What's in the Best Cleansers for Oily Skin?

Is oily skin actually a problem?

Wanting to correct your oily skin isn't just about "looking" better, although the appearance is very important for the most of us as well.

Oily skin may actually be bad for your health overall.

Excessively oily skin is characterized by the excessive shine and an imbalance of the hydrolipidic layer. It is strongly associated with enlarged pores, acne, and similar skin concerns.

For example, the sebum that clogs your pores when skin is oily can also lead to blemishes and premature skin aging.

For people with oily skin that contributes to acne, the American Academy of Dermatology has shared research showing links between increased risks for low self-esteem, poor self-image, and, perhaps, consequently depression, anxiety, decreased quality of life, and "feelings of being alone".

Put simply, we would all like to look better, feel better, and ultimately function better.

Wouldn't it be great to do something nice for our skin?

While no miracle product can clear up oiliness overnight, being consistent with a skincare routine tailored for tempering oiliness can help to balance skin. You may explore some of the [best cleansers for oily skin] (https://theskincare.io/products/category/cleansers?skinType=oily&sort=ingredients-score) here, as defined by our science-based algorithm.

What to Look for in the Best Facial Cleanser for Oily Skin

According to the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology), you should choose skincare products labeled as "oil free" or "non-comedogenic". This includes cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup. It’s also best to look for face wash without niacinamide. That’s because niacinamide can cause flushing of the face.

The "feel" test also matters.

When using a facial cleanser, your skin should not feel tight or "stripped" after washing. Feeling uncomfortable is a sign that your cleanser is drying out your skin because it's too astringent.

Don't forget that there can be too much of a good thing even if you do find your perfect facial wash!

That's because our skin may respond to excessive facial washing that causes aggravation or irritation by producing more oil.

While these are the first steps to choosing products that won’t clog your pores or cause acne, there's so much more to know! Let's review some of the ingredients in the best facial cleansers for oily skin.

Foaming

Foaming cleansers are considered superior for oily or combination skin. Some cleansers can weigh down skin by leaving residue behind. Others might not be "fluffy" enough to actually get into pores.

Foaming cleansers produce lightweight suds that are able to penetrate pores to lift dirt and oil.

Additionally foaming cleansers are great at removing makeup or sunscreen that clings to skin.

Ceramides

Have you heard about ceramides yet?

Healthy skill cells retaining the skin's natural moisture barrier that prevents an array of skin concerns, and just looks better.

Besides, for skin cells with intact moisture barrier, all of the skincare products we use will actually work better.

One study found that use of a ceramide-containing cleanser and moisturizer significantly reduced severity and incidence of dryness, erythema, and scaling while quickly resolving barrier damage and restoring function.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is often recommended by dermatologists for people who struggle with blemishes, breakouts, or acne.

One of benzoyl peroxide's superpowers is that it's a mild exfoliant that helps shed dead skin cells that can clog pores which often cause excessive sebum production.

For oiliness and acne caused by bacteria, benzoyl peroxide is unique among ingredients in facial cleansers because it actually kills acne-causing bacteria.

Please use with caution as directed, ideally under the supervision of a trained skincare professional.

Salicylic Acid

When added to facial cleansers for oily skin, this beta-hydroxy acid offers gentle exfoliation that generally doesn't leave skin feeling "tight and dry", like so many exfoliating solutions do.

While salicylic acid has been popping up in many of the best cleansers for oily skin lately, this ingredient has actually been shown to reduce blackheads in studies going back decades.

In a study published in 2019, researchers found that salicylic acid decreases skin lipids and possesses anti-inflammatory properties.

Recent studies also show that salicylic acid-based products help to produce significant improvements with acne lesions when used consistently.

So, what is the best salicylic acid cleanser for sensitive skin? You may consider looking at Pyunkang Yul, Low pH Pore Deep Cleansing Foam, or similar, as its ingredients have been proven to offer cleaning as well as salicylic acid related benefits.

Glycerin

Glycerin is an ingredient that is commonly seen in facial cleansers for oily skin.

Is it safe?

Glycerin has a solid body of research and has been shown safe, in appropriate dosages, and effective for multiple skin functions, including but not limited:

• skin hydration
• positive effect on skin barrier function
• acceleration of would-healing processes
• antimicrobial effect

Glycerin is amazing. But use carefully as directed, ideally under the supervision of a trained skincare professional.

Retinol

You've probably already seen retinol used in moisturizers and facial creams.

Probiotics

The effect of the gut microbiome is just so powerful, that it affects everything from our digestion, to brain function, and ultimately cell function, which directly determines the appearence of our skin as well.

That's why there's been an explosion in probiotic vitamins and supplements in recent years.

Here we are talking about oral supplements, whereas all other ingredients are discussed in the context of topical application.

By now, the use of probiotics has shown potent effects on skin whitening, moisturizing, anti-aging, and anti-wrinkle.

Botanicals

The term Botanicals generally means the use of plants in skincare, usually as high concentrations extracts, and to our great happiness, many great ones were found.

Soy

Topical application of soy has shown antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anticarcinogenic activities. Resulting into reduced hyperpigmentation, enhanced skin elasticity, more balanced oil production and, hence, moisturization of the skin.

Green Tea, Black, and White

1. Green Tea - the most studied of the teas. Both as a drink, as well as topically, thanks its richness in polyphenolic compounds, particularly EGCG, Green tea is a great antioxidant. Which results into reduced inflammation, resistance to the sun damage, and wound healing.

2. Black and White Tea - all two were compared to Green tea, and White tea demonstrated greater antioxidant activity, whereas Black tea sometimes outperforms in UV protection.

Chamomile

Chamomile has been helping us, humans, for many ages.

Traditionally, long time ago, when a useful herb is found, it would be tried in all ways possible: eating raw, eating cooked, boiling over short time, long time, grounding, drying, etc.

And at some point Chamomile must have been tried for the skincare.

And guess what? It works.

• Chamomile serves as a natural moisturizing agent, thus improving skin texture and elasticity.
• Chamomile contains chamazulene and levomenol, that help reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing, inluding sunburn.

Please use with caution and especially watch out for allergic reactions.

Caffeine

In skincare caffeine is mainly known for anticarcinogenic and antioxidant effects.

Interstingly enough, a sunscreen-like effect has been observed from topical application of caffeine.

For the anticarcinogenic part, somehow caffeine promotes apoptosis, which is "natural" death of damaged cells that could potentially become tumors.

Coffeeberry

After reading the "Caffeine" section about let's guess what you are thinking: "Isn't Coffeeberry essentially the same with Caffeine?"

Caffeine is found, and can be chemically derived, from various sources. Coffee bean is just one of the widely commercially available. There are various teas and plans, for example Yerba Matte, Cacao Beans, Kola Nuts, and truly many many others.

Each plant containing Caffeine also contains other microelements, and this is the combination of these elements alltogether, including caffeine, is what makes every plant special.

The microelements in Coffeeberry have been studied and demonstrated high antioxiddant properties, and improvements in fine lines, wrinkes, pigmentation, and the overall skin appearance.