What is the best face wash for oily sensitive skin?

Having a skincare routine for oily or sensitive skin can be quite difficult. However, it becomes a true challenge to find the right products if you have both oily and sensitive skin. So, what is the best face wash for sensitive oily skin?

While most products on the market specialize in either oily or sensitive skin, a handful of products are tested by many to be extremely gentle on sensitive skin while reducing sebum and shine. These products include Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Face Wash, which is our top pick as the best overall face wash for sensitive oily skin.

But that’s not all! If you’re looking for a complete guide that walks you through everything you should know about this skin complexion, keep on reading!

Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

 

What Is the Best Face Wash for Oily Sensitive Skin?

Our Pick: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Daily Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Oily Skin

Buy on Amazon

 

Kicking off the list with one of the best products on the market that targets both oily skins that are exceptionally sensitive.

This unique face wash has one of the best formulas that contain a minimal variety of ingredients to reduce any comedogenic or hyperallergic activity to the skin.

This makes the Neutrogena Face Wash ultra-gentle for sensitive types of skins that are highly irritated by added chemicals, parabens, fragrances, allergens, and essential oils.

Now for the oily part of the skin. This face wash is designed with a deep cleansing formula that is able to thoroughly remove the excess oil, sebum, and dirt for the deepest skin layers.

For all these previous reasons, it benefits those who are suffering from both sensitive and dry skin at the same time.

How to Use it

Another special feature about this face wash is that it’s as simple as it gets when it comes to usage.

• All you need is to first wet your face and add some of that creamy cleanser on your hands (about the size of a coin)
• Work the face wash until you cover your face with it
• Then start to gently massage your skin to expose the deep sebum and oils for cleansing
• After that, rinse the face wash off your face

 

Best Face Wash for Oily Acne Prone Sensitive Skin: Cetaphil PRO DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash

Buy on Amazon

 

If your oily and sensitive skin is also prone to acne and breakouts, you’ll need a highly exclusive item that’s specifically made for that task. One of the best products on the market for that job is the Cetaphil Pro DermaControl Foam Wash.

In addition to the highly efficient cleansing ingredients in the item, the formula in this oil removing foam wash contains mainly liquorice root extract as well as zinc. These substances help sensitive skin by soothing the irritated skin all the while reducing the shine produced by oils.

How to Use it

• Similar to regular face washes, you should start by cleaning your hands to avoid transferring bacteria to your pores
• After that, apply enough foam to massage your skin with it
• After you rinse your face, the strong formula may leave your skin a bit dry

You can use an external moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Ideally, you can also get this oil control Cetaphil moisturizer for optimal results along with the foam for sensitive oily skin.

RELATED: Best Carrier Oil for Sensitive Skin

 

Best Cleanser for Sensitive Oily Skin and Large Pores: Paula’s Choice RESIST Foaming Cleanser

 

Buy on Amazon

 

In addition to being sensitive, one of the most problematic issues for oily skin is having large pores.

These pores accumulate excess sebum and oils to cause much bigger issues, such as intense acne and blackheads.

If you want to avoid this problem altogether while enjoying a nourished oily sensitive skin, consider this Resist Foam Cleanser from Paula’s Choice.

What makes this cleanser special is that it also has a sun-blocking factor and moisturizer to keep your complexion clear without any kind of hypersensitivity or irritation.

How to Use it

• Wet your face
• Apply the foam on your hand

The great thing about this product is that it starts to give decent results within a few days of usage!

 

Best Face Wash for Oily Sensitive Skin Drugstore: EltaMD Deep Pore Sensitivity-Free Facial Cleanser

Buy on Amazon

 

This one is an excellent drugstore face wash that’s designed for sensitive skin.

The EltaMD Deep Pore Facial Cleanser is designed and proven clinically to remove all the oily impurities and sebum that’s embedded deeply into the skin, which accumulates with bacteria to create acne breakouts.

Additionally, it has a skin-nourishing poly glycerin formula that will adjust the moisture level to help your skin breath while being moisturized.

It’s ideal for those looking for the maximum level of care that comes with premium drugstore skincare products.

How to Use it

• You apply a small amount of the cleanser on your hand
• Apply it to the skin on your face
• Massage skin gentle
• Remember to rinse your face with water before and after your treatment with this medical-grade facial cleanser

 

Natural Cleanser for Oily Sensitive Skin: Beauty By Earth Face Wash

Buy on Amazon

 

If you prefer an organic approach while treating your ultra-sensitive oily skin, you should consider this face wash from Beauty by Earth.

What makes this product special is that it’s designed from all-natural ingredients only and is mainly used for oily skin.

Since all the ingredients in this product are organic, you shouldn’t worry about any kind of skin reactions or irritations

How to Use it

The face wash is used just like other commercial ones.

• You just need to apply it on a wet face
• Massage it into skin in a circular motion

The gentle formula allows you to follow up with your skincare routine without worrying about breakouts and irritations.

 

Best Face Wash for Oily Sensitive Skin with Blackheads: Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Pore Cleansing Acne Wash

Buy on Amazon

 

The problem with blackheads is that charcoal is the best ingredient to get rid of them. Unfortunately, this ingredient is often too intense for sensitive oily skin.

RELATED: Is charcoal good for the skin

The best viable option to use as a face wash for oily sensitive skin with blackheads is Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash. it works like magic for everything from removing excess oils all the way to blackheads.

How to Use it

While using this face wash like usual, make sure you immediately follow it up with a moisturizer.

Despite being gentle on sensitive skin, it does remove a lot of oils, which might leave your skin a bit dried out.

 

Medicated Face Wash for Oily Sensitive Skin (Derma Prescribed): ASEPXIA Medicated Acne Face Wash

Buy on Amazon

 

Last but not least, this facial wash acne cleanser by Asepxia. If all the over the counter face washes didn’t work for your skin, you should consult a dermatologist to prescribe a medicated face wash for you.

Most of these face washes contain sulfur, which is known for its abilities to fight and prevent acne.

What makes this one the best for your condition is that it’s tried by a lot of people with oily sensitive skin and got great results with consistency and sticking to the dermatologist instructions.

How to Use it

Unlike the previous items, this one should be used as prescribed by your dermatologist.

 

Can You Have Oily Sensitive Skin?

Some people suffer sensitive skin while others suffer from oily ones.

However, there’s a wide possibility for some people to have a skin type that’s both oily and sensitive at the same time.

What Is Oily Sensitive Skin?

Oily sensitive skin is a quite challenging skin type where the skin produces more sebum and oils than regular.

However, being more sensitive, the skin also starts to break out with acne, blackheads, and other conditions quite easily.

Sensitive skin also makes it more difficult to choose suitable skincare routine products, as some of the oil removing ones might be too harsh for the sensitive skin.

What Happens to Your Skin When you Have Both Oily and Sensitive Skin?

While having both sensitive and oily skin sound a bit offbeat, sensitive oily skin causes more frequent breakouts and intense acne than regular skin.

 

What Causes Oily Skin?

According to Dr. Vikram Rajkomar,

“Sebum helps moisturize and protect the skin and is one of the key causes of oily skin. When your sebaceous glands produce excess sebum, your skin can be more on the oily side. The environment, genetics and hormones can cause you to produce more sebum.”

 

What Causes Sensitive Skin?

Dr. Rajkomar also defines sensitive skin:

“Sensitive skin is skin which demonstrates lower tolerance to the application of certain products, for example cosmetic products. This includes stinging, burning, redness, dryness or itching. Causes include eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, irritant dermatitis and rosacea as the most common.”

 

What Causes Oily Sensitive Skin?

Finally, Dr Rajkomar sheds some light on this skin combination:

The top causes of both sensitive and oily skin are genetics and hormonal changes. If you have oily skin, do not wash your skin more often as this can increase sensitivity.

 

How Do You Treat Oily Sensitive Skin?

The biggest problem while treating oily sensitive skin is finding products that fit both bills.

Ideally, you treat these types of skin by using a face wash or a cleanser that is specifically designed for oily skin.

However, these products should also be free of allergens and other ingredients that might irritate sensitive skin.

 

What Products Are Good for Oily Sensitive Skin?

While such a unique complexion minimizes the options you have, there are some products that can do the trick.

Always look for products that are labelled with “ultra care” as well as “treating oily skin conditions”. Such products are designed to work on oily skin while staying gentle.

 

What Ingredients Should You Avoid If You Have Oily and Sensitive Skin?

Chemical ingredients, such as preservatives, colours, and perfumes unnecessarily irritate the skin.

Moreover, the formula should be intensively minimalistic, as it’s free of all kinds of chemicals that irritate sensitive oily skin. This includes masking fragrances, parabens, and pore-clogging elements.

 

What Is the Recommended Skincare Routine When You Have Oily and Sensitive Skin?

The skin care routine for sensitive oily skin should be similar to the skin routine of normal oily skin but with the exclusion of intense ingredients that irritates the skin.

Cleansing with a face wash, toning and moisturizing the skin at day and night count as the best skincare routine.

You should also incorporate it with wearing sunscreens while going outdoors and washing your face after workouts.

 

Wrap Up

There you have it. A complete guide with everything you need to know about sensitive oily skin.

Here’s a quick recap of the top choices of face wash for sensitive oily skin:

1. Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Daily Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Oily Skin
2. Cetaphil PRO DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash
3. Paula’s Choice RESIST Foaming Cleanser
4. EltaMD Deep Pore Sensitivity-Free Facial Cleanser
5. Beauty By Earth Face Wash
6. Neutrogena Oil-Free Pink Grapefruit Pore Cleansing Acne Wash
7. ASEPXIA Medicated Acne Face Wash

Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Thanks to the excellent blend of soothing and oil removing ingredients, we pick Neutrogena Ultra Gentle as the best face wash for sensitive oily skin.

Related posts on our blog:

• Top Chemical Exfoliants for Sensitive Skin
• Indoor Tanning Lotion for Sensitive Skin
• Foundations for Sensitive Skin with Acne
• Best Makeup Brands for Sensitive Skin in 2020
• Best Moisturizer for Acne-Prone and Oily Skin

If you have any questions, valuable tips, or suggestions for great products to add to the list, don’t forget to leave us a comment below!

 

What are some of your tips for oily sensitive skin?