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It doesn’t take a genius to know that consistent cleansing is one of the best and easiest ways to keep our faces happy and healthy. Even though this seems like a pretty easy step to follow, why is it that we all still find ourselves struggling with breakouts and clogged pores every now and again?

Most of us don’t realize that the ingredients and compositions of our everyday cleansers can affect our pores and ultimately make or break our skin.[1]

Currently, there is a wide variety of face washes available to choose from on the market. So how can you make sure to get the right one that efficiently cleanses oily skin and tackles large pores?

Here, we’ve compiled a handy list of the 6 best face washes and cleansers specifically for oily skin and large pores – based on thorough research of their ingredients.

We’ve carefully analyzed the composition of different products and prepared an explanation of the mechanisms of action, to help you better understand what exactly you are putting on your face and why.

So, you’re probably wondering what is actually in these cleansers that make them so effective and beneficial for the skin?

Well, we have done the research for you.

Quick summary

Before you buy: 3 things to consider when purchasing a face wash for oily skin and large pores

When choosing a face wash for your skin type, it’s essential to know what different cleansers are out there and how they work.

Here’s what you need to know when choosing a face wash/cleanser for oily skin with large pores:

1. What’s the science behind your cleanser?

Scientifically speaking, there two main ways facial washes can work to effectively cleanse the skin: physical and chemical cleansing.

Physical cleansing:

The most easily understandable type is physical cleansing with a scrub/exfoliant or a cleansing cloth. This method removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and helps create a deeper cleanse.

Although physical cleansing is generally effective, it can be quite harsh on the skin, so it should not be used too frequently.

Chemical cleansing:

The other type of cleansing used in most facial washes is the chemistry of the ingredients present in the product. The ingredients responsible for removing dirt and oils from the skin in cleansers and facial washes are surfactants or solvents.

Surfactants (surface acting agents) literally bind to the oils in the face and help pull out the dirt trapped within them, which is usually not possible to remove with water alone.[2]

On the other hand, solvents work by dissolving the oils on the skin and are generally used in combination with wipes or facial cloths.[2]

2. Natural or synthetic cleansing ingredients?

Although surfactants and solvents are very effective in removing dirt and impurities from the skin’s pores and surface, synthetic versions can sometimes be too harsh to remove natural oils and cause irritation and/or drying of the face.[1][3]

You want a cleanser to clean your face without dehydrating and removing too many of the natural lipids that maintain your skin’s health.

Our advice:

Try to avoid synthetic surfactants like Sodium Laureth Ether Sulphate (SLES) or Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), since these particular chemicals can be particularly harsh. They can remove too much of the natural lipids in the face along with the accumulated dirt and impurities.

This leads to excessive drying of the face and can cause irritation. Using such products on oil-prone skin with large pores can lead to a faster production of oils, if not properly balanced, with moisturizes to restore the skin’s natural oils.

On top of that, long-term use of such harsh products can increase acne and early signs of aging.

Products based on natural ingredients can be much more delicate to the skin. Studies have shown that natural plant-based surfactants work just as well as synthetic surfactants and are also more ecologically friendly![4]

We recommend looking for cleanser options free from sulfates and parabens that could be particularly harsh on the skin.

3. What other ingredients are important in cleansers?

Although Cleansers and Face Washes’ main goal is to clean the surface of the face from dirt and excess oils, it is important not to strip all the oils and maintain the original lipid balance of the skin.

This is particularly important for oil-prone skin since the ideal cleanser should include ingredients that soothe and hydrate the skin after it has been cleansed and provide a sufficient level of moisturizing.

As we mentioned earlier, certain surfactants can leave the skin particularly dry and prone to acne and early aging. To avoid these issues, we recommend looking for products that include antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids that promote skin health.

Ingredients like coconut, jojoba, and olive oils can promote the retention of moisture in the skin, while vitamin C can promote collagen production and provide additional antioxidant protection.[5]

Amino Acids like Arginine, Alanine, Aspartic Acid can also help retain moisture in the skin and provide extra hydration!

Additionally, you can search for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial ingredients that help reduce redness and prevent acne-causing bacteria from entering the skin’s pores.

The 6 best face washes and cleansers for oily skin and large pores

1. ZELEN Life Cleanser

Best features:

• Gives a gentle, deep-cleanse
• Has antibacterial, antifungal, and non-comedogenic properties
• Helps oil control and acne breakouts

Best face wash/cleanser for:

Those with oily skin and acne-prone skin. This cleanser from ZELEN Life is formulated to be delicate enough for all skin types of both men and women.

However, the presence of jojoba and sunflower oil makes this cleanser perfect for those struggling with an excess of natural oils and large pores. The aloe vera in the cleanser helps soothe the skin after cleansing, making this product also suitable for those with more sensitive skin.

Overview:

The combination of ingredients in this particular cleanser makes this product stand out from the rest. Since the formulation doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and petrochemicals, the cleanser gives a very smooth, hydrating, and non-greasy feel after use.

The jojoba oil is known to mimic the skin’s natural oils, and so in this particular formulation, it helps minimize the production of sebum (the natural oils in the skin). By limiting sebum production, the skin stays hydrated, and the pores are kept clear from clogging.[6][7]

It’s also known to regulate the levels of hormones involved in the health of the skin, thereby promoting repair of any damaged areas.

The aloe vera in this product is especially helpful in maintaining the skin’s natural pH balance. Studies have shown that aloe vera is packed full of antimicrobial, antifungal, and tissue regenerating properties, making this a very attractive addition to the facial cleanser.[8]

In fact, aloe vera has also been identified as a natural plant-based surfactant, so the incorporation of it in cleansers has a beneficial effect on the cleansing properties of the face wash as well.[9]

The sunflower oil gives the cleanser the ability to retain moisture in the skin and keep it well hydrated for longer periods of time. It also helps minimize sebum production and has anti-inflammatory properties, all while maintaining the natural barrier of the skin.[7]

On top of all these key ingredients, the ZELEN Life Cleanser is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids that help nurture the skin throughout the cleansing process.

The good:

Things to think about:

Bottom line:

Overall, our research shows that the ZELEN Life Cleanser is a truly unique product that allows gentle cleansing of all skin types, including oil-prone skin, while maintaining the natural skin oil levels undisturbed. The skin thus is left hydrated, nourished, and well taken care of.

2. Erno Laszlo Pore Refining Detox Double Cleanse

Best features:

• Innovative two in one formula: cleansing pores + smoothing surface of the skin
• Potency of black charcoal is at its highest when applied to the face
• Chemical exfoliation by fruit enzymes

Best face wash/cleanser for:

This face wash is ideal for when you need a deep purifying cleanse after a night of accumulating dirt and impurities on the skin. The black charcoal is excellent at pulling away unwanted dirt deep in clogged pores, and the fruit enzymes offer a chemical exfoliation to truly rid the skin of all impurities.

This face wash is perfect for oily skin with large pores.

Overview:

The innovative formulation of this cleanser is truly a kick right at impurities and deep clogged pores. Activated charcoal is cleverly encapsulated in oil beads that only become released once applied to the skin.

This trick is particularly smart, as it allows for the potency of the charcoal to stay at it’s highest, right until the moment of application. The dual formula also allows the user to get a perfect ratio of detoxifying charcoal beads to skin nourishing and exfoliating gel, resulting in ultimately squeaky-clean skin.

Activated charcoal is notoriously known to be a strong agent in pulling out impurities from the skin.[10][11] It’s particularly good at absorbing the pollutants and providing a truly deep cleaning of pores.

The fruit enzyme complex consisting of extracts from grapefruit, kiwi, pineapple, and guava, among other fruits, offers a gentle chemical exfoliation of the skin.

The benefit of using such natural enzymes is that it helps eliminate old dead skin cells by chemically breaking the bonds between them.[12] This method of exfoliation in low concentration of the enzymes can be quite gentle on the face and is therefore suitable for even sensitive acne-prone skin.

After such potent detoxifying and exfoliating agents, the skin needs extra nourishing. The kale protein blend of this cleanser feeds the skin and aims to restore the natural properties of the epidermis (layer of skin).

Dietary kale was found to play a beneficial role in reducing the age-related degradation of collagen in the deeper layers of skin.[13]

In other words, the molecular composition of kale can promote the elasticity of the skin.

The good:

Things to think about:

Bottom line:

Generally, this product is great for when you need a thorough deep clean of oily skin. However, the combination of a detoxifying agent with a chemical exfoliator can be quite harsh on certain skin types, resulting in drying of some areas.

If used, this product should be paired with a good moisturizer to rehydrate the skin and replenish the lost natural oils.

3. Malin + Goetz Face Cleanser, Grapefruit

Best features:

• Natural ingredients, including surfactants
• Has a 3-in-1 formulation: makeup removal, cleansing, and toning
• Balances skin pH

Best face wash/cleanser for:

The 3-in-1 formula of this cleanser allows it to be safely and effectively used by all skin types. It allows for a gentle chemical exfoliation by amino acids, is efficient in clearing away makeup, and maintains a good foaming consistency.

Overview:

This product is particularly attractive due to its mostly natural composition. It uses natural surfactants based on coconut as the product’s cleansing agent, which we’ve discussed before, is much more delicate to the skin than synthetic surfactants.[14]

This way, the skin receives a far gentler cleanse without stripping it from its natural oils.

The grapefruit extract offers a gentle chemical exfoliation by breaking down the bonds between old skin cells.[12] It’s a very soft form of exfoliation that can be used on all skin types, even more, sensitive acne-prone skin.

A cocktail of different amino acids, including arginine, aspartic acid, glycine, alanine, among others, helps soothe and hydrate the skin after the moderate cleansing with the coconut and grapefruit extracts.

Since amino acids are the building blocks of proteins in our cells, these components help nourish the skin and restore the natural balance.[15]

Glycerine and sodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (PCA) have been previously identified to increase skin hydration.[16][17] Since sodium PCA is a natural building block of our skin, it organically maintains the moisture levels and allows for adequate hydration. It is a smart addition to a cleanser.

The good:

Things to think about:

Bottom line:

The product is full of natural organic ingredients that quite effectively cleanse the skin. However, the 3-in-1 formulation can be quite harsh for certain more sensitive skin types. Patch tests should be performed before applying the product all over the face.

4. Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

Best features:

• Triple action chemical exfoliation
• Uses jojoba beads for physical exfoliation
• Optimizes hydration and moisture holding capability of skin

Best face wash/cleanser for:

This cleanser is best for dull, dry skin. However, it can also be used on all skin types. The triple chemical exfoliator consisting of salicylic, lactic, and glycolic acids helps chemically rid the skin of dead skin cells, while the physical exfoliation with jojoba helps remove dirt and impurities from the pores.

Overview:

The main cleansing agents of this face wash are AHAs and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs). AHAs like glycolic and lactic acids are beneficial for oily prone skin. Here, lactic acid is especially helpful in maintaining the natural moisture levels since it’s also a naturally occurring component of the epidermis.[18]

BHAs like salicylic acid is perfect at targeting pore impurities like blackheads and whiteheads.[19]

The biodegradable jojoba beads offer manual exfoliation of the skin and help combat dull and dry skin. As we’ve mentioned in detail earlier, Jojoba also contains a plethora of beneficial characteristics that can help maintain the skin’s natural oils and hydration.

This cleanser also uses sodium PCA to retain the skin’s moisture levels, similar to products we’ve reviewed earlier.

The good:

Things to think about:

Bottom line:

This is a versatile cleanser suited for all skin types that features a deeply exfoliating triple-action formula and contains AHA’s and BHA’s. It is particularly useful for adding some much-needed life into sluggish, dry skin. However, it should not be used daily for the risk of unwanted irritation.

5. Dermologica Clearing Skin Wash

Best features:

• Minimizes excess oils without completely stripping the skin
• Exfoliation by BHAs and prevents future acne
• Balances skin by use of botanicals that soothe irritated skin

Best face wash/cleanser for:

Breakout prone skin. This cleansing formula helps diminish excess oils and bacteria on the skin, thereby preventing future breakouts on the surface.

Overview:

The salicylic acid acts as a potent fighter against clogged pores by stimulating the natural exfoliation of the dead skin cells. It’s also a good agent to use for acne prevention.[19]

The formulation also contains menthol and camphor essential oils that stimulate the cooling of the skin after exfoliation. It is known that menthol, when topically applied, can sometimes act as a pain killer, to soothe affected areas of the skin.[20]

Additional balm mint, eucalyptus essential oils in the cleanser leave the skin feeling fresh, while the added tea tree oil acts as an antibacterial agent to prevent future breakouts.[21]

The good:

Things to think about:

Bottom line:

This product is good when acne is the main issue with the skin. However, the product’s harsh composition may cause over-drying of the epidermis, which is why this product should be used with caution. A patch test should be performed before use.

6. Billy Jealousy LiquidSand Exfoliating Facial Cleanser (for Men)

Best features:

• Reduces the appearance of fine lines
• Reduces the appearance of sun damage
• Skin feels clean without being too tight after use

Best face wash/cleanser for:

A sweet spot between a penetrating facial scrub and a surface cleansing face wash, this cleanser contains organic ecologically friendly beads that gently exfoliate the skin. Best used for men before shaving, to achieve a closer and smoother shave.

Overview:

The cleanser contains silica beads that help scrub the skin enough to gently exfoliate without being too harsh on the face.

Considering that men’s epidermis layer is 10-15% thicker than that of women, this microemulsion work perfectly to removes the dead skin cells on the surface. It leaves the skin feel smooth and fresh and ready for a close shave without irritation.

This product also contains AHAs, particularly lactic acid, to help the skin retain moisture after exfoliation.[18] Lactic acid also has an effect on the regeneration of the skin cells, ultimately improving the texture and tone.

The good:

Things to think about:

Bottom line:

This product is perfect to use for men who require a deep cleanse before shaving. The gentle formula allows the user to have smooth skin without irritations.

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How we chose these products

This list is a compilation of the best face washes and cleansers available on the market based on our thorough research.

In choosing these particular products, we made sure to look carefully and the ingredients and the composition of the cleansers.

Our top 6 products all meet the requirements for deep cleaning oily prone skin with large pores, while also being natural, gentle, and yet powerful in their mode of action.

We’ve ensured that these products we selected are free from various chemicals, including parabens, sulfates, and petrochemicals.

This list will ultimately help you better understand the science behind your everyday cleanser, what ingredients contribute to the cleansing, the exfoliating, the hydrating, and maintaining a balance of the skin.

We made sure to include products in our list with reasonable prices, but with the highest quality ingredients. Our list also includes brands of trustable reputation and made sure to evaluate the previous user experienced reviews.

Finally, we wanted to give you a comprehensive overview of these products by including both the strong sides and the weaker points of the cleansers to make sure that you have the chance to make an unbiased, informed decision before purchasing.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use a cleanser every day?

Yes, cleansing is an integral part of maintaining clean and healthy skin. Be sure to use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip away too much of your natural oils in the skin, and that contains ingredients that replenish the moisture levels as well.

When is the best time to use a Cleanser?

The best time to make use of your cleanser is in the morning when you just get out of bed. By doing this, you will get rid of all the accumulated dirt and oils on your skin from the night before and start your day with fresh, clean skin.

Also, a possibility is to use the cleanser at night before going to bed. This step will help wash away all the impurities collected on your skin throughout the day.

How do I correctly apply a cleanser?

1. Pump a small amount into the hands, rub between your palms, and apply to slightly damp skin.
2. Gently massage the product in circular motions for 1-2 minutes
3. Rinse with lukewarm water
4. Pat dry, and if needed, apply a moisturizer to hydrate the skin.

Conclusion

Whatever your skin type, cleansing is an essential step in our everyday routine to help maintain our skin healthy and happy. You need to cleanse your face frequently, 1-2 times a day, to keep away dirt, pollutants, and impurities.

However, it is important not to over-cleanse, as this could lead to the unwanted drying of the skin and irritation.

It’s important to look for cleansers that don’t completely strip your skin from its natural oils, and on the contrary, you should aim to find a cleanser that restores the natural balance of your skin oils.

Comment and let us know what cleanser worked best for you, and how you manage your skincare routine depending on your skin type.

We love all of your feedback and input!

This gives us a chance to share more of our knowledge with you and help your skins feel better! And this is ultimately what makes us happy.

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References

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2. Draelos ZD. Cosmetic Dermatology: Products and Procedures. Draelos ZD, editor. Wiley Blackwell; 2011. 548 p.

3. Del Rosso JQ. The role of skin care as an integral component in the management of acne vulgaris. Part 1: The importance of cleanser and moisturizer ingredients, design, and product selection. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013;6(12):19–27.

4. Tmáková L, Sekretár S, Schmidt Š. Plant-derived surfactants as an alternative to synthetic surfactants: Surface and antioxidant activities. Chem Pap. 2015;70(2):188–96.

5. Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The roles of vitamin C in skin health. Nutrients. 2017;9(8).

6. Sandha GK, Swami VK. Jojoba oil as an organic, shelf stable standard oil-phase base for cosmetic industry. Rasayan J Chem. 2009;2(2):300–6.

7. Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(1).

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16. Milani M, Sparavigna A. The 24-hour skin hydration and barrier function effects of a hyaluronic 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract moisturizing fluid: An intra-subject, randomized, assessor-blinded study. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:311–5.

17. Spada F, Barnes TM, Greive KA. Skin hydration is significantly increased by a cream formulated to mimic the skin’s own natural moisturizing systems. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:491–7.

18. Tang SC, Yang JH. Dual effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on the skin. Molecules. 2018;23(4):1–12.

19. Arif T. Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: A comprehensive review. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:455–61.

20. Pergolizzi J V., Taylor R, LeQuang JA, Raffa RB. The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2018;43(3):313–9.

21. Riley T V., Carson CF, Hammer KA. Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties. Clin Microbiol Rev [Internet]. 2006;19(1):50–62. Available from: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2896520#gallery