The Best Soap For Oily Skin: Review Guide
Contents
Do you have oily skin?
You’re not alone! Oily skin is very common; one estimate says 40-55% of the adult population are in the same boat.
Are you tired of dealing with the acne breakouts and the shiny look that comes with oily skin?
Do you find yourself washing your face multiple times a day?
Oily skin is the excess production of sebum (skin oil). Whilst there are many reasons that your skin may be oily, the good news is that you can manage it by using the right type of soap.
The best soap for oily skin can be hard to find as so many products claim to help the situation, but may not work as effectively as they suggest.
To help, I’ve picked a gentle cleanser that removes excess oil without stripping your skin.
What Makes a Good Soap for Oily Skin?
No soap changes how much oil your skin makes in the long term.
Washing removes surface oil for a while, then the shine returns. The goal is to control it without irritation.
If you have this skin type, here are a few considerations to be aware of when buying soap for oily skin.
Ph Level
Healthy skin is slightly acidic, so many dermatologists favor a gentle cleanser with a neutral or slightly acidic pH.
Most soaps are towards the alkaline end of the scale so it pays to do a little bit of research to avoid irritation.
When reading the label, keep your eyes open for ingredients such as citric acid, lactic acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and salicylic acid to help guide you in the right direction.
Exfoliation Properties
Oily skin will often result in unsightly blackheads so it’s best to look for a soap that offers some exfoliation.
Make sure it’s still gentle enough to avoid irritation.
Alcohol Content
Drying alcohols strip oil, which can seem helpful at first. But they can leave skin dry and irritated. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a gentle, non-abrasive, alcohol-free cleanser.
What Soap Ingredients to Avoid
As mentioned above, it’s best to avoid irritants. Drying alcohols and even natural ingredients like menthol or eucalyptus can irritate the skin.
Fragrance-free products are also less likely to irritate.
Look for products labeled oil-free or non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). Harsh detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate can irritate some people’s skin.
Many people with oily skin prefer a gel or foaming facial cleanser to a bar soap, but the best choice is one you can use twice a day without irritation.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
If you’ve done any kind of research into skincare products, you’ve probably come across Cetaphil.
The cleanser is safe to use every day without causing irritation and won’t leave the skin feeling tight.
Cetaphil have designed the cleanser to remove dirt, surface oils, and makeup on a regular basis.
This helps to remove the residue that can clog pores and result in that unpleasant, shiny appearance.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser contains a mix of mild and safe ingredients. It’s suitable for oily skin, acne-prone skin, and combination skin.
The formula is easy to rinse off, making sure that no remnants of the cleanser are left on the skin to further clog up pores and create more oil.
The bottle has a pump top for easy dispensing.
It’s a mild, widely recommended option and one of the best soaps for oily skin on a budget.
Pros & Cons
Cetaphil is a well-known skin care brand, and this cleanser is easy to find.
It’s mild enough for sensitive skin.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser is specifically for use on the face, which is great if that’s your major focus area.
However, if you suffer from oily skin on the rest of your body it may not be so suitable.
You may have to look elsewhere for the best soap for oily skin on your body.
The fact that the cleanser is suitable for a range of skin types may lead some users to query it’s targeted effectiveness on oily skin and this may be concerning.
In Conclusion
When it comes to finding the best soap for oily skin there are a large number available on the market.
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser is a gentle option that suits many people, including those with sensitive skin.
Wash your face no more than twice a day and after heavy sweating, use lukewarm water and don’t scrub. If oiliness comes with persistent acne, a dermatologist can recommend treatment.
Sources
- Face washing 101, American Academy of Dermatology
- Frequently Asked Questions on Soap, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
