The Best Soap For Oily Skin: Review Guide

best soap for oily skin

Do you have oily skin?

You're not alone! 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 you fight your unsightly and uncomfortable oily skin, I've found a wonderful soap that focuses on clearing away your shiny skin and leave you feeling confident.


What Makes a Good Soap for Oily Skin?


Finding a soap to treat your oily skin in the long term is no easy task.

Many soaps may appear to work in the short term, but after a little while, the shininess has returned.

If you have this skin type, here are a few considerations to be aware of when buying soap for oily skin.

Ph Level

If your skin is on the oily side you’re best to use a soap with a neutral or slightly acidic pH, perhaps around 5 or 6.

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

Alcohol causes your skin to dry out which, for oily skin, can be of a small benefit.

However, if there's too much alcohol (or alcohol-based products) in your soap, it will cause your skin to dry out excessively. This can cause irritation and further problems.


What Soap Ingredients to Avoid 


As we mentioned above, it's best to avoid any irritants. Alcohol is a big no-no, and even natural ingredients like menthol or eucalyptus can be irritating for the skin. 

You should also avoid soaps with fragrance. Although you might want your skin to smell nice, the artificial fragrances won't do you any favours.  

You should also avoid mineral oils, and definitely check the label for sodium lauryl sulfate, which is something you need to steer clear of in any cosmetic product. 

Avoid soaps that are in a solid form, as gels, serums or liquid-based cleansers are far more effective. 


Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser


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'll help treat 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 16oz bottle has a pump action top for easy distribution of the product.

It'll be extra effective when combined with any number of other Cetaphil products. Created by dermatologists, it's easily one of the best soaps for oily skin.


Pros & Cons


Cetaphil is a known and trusted brand when it comes to skincare and when buying this Daily Facial Cleanser you actually receive two bottles, making the price very competitive and reasonable.

It's been developed by dermatologists and is 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 Cleanser can't be beaten when it comes to price, and the fact that it's been formulated by dermatologists makes it safe and suitable for those with sensitive skin.

Oily skin can be damaging to your confidence and self-esteem, but if you're a sufferer from oily skin, now's your chance to do something about it.

A few washes with Cetaphil Daily Cleanser will leave you with a noticeably clearer complexion, and hopefully it'll stay that way.