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Want a balanced complexion that’s all glow and none of the grease? Start your quest with the best skincare for oily skin. Stocking your cabinet with dermatologist-approved products for clearing clogged pores, banishing blackheads, and soothing acne-prone skin is half the battle in bringing a blurred, velvety finish to skin that tends to shine a little too brightly.
Beyond the usual face washes and toners that cleanse, tighten enlarged pores, and gently exfoliate, a top-notch trousseau for oily skin includes face masks and treatments designed to strengthen the skin barrier and keep the pores congestion-free. Ahead, an edit of the best skincare products for oily skin, according to dermatologists and Vogue editors.
Vogue’s Favorite Skin-Care Products for Oily Skin
- Best Blackhead Treatment: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $35
- Best Cleanser for Oily Skin: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, $13
- Best Toner for Oily Skin: Murad Clarifying Toner, $30
- Best Serum for Oily Skin: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum, $6
- Best Retinol for Oily Skin: Lalais The Retinol Renewal, $125
- Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Tatcha The Water Cream, $72
- Best Face Mask for Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Shine Control Face Mask, $22
- Best Sunscreen for Oily Skin: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $43
- Best for Excess Shine: Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops, $32
In This Story
- Why does someone have oily skin?
- How to Control Oily Skin
- What is the best skincare routine for oily skin?
- What Ingredients to Look for to Control Oily Skin
- Meet the Experts
Best Blackhead Treatment: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- Why We Love It: Infused with salicylic acid—a BHA known for unclogging the pores and reducing inflammation—this liquid exfoliant is a Vogue editor all-star for taking care of blackheads. The formula has a pH level of 3.5, which keeps its salicylic acid active and is able to effectively penetrate and decongest the pores. “What we like in particular about this formula is how easy it is to integrate into a routine—it has the consistency of water and absorbs rapidly into the skin after cleansing, so you can apply your favorite serums and moisturizers on top without pilling, Vogue contributor Emily Orofino reports. As the liquid exfoliator unclogs the pores, it also works to brighten the skin and has a smoothing effect on fine lines and wrinkles.
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea
- Size: 4 fl oz
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| Absorbs quickly, also has anti-aging effects | Can cause temporary breakouts (known as “purging”) in some skin types |
Best Cleanser for Oily Skin: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
- Why We Love It: CeraVe’s gentle foaming cleanser balances out oily skin without stripping away necessary moisture. Infused with a cocktail of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, the face wash has a foamy texture that makes for an ultra-refreshing wash. “A foaming cleanser like CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a great choice for patients with oily skin,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. “Oftentimes, patients with oily skin also have active breakouts, and a foaming cleanser enables them to effectively cleanse the skin without having to press too hard on the surface of the skin, which can feel irritated from acne.” He adds that the formula is packed with ceramides—CeraVe’s signature ingredient—which moisturizes the skin and helps maintain the overall health of the skin barrier. Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon in Austin, also recommends the drugstore pickup for oily-skinned patients. “This is a gentle yet effective option for oily skin, with ceramides to support the skin barrier and niacinamide to calm and balance oil production,” she notes. “It cleanses thoroughly without leaving the skin feeling tight or stripped.”
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide
- Size: 12 oz
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| Widely available, budget-friendly | Some users have trouble getting the pump to work |
Best Toner for Oily Skin: Murad Clarifying Toner
- Why We Love It: Murad’s dermatologist-developed toner provides skin with a lovely midday refresh. It balances oily complexions by tamping down sebum production, while witch hazel in the formula gives pores a tighter, smoother look in seconds. “This alcohol-free toner helps remove residual oil and impurities while tightening pores,” Dr. Collins says. She also likes that it contains witch hazel and algae extract, which effectively reduce shine and balance sebum production. One caveat: Since it has the tendency to dry out some skin types, those who have dry skin in the winter may opt to use the refreshing salve in the summertime only.
- Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, grape seed extract, vitamin E, algae extract
- Size: 6 oz
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| Leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed | Can cause dry skin for some |
Best Vitamin C for Oily Skin: SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
- Why We Love It: Formulated for oily and blemish-prone skin, the oil-free vitamin C serum can visibly reduces shine while boosting clarity. The oil-free version of its Vogue Verified counterpart, this one provides powerful antioxidant protection while limiting oil production and reducing breakouts through a potent blend of l-ascorbic acid, silymarin, ferulic acid, and salicylic acid. Dr. Hartman is a fan of this product for an everyday routine. Dr. Collins also endorses the brightening serum, noting that it protects the skin from future damage while clarifying pores. “This vitamin C serum is ideal for oily and acne-prone skin types,” she notes. “It has antioxidants like silymarin and ferulic acid to combat free radicals and salicylic acid to help keep pores clear.” previously that he’s a fan of this product for an everyday routine.
- Key Ingredients: L-ascorbic acid, silymarin, ferulic acid, salicylic acid
- Size: 1 fl oz
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| Oil-free, brightens, packed with antioxidants | Some users note that the packaging is easy to knock over (a tragedy at this price point!) |
Best Serum for Oily Skin: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum
- Why We Love It: In serum form, niacinamide is a worthwhile addition to any oily skin regimen as it boasts anti-inflammatory properties and can control oil production. Of the best options out there, The Ordinary’s formula is fueled by 10% niacinamide plus 1% zinc to boosts brightness and smoothness in eight weeks. Plus, it offers quite the value for its rather demure price. “A cult favorite for oily skin, this affordable serum helps regulate sebum, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, and calm inflammation,” Collins says. “It’s a go-to for clearer, more balanced skin.”
Key Ingredients: 10% Niacinamide, 1% zinc - Size: 1 oz
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| Affordable, anti-inflammatory | Some users note that it tends to pill under moisturizer or sunscreen, making it more suited for nighttime use |
Best Retinol for Oily Skin: Lalais The Retinol Renewal
- Why We Love It: Lalai’s entire lineup is designed to treat oily skin with gentle formulations that don’t include harsh actives. Its Retinol Renewal serum is our favorite of the bunch—it’s packed with retinoids, bakuchiol, peptides, and more to clear skin congestion and smooth fine lines. When used multiple times a week, it gives oily and aging skin a fresh, rejuvenated glow. “This gentle retinol helps boost cell turnover and unclog pores—two key concerns for oily skin,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. “It’s designed to refine the skin texture while minimizing breakouts.”
- Key Ingredients: Oil Control Complex (OCC3), naturally encapsulated pure retinol, granactive retinoid, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, anti-aging peptides
- Size: 0.5 fl oz
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| Gentle enough for retinol beginners | Not as widely available as some other products, requires some patience as optimum results show in eight weeks |
Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Tatcha The Water Cream
- Why We Love It: Let’s set the record straight: Oily skin still needs hydration to thrive. You just need weightless moisture that sinks into skin without exacerbating shine—a feat that Tatcha’s The Water Cream achieves with ease. “This oil-free, water-based moisturizer delivers lightweight hydration and minimizes the appearance of pores,” Dr. Garshick says. “It’s made with Japanese botanicals that help balance and purify oily skin.” The formula whips ingredients like Tatcha’s Hadasei-3 complex and Japanese leopard lily into a silky, oil-free cream that refines the look of pores to reveal a smooth, glowing complexion.
- Key Ingredients: Japanese wild rose, Japanese leopard lily, Tatcha’s Hadasei-3 complex (green tea, rice, and algae)
- Size: 1.7 oz
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| Oil-free; soothing, lightweight texture | Some users wish the jar held more product |
Best Night Cream for Oily Skin: Caudalie Premier Cru
- Why We Love It: Anyone partial to the French pharmacy approach to skin care will love Caudalie’s Premier Cru. Designed to tackle eight signs of aging from dark spots to fine lines, this blends the brand’s patented TET8 with tightening sugars and hyaluronic acid to treat skin overnight without feeling too heavy. “This is a rich yet non-comedogenic formula that hydrates and firms the skin without clogging pores,” Dr. Garshick says. “It’s ideal for oily skin types seeking anti-aging benefits without the heaviness [of some other creams].”
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, tightening sugars, TET8, Viniferine
- Size: 1.6 oz
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| Tackles eight signs of aging at once | Some users note a slightly perfumey smell, which isn’t for everyone |
Best Exfoliant for Oily Skin: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment
- Why We Love It: Sunday Riley s Good Genes cult-favorite serum draws on alpha hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate the skin for a dewy, fresh glow. Licorice, lemongrass, arnica, prickly pear extract, and aloe are featured too, in an effort to balance out the potent actives. Previously recommended by celebrity facialist Angela Caglia and often-used by Vogue senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden, this is one of those formulas that’s nearly impossible not to like—and dermatologists agree. “Exfoliation is important when you have oily skin to ensure you are removing dead skin cells,” Dr. Hartman says. “Dead skin plus oil is a recipe for breakouts and clogged pores, so regularly removing dead skin cells helps reduce that risk.” He notes that a chemical exfoliant like lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) effectively exfoliates by gently dissolving the bonds that hold skin cells together. “I like Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid as it absorbs quickly into the skin, making it easy to add into your skincare routine for exfoliation,” he adds. “The formula also has prickly pear extract, which will help soothe redness.”
- Key Ingredients: Purified lactic acid, licorice and lemongrass, prickly pear extract
- Size: 1.7 fl oz
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| Gives the skin a fresh, dewy glow | May irritate some sensitive skin types |
Best Face Mask for Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Shine Control Face Mask
- Why We Love It: Face masks are the ultimate skin care pick-me-ups. Got a rogue breakout? Find something packed with salicylic acid to reduce zits. Need to be photo-ready? Opt for something with firming and radiance benefits. Someone with oily skin, on the other hand, could appreciate something with shine control like this La Roche-Posay mask. Part of the brand’s Effaclar collection, this clay mask treats acne- and oil-prone skin types through kaolin, glycerin, and vitamin B5 to reveal matte, purified skin following a five-minute treatment. “Clay masks are a great choice for patients with oily skin who are looking for a gentle treatment that can help soak up excess oil and remove dirt, oil, and impurities from pores,” Dr. Hartman says. “La Roche-Posay Effaclar Shine Control Face Mask effectively removes excess oil, controlling shine and removing dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin.” He adds that the French mask is also non-comedogenic, which is important for those with oily skin, as its ingredients are not known to clog pores. “It’s also gentle enough to use multiple times per week,” he says.
- Key Ingredients: Kaolin, glycerin, vitamin B5
- Size: 100 ml
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| Effectively controls shine, non-comedogenic formula | The treatment takes a few minutes to work, so it’s not ideal for a quicker skincare regime |
Best Sunscreen for Oily Skin: Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
- Why We Love It: Countless dermatologists endorse EltaMD’s UV Clear, including Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, who has told Vogue previously that she “frequently recommends UV Clear to acne-prone or oily skin patients for excellent sun protection that won’t promote breakouts.” Why? This sunscreen is non-comedogenic and features lactic acid and niacinamide for anti-inflammatory and oil production benefits. Plus, it has a natural finish that’s perfect for daily wear in the summertime. And speaking of the sunny season, the formula protects the skin from UV damage with broad-spectrum, SPF 46 protection.
- Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide 9%, octinoxate 7.5%, lactic acid, niacinamide
- Size: 1.7 oz
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| Non-comedogenic, anti-inflammatory | Can leave a slight white cast on some deeper skin tones |
Best for Dark Spots: Naturium Tranexamic Acid
- Why We Love It: Say your oily skin leads to blemishes, which turn into dark spots, and you’re looking to treat post-acne hyperpigmentation. Give Naturium’s plant-powered serum a go. Though it rings in at just $20, it features an intelligent blend of skin-tone-evening agents like niacinamide, tranexamic, and kojic acid to fade discoloration and refine skin texture with ease. “This targets hyperpigmentation and post-acne dark spots without heavy oils or fragrances,” Dr. Garshick says. “It’s ideal for those with oily skin who want to even out their skin tone while keeping the pores clean.”
- Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, licorice root extract
- Size: 1 fl oz
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| Evens out skin tone, budget-friendly, decongests pores | Some users report that the product oxidizes quickly |
Best for Excess Shine: Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops
- Why We Love It: While reducing excess oil and giving the skin a soft-focus glow, Glow Recipe’s TikTok-famous drops provide a silky smooth makeup base or, as the brand dubs it, “satin-pillow skin.” It does so via encapsulated BHAs (or beta-hydroxy acids) and strawberry enzymes to shrink pore size over time. The formula also harnesses a plant-derived pore minimizer and strawberry leaf extract for mattifying benefits. “These are great for oil control throughout the day,” Dr. Collins says, while Dr. Garshick praises the formula for its multitasking efficacy. “These drops act as both skincare and primer, using BHAs and fruit enzymes to control oil and blur the pores,” she says. “They’re perfect for mattifying the T-zone or prepping the skin before makeup.”
- Key Ingredients: Tapioca and rice, encapsulated BHA and strawberry enzyme, plant-derived pore minimizer and strawberry leaf extract
- Size: 1 fl oz
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| Creates a beautiful, blurred makeup base | May irritate sensitive or dry skin |
Best Lotion for Oily Skin: La Prairie Skin Caviar Essence-in-Lotion
- Why We Love It: hen skin is feeling extra oily or you plan to layer on the products, you may want to forgo a face moisturizer in favor of a lightweight lotion. La Prairie’s is a Vogue editor favorite that drenches skin in hydration, flooding it with 100% active caviar water that lifts and tones while blurring out the appearance of pores. Use it after toner and follow with your favorite serum or whatever your skin craves that day. “This is a luxurious option that hydrates and tones the skin in one step,” Dr. Garshick says. “Though it has a rich-sounding name, it has a lightweight finish that suits oily skin types.”
- Key Ingredients: Caviar water
- Size: 5 oz
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| Lightweight texture, hydrating, lifts and tones | Can feel drying on skin types that aren’t very oily |
Best Peel for Oily Skin: Skin Design London Clear Skin Peel
- Why We Love It: Skin Design London’s Clear Skin Peel is another one of Murden’s favorite oily skin treatments for its ability to clear skin congestion in a matter of minutes. Featuring a cocktail of potent ingredients like BHA, niacinamide, and doic acid similar to that of a professional treatment, this whisks away excess oil to give the complexion a beautifully blurred finish. “This professional-grade peel helps resurface oily, congested skin with ingredients that clarify, decongest, and improve tone,” Dr. Collins says. “It’s a powerful reset for skin prone to breakouts or dullness.”
Key Ingredients: Dioic acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid, magnolia grandiflora bark extract - Size: 1 fl oz
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| Clears skin congestion in minutes | As with any peel, this one might cause mild side effects, such as temporary breakouts |
Best Face Scrub for Oily Skin: Lancer The Method Polish
- Why We Love It: Sometimes you just need a good face scrub to remove excess gunk from your pores and wake up dull skin. Here, in Lancer’s The Method Polish, enzymes and physical exfoliants sync up to reveal a softer, dewier complexion. All the while, the retexturizing treatment speeds up cell turnover to reduce the appearance of fine lines in four weeks. Dr. Hartman previously explained to Vogue that the formula combines uniform magnesium crystals with pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes. The ingredients conspire to loosen the bonds holding dead skin cells in place, then sweep them away to unveil a smoother, softer texture. “The formula helps improve the skin’s overall appearance with antioxidant-rich winged kelp, which hydrates and leaves the skin feeling refreshed,” he said.
- Key Ingredients: Pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes, magnesium crystals, lilac stem cells, salicylic acid
- Size: 4.2 oz
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| Gives the skin a softer, smoother texture | Can feel abrasive if skin isn’t damp enough or if it’s applied with too much pressure |
Best Hyaluronic Acid for Oily Skin: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum
- Why We Love It: To make hyaluronic acid work for oily skin, it should offer the moisturizing agent in a satin-y, sink-right-in texture—like La Roche-Posay’s Hyalu B5. Equal parts hydrating, soothing, and nourishing, the French-pharmacy classic restores bouncy volume to the skin while smoothing out fine lines courtesy of pure hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, madecassoside. “Hydration is still essential for oily skin, and this serum delivers it with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5,” Dr. Collins says. “It plumps and soothes without any greasy residue.” Meanwhile, Dr. Hartman says that the serum is: “A great choice to incorporate into your daily skincare routine to replenish lost moisture and boost skin’s overall appearance.”
Key Ingredients: Pure hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, madecassoside - Size: 1.69 fl oz
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| Hydrating, soothing, fits seamlessly into an everyday skincare regime | Though some describe the scent as light and fresh, others find it too strong |
Why does someone have oily skin?
“Oily skin is a skin type that is often genetic, but at times can be influenced by other factors,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf. “Hormonal fluctuations, stress, your skincare routine, dehydration, and time of year can all make skin more susceptible to oiliness.” She adds that oily skin can be more prevalent during hot and humid months, and in some instances, can also experience an increase in oil production during “pregnancy, post-partum, and menopause.”
How to Control Oily Skin
“To control oily skin, I recommend using a BHA like salicylic acid, which can penetrate pores to exfoliate excess sebum buildup, keeping oil buildup at bay,” Graf says. “I also recommend keeping skin hydrated, because when skin becomes dehydrated it will overcompensate and produce more oil. Finally, you can incorporate oil- production-controlling ingredients into your skincare routine and use lightweight products.”
What is the best skin-care routine for oily skin?
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mary Lupo breaks down an ideal three-step skin-care routine for oily skin below:
- Cleanse: “To build a routine for oily skin, I would recommend finding a cleanser with salicylic acid and AHAs to help gently exfoliate the skin,” she says.
- Tone: “Next, I’d recommend some sort of peel or toner to rebalance the skin and minimize the look of pores,” Lupo adds.
- Moisturize: “To finish off the routine, look for gel-based [moisturizers] rather than lotion-based as gels won’t add any extra oils to the skin,” she concludes.
What Ingredients to Look for to Control Oily Skin
When selecting skincare for oily skin, dermatologists recommend seeking out the sebum-balancing ingredients below.
- Hyaluronic acid: “This is great in aiding in hydration, without feeling heavy,” Dr. Lupo says.
- Alpha-hydroxy acids: Another one of Dr. Lupo’s top picks for oily skin, these chemical exfoliants—which include glycolic, lactic, and citric acids—gently dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells to brighten and smooth.
- Beta-hydroxy acids: These oil-soluble, chemical exfoliants penetrate into the pores to decongest them of excess sebum. Including salicylic acid, this class of ingredients also brightens the skin while minimizing acne breakouts.
- Vitamin C: Dr. Graf encourages patients with oily skin to use vitamin C treatments in the morning. The powerful antioxidant regulates oil production to reduce shine and clear the pores. It can also diminish the appearance of redness associated with acne; not to mention, it works synergistically with SPF to protect the skin from UV damage.
- Niacinamide: Dr. Graf also recommends using this vitamin B3 derivative—which regulates oil production and reduces inflammation—in the daytime.
- Retinol: Best used at night as it may increase sensitivity to the sun, this vitamin A derivative is a classic in anti-aging skincare for its ability to kickstart cellular turnover. In removing dead skin cells, the ingredient—which is a favorite of Dr. Graf for oily skin—also decongests the pores. Retinol can also help regulate sebum production.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Mary Lupo is a board-certified dermatologist and expert injector based in New Orleans.
- Dr. Jeannette Graf is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
- Dr. Corey L. Hartman is board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama.