If you struggle with oily skin, finding the right face wash can be a game-changer for your skincare routine. Proper cleansing helps control excess oil, prevents acne, and creates a clean canvas for the rest of your skincare products. Dermatologists recommend specific ingredients and practices that are gentle yet effective for oily and oily sensitive skin types. This guide breaks down the best face washes you should try, along with expert tips on how to cleanse your oily skin the right way.

How to Properly Cleanse Oily Skin

Cleansing oily skin twice a day — morning and night — is essential. In the morning, a good cleanser removes the oil accumulated overnight. At night, it cleans away sunscreen, makeup, and pollutants from the day so your skin can breathe and repair.

Cleansing Steps:

1. Wet your face completely with lukewarm water.
2. Apply a dime-sized amount of the face wash.
3. Gently lather and massage the cleanser onto your skin.
4. Leave on for about 30 seconds to allow active ingredients to work.
5. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
6. Pat your face dry gently with a soft towel or allow it to air dry.
7. Immediately follow with a gel-based moisturizer to restore hydration and soothe skin.

Important Tips:

• Avoid harsh scrubs or rough towel rubbing, which can irritate oily, sensitive skin and worsen oil production.
• Limit exfoliation to once a week because over-exfoliating strips protective skin layers, causing inflammation.
• Use gentle, sulfate-free or mild surfactant cleansers designed for oily or sensitive skin.

The Top 5 Dermatologist-Recommended Face Washes for Oily Skin

1. B Calm Salicylic Acid Face Wash

Perfect for oily, oily sensitive, and acne-prone skin, this cleanser is soap and sulfate-free yet deep-cleansing. It contains salicylic acid to reduce oil and dead skin buildup, prebiotics to maintain your skin’s microbiome, and antibacterial agents like quinarium 73 to fight acne-causing bacteria.

• Key benefits: Controls oil, prevents blackheads and whiteheads, soothes sensitive skin, and is safe for fungal acne.
• Price: ₹349 for 80 ml.
• Suitable for both men and women looking for a calming daily cleanser.

2. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

This cleanser features glycerin and ceramides to hydrate and calm skin, with sodium laurel lactylate as a gentle surfactant. It creates a mild foam that cleanses without drying, making it ideal for normal to slightly oily skin types.

• Price: ₹1,149 for 236 ml.
• Best for those who experience oiliness mainly by the end of the day or have combination skin.

3. Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser

With sodium laurel sulfate and sodium lauryl sarcosinate, Cetaphil offers strong cleansing power suitable for oily skin. It also includes glycerin, panthenol, and castor oil to reduce dryness and irritation.

• Price: ₹699 for 125 ml.
• Recommended for oily skin that tolerates mild surfactants well.

4. Bioderma Sebium Gel Moussant

Formulated with antibacterial zinc and copper sulfates, and lactic acid for gentle exfoliation, this gel cleanser removes impurities effectively while moisturizing the skin. The formula includes humectants like mannitol and xylitol for added hydration.

• Price: ₹800 for 100 ml.
• Ideal for oily skin prone to breakouts seeking gentle daily cleansing.

5. Episoft OC Cleansing Gel

This gel cleanser contains very gentle surfactants such as sodium lauryl glycoside and mild hydrating ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide. It balances cleansing with calming benefits, suitable for oily and combination skin.

• Price: ₹550 for 125 ml.
• A great budget-friendly option for mild to moderate oiliness.

Conclusion: Effective Cleansing for Oily Skin

For oily or oily sensitive skin, the key is using gentle, effective cleansers without harsh irritants or over-exfoliation. Try these dermatologist-recommended face washes to help control excess oil, reduce acne, and keep your skin calm and healthy. Don’t forget to finish with a gel-based moisturizer to maintain your skin barrier and hydration.

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By following these recommendations, your oily skin can achieve a fresh, balanced, and radiant appearance every day.