# Face wash for oily skin

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/beauty/face-wash/for-oily-skin/
Category: Beauty > Face wash. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 186 counted first-hand reports from Target shopper reviews, Jul 2020 to Oct 2026.

**Question:** Which face wash works for oily skin?

**Short answer:** La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser has the best record for oily skin: 21 of 24 reviewers who said they have oily or combination skin reported that it kept shine down and left skin feeling clean. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (14 of 16) and PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide (13 of 15) are close behind. Just 3 cleansers had enough reviewers with oily skin to rank, and each group is small, so read them as near ties.

**What stands out:** Drying is the complaint that sets them apart: 30% of PanOxyl reviews call it drying, against 14% for La Roche-Posay and 7% for CeraVe.

## Ranking (buyers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | Controls oil | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser | 21 of 24 | 88% | yes |
| 2 | CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser | 14 of 16 | 88% | yes |
| 3 | PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide | 13 of 15 | 87% | yes |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser

31% of its reviews say skin didn't feel tight after washing and 29% say it left skin fresh, though 14% found it drying. Reviews copied from La Roche-Posay's own site show 10 of 10, which we show but don't count.

- Praised for: Skin doesn't feel tight (31%), Leaves skin fresh (29%), Removes makeup (9%)
- Complaints: Drying (14%), Breaks skin out (6%), Irritates or stings (6%)
- Reports counted: 35

### 2. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

Reviewers with oily skin mostly liked it at 14 of 16, and 29% of its reviews say skin didn't feel tight afterward. Staying oily is the main complaint, at 14%.

- Praised for: Skin doesn't feel tight (29%), Clears breakouts (25%), Leaves skin fresh (18%)
- Complaints: Drying (7%)
- Reports counted: 28

### 3. PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

Breakouts are what reviewers talk about here: 72% of its reviews say theirs got better and 22% mention less oil. Drying is the main complaint, at 30%.

- Praised for: Clears breakouts (73%), Leaves skin fresh (10%), Skin doesn't feel tight (10%)
- Complaints: Drying (30%), Irritates or stings (8%), Breaks skin out (5%)
- Reports counted: 40

## Questions

**Which face wash works for oily skin?**

Counting just reviewers who said they have oily or combination skin, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser has the best record (21 of 24). CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser (14 of 16) and PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash 10% Benzoyl Peroxide (13 of 15) are close behind, all from small groups.

**Does CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser work for oily skin?**

Reviewers with oily skin mostly say yes, at 14 of 16. 29% of its reviews say skin didn't feel tight afterward, and 14% say they were still oily.

**Is PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash good for oily skin?**

Reviewers with oily skin mostly said it kept shine down (13 of 15), and 72% of its reviews say their breakouts got better. Drying is the main complaint, at 30% of its reviews.

**What if my oily skin also breaks out?**

A cleanser is one part of a routine. See a dermatologist for painful, deep or lasting breakouts, and stop any wash that keeps stinging or leaves your skin raw.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/