If your skin feels shiny again not long after cleansing, it's tempting to reach for the strongest face wash you can find. But oily skin doesn't need to be scrubbed or stripped into submission.
A good cleanser for oily skin should remove excess oil, make-up, SPF and the day's build-up while leaving your face feeling clean and comfortable. If your skin feels tight or squeaky afterwards, stronger isn't necessarily better.
The best choice also depends on what sits alongside the oiliness. You might have combination skin with a shiny T-zone and drier cheeks, oily skin that's prone to spots, or skin that's oily but surprisingly sensitive.
This guide will help you work out what to look for and choose from the natural facial cleansers at MyPure.
What's Inside
Which cleanser should I choose for oily skin?
Short on time? Start here.
| If you're looking for... | Our pick |
|---|---|
| A gentle everyday cleanser | MOSSA JUICY CLEAN Cleansing Creme-Mousse |
| Oily or combination skin | Sukin Oil Balancing Purifying Gel Cleanser |
| Oily and blemish-prone skin | MADARA ACNE Sebum Control Clear Skin Wash |
| Combination and spot-prone skin | Green People Purifying Foaming Face Wash |
| A gentler, creamier cleanse | UpCircle Cleansing Face Milk |
What should you look for in a cleanser for oily skin?
The main job of a cleanser is fairly simple: remove unwanted oil, dirt, make-up, SPF and other residue from the surface of your skin.
Where oily skin can get complicated is the assumption that removing as much oil as possible must be better. That can lead to very aggressive cleansing, repeated washing and a face that feels tight rather than comfortably clean.
Instead, think about cleansing effectively without overdoing it.
Gel and foaming cleansers are popular choices because they rinse away easily and tend to feel lighter than richer cleansing creams and balms. But the words "gel" and "foam" don't tell you everything about how a cleanser will behave. The complete formula matters.
Choose your cleanser by what your oily skin actually needs
Oily all over
A light gel or foaming cleanser is a sensible place to start. Look for something that removes excess oil effectively but still leaves your skin feeling comfortable once you've rinsed it away.
Combination skin
If your forehead, nose and chin become oily but your cheeks are normal or dry, don't choose your cleanser purely for the oiliest part of your face. A balanced daily cleanser is often more useful than an aggressively purifying one.
Oily and blemish-prone
Look for a cleanser formulated with oily and blemish-prone skin in mind. Cleansing can remove excess surface oil and impurities, but persistent acne isn't caused simply by having a dirty face and shouldn't be tackled by washing or scrubbing harder.
Oily and sensitive
Yes, skin can be both oily and sensitive. Prioritise a mild cleanser over the most powerful oil-control formula. A sensitive-skin formulation can be worth considering if your skin is easily irritated.
Our favourite natural cleansers for oily skin
At MyPure we've been selling natural skincare for more than 20 years, and one of the easiest mistakes to make with oily skin is choosing products solely on the basis of how intensely cleansing they sound.
We'd rather match the cleanser to the person using it. Here are some of the options we'd consider, and the differences between them.
MOSSA JUICY CLEAN Cleansing Creme-Mousse
Best for: A gentle everyday cleanse
MOSSA JUICY CLEAN Cleansing Creme-Mousse is a good option if you want effective everyday cleansing without choosing a product purely because it promises maximum oil removal.
The cream-to-mousse formula is designed for all skin types and combines cleansing with white currant-derived fruit acids.
What it feels like: Softer and creamier than a conventional oil-control gel cleanser.
Why we'd choose it: Not everyone with oily skin wants – or needs – a strongly purifying cleanser. This is the option we'd consider when you want something comfortable enough for straightforward daily cleansing.
Probably not our first choice if: excess oil, blackheads or frequent blemishes are your main concerns. One of the more targeted cleansers below may make more sense.
Sukin Oil Balancing Purifying Gel Cleanser
Best for: Oily and combination skin
If excess oil is the defining feature of your skin, Sukin Oil Balancing Purifying Gel Cleanser is the Sukin cleanser we'd choose for this guide.
Its formula contains bamboo charcoal alongside moringa, coconut, rooibos and willowherb extracts and is designed specifically for combination and oily complexions.
What it feels like: A lightweight purifying gel cleanser.
Why we'd choose it: It's specifically designed around the needs of oilier skin, making it a more relevant recommendation here than simply choosing Sukin's general-purpose facial cleansers.
Probably not our first choice if: your skin is oily but easily irritated or you're looking for a creamier cleansing experience.
MADARA ACNE Sebum Control Clear Skin Wash
Best for: Oily, blemish-prone skin
MADARA ACNE Sebum Control Clear Skin Wash is the more targeted choice in this selection.
The formula uses plant-derived cleansing agents and includes fermented polysaccharides, maté, Iceland moss, lichen and juniper cell culture extract. MADARA positions it specifically for oily and acne-prone skin.
What it feels like: A lightweight daily wash rather than a rich cleansing cream or balm.
Why we'd choose it: If oiliness comes alongside frequent blemishes and blackheads, we'd choose a formula developed with those concerns in mind rather than simply reaching for the strongest general-purpose cleanser.
Worth remembering: a cosmetic cleanser can support a skincare routine for blemish-prone skin, but it isn't a treatment for acne.
View MADARA CleanserGreen People Purifying Foaming Face Wash
Best for: Combination and spot-prone skin
Green People Purifying Foaming Face Wash is another option when oiliness and spots tend to appear together.
The formula includes prebiotics, green tea and aloe vera and is designed for combination and spot-prone skin.
What it feels like: A light foaming wash rather than a creamy cleanser.
Why we'd choose it: It sits nicely between a straightforward everyday cleanser and the more targeted MADARA ACNE option. It's particularly worth considering if your skin is combination rather than uniformly oily.
UpCircle Cleansing Face Milk with Aloe Vera & Neroli Flower
Best for: A gentler, creamier cleansing option
If many cleansers aimed at oily skin feel too aggressive, UpCircle Cleansing Face Milk offers a very different approach.
The everyday cleanser combines aloe vera with creamy upcycled oat powder and is designed for all skin types.
What it feels like: A softer, creamier cleanse than the gels and foaming washes elsewhere in this guide.
Why we'd choose it: Oily skin doesn't automatically need an oil-control cleanser. This gives us an alternative for someone whose skin produces plenty of sebum but who dislikes the feel of more purifying formulas.
Probably not our first choice if: you're specifically looking for a cleanser targeted at excess oil or blemishes.
What should your skin feel like after cleansing?
Clean, comfortable and refreshed.
That squeaky, tight feeling isn't proof that your cleanser has done an especially thorough job. If your face routinely feels uncomfortable immediately after washing, it's worth reconsidering either the cleanser or how you're using it.
A useful test is to pay attention to your skin before you've applied toner, serum or moisturiser. If you're desperate to put moisturiser on immediately because your face feels tight, your cleansing routine may be more aggressive than it needs to be.
Should oily skin use a gel, foam, cream or cleansing balm?
There's no rule saying oily skin can only use gel cleansers.
Gel cleansers are popular because they're lightweight, easy to rinse and work particularly well as an everyday wash.
Foaming cleansers can give the fresh, thoroughly cleansed feeling many people with oily skin enjoy, but a dramatic foam isn't necessary for a cleanser to work.
Cream and milk cleansers can make sense if your skin is oily but sensitive or dehydrated, although some people simply prefer the lighter finish of a gel.
Cleansing balms and oils can also be useful for removing make-up and water-resistant SPF. If you dislike the residue of richer cleansers, you can follow with a light water-based cleanser as part of an evening double cleanse.
The squeaky-clean test
Don't judge a cleanser by how tight it can make your face feel. For everyday cleansing, comfortable skin is a much better target than a completely degreased sensation.
How often should you cleanse oily skin?
For many people, cleansing morning and evening works well. The evening cleanse is particularly useful for removing SPF, make-up, excess oil and everything that's accumulated on your skin during the day.
But more cleansing isn't automatically better. Washing repeatedly throughout the day because your face looks shiny can become counterproductive if it leaves your skin irritated.
If you exercise and become very sweaty, an additional gentle cleanse may make sense. Again, pay attention to how your skin responds.
How to cleanse oily skin properly
Follow the cleanser instructions
Wet your face with lukewarm water first if that's what your cleanser recommends.
Use a sensible amount
More cleanser doesn't necessarily mean cleaner skin.
Massage gently
Use your fingertips rather than trying to scrub excess oil away.
Don't miss the edges
Pay attention around the hairline and sides of the nose, where SPF, make-up and cleanser can easily be missed.
Rinse thoroughly
Remove the cleanser completely and gently pat your face dry.
Follow with the rest of your routine
Don't skip moisturiser simply because your skin produces plenty of sebum.
Does oily skin still need moisturiser?
Yes. Oil and water aren't the same thing, and oily skin can still become dehydrated.
If rich creams feel too heavy, look for a lighter moisturiser formulated for oily or combination skin rather than skipping moisturiser altogether.
You can browse natural facial moisturisers at MyPure and choose a texture that suits your skin.
Should you double cleanse oily skin?
You don't have to double cleanse simply because your skin is oily.
It can, however, be useful in the evening if you wear make-up or water-resistant SPF. The first cleanser removes the bulk of those products; the second cleanses the skin itself.
If one cleanser removes everything effectively and your skin feels comfortable afterwards, there's no prize for adding an unnecessary second step.
Are natural cleansers better for oily skin?
We specialise in natural and organic beauty at MyPure, but we'd still choose a cleanser according to your skin rather than assuming that "natural" automatically means better for oiliness.
Natural formulas can contain plant oils, botanical extracts, clays and plant-derived cleansing agents, but what matters is how those ingredients work together in the finished product and how your skin responds.
The same principle applies to ingredients sometimes marketed as ones oily skin should avoid. An ingredient shouldn't be judged in isolation from its concentration, formulation and intended use.
So, which cleanser is best for oily skin?
Start with what your skin actually needs rather than how aggressively you want to remove the oil. Choose a formula that removes what you need it to remove while leaving your skin comfortable enough to use consistently.
Shop natural facial cleansersOily skin cleanser FAQs
What type of cleanser is best for oily skin?
Gel and foaming cleansers are popular choices because they tend to feel light and rinse away easily. However, the best cleanser depends on your whole skin type. Oily skin that's also sensitive, dehydrated or blemish-prone may need a different formula from straightforward oily skin.
How often should I wash my face if I have oily skin?
For many people, morning and evening is enough. You may also want to cleanse after becoming particularly sweaty, but repeatedly washing your face simply because it looks shiny can leave skin feeling irritated.
Should oily skin use a foaming cleanser?
It can. Many people with oily skin enjoy the light, fresh feel of a foaming cleanser. The amount of foam isn't a measure of how well a cleanser works, though, so choose according to the complete formula and how your skin feels after washing.
Can oily skin be dehydrated?
Yes. Oiliness refers to sebum, while dehydration refers to a lack of water in the skin. It's therefore possible for skin to feel oily and dehydrated at the same time.
Does oily skin need moisturiser after cleansing?
Yes. If conventional creams feel too rich, choose a lighter moisturiser designed for oily or combination skin rather than assuming oily skin doesn't need moisturising.
Can cleansing get rid of acne?
A cleanser can remove excess oil, make-up and impurities and form part of a routine for blemish-prone skin, but acne isn't simply caused by inadequate cleansing. Persistent, painful or severe acne is worth discussing with a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist.
Should I double cleanse if I have oily skin?
Not necessarily. Double cleansing can be useful in the evening when you're removing make-up or water-resistant SPF. If one cleanser removes everything effectively and leaves your skin comfortable, a second cleanse may not be needed.
The bottom line
For straightforward everyday cleansing, choose something gentle enough to use consistently. If excess oil is your main concern, a dedicated oil-balancing gel cleanser may suit you better. If blemishes are part of the picture, consider a cleanser formulated specifically with oily and blemish-prone skin in mind. And if conventional oil-control cleansers feel too aggressive, a creamier cleanser can be a perfectly reasonable alternative.
The best cleanser for oily skin isn't necessarily the one that removes the most oil. It's the one that cleans your skin effectively and leaves it feeling comfortable afterwards.
Please note: This article provides general skincare information rather than medical advice. Always follow individual product instructions. If you have a diagnosed skin condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are unsure whether a particular active ingredient is appropriate for you, seek appropriate professional advice.