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Tried and Tested Products for Oily Skin That Actually Work
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items Managing oily skin isn’t just about blotting sheets and luck. I’ve tried tons of products over the years, and these are the ones I actually trust. Whether it’s a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin, an oil-free moisturizer that doesn’t feel ...
Sections
5
Cleanser
Toner
Moisturizer
Sunscreen
Serums
Cleanser
Oily skin isn’t just about shine, it’s about clogged pores, breakouts, and that constant feeling of grime. The cleansers I’ve listed here actually clean without stripping your skin or leaving it tight and angry. Think of these as the first step to a ...
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser – The Face Wash That Changed My Oily Skin Game
If you have oily or acne-prone skin and everything else has either stripped your skin or broken you out, this cleanser is for you. It’s powered by salicylic acid (which helps clear out clogged pores and reduce breakouts) and has ceramides to protect ...
It’s non-drying, fragrance-free, and works great even if you have sensitive skin. I’ve personally used this as a daily cleanser and noticed fewer breakouts, less grease by midday, and smoother skin texture. Plus, it pairs really well with the rest of...
If you have oily or acne-prone skin and everything else has either stripped your skin or broken you out, this cleanser is for you. It’s powered by salicylic acid (which helps clear out clogged pores and reduce breakouts) and has ceramides to protect ...
It’s non-drying, fragrance-free, and works great even if you have sensitive skin. I’ve personally used this as a daily cleanser and noticed fewer breakouts, less grease by midday, and smoother skin texture. Plus, it pairs really well with the rest of...
Renewing SA Cleanser, Salicylic Acid Face Wash for Balanced Skin - 8.0 oz
Foaming Facial Cleanser, Gel-Based Face Wash for Balanced to Oily Skin
A go-to cleanser if you have oily or combination skin that needs a proper deep cleanse without feeling stripped.
The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is gel-based, fragrance-free, and packed with ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acids, so while it clears excess oil and grime, it also supports your skin barrier.
No tight, squeaky feeling. Just balanced, refreshed skin that behaves.
A go-to cleanser if you have oily or combination skin that needs a proper deep cleanse without feeling stripped.
The CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is gel-based, fragrance-free, and packed with ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acids, so while it clears excess oil and grime, it also supports your skin barrier.
No tight, squeaky feeling. Just balanced, refreshed skin that behaves.
Foaming Facial Cleanser, Gel-Based Face Wash for Balanced to Oily Skin - 12.0 oz
Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash
If you're dealing with oily or acne-prone skin, this gentle foaming face wash is a great pick. It’s specifically designed to remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities without stripping your skin.
Dermatologist-developed and non-comedogenic, it helps maintain a healthy skin barrier while giving that fresh, clean feeling. Ideal for daily use on sensitive or breakout-prone skin.
If you're dealing with oily or acne-prone skin, this gentle foaming face wash is a great pick. It’s specifically designed to remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities without stripping your skin.
Dermatologist-developed and non-comedogenic, it helps maintain a healthy skin barrier while giving that fresh, clean feeling. Ideal for daily use on sensitive or breakout-prone skin.
Cetaphil, Derma Control™, Oil Removing Foam Wash, 8 fl oz (237 ml)
Toner
Toners aren’t just water in fancy bottles, at least not the ones I’ve picked. These toners are light, refreshing, and help control oil while calming irritated skin. Perfect for balancing your skin after cleansing, especially if you’re prone to lookin...
Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner – The Lightweight Toner My Oily Skin Loves
Toners can be tricky when you’ve got oily skin, most of them either dry you out or make you feel sticky. Not this one.
This toner is infused with Jeju green tea extract, and it’s my go-to when my skin feels irritated, greasy, or congested.
It’s alcohol-free, helps control excess sebum, and gives a really refreshing, matte finish without making my skin tight.
If you’re dealing with oiliness and breakouts and want a non-comedogenic toner that actually calms, this is a staple worth trying.
Toners can be tricky when you’ve got oily skin, most of them either dry you out or make you feel sticky. Not this one.
This toner is infused with Jeju green tea extract, and it’s my go-to when my skin feels irritated, greasy, or congested.
It’s alcohol-free, helps control excess sebum, and gives a really refreshing, matte finish without making my skin tight.
If you’re dealing with oiliness and breakouts and want a non-comedogenic toner that actually calms, this is a staple worth trying.
ISNtree, Green Tea Fresh Toner, 6.76 fl oz (200 ml)
Moisturizer
Yes, even oily skin needs a moisturizer (and no, skipping it isn’t helping). These picks are lightweight, non-greasy, and made for skin that gets oily fast. They hydrate without suffocating your pores and won’t make you look like you just ran a marat...
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Matte Moisturizer. Finally, a Hydrating Moisturizer That Doesn’t Make Me Look Like a Greaseball
If you’ve got oily skin, you know the struggle: you want hydration, but not the extra shine.
This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer gives my skin exactly what it needs, hydration + barrier repair, without clogging pores or turning my face into a disco ball.
It’s enriched with niacinamide, ceramides, and prebiotic thermal water, and leaves a matte, balanced finish that actually lasts.
If your oily skin hates thick creams but still craves moisture, you need this.
If you’ve got oily skin, you know the struggle: you want hydration, but not the extra shine.
This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer gives my skin exactly what it needs, hydration + barrier repair, without clogging pores or turning my face into a disco ball.
It’s enriched with niacinamide, ceramides, and prebiotic thermal water, and leaves a matte, balanced finish that actually lasts.
If your oily skin hates thick creams but still craves moisture, you need this.
Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer – 0.5% Salicylic Acid
This lightweight, oil-control moisturizer contains 0.5% salicylic acid, a clinically proven ingredient for clearing and preventing breakouts.
It’s fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and formulated so it doesn’t clog pores, ideal if you want shine control without compromising hydration.
I use it daily to keep my skin balanced, smooth, and less prone to midday grease.
This lightweight, oil-control moisturizer contains 0.5% salicylic acid, a clinically proven ingredient for clearing and preventing breakouts.
It’s fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and formulated so it doesn’t clog pores, ideal if you want shine control without compromising hydration.
I use it daily to keep my skin balanced, smooth, and less prone to midday grease.
Cetaphil, Gentle Clear, Mattifying Acne Moisturizer , 3 fl oz (89 ml)
If you're tired of moisturizers that turn your oily skin into a shiny mess by 11 a.m., this one's worth trying.
The Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with SPF 30 is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and actually helps control shine.
I reach for this when I need sun protection and hydration without feeling greasy.
Great for oily, acne-prone skin that still needs moisture (yes, even oily skin needs it!).
The Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with SPF 30 is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and actually helps control shine.
I reach for this when I need sun protection and hydration without feeling greasy.
Great for oily, acne-prone skin that still needs moisture (yes, even oily skin needs it!).
Cetaphil, Derma Control™, Oil Absorbing Moisturizer, SPF 30, 4 fl oz (118 ml)
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer
If you’ve got oily skin and still end up feeling dry (the audacity!), this gel-based moisturizer is a total win. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid, feels super lightweight, and soaks in instantly, no greasiness, no heaviness.
I like using it especially during the day when my skin needs hydration but not shine. It layers well under sunscreen and makeup, and keeps my skin feeling soft without clogging anything up.
If you’ve got oily skin and still end up feeling dry (the audacity!), this gel-based moisturizer is a total win. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid, feels super lightweight, and soaks in instantly, no greasiness, no heaviness.
I like using it especially during the day when my skin needs hydration but not shine. It layers well under sunscreen and makeup, and keeps my skin feeling soft without clogging anything up.
Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer
CeraVe PM Lotion Face Moisturizer (Oil-Free Night Cream)
If you're looking for a lightweight, non-greasy night moisturizer that actually works for oily or acne-prone skin, this one's a solid pick.
It’s oil-free, fragrance-free, and contains niacinamide and ceramides to help calm and repair your skin barrier overnight.
I like using it when my skin needs hydration without any heaviness, it sinks in quickly and never clogs pores. A simple, fuss-free option that just does the job.
If you're looking for a lightweight, non-greasy night moisturizer that actually works for oily or acne-prone skin, this one's a solid pick.
It’s oil-free, fragrance-free, and contains niacinamide and ceramides to help calm and repair your skin barrier overnight.
I like using it when my skin needs hydration without any heaviness, it sinks in quickly and never clogs pores. A simple, fuss-free option that just does the job.
PM Lotion Face Moisturizer, Oil-free Night Cream for All Skin Types - 3.0 oz
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Daily Face Moisturizer (for Oily Skin)
This is one of those moisturizers that doesn’t just hydrate, it also helps visibly reduce shine and refine pores.
With a mattifying texture and ingredients like sebulyse (a shine-control active), it’s especially helpful if your skin turns into an oil-slick by noon.
If you’ve got oily, acne-prone skin and want something light that won’t clog your pores, this one’s worth adding to your routine.
I like using it during the day under sunscreen, it keeps things balanced without feeling heavy.
This is one of those moisturizers that doesn’t just hydrate, it also helps visibly reduce shine and refine pores.
With a mattifying texture and ingredients like sebulyse (a shine-control active), it’s especially helpful if your skin turns into an oil-slick by noon.
If you’ve got oily, acne-prone skin and want something light that won’t clog your pores, this one’s worth adding to your routine.
I like using it during the day under sunscreen, it keeps things balanced without feeling heavy.
Effaclar Mat Daily Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin - La Roche-Posay | Ulta Beauty
Sunscreen
Finding a sunscreen that doesn’t make oily skin worse is a full-time job. After testing formulas that either left a white cast, felt greasy, or caused breakouts, I finally found a few that don’t mess with your skin. These are lightweight and sit well...
If you’ve got oily or acne-prone skin and hate the greasy feel most sunscreens leave behind, this one’s a win.
The Make It Matte SPF 45 is lightweight, actually matte, and doesn’t leave a white cast, even on deeper skin tones.
It also layers smoothly under makeup and won’t clog your pores. Finally, a broad-spectrum SPF that protects without making your face feel like a frying pan.
The Make It Matte SPF 45 is lightweight, actually matte, and doesn’t leave a white cast, even on deeper skin tones.
It also layers smoothly under makeup and won’t clog your pores. Finally, a broad-spectrum SPF that protects without making your face feel like a frying pan.
Make It Matte Sunscreen - SPF 45
If you're dealing with scars and also need sun protection, this Derma E Scar Cream with SPF 35 is a smart addition to your skincare routine.
It’s lightweight, blends well under makeup, and doesn’t leave a white cast. Plus, it helps protect healing skin from sun damage, which is super important when you’re trying to fade dark spots or acne scars.
It’s lightweight, blends well under makeup, and doesn’t leave a white cast. Plus, it helps protect healing skin from sun damage, which is super important when you’re trying to fade dark spots or acne scars.
Derma-E Scar Cream Sun Protectant SPF 35, 1.5 oz Sunscreen
Serums
This section features lightweight, fast-absorbing serums I personally use and recommend for oily, acne-prone skin.
Maelove Moonlight Advanced Retinal Super Serum
If you’ve been looking to upgrade your PM routine without wrecking your skin barrier, this one’s it.
I added it for its encapsulated retinal (stronger than regular retinol but still gentle), and it actually helped even out my skin tone and smooth texture without irritation.
If you’re new to retinal, go slow but it’s 100% worth the commitment.
If you’ve been looking to upgrade your PM routine without wrecking your skin barrier, this one’s it.
I added it for its encapsulated retinal (stronger than regular retinol but still gentle), and it actually helped even out my skin tone and smooth texture without irritation.
If you’re new to retinal, go slow but it’s 100% worth the commitment.
Moonlight Advanced Retinal Night Serum
I was skeptical about retinol at first, but this Stargaze Enhanced Retinol Serum changed the game for me.
It’s gentle enough for sensitive, oily skin yet effective enough to smooth texture and support clearer skin over time.
If you’re looking to include retinol in your nighttime routine without waking up to redness or irritation, this one’s worth adding to your list.
It’s gentle enough for sensitive, oily skin yet effective enough to smooth texture and support clearer skin over time.
If you’re looking to include retinol in your nighttime routine without waking up to redness or irritation, this one’s worth adding to your list.
Enhanced Retinol Serum with Hyaluronic Acid - Stargaze
iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Serum
If your skin throws tantrums (hello, surprise pimples and angry redness), this serum is that calm friend who brings snacks and tells your skin to chill.
With tea tree for soothing irritation and centella asiatica for healing, it's lightweight, non-sticky, and perfect for oily and acne-prone skin.
I keep it in my routine for those “uh-oh” skin days when breakouts feel inevitable. It’s gentle enough to use daily and plays well with the rest of my skincare.
If your skin throws tantrums (hello, surprise pimples and angry redness), this serum is that calm friend who brings snacks and tells your skin to chill.
With tea tree for soothing irritation and centella asiatica for healing, it's lightweight, non-sticky, and perfect for oily and acne-prone skin.
I keep it in my routine for those “uh-oh” skin days when breakouts feel inevitable. It’s gentle enough to use daily and plays well with the rest of my skincare.
iUNIK, Tea Tree Relief Serum, 1.69 fl oz (50 ml)