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How To Choose The Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin
Oil…it has its place. Sometimes we just wish it wouldn’t create such a fuss. At its base, oil (aka sebum) is there to keep our skin hydrated and soft — your body produces it for a reason. Although, too much of it can leave you with a lacquered look that isn’t exactly coveted past a fresh coat of paint on your Honda Civic.
But though sebum has an important purpose, our skin can sometimes produce too much of it. This causes pimples, acne, and a shine so bright you fear it’ll blind anyone who passes your way.
Excess oil is experienced by the droves, you’re not alone my friend, and it’s that very reason why there are a million and one products on the market that help combat oily skin.
This Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples list is here to not only show you your options but introduce you to some of the top products on the market. Before we jump in though, let’s tackle the basics.
What Causes Excess Oil Production In The Skin?
Everyone’s skin produces oil, it’s just that some skin is a little more encourageable than others. Sebum production varies through life, spiking at birth, and then again when puberty hits and the pesky devil stays steady for men until their 60s or 70s.
It turns out that androgens are the culprits here—more specifically, DHT—and that men typically get the short (read: shiny) end of the stick. Sorry guys.
Sebum production can also vary by environmental factors, climate, and even race — those with larger pores tend to produce more oil. Of course, there are a ton of variables when it comes to oil production, and it may come down to a simple case of genetics. Why ever and wherever you experience oil, it’s often that pimples are close to follow.
Acne marches in when excess sebum and dead skin clog your pores. Since, as humans, we’re walking talking hosts for bacteria, when that also makes its way into our pores, it can cause inflammation and turn a small pimple into something worse.
How Can You Balance Oily Skin?
The most common piece of advice we came across while researching for this Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples list, was that to balance oily skin, you should wash it regularly. Washing your face clears your skin of oil and bacteria and offers a “reset” of sorts, bringing it back to ground zero.
Dermatology has made leaps and bounds into specific elements that may also help negate excess oil. These include names like retinoids (vitamin A), salicylic acid, tretinoin, and niacinamide. Assisting in reducing pore size and, thus, lowering oil output, these heroes are usually found within topical creams and many of our Best Men’s Face Wash For Oily Skin And Acne picks are included here.
Plant-based ingredients have also proven helpful in reducing oil and bacteria, and throughout our list, you’ll find a few picks that include natural cleansing power players like tea tree oil, charcoal, and kaolin clay — the latter of which acts like a vacuum for oil.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples
Choosing the Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples isn’t always an easy feat, but knowing what you want while browsing can get you ahead in the game. Below, we’ve included a short list to consider before we get this thing rolling.
Price
Aside from formula, price is, perhaps, the most important thing to keep in mind when looking for the Best Men’s Daily Face Wash for Oily Skin. The keyword here is “daily.” Since you’ll be using it every single day, buying an expensive tube may not be ideal for your budget.
There are plenty of options on this Men’s Face Wash list that provide bang for your buck. As you browse ingredients in the coming section, keep them in check with the price. Though nothing here racks up to eye-popping amounts, this list does include a selection of affordably priced to mid-range products.
Brand
In the world of face wash, there is a ton of variety out there. Looking for a brand you’ve recently heard about? There’s a good chance it’s on this Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples list.
You’ll find dermatologist-recommended stars like Dermalogica and clinically-developed options like Murad, along with classic heroes like Clinique who have been helping skin look its best for over 40 years.
If buying from a brand you’ve heard about before is a priority for you, you’ll find some popular ones on this Best Men’s Face Wash list. If not, then the world is your oyster!
Formula
Since skin type differs from person to person, formula matters. This applies to those who have oily skin too. If you have the occasional pimple, you may not need one with salicylic acid or niacinamide, and instead, opt for a gentler formula made with cleansing elements like charcoal or kaolin clay.
You’ll find a range of formulas throughout this Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples list, but keep in mind that depending on your unique skin, you may not need to overload on acids. Acids tend to dry out your skin and may lead to a higher rate of sebum production.
It’s a vicious cycle guys, so be on the lookout for a balanced formula that keeps dryness in check.
Additional Benefits
Nowadays, face wash isn’t always just a face wash. Some come with additional benefits from nutrients, others may hydrate as they cleanse, and certain products may even help reduce dark spots.
If you’re looking for something to reduce acne but also want your wash to do double duty, be on the lookout for the specifics on each of the products we’ve included in this Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples list.
- Skinceuticals Simply Clean Gel, $35
- Dermalogica Active Clay Cleanser, $55
- Clinique, Oil Control Face Wash, $27
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser, $28
- Ole Henrickson Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser, $39
- Odacite Black Mint Cleanser, $39
- Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser, $15
- iS Clinical Cleansing Complex, $44
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash, $15
- Neogen Dermalogy A-Clear Aid Soothing Foam Cleanser, $19
- Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser, $32
- Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash, $39
- Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser, $36
The Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples: Top 13 Picks
This Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples list is about to make its clean start. Below, we’ll take you through a selection of our top picks—13 to be exact.
They include a mix of dermatologist-approved and clinically-developed formulas that vary in strength and purpose but their mission remains the same: to help you feel confident in your own skin.
#1 – Skinceuticals Simply Clean Gel
If you’re looking for specific results, washing your face with any old something may not always be the way to go. Skinceuticals gets that and developed skincare with a lot of help from the scientific world that comes with proof.
Its dermatologist-recommended products often serve more than one purpose, and in the case of the Simple Clean Gel, you’ll get a cleanser and exfoliator that also helps with dark spots and aging. Using amino acid and sulfonic acid to give your face a deep clean, a blend of chamomile, aloe, orange oil, and citric acid exfoliate dead skin.
Free from the nasties like parabens, synthetics, and sulfates, you can get a 200ml bottle for $35.
#2 – Dermalogica Active Clay Cleanser
Founded by a skin therapist, Dermalogica is a go-to for those looking for professional-grade skincare. Its Active Clay Cleanser cleans your skin, purifying by drawing out toxins so that you can wash them down the drain.
It has a botanically-rich formula, using potent natural ingredients like kaolin clay for oil absorption and activated Binchotan charcoal to cling onto dirt and bacteria. You’ll also find unique elements like murumuru seed and aloe that swoop in to get rid of excess oil without harming your skin’s protective barrier.
Great for those who want naturally healthy skin, the Active Clay Cleanser is protective, nourishing, and cleansing. Pick up a 150ml bottle for $55.
#3 – Clinique Oil Control Face Wash
Clinique is a brand that usually needs no introduction. If you’re not savvy to its skin-saving reputation, all you need to know is that the line was one of the first to merge at-home skincare products with dermatology.
Free from parabens, synthetic fragrance, and phthalates, the Oil Control Face Wash works hard so that you don’t have to. It was designed to be a pre-shave wash for oily skin, making it a no-brainer for this Best Men’s Face Wash For Oily Acne Prone Skin list.
Cleaning deep and getting rid of excess oil, it uses skin-loving ingredients like aloe to soothe irritated skin and menthol for a tingly freshness. A 200 ml bottle is $27.
#4 – Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser
Kiehl’s is another power player in the skincare game. Around for 70 years, the brand grew from an NYC-based pharmacy into a name that’s now recognized worldwide.
Its Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser uses intriguing natural ingredients like desert plant extract to hydrate your skin and lemon fruit extract to cleanse. Since washing your face can lead to it producing more oil, that very reason is why it’s made our top picks for the Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples.
Cleansing, but not stripping, your skin should feel refreshed and clear but not tight. You can pick up a 150 ml bottle for $28.
#5 – Ole Henricksen Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser
Ole Hendrickson may be the newer kid on the block, but the brand brings with it the expertise of a skin cosmetician with a passion for life. The founder’s energetic personality carries through its product line of targeted skincare solutions, packaged in brightly colored tubes of orange, blue, and green.
The Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser is the brand’s green line, ideal for those with oily and combination skin looking to combat excess oil and get rid of clogged pores.
It’s another one of our picks on this list of Top Rated Men’s Face Wash For Oily Skin that won’t strip your skin’s natural lipid layer, putting naturally cleansing ingredients like need seed oil to work, while AHAs (glycolic and lactic acids) slough off dead skin cells to help unclog pores, and Irish moss helps suck up oil. A 147 ml tube is $39.
#6 – Odacite Black Mint Cleanser
Odacite was founded on the truth that we all have different skin needs. Whipping up custom skincare, the company brings together classic French skincare with eco-friendly living.
The Black Mint Cleanser combines the freshness of mint with rhassoul clay and activated charcoal, a mixture that’s just as invigorating as it is cleansing. Sweeping up dirt and excess oil, this cleanser is a great pick for those with a lot of clogged pores. Awakening the senses but never over-drying, a 100 ml bottle is $39.
#7 – Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser
Jack Black is a well-known name in men’s skincare and for good reason. It’s not just another brand that chucks any old thing into a formula along with a manly scent. Its creators truly care about the ingredients in their formulas.
The Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser is clay-based, removing dirt and buildup from your pores and helping to remove dead skin cells for clear, smooth skin. Doubling as a mask when your skin needs a little extra attention, star ingredients like glycolic acid and volcanic ash exfoliate and nourish skin while minimizing your chances of ingrown hairs. Pick up a 142ml tube for $15.
#8 – iS Clinical Cleansing Complex
iS Clinical understands how emotions link to physical issues, its skincare line designed to tackle both at the same time. Using innovative ingredients like antioxidants, herbal extracts, and the right kind of acids and vitamins, its line is high in quality and efficacy.
The Cleansing Complex partners ingredients like white willow bark, salicylic acid, and vitamins A, C, and E to nourish and protect your skin, reducing oil and redness while helping combat hyperpigmentation. A smart pick to use pre-shave, you can get a 180 ml bottle for $44.
#9 – La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash
La Roche-Posay’s collection caters to hydrating and protecting your skin. Dermatologist recommended, its Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash uses 2% salicylic acid and lips-hydroxy acid to get rid of dirt and oil without the need for harsh scrubbing particles that can lead to irritation.
Made with glycerin, the wash puts the moisture that acids can sometimes strip from your skin for a balanced, smooth feel. You can get a 200 ml bottle for $15.
#10 – Neogen Dermalogy A-Clear Aid Soothing Foam Cleanser
Neogen Dermalogy is a trusted Korean skincare brand which formulates for specific needs using gentle, effective ingredients. Its products are highly natural, the A-Clear Aid Soothing Foam Cleanser using tea tree and licorice to deal with bacteria and inflammation.
You’ll find other effective naturally-derived ingredients in this cleanser as well like azulene and panthenol to calm and nourish irritated skin after salicylic acid gets to work. Pick up a 100 ml bottle for $19.
#11 – Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser
Developed by dermatologists, Murad makes serious skincare feel a little more relaxed with an easy-going vibe. Showing you that formulas don’t have to be boring to be effective, this brand is a popular pick for those looking to update their skincare routine.
The Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser is a superstar at helping get rid of breakouts by washing away oil and dirt. Using salicylic acid to fight off acne even after you’re finished your morning regimen, your skin will be soothed by unique ingredients like black cohosh root and protected by green tea extract. A 200 ml bottle is $32.
#12 – Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash
Born out of a personal need for effective solutions, Peter Thomas Roth is a clinical skincare brand known for its fast-acting formulas. Like many of the other names on this Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples list, the Acne Clearing Wash uses 2% salicylic acid to treat and prevent acne.
It comes in a 250 ml bottle packed with skin-nourishing ingredients like pro-vitamin B5 and allantoin (a great exfoliator), and works to help make skin look its best. With an over-the-counter level of chemical exfoliates, this formula sloughs off dead skin and clears your face of gunky debris for a fresh look. Grab a bottle for $39.
#13 – Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser
Skincare companies can make a million and one claims, but it’s only a few that can back them up. That’s one of the reasons why we believe that Paula’s Choice is one of the Best Men’s Daily Face Wash For Oily Skin out there — its claims are guaranteed.
This USA-made formula is gentle but effective, using high-powered ingredients where needed and cutting back on irritating elements like fragrances. It’s delivered in a cream to foam formula, cleansing and conditioning skin while assuring it retains its natural pH.
The Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser is a top pick for reducing pore size and retaining moisture. Get a 257 ml bottle for $26.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to skincare, we all have different needs. No matter who you ask though, the goal is always to feel good about their skin. Finding the right face wash can be a long journey of trials and errors, bad reactions, redness, or simply a lack of results.
This Best Men’s Face Wash for Oily Skin and Pimples list exists to help you weed through the many options out there and show you, what we believe to be, the most effective formulas on the market. With 13 very different options to choose from, some products are more plant-based, while others are more science-backed.
Many of our Top Rated Men’s Face Wash For Oily Skin picks feature similar ingredients or use a common one to control acne, but there are no two alike on this list. At the end of the day, we hope we’ve made your search somewhat easier, or that you’ve come to understand a little more about how oil production works and how to properly handle it.
The key? Exfoliate + Cleanse + Hydrate.
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