Excess oil. Clogged pores. You worry that your skin looks greasy. But worst of all? It feels unclean. Then, there are the breakouts and redness from skin congestion. You dream of a cleanser for oily skin that melts away makeup, balances oil, and leaves your skin feeling soft and clean. But every product you've tried only increases oil and congestion.

We've been there, too. That's why we've formulated results-driven cleansers that provide a deep clean without leaving your skin feeling tight, greasy, and irritated. Keep reading to discover the five-star rated cleansers that leave your skin clearer, brighter, and calmer in a few weeks.

Best Cleanser for Oily Skin

The ideal skincare routine for oily skin starts with a cleanser. Not only does this step remove excess oil and buildup, but it also helps to prepare your skin for the rest of your skincare regime.

If you have an oily skin type, we recommend the Cleansing Balm and Purifying Cleansing Gel. These nourishing products will remove excess oil and pore-clogging impurities for a deep clean.

SKINCARE EXPERT TIP: Invest in a cost-effective cleanser, or get your complete oily skincare routine covered with the Oily Skin Bundle.

Best gel cleanser for oily skin

Purifying Cleansing Gel for Oily Skin 200ml

We created the Purifying Cleansing Gel specifically for oily skin. It doesn't just remove makeup. It also reduces excess oil and shine. And if you're prone to acne, the formula has antibacterial properties to minimise breakouts. It also soothes redness and calms inflammation.

"This has to be the best cleanser I've ever used. I have oily skin and struggle on a daily basis to keep my makeup from going shiny. This used, along with the Purifying Toner and Purifying Day Moisturiser, have solved this issue for me, plus my pores aren't as visible.

It has been a breath of fresh air to find a skincare range that's already designed to work together to target a skin concern without me having to search for various products to target one specific need...I am absolutely delighted with the results! " - Paula | Verified Reviewer

Best cleansing balm for oily skin

Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm 100ml

The Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm is potent enough to dissolve and sweep away dirt, oil, and makeup. But the formula is so gentle it doesn't strip away your skin's natural oils. We achieved this balance through a nourishing mix of emollients, including jojoba oil, almond oil and Vitamin E. These hard-working actives remove excess oils while healing and strengthening the skin barrier.

"I've used Skinician for years and love their products. This cleansing balm smells beautiful (just like a spa day) and makes taking off my makeup at night so easy, and my skin feels super soft afterwards. I now look forward to taking my makeup off at night just so I can use this again!!" - Elizabeth | Verified Reviewer

Cleanser, toner, and moisturiser set for Oily Skin

From cleansing to toning and moisturising, the Oily Skin Bundle has everything you need for your oily skincare routine. When you invest in the bundle, you'll receive £116.00 worth of products for £99.00, saving you £17.

"I have oily skin, and I've tried more products than I'd like to admit to try to control the oil. These are the best products I've tried by far!! It's great value, and it's got everything I need. Recommend to anyone with oily skin like me." - Kandice| Verified Reviewer | 5 star rating

Cleansing Gel or Cleansing Balm for Oily Skin: Which Should I Choose?

Providing you have a product formulated for your oily skin, you can use either a Cleansing Gel or Cleansing Balm. You can also use a combination of both for a thorough clean. (A pre-cleanse using a balm and a second cleanse using a gel, for example)

Both gels and balms nourish, hydrate, and rebalance the skin. Unlike harsh face washes, cleansing gels and balms are gentle enough not to strip the skin's protective layer. That means your skin won't produce more oil to overcompensate.

When it comes to oil-based balms, specifically, it's a myth that they make skin oilier. The oil actually attracts and gently removes skin grease. That said, whether you use a gel or balm, make sure your product contains suitable oils.

SKINCARE EXPERT TIP: Look for cleansers with non-comedogenic oils like jojoba, avocado, or almond rather than comedogenic oils like coconut or hazelnut, which sit too heavily on the skin.

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Oily Skin Before and After Cleansers Skin Success Story

"I've just been loving the [SKINICIAN] skincare products! I clearly see the difference between a few weeks ago and now."

That was Ruth just a few weeks into her post-partum oily skincare journey with SKINICIAN. Ruth participated in our Skin Concern Programme after her skin had completely changed post-partum. Due to hormonal changes, Ruth's skin had become very oily. She also experienced post-acne scarring because of hormonal breakouts during her pregnancy.

A SKINICIAN in-house skin specialist created a tailored skincare routine for Ruth's skin concerns. Ruth was prescribed various products, including our Purifying Cleansing Gel. We also recommended the Purifying Toner, Purifying Day Moisturiser, and Purifying Mask from the Oily Skin Bundle.

And the results were incredible.

In six weeks, Ruth swapped her excess oil and post-acne pigmentation for a bright, clear, and glowing complexion. Ruth, who continued to follow her post-partum skincare routine for oily skin after our final check-in, had this to say:

"[SKINICIAN] tailor-made products to fit my skin condition. I didn't need to mix seven, eight, 12, 15 types of things. I just used one brand with four different products. That [skincare routine] has helped me in over eight weeks…look at the glow! Look at the radiance!"

Your FAQs on Cleansers For Oily Skin Answered:

About SKINICIAN

Founded by a mother-daughter duo, Hilary and Shelley, SKINICIAN has a mission to dispel the confusion in the skincare world by offering multi-functional products that target multiple skin concerns simultaneously.

We believe that skincare should be simplified, affordable, and effective without compromising skin's health or the planet's well-being.

All of our skincare use scientific formulas consisting of 90% naturally-derived actives.

SKINICIAN's commitment to sustainability

We’re committed to being eco-friendly. All of our products are vegan, cruelty-free, PETA-approved, and crafted in the UK. We’re dedicated to happy, healthy skin that doesn’t cost the earth.

Ready to buy cleansers for your oily face?

We’re committed to you we will endeavor to dispatch your order within 24-48 hours.

Shipping and delivery

All items ordered before 2 pm are dispatched on the same day. Orders after 2 pm are dispatched the following day. Any orders placed on a Friday after 2 pm are dispatched on Monday.

More on shipping and returns.

Guides on Oily Skin and Cleansing

Our oily skin blog answers commonly asked questions about the management and prevention of oily skin.

Some of the top cleansing guides include:

The Importance of a Double Cleanse
Why Cleansing Balms are Oil Based
What is a Cleansing Balm and How Do You Use it?

And for guides on oily skin, read:

Should I moisturise if I have oily skin?
Transformative skincare ingredients for oily skin
Vitamins to take & apply to help combat oily skin
Oily skincare routine
Reasons Vitamin C is Incredible for Oily Skin
Tips to prevent and reduce oily skin

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