Top 21 Best Face Washes & Cleansers for Oily Skin and Large Pores – Ultimate Guide & Review

Sometimes oily skin is hormones at play, sometimes it’s the byproduct of unsuitable skin care, but most of the time it’s just simply the skin that you were born with. Whatever the cause is, the universal goal if you have oily skin is to slow down your skin’s oil production for as long as possible so you can get the benefits of having this skin type (fewer wrinkles as you grow older as it helps trap moisture under the skin) but not the disadvantages (shiny face, breakouts).^[3]

The way to do it is to maintain a skincare regime using the right products–starting with the best face wash for oily skin.

1. Use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t irritate your skin. – When you have very oily skin, there’s always the temptation to scrub your face raw and dry at the end of the day just to feel clean. That’s a mistake that most people make and will most certainly aggravate your oil (and acne). Not to mention compromise your skin barrier, opening the door to other issues like redness and eczema. Wash your face twice a day with gentle cleansers.^[4] Face washes that can cause irritations and dryness will trigger an overproduction of oil and sebum leading to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. 
2. For oily and acne-prone skin, you can use a face wash with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) and/or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). – Chemical exfoliants in cleansers gently slough off dead skin cells to avoid any build-ups that can cause breakouts. It can also unclog pores and prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming. BHAs are best as they are oil-soluble and go deep into the pore lining to purge deep-seated dirt. If you have them, you will have an initial “purging” or breakouts to clear out all this oil and bacteria from your skin. Fear not, as after a few weeks or so, the BHA would have done its job and cleared out all the grime that would eventually lead to an infection. If BHAs go deep, Alpha-hydroxy acids or AHA are water-soluble and work on the top layer of skin to buff it. They help stimulate cell renewal, face acne marks and minimize large pores. When starting out, use no more than 5% AHA and only at night then work your way up.
3. Use moderately warm water to help break down dirt and makeup. – It also helps soften the skin and prepares it for your skincare. Coldwater locks up your pores, which doesn’t allow the natural release of sebum and bacteria.
4. After cleansing, make it a habit to use moisturizers. – Applying moisturizers specifically formulated for oily skin helps keep your skin hydrated without breaking you out. It rebalances your skin barrier so your skin is healthy–not too dry and not too oily.
5. Invest in a good quality blotting paper. – Easily control shine throughout the day in one swoosh. Low-quality ones are so thin, that you have to use several just to cover your whole face. You only need to use one good quality botting paper that will absorb like magic and can be re-used outside your T-zone.
6. Regularly use clay masks or mud masks. – Once a week or every other week to suck out any deep-seated oils that your regular washing may have missed. It’s a form of deep cleanse that clears out and tightens your pores.
7. Look for oil-free and non-comedogenic products if you are acne-prone. – These types of products are usually void of irritants like fragrance and harsh chemicals, which can trigger breakouts. While some oils are non-comedogenic themselves, it doesn’t help if you already have an overproduction of oil. This applies to skincare and makeup like primers, foundation, moisturizers, etc.
8. Make sure your skin is hydrated throughout the day. – This is extremely important because hydrated skin keeps oils at bay. Dehydrated skin can cause reactive seborrhea, wherein the body thinks your skin has been stripped of natural oils so it goes on overdrive. Balance is key. Drink water and keep a face spray on hand.
9. Avoid alcohol-based toners. – This is a very tempting thing to do because they’re very effective in decreasing the skin and leaving you with a matte finish. But the long-term consequence can be brutal: slow erosion of the skin aggravates any acne or skin irritation and puts a strain on its process of replenishing and rejuvenating itself. Alcohol just about weakens the skin in general. (It’s used to prep your face for chemical peels, in fact, to help the acid penetrate the upper layer.) So if you see any of these in your skincare–D alcohol, denatured alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol– just say no.
10. Use Retinol or Vitamin A. – No, you don’t have to be in your 40’s to start using retinol. It’s one of the most widely used topical and oral treatments for oily skin. The oral medication has a host of side effects so it's reserved as the big guns, but the topical ones are available off the counter.

And that’s it! Remember, the right combination of products will do wonders for your skin no matter what condition it's in. With this list, I hope you find the perfect facial cleanser for you.