The best products for oily skin,according to dermatologists and skincare experts
The 25 products that dermatologists and skincare experts rate highest for oily skin, ranked by genuine consensus.
What changed, 20 October: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is the new number one.
Oily skin does not mean skipping moisturizer, and the gurus spend most of their time correcting exactly that myth.
For oily and shine-prone skin, the experts favour lightweight, non-greasy textures, gel moisturizers, fluid sunscreens and water-light serums that hydrate without sitting heavy. Ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid come up often for helping with oil and congestion, but the recurring warning is against stripping the skin, which can backfire and push oil production higher.
The split here is about feel as much as formula. A cream a dry-skin reviewer loves can read as greasy on oily skin, and the gurus are good at flagging what stays comfortable through the day. The ranking below favours the picks the experts call genuinely lightweight without leaving skin tight.
The experts' top picks at a glance
- Best overall, best budget pick and best moisturizerCeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion88%
- Best splurge and best serumAllies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum84%
- Best sunscreenNumbuzin No.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++88%
- Best cleanserLa Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser88%
The podium
88%Guru ScorePM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
“The CeraVe PM lotion is a simple night lotion, love it. Lightweight, great for all skin types.”Dr. Mamina
What the gurus liked: Lightweight enough for oily and combination skin; Layers well under sunscreen and makeup
Contains: Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Fragrance-free.
88%Guru ScoreEffaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser
“It's literally the best that I have used. It is perfect in my opinion. I use it after I have used the Effaclar micellar water now.”Dimma Umeh
What the gurus liked: Cleans pores and reduces oiliness; Helps with blackheads and whiteheads
The catch: Menthol may trigger fragrance allergies
Contains: Salicylic acid.
88%Guru ScoreNo.1 Clear Filter Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++
“My personal favorite is the Numbuzin Clear Filter SPF 50 sunscreen.”Hyram
What the gurus liked: No white cast, blends seamlessly; Mattifying finish suits oily skin
The catch: High niacinamide may clash with other skincare
The rest of the list
- 4
IsntreeChestnut BHA 2% Clear LiquidGuru CertifiedOily skinAcne-prone skinBudget buy88%7 gurus“My favorite BHA toner is the Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid.”AliceintheRabbitHole
What the gurus liked: Hydrating formula that doesn't strip or sting; Watery texture, easy to apply with a cotton pad
Contains: Hyaluronic acid, Salicylic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 5
VTReedle Shot PDRN Capsule CreamGuru CertifiedOily skinCombination skinMid-range87%10 gurus“I loved everything I tried from their capsule cream, which I mean, it's just glorious. This is something, especially during the summer that I loved using.”Gothamista
What the gurus liked: Lightweight despite nourishing ingredients
Contains: Niacinamide, Squalane. Fragrance-free.
- 6
La Roche-PosayToleriane Double Repair Matte MoisturizerGuru CertifiedOily skinCombination skinMid-range87%9 gurus“One of my favorite picks for oily skin is the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer.”April Basi
What the gurus liked: Gel texture absorbs quickly without heaviness; Mattifies without leaving skin dewy
Contains: Niacinamide, Salicylic acid, Ceramides. Fragrance-free.
- 7
The OrdinarySalicylic Acid 2% MaskGuru CertifiedOily skinAcne-prone skinBudget buy87%8 gurus“The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Mask is great if you have acne prone skin, you have texture, you have bumps, and you have blackheads. It's also amazing to use if you have oily and combination skin.”Sincerely Miss Ash
What the gurus liked: Absorbs oil without stripping the barrier; Gentle enough for daily use if needed
The catch: Thick charcoal texture takes time to rinse
Contains: Salicylic acid, Squalane. Fragrance-free.
- 8
La Roche-PosayToleriane Purifying Foaming CleanserGuru CertifiedOily skinNormal skinMid-range86%13 gurus“My ultimate favorite has to be the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser. That one's so good, I love it. It has niacinamide and a really nice blue bottle that lasts forever.”Dr. Daniel Sugai
What the gurus liked: Removes oil and makeup without stripping; Lightweight, silky finish
Contains: Niacinamide, Ceramides. Fragrance-free.
- 9
La Roche-PosayEffaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1%Guru CertifiedOily skinAcne-prone skinMid-range86%8 gurus“If you're somebody with oily skin and you have comedonal acne or any type of acne, but you're also worried about aging, this is the one to go to. My go-to is probably the La Roche-Posay Adapalene Gel.”Dr. Aleksandra Brown
What the gurus liked: Long-lasting bottle, economical for the price; Can be used every other day to extend supply
The catch: Drying, especially when starting out
Contains: Retinoid. Fragrance-free.
- 10
Paula's ChoiceSkin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliating PeelGuru CertifiedOily skinAcne-prone skinMid-range85%7 gurus“I find it's like a nice luxury version of The Ordinary's peel mask. I personally love the results, I love the ingredients, I think it's great.”Hyram
What the gurus liked: Purple iridescent finish; Improves skin texture
The catch: Expensive for the size
Contains: Hyaluronic acid, Salicylic acid, AHA. Fragrance-free.
- 11
Haruharu WonderBlack Rice Moisture Airy Fit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50Oily skinCombination skinBudget buy84%20 gurus“If you're someone who is a little bit more on the oily side, the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airy Fit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 is amazing, my new favorite sunscreen.”Alexandra Anele
What the gurus liked: Sheer, hydrating texture that feels lightweight; Non-greasy velvet finish, no white cast
The catch: Can feel tacky over heavy moisturisers
Contains: Niacinamide. Fragrance-free.
- 12
NeutrogenaHydro Boost Gel CreamOily skinCombination skinBudget buy84%11 gurus“I finished up the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream. You all know that's a long standing favorite of mine.”Dr Dray
What the gurus liked: Great for oily and combination skin; Budget-friendly, lasts a long time
The catch: Fragrance version has a noticeable scent some dislike
Contains: Hyaluronic acid.
- 13
Allies of SkinMandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night SerumOily skinCombination skinSplurge84%9 gurus“Nanopeptide one which can be found in the Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum is one of my favorite peptides that is really well known for being great at brightening.”Dr Alexis Stephens
What the gurus liked: Leaves a subtle glow once dried; Fragrance-free
The catch: Pricey for the bottle size
Contains: Retinoid, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 14
Peach SlicesAcne Exfoliating Toner with Salicylic Acid Acne TreatmentOily skinAcne-prone skinBudget buy84%6 gurus“One of my favorite exfoliants for oily skin is the Peach Slices Acne Exfoliating Toner.”Dr. Sam Ellis
What the gurus liked: Gentle blend of acids with soothing ingredients; Helps oily skin and pore congestion
Contains: Salicylic acid, AHA. Fragrance-free.
- 15
The INKEY List2% Salicylic Acid CleanserOily skinAcne-prone skinBudget buy83%14 gurus“For oily, breakout or acne prone skin, or those wanting to maintain well-maintained pores, I think you will love the INKEY List salicylic acid cleanser.”James Welsh
What the gurus liked: Oil-control zinc compound; Affordable salicylic acid cleanser
Contains: Salicylic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 16
BioreUV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++Oily skinCombination skinBudget buy83%11 gurus“The Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA++++. A cult J beauty favorite.”James Welsh
What the gurus liked: Disappears into skin, no white cast; Ideal for reapplication over makeup
Contains: Hyaluronic acid.
- 17
BubbleDay Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Tone & Texture SerumOily skinCombination skinBudget buy83%8 gurus“The Bubble Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Tone & Texture Serum is great. I've repurchased this multiple times now. It's a really nice brightening serum.”No BS Beauty
What the gurus liked: Light texture, hydrating without heaviness; Gentle enough for sensitive and teenage skin
The catch: Vitamin C derivative, not L-ascorbic acid
- 18
PrequelMulti-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating SolutionOily skinCombination skinMid-range83%7 gurus“It has 15% glycolic acid as well as phytic and malic and mandelic and lactic. So, this is really good for softening rough skin texture. Great option if you have keratosis pilaris on the face as well.”Dr Dray
What the gurus liked: Large bottle makes it economical for body use; Lightweight, fluid texture
Contains: AHA, Squalane. Fragrance-free.
- 19
CeraVeAcne Control Cleanser with 2% Salicylic AcidOily skinAcne-prone skinBudget buy82%10 gurus“I love that one. I will say though if you do have a damaged moisture barrier because that one has salicylic acid it might be a little bit too intense on the skin.”Hyram
What the gurus liked: 2% salicylic acid reaches deep into pores; Fragrance-free with ceramides and niacinamide
The catch: Can be drying around the eyes
Contains: Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Salicylic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 20
The OrdinaryRice Lipids + Ectoin Micro EmulsionOily skinCombination skinBudget buy82%7 gurus“This way, you can get your ectoin in a gorgeous, beautiful emulsion that disappears without a trace, works as a moisturizer and a hydrating serum all in one and yeah is just stunning.”Mad About Skin
What the gurus liked: Lightweight, non-sticky texture; Reduces redness and smooths texture
The catch: Not hydrating enough on its own in winter
Contains: Hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 21
Charlotte TilburyMatte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow TalkOily skinSplurge82%6 gurus“One of the best lipstick colors ever made.”Mixed Makeup
What the gurus liked: Satin finish feels comfortable on lips; Subtle vanilla scent that fades quickly
The catch: Contains fragrance, may not suit sensitive lips
- 22
Skin1004Madagascar Centella Pore Minimizing Quick Clay Stick MaskOily skinMid-range82%6 gurus“This applies so beautifully, so elegantly. I just don't see the point of ever using my fingers to spread a clay mask ever again.”Gothamista
What the gurus liked: No brush or mess, applies smoothly with stick; Gentle exfoliation from seed powder
The catch: Leaves skin feeling dry after rinsing
- 23
TopicalsFaded Brightening & Clearing GelOily skinAcne-prone skinMid-range81%14 gurus“It's an incredible blend of really good brightening agents to help with dark spots, discoloration, and the overall health of the skin. I have loved using this product.”Hyram
What the gurus liked: Fragrance-free unscented version available
The catch: Pricey for the amount used per application
Contains: Niacinamide, Azelaic acid, Squalane. Fragrance-free.
- 24
TOCOBOBio Watery Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++Oily skinCombination skinBudget buy80%8 gurus“I think if you're oily, this is a great one because it just glides on and disappears completely.”Dr. Shereene Idriss
What the gurus liked: Fast to apply and blends quickly; Lightweight, non-sticky finish under makeup
The catch: Not mattifying, leaves a dewy finish
Contains: Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
- 25
CetaphilGentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer Salicylic Acid TreatmentOily skinAcne-prone skinBudget buy80%7 gurus“I think this is the best acne moisturizer out there or at least one up. It just feels good on the skin. Helps with oil control.”Doctorly
What the gurus liked: Matte finish without stickiness or greasiness; Lightweight enough to layer under sunscreen
Contains: Hyaluronic acid, Salicylic acid, Squalane. Fragrance-free.
Wondering why your favourite isn't here?
Some of the most talked-about products don't make this ranking. That isn't because the experts dislike them: every one of these has fans. They just drew more reservations than the products that made the cut, where last place holds a Guru Score of 80%. Here is what holds each one back.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
A Guru Score of 73% from 28 experts.
The reservation, in Sincerely Miss Ash's words:
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid I feel is very irritating on my skin. I used to use it many years ago but for some reason it's really irritating on my skin now so I personally don't like that.Watch ▸
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
A Guru Score of 69% from 27 experts.
The reservation, in Nipun Kapur's words:
You can use any niacinamide except The Ordinary if you have oily skin because it's a thick formula.Watch ▸
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
A Guru Score of 58% from 23 experts.
The reservation, in Hyram's words:
I use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution on my skin for like 15 minutes and it totally burned my face.Watch ▸
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
A Guru Score of 75% from 23 experts.
The catch: Not strong enough for all acne
Who's doing the judging
Ranked from the public takes of 41 independent gurus, including 12 dermatologists, 5 makeup artists and 3 beauty journalists.
DoctorlyDermatologist
Dr. Shereene IdrissDermatologist
Dr DrayDermatologist
208SkinDocDermatologist
Dr. Sam EllisDermatologist
Dr. Daniel SugaiDermatologist
The Budget DermatologistDermatologist
Dr. Vanita RattanDoctor
Dr. Jenny LiuDermatologist
Lab Muffin Beauty ScienceCosmetic Chemist
Dr. MaminaDermatologist
Dr. Somji SkinCosmetic Surgeon
Dr Alexis StephensDermatologist
Dr. Aleksandra BrownDermatologist+27These are independent experts we follow, not an in-house panel. We collect opinions they have already shared publicly on YouTube; they are not connected to The Guru Index and have not endorsed this ranking. "Guru" is our own editorial title for the voices we trust.
You asked
What is the best product for oily skin?
On the latest data it is CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, with a Guru Score of 88% from 19 gurus. The ranking above lists all 25 that clear our bar, in order.
What product for oily skin do dermatologists recommend?
Of the 12 dermatologists whose reviews feed this ranking, more approve of CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion than any other pick: 9 of them. It holds a Guru Score of 88%, at number 1 on the list. Next comes CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser with 2% Salicylic Acid, with 8.
Which brand makes the best product for oily skin?
La Roche-Posay has the most picks on this list, 4 of the 25, led by La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser at number 2 with a Guru Score of 88%. The list is ranked product by product, though, so the best pick for you may come from another brand.
Does oily skin still need a moisturizer?
Yes, according to the experts almost unanimously. Skipping moisturizer can leave the barrier compromised and, by some accounts, prompt more oil, so the usual advice is a lighter gel or fluid rather than no moisturizer at all.
What helps most with excess oil and shine?
Niacinamide and salicylic acid are the names that recur, alongside a gentle routine that does not strip the skin. The gurus tend to warn that harsh cleansing and over-exfoliating make oiliness worse, not better.
How is this ranking decided?
We rank by the Guru Index consensus score: the warmth of every independent expert take we have logged for each product, with a minimum number of reviewers required so a single enthusiastic review can't top the list. Nothing here is paid placement.
How we make money. Some shopping links may earn The Guru Index a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which products rank or how they score.