skin should remove sunscreen, sweat and excess sebum without making your face feel polished. That squeaky feeling is not proof that pores are cleaner. It usually means the cleanser has removed more of the skin's surface lipids than necessary.
I look for a water-based cleanser with mild surfactants, a skin-friendly pH and enough slip to massage for 30 seconds without friction. Below are five UK-available picks, including one salicylic acid wash for occasional use. They fit easily into a simple oily-skin routine and none needs to be paired with a cleansing brush.
Quick picks
- Best overall: CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
- Best for very oily skin: Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser
- Best pharmacy option: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel
- Best gentle low-foam option: The Inkey List Fulvic Acid Cleanser
- Best occasional active wash: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Water-based cleanser or oil cleanser?
These products are water-based cleansers: water is the main solvent and surfactants lift oil and dirt so they rinse away. They are normally your only cleanse in the morning and the final cleanse at night.
An oil or balm cleanser does a different job. It dissolves water-resistant sunscreen, makeup and long-wear base products before the water-based wash. It does not have to be avoided because your skin is oily; cleansing oils contain emulsifiers, so they rinse away rather than behaving like facial oil.
If you wear substantial makeup or resistant SPF, use oil first and water-based cleanser second. If you do not, a double cleanse may simply be double the irritation. My guide to how to double cleanse explains when the extra step earns its place.
What I look for in an oily-skin cleanser
A good formula needs effective but not excessive cleansing. Ingredients such as coco-betaine, glucosides, isethionates and sarcosinates can create foam without the aggressive feel of old-fashioned soap. Glycerin, niacinamide and ceramides help reduce the dry after-feel.
I am cautious about high-foam washes built around strong detergent systems. Sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is particularly likely to irritate. Sodium laureth sulfate, or SLES, is milder and can be acceptable in a balanced formula, but the finished product matters more than one ingredient in isolation. If your cheeks pull when you smile after rinsing, the cleanser is too strong for you.
Denatured alcohol is also unnecessary in an everyday wash. It is not the same as moisturising fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol, but frequent use can be drying; I cover that distinction in why I avoid drying alcohol in skincare.
The best cleansers for oily skin
1. CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
This is my default recommendation for oily and combination skin. It is a clear gel that produces a controlled foam and removes ordinary sunscreen and oil without an after-wash film. Ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid make the formula more barrier-conscious than the “deep clean” branding common in this category.
It is fragrance-free, widely sold in UK pharmacies and good value in the larger bottle. It may still be too much twice daily if your cheeks are dry, in which case use it at night and rinse with water in the morning. Cleanser contact is brief, so do not buy it expecting the niacinamide to transform pores.
2. Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser
Cetaphil's gel wash has more cleansing power than its famous creamy version and is a better fit for a consistently shiny T-zone. It rinses clean and is positioned for oily, combination and sensitive skin. I would choose it when a non-foaming cleanser leaves a noticeable residue.
Do not confuse the two products. My Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser review explains why that mild cleanser suits dry or treatment-sensitised skin but can feel underpowered on a very oily face. The Oily Skin Cleanser foams more, so reduce frequency if tightness develops.
3. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel
Effaclar is the strongest everyday option on this list. It handles sweat and sebum well and is convenient for very oily, blemish-prone skin, especially in humid weather. The gel foams readily and rinses without a heavy residue.
The trade-off is exactly that cleansing strength. Current ingredient lists can vary by market and reformulation, so check the UK pack; some versions use SLES. I would not choose it for a dry-cheeked combination face, eczema or a damaged barrier. A cleanser cannot “purge” spots, and persistent stinging is not an adjustment period.
4. The Inkey List Fulvic Acid Cleanser
Despite the active-sounding name, this is primarily a gentle gel cleanser rather than an exfoliating treatment. It creates a light lather, removes day-to-day grime and has a less stripped finish than many products marketed at oily skin. It is a sensible option if you want clean rinsing without a large amount of foam.
Claims that fulvic acid will dramatically brighten skin during a rinse-off step deserve some scepticism. Buy this for its pleasant cleansing base, not as a replacement for a leave-on treatment.
5. The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser
This is the targeted pick for clogged pores and recurrent blackheads. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble and can help loosen material within the pore; the mechanism and evidence are covered in my salicylic acid guide.
I would use it only two or three evenings a week at first, massaging gently and rinsing after about 30 seconds. Use a plain cleanser on the other days. More contact time and daily use are not automatically better, particularly if you already use leave-on BHA, benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid. A rinse-off acid is a modest supporting step, not a complete acne treatment.
How to cleanse without stripping your skin
Wet your face with lukewarm water. Use roughly a small coin-sized amount, massage with fingertips for 20–30 seconds, then rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Hot water, flannels and rotating brushes add irritation without cleaning pores more deeply.
At night, take longer around the hairline and sides of the nose where sunscreen tends to remain. In the morning, oily skin can use cleanser again, but water alone is reasonable if you wake up comfortable rather than greasy. Follow with a light moisturiser for oily skin.
Watch the cumulative routine. Acid cleanser plus exfoliating toner plus retinoid is a common route to redness, sudden sensitivity and flaky patches. Those are signs of over-exfoliation, not evidence that impurities are leaving.
References
Youn SW. The role of facial sebum secretion in acne pathogenesis: facts and controversies. Clin Dermatol. 2010;28(1):8-11. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20082943/)
FAQs
What is the best cleanser for oily skin?
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is my best overall pick because it cleans effectively, is fragrance-free and does not rely on an aggressively stripping finish. Very oily, resilient skin may prefer Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser or Effaclar.
Is a water-based cleanser good for oily skin?
Yes. A water-based gel cleanser removes excess sebum and water-soluble dirt and rinses clean. Choose a mild surfactant system and stop using it if your skin feels tight, itchy or unusually shiny straight after washing.
Should oily skin double cleanse every night?
Only when there is something substantial to remove, such as water-resistant SPF or long-wear makeup. Use an emulsifying oil or balm first, then a small amount of water-based cleanser. One thorough cleanse is enough on lighter days.
Can I use a salicylic acid cleanser every day?
Some tolerant skin can, but I recommend beginning at two or three times a week. If you also use leave-on acids, retinoids or benzoyl peroxide, a daily acid wash may add irritation for little extra benefit.
How often should I wash an oily face?
Once at night and, if needed, once in the morning. Cleansing after heavy sweating is reasonable, but repeatedly washing away shine can damage the barrier. Adjust product strength or frequency if your face feels tight after rinsing.