10 Best Cleansers for Oily Skin, Tested by the Men's Health Lab

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Best cleanser for oily skin

Vichy Normaderm Phytosolution Intensive Purifying Gel 400ml

Best cleanser for oily skin

Vichy Normaderm Phytosolution Intensive Purifying Gel 400ml

Now 15% Off

This face wash is designed to sweep away everything you may pick up at the gym — from dust to dirt to pollutant particles — to leave skin blemish-free.

We loved the gel texture that left skin feeling fresh while also reducing breakouts. If you suffer from an oily T-zone, we found it helped rebalance skin’s oiliness too, without leaving any tightness behind.

Best cleanser for acne prone skin

Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser 177ml

Best cleanser for acne prone skin

Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser 177ml

Now 25% Off

Banish pesky blemishes and soothe your skin — without stripping away essential oils and moisture — with this impressive, low-foam cleanser. Use it twice a day and you’ll notice any gunk clogging up your pores, disappear.

What sets this cleanser apart is its formula, which is loaded with salicylic acid and nourishing botanicals such as aloe vera, chamomile, and thyme. These game-changing ingredients achieve a healthy-looking complexion, and the silky texture and deep cleansing power leave skin feeling refreshed and purified. Testers were pleased to see a significant reduction in blemishes and a rebalancing of oily complexions.

Best cleanser for blackheads

Garnier Pure Active Intensive 3 in1 Charcoal Anti-Blackhead Wash, Scrub & Mask 150ml

Best cleanser for blackheads

Garnier Pure Active Intensive 3 in1 Charcoal Anti-Blackhead Wash, Scrub & Mask 150ml

Costing you just over a fiver, we found this one gave skin a much needed detox, successfully reducing excess oil and sebum to clear the complexion.

It came into its own when reducing the appearance of pores and blackheads, as well as working to calm any post-shave redness and inflammation.

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Best for softer skin

No7 Men Oil Control Exfoliating Face Wash 150ml

Best for softer skin

No7 Men Oil Control Exfoliating Face Wash 150ml

Claiming to unclog pores – without upsetting sensitive skin – we found this cleanser helped keep us shine-free and reduced how often spots reared their ugly heads.

The final result? Skin appeared noticeably brighter, and as soft as a Labrador puppy.

Best face wash for oil control

Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser 147ml

Best face wash for oil control

Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser 147ml

Yes, you should work up a sweat during your workout but if you find skin is still greasy after you’ve showered, there may be a problem.

Don’t fret though, as this exfoliating cleanser sweeps away dead skin cells and tackles oiliness to leave you with smoother, clearer skin. We found it did a great job at controlling oil throughout the day, so you don’t end up looking like a greaseball by noon.

Best budget men's face wash

L'Oreal Men Expert Pure Carbon Purifying Daily Face Wash Cleanser 100ml

Best budget men's face wash

L'Oreal Men Expert Pure Carbon Purifying Daily Face Wash Cleanser 100ml

A little goes a long way with this exfoliating cleanser. We noticed it gave skin a refreshing tingle when applied, and cleared breakouts — which, at under £6, makes it a total bargain too.

Note: due to the charcoal, the cleanser is a dark black, so keep it away from any white towels and flannels to avoid stains.

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Best for sensitive oily skin

Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser 150ml

Best for sensitive oily skin

Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser 150ml

Does your skin get really red after a workout and feel sensitive to touch? It’s important to avoid using anything too harsh then, as it will only make the irritation worse.

Instead, opt for a gentler cleanse. This option still creates a rich lather without being too stripping, and we found it immediately left skin clearer.

Best for quick results

Bioderma Sebium Purifying Foaming Gel 500ml

Best for quick results

Bioderma Sebium Purifying Foaming Gel 500ml

Now 16% Off

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a cooling sensation on your skin after a hot and sweaty gym sesh. This foaming cleanser instantly did the trick, calming skin to help reduce any redness and inflammation after just one use. We also noticed fewer pesky blackheads.

Best 2-in-1 cleanser and mask

Lab Series Oil Control Clay Cleanser + Mask 100ml

Best 2-in-1 cleanser and mask

Lab Series Oil Control Clay Cleanser + Mask 100ml

Keep your bathroom sink clutter-free with this 2-in-1 cleanser that also doubles up as a face mask or spot treatment.

We found it successfully rebalanced skin, soaking up any unwanted oil to leave it feeling hydrated. It even worked well on beard hair, earning it our seal of approval.

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Best for dull skin

Dermalogica MediBac Clearing Skin Wash 250ml

Best for dull skin

Dermalogica MediBac Clearing Skin Wash 250ml

Containing invigorating ingredients such as balm mint, menthol and eucalyptus, this wash is designed to give dull skin a wake-up call, while tea tree oil soothes any breakouts.

We found it quickly worked to reduce any redness caused by spots and left skin looking plumped and moisturised ready for the day ahead.