How To Choose the Right Skincare Products for Oily Skin

How Can I Stop My Skin From Looking So Oily?

A dedicated skincare routine is essential for managing oily skin. However, before you can curate the perfect oily skin routine, you’ll need to understand what causes an oily face in the first place. According to the Cleveland Clinic, oily skin may have a genetic component, but it can be influenced by several other factors, including fluctuating hormones, humidity levels, age, diet, and stress.^1,2

Being mindful of oily skin triggers is one way to help keep excess sebum under control. For example, you can focus on making lifestyle changes, such as managing stress levels, eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and paying close attention to your cleansing routine during the hot, humid summer months (when skin tends to be oilier). 

What’s the Ideal Skincare Routine for Oily Skin?

Skincare for oily skin should strike a balance between maintaining your skin’s moisture levels and addressing visible oiliness, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.¹ To achieve this, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends sticking to a morning and evening regimen that includes cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection (for daytime).³

At a basic level, your oily skin routine should include a non-drying cleanser, daytime moisturizer with broad-spectrum sunscreen, and nighttime moisturizer. When choosing oily skin products, it’s essential to check the product label to ensure that the formulas are suitable for oily skin (most product labels should include this information). 

What Does CeraVe Recommend When Choosing Products for Oily Skin?

Building an effective skincare routine for oily skin starts with choosing the right cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen (or moisturizer with sunscreen). CeraVe recommends looking for oily skin products that are gentle, allergy-tested, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic—so they won’t clog your pores or contribute to breakouts.

We also suggest choosing formulas that are developed with dermatologists and feature beneficial ingredients—like calming niacinamide, hydrating hyaluronic acid, barrier-supporting ceramides, and oil-absorbing silica. For oily skin that’s prone to acne breakouts, CeraVe recommends trying gentle yet effective products with ingredients like salicylic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA) or benzoyl peroxide. 

Choosing a Facial Cleanser for Oily Skin

The optimal cleanser for oily skin removes dirt, oil, sweat, and other impurities without disrupting the skin barrier or leaving the skin feeling stripped, tight, or uncomfortable. Those with oily skin may prefer water-based foaming cleansers (like foaming gel cleansers). These formulas can be especially effective at eliminating dirt and excess sebum from the skin’s surface. Foaming cleansers also produce a foaming lather that can help leave your skin feeling deeply cleansed and refreshed.

Double cleansing—where you wash your face with an oil-based cleanser before following with a water-based cleanser—is another popular option for oily skin. Just be sure to choose an oil-based cleanser that’s non-comedogenic and residue-free, such as CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm. To learn more, visit CeraVe’s guide to choosing the right cleanser for oily skin.

Does oily skin need a stronger face wash?

Some people believe that the only way to remove excess oil is by “drying out” the skin with frequent cleansing and strong cleanser formulas. However, this generally isn’t a good idea and may actually do more harm than good. Overcleansing your skin or using drying cleansers can irritate your skin and disrupt its natural protective barrier. This, in turn, may cause your skin’s sebaceous glands to overcompensate, producing even more oil as a result. To help support your skin’s moisture balance, the Cleveland Clinic recommends washing oily skin with a gentle cleanser twice per day (morning and night) and after exercising.²

Choosing a Facial Serum for Oily Skin

Facial serums can make great additions to your skincare routine if you’re looking to improve the appearance of specific oily skin concerns, such as large pores or uneven skin texture. Popular ingredients in facial serums for oily skin include salicylic acid, retinol, and niacinamide. When choosing a serum for oily skin, CeraVe recommends looking for gentle formulas with hydrating ingredients that target skin concerns without irritating your skin or disrupting the skin barrier.

Choosing a Facial Moisturizer for Oily Skin

One of the most common skincare myths is that those with oily skin don’t need to moisturize. However, oily skin requires plenty of nourishment to look and feel its best—and that’s where moisturizers play an important role. These essential skincare products hydrate your skin and help prevent water loss (also known as transepidermal water loss, or TEWL). The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying moisturizer daily, even if your skin is on the oilier side.¹

With that said, selecting the right type of moisturizer is key if you want to hydrate your skin without adding unwanted shine. The Cleveland Clinic recommends opting for lightweight moisturizer formulas that are non-comedogenic and oil-free.² Many people with oily skin prefer the refreshing feel of water-based moisturizers—especially gels, which tend to be the most lightweight moisturizer option available. It may also be a good idea to steer clear of heavy, oil-based creams and ointments that contain pore-clogging ingredients, such as lanolin, mineral oil, and sunflower oil. Instead, CeraVe suggests choosing moisturizers that contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide.

For daytime, it’s also important to choose a moisturizer that includes broad-spectrum sunscreen in its formula (or apply a face sunscreen following your moisturizer). At night, CeraVe recommends using a non-comedogenic moisturizer that can deliver lightweight moisture while you sleep—so you can start the day with fresh, hydrated skin. 

CeraVe’s Favorite Skincare Products for Oily Skin

Below, browse some of our top product recommendations for oily skin.

Cleansers

Our Best Foaming Cleanser for Oily Skin: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

This foaming gel face wash deeply cleanses to remove dirt and excess oil without disrupting the skin’s protective barrier. It refreshes normal to oily skin with a non-drying formula that contains beneficial ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.

Our Best Cleanser for Oily Skin and Clogged Pores: CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser

We recommend reaching for this cleanser if you have oily skin that’s prone to blackheads and other types of acne blemishes. This refreshing gel-to-foam cleanser with 2% salicylic acid and ceramides gently cleanses, reduces blackheads and whiteheads, and improves the appearance of pores. Plus, it also features clay to help absorb excess oil.

Our Best Bar Soap for Oily Skin: CeraVe Foaming Cleanser Bar 

Bar soaps can make a convenient cleansing option, and this foaming formula with kaolin clay is the perfect pick for oily skin. The non-comedogenic, soap-free cleansing bar can be used to thoroughly remove excess oil and dirt on your face and body. With this formula, you can enjoy the benefits of a foaming cleanser in an easy-to-use bar form.

Our Best Cleanser for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin: CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser

CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser with 4% benzoyl peroxide is formulated to clear acne, thoroughly dissolve dirt and excess oil, and help prevent new acne blemishes from forming. This cleanser formula is gentle on your skin and features beneficial ingredients such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. With continued use, it helps promote clear, healthy-looking skin without dryness or flaking.

For oily skin with persistent acne breakouts, you can also try a higher-strength option, such as CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash. This acne wash is suitable for use on your face and body and features 10% benzoyl peroxide—the highest strength available without a prescription. The formula helps clear acne pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads without disrupting the skin’s protective barrier. 

Facial Serums & Treatments

Our Best Serum for Oily Skin With Large Pores: CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

This daily serum with encapsulated retinol is a great option if your oily skin is accompanied by large pores or post-acne marks. The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula gently refines your skin’s surface for a smoother, more even-toned complexion. It features licorice root extract to help brighten your skin’s appearance and is formulated to minimize the look of pores.

Our Best Treatment Gel for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin: CeraVe Acne Control Gel

As mentioned above, oily skin can be more prone to experiencing blackheads and other types of acne blemishes. This hydrating acne treatment gel with 2% salicylic acid can be used daily to clear acne and help prevent new breakouts from forming. The formula utilizes a blend of AHAs (glycolic and lactic acids) and BHAs (salicylic acid) to gently exfoliate your skin’s surface, which can improve the appearance of large pores and uneven skin texture.

Facial Moisturizers

Our Best Overall Moisturizer for Oily Skin: CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream

CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream is a lightweight gel-cream moisturizer that delivers all-day hydration, reduces shine, and helps restore the skin barrier. It features oil-absorbing technology with silica to help absorb excess oil and rebalance oily to combination skin. This oil control formula has a non-greasy, matte finish that layers well under makeup without pilling.

Our Best Gel Moisturizer for Oily Skin: CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel

Our hydrating facial gel with niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid has a weightless feel and a refreshing gel texture that makes it ideal for oily skin. The non-comedogenic formula is designed to provide your skin with lasting hydration without leaving it feeling greasy or sticky after application. It’s also suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Our Best Oily Skin Moisturizer With Sunscreen: CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion

For daytime, oily skin types can enjoy a multitasking moisturizer that has sunscreen included in its formula—like CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion with broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen. This lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer is formulated specifically for normal to oily skin. It has a matte finish and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. (For sun protection, this product must be reapplied at least every two hours, in addition to using other sun protection measures).

Note: When choosing oily skin products, it’s important to remember that everyone’s skin is unique. If you have any specific questions or concerns about how to choose face products for oily skin, it’s always best to consult a board-certified dermatologist.

For help choosing the right products for your specific skin type and concerns, use our Find My Skincare Solution tool.