Different Cleansers for Oily Skin

One of the most important elements of caring for oily skin is the process of cleaning it. Oily skin can be caused by several reasons and even a combination of reasons such as genetics, dietary sensitivities, stress, or environmental's factors. Oily skin can also be skin that is actually dehydrated and produces more sebum than it normally would in order to compensate for the moisture that is lacking in the deeper layers of the skin. People who suffer from acne are likely to suffer from dehydrated skin as well. This is why choosing the right skincare products for your particular oily-skin type is absolutely essential in order to avoid overly stripping the skin[1] or further harming or disrupting the skin’s moisture barrier. Cleansers also tend to be much gentler on the skin than leave-on treatments such as spot treatments and face masks, making them a great initial option when trying to control oily skin.

Cleansers are typically the first product reached for in a person’s daily skincare routine. This means that it is important that this initial step is done so correctly, with care, so that all of the products that will be applied after the face has been cleansed, such as treatments, serums, and moisturizers, are able to work properly, as they were designed. A great suggestion for people of all skin types is to utilize a double-cleansing system that starts with an initial cleanse with an oil or balm cleanser in order to remove all makeup, sunscreen, and other debris that has built up throughout the day so that your cream or foaming facial cleansers can work to their full potential, adequately cleaning the skin.

Salicylic Acid Cleansers for Oily Skin

Salicylic acid cleansers are great for certain types of oily skin because of their exfoliating powers. Salicylic acid is fat soluble, which is why it works so well for cleaning oily skin. Salicylic acid is able to bind itself to the oil on the skin and between skin cells and breakdown and remove it, reducing oil build up. This process also helps to reduce the inflammation that can lead to breakouts, which is why it is a known acne-fighting ingredient. However, people with oily skin who don’t happen to suffer from acne can also utilize this ingredient and see great results as far as reducing and controlling sebum production.

Top recommended salicylic acid cleansers for oily skin:

• La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Salicylic Acid Face Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin

  • 6.76 fl oz

  $14.99 on Amazon
• CeraVe Renewing Face Cleanser with Salicylic Acid

  • 9 fl oz

  $17.54 on Amazon
• SLMD Salicylic Acid Cleanser

  • 4.2 fl oz

  $24.99 on Target

Benzoyl Peroxide Cleansers for Oily Skin

Benzoyl peroxide is a well-known ingredient used to fight acne because it works by releasing an extra oxygen molecule into the lining of the hair follicle found in the dermis, or the second layer of the skin, where acne-causing bacteria live and multiply. This extra oxygen molecule kills acne-causing bacteria, making it significantly less likely for the bacteria to be able to continue to proliferate, resulting in more breakouts. However, benzoyl peroxide is not just used for fighting acne-causing bacteria alone. It is also used for its sebostatic effect or its ability to reduce sebum production.

Benzoyl peroxide in a cleanser form can be just as effective as a leave-on treatment but without running the risk of the irritation that some people experience. Additionally, it comes in different strengths, typically from 2.5 to 10 percent but products, cleansers in particular, with strengths of 2.5 to 5 percent work just as effectively as a product with a 10-percent strength, just with a lower risk of irritation. It is important to first determine your individual skin type to avoid causing any damage or further dehydration to the skin, as benzoyl peroxide products can be very irritating and are known to strip the skin.

Top recommended benzoyl peroxide cleansers for oily skin:

• CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide

  • 5 fl oz

  $14.95 on Amazon
• Differin Daily Deep Cleanser with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide

  • 4 fl oz

  $10.44 on Amazon

Oil-Absorbing Cleansers for Oily Skin

For those who suffer from oily skin because of factors such as genetics and only suffer from occasional breakouts, control is key. Oil-absorbing cleansers are a great way to absorb excess oil in order to prevent breakouts. They typically involve clay ingredients such as kaolin clay, which acts as a gentle exfoliator. Wash-off treatments like oil-absorbing cleansers are a great option in particular because they can treat excess oil without drying out the skin and disturbing the skin’s moisture barrier, as they are only on the skin for a very small period of time, unlike face masks and spot treatments. These cleansers can also act in a way that balances the skin’s oil production.

Top recommended oil-absorbing cleansers for oily skin:

• Pacifica Kale Detox Deep Cleaning Face Wash

  $9.99 on Amazon
• Neutrogena Skin Balancing Mattifying Clay Cleanser

  • 6.3 fl oz

  $7.99 on Amazon

Cleansers for Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated skin needs to be treated with extreme care in order to restore the skin’s water content. The best way to cleanse this type of skin is with a gentle, hydrating cleanser that will not strip the skin of its much needed moisture in the deeper layers of the skin. Dehydrated skin should also be washed with lukewarm water, never with hot water, which can cause further dehydration. This particular skin type can be caused by environmental factors such as pollution or living in a low-humidity climate. Many people find that their skin suffers from dehydration during certain times of the year. It’s important to take care of dehydrated skin as quickly as possible in order to restore the skin’s protective barrier and replenish its much-needed water content.

Best cleansers to use on dehydrated skin:

• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser

  • 13.52 fl oz

  $14.99 on Amazon
• Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Cream Cleanser with Clary Sage

  • 6 Oz

  $9.05 on Amazon
• CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (non-foaming)

  • 16 fl oz

  $14.64 on Amazon

• Dehydrated Skin
• cleansers
• Salicylic Acid
• Benzoyl Peroxide
• Oil-Absorbing
• CeraVe
• La Roche