It’s important to find an effective face wash that works for your skin’s specific needs. If you prefer skincare products without oils, we’ve compiled a list of the best oil-free face washes.

Our Recommendations

1. Face Cleanser

First aid beauty Face Cleansers

First Aid Beauty Face Wash for Daily Cleansing

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser

This fragrance-free face wash is an excellent hydrating, gentle cleanser that is suitable for all skin types, and packed with antioxidants.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Daily Cleansing
Tested on animals: No
How to use: Wet your face with lukewarm water, and then gently massage the cleanser into your skin. Rinse with lukewarm water.
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This gentle cleanser effectively cleanses without stripping the skin of its natural oils. It contains additional ingredients that help calm and hydrate the skin, including aloe, glycerin, and allantoin.

Pros

  • Gentle
  • Fragrance-free
  • Oil-free
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Dermatologist tested

Cons

  • May not be suitable for acne-prone skin

In addition to the ingredients noted above, this vegan and cruelty-free face wash contains the First Aid Beauty antioxidant booster (a blend of licorice root, feverfew, and white tea extracts) to help fight environmental aggressors.

water/aqua/eau, sodium cocoyl isethionate, glycerin, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, allantoin, chrysanthemum parthenium (feverfew) extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, caprylyl glycol, sodium pca, coco-glucoside, glyceryl oleate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydrogenated palm glycerides citrate, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, lecithin, phenoxyethanol, sodium chloride, disodium edta, citric acid, maltodextrin, leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, tetrasodium edta

  1. Sage Journals. "Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics"

    Accessed Nov. 8, 2021.
  2. National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Pharmacological attribute of Aloe vera: Revalidation through experimental and clinical studies"

    Accessed Nov. 8, 2021.

2. Gentle Facial Cleanser

Vanicream Face Wash for Daily Cleansing

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

This mild, soap-free cleanser is excellent for dry and sensitive skin. It gently cleanses without irritating or drying out the skin.

Skin types: Normal, Dry and Sensitive
Best for: Daily Cleansing
Tested on animals: No
How to use: Wet your face with lukewarm water, and then gently massage the cleanser into your skin. Rinse with lukewarm water.
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This Vanicream cleanser was made specifically with sensitive skin in mind. It is incredibly gentle on the skin, and contains hydrating ingredients like glycerin to keep the skin moisturized. This formula is also soap-free, meaning it gently cleanses without irritation.

Pros

  • Gentle
  • Oil-free
  • Fragrance-free
  • Non-comedogenic
  • National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance

Cons

  • May not be effective enough for acne-prone skin

This cleanser is free of common irritants that can negatively affect sensitive skin, including dyes, fragrances, and essential oils.

Purified water, glycerin, coco glucoside, sodium cocoyl glycinate, acrylates copolymer, caprylyl glycol, mica, sodium chloride, 1,2-hexanediol, titanium dioxide, sodium hydroxide, disodium EDTA

  1. Sage Journals. "Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics"

    Accessed Aug. 26, 2021.

3. Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser

La Roche-Posay Face Wash for Daily Cleansing

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser

This gentle and hydrating cream cleanser is one of the best La Roche-Posay cleansers for normal to dry skin. It effectively removes dirt and debris from the skin while still retaining its essential moisture.

Skin types: Normal, Dry and Sensitive
Best for: Daily Cleansing
Tested on animals: Yes
How to use: Wet your face with lukewarm water, and then gently massage the cleanser into your skin. Rinse with lukewarm water.
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If you have dry skin, finding a cleanser that cleans without stripping the skin of its natural moisture is essential. This cleanser contains ceramides and glycerin, which are excellent for keeping the skin adequately moisturized.

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Oil-free
  • Dermatologist tested
  • Gentle

Cons

  • May not be suitable for acne-prone skin

In addition to the ceramides and glycerin, this cleanser contains niacinamide, which helps soothe the skin. Additionally, this cleanser is suitable for those with more sensitive skin.

AQUA/WATER/EAU, GLYCERIN, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAETHYLHEXANOATE, PROPANEDIOL, AMMONIUM POLYACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE, POLYSORBATE 60, CERAMIDE NP, NIACINAMIDE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, COCO-BETAINE, DISODIUM EDTA CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PANTHENOL, TOCOPHEROL (CODE FIL: D242855/1)

4. Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash

La Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash

La Roche-Posay Face Wash for Acne and Daily Cleansing

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash

The 2% concentration of salicylic acid in this medicated cleanser helps remove excess oil and clear current breakouts.

Skin types: Normal, Oily and Combination
Best for: Acne and Daily Cleansing
Tested on animals: Yes
How to use: Wet your face with lukewarm water, and then gently massage the cleanser into your skin. Rinse with lukewarm water.
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This cleanser contains a 2% concentration of the chemical exfoliator salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA). Salicylic acid is able to shed excess skin cells and decongest pores to fight current breakouts, as well as prevent future breakouts from happening.

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Oil-free
  • Dermatologist tested
  • Non-comedogenic

Cons

  • May be drying

This award-winning cleanser has been dermatologist tested, and is suitable for sensitive skin. It is also non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t contain ingredients known to clog pores.

2% Salicylic Acid, water, sodium laureth sulfate, decyl glucoside, glycerin, sodium chloride, coco-betaine, PEG-150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, hexylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, zinc gluconate, tetrasodium EDTA, polyquaternium-47, menthol, capryloyl salicylic acid, citric acid.

  1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Over-the-counter Acne Treatments"

    Accessed Aug. 16, 2021.

5. Squalane Cleanser

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

The Ordinary Face Wash for Daily Cleansing

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

The Ordinary’s one and only cleanser is a great daily cleanser for all skin types, because it is gentle and moisturizing but cleanses effectively.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Daily Cleansing
Tested on animals: No
How to use: Dispense the cleanser into clean, dry hands, and then rub your hands together to allow it to melt. Gently massage the cleanser onto dry skin, and then rinse with warm water.
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This squalane cleanser emulsifies from a balm to an oil-like consistency (despite being oil-free). It leaves the skin feeling moisturized, rather than tight and dry.

Pros

  • Gentle
  • Moisturizing
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Oil-free
  • Fragrance-free

Cons

  • May not be suitable for acne-prone skin

The main ingredient in this cleanser is squalane, a skincare ingredient that has an oil-like consistency (but isn't actually an oil). Squalane is a derivative of squalene, which is naturally found in human sebum. It is excellent for lightly hydrating the skin.

Squalane, Aqua (Water), Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Sucrose Stearate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sucrose Laurate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sucrose Dilaurate, Sucrose Trilaurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Malic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin.

  1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Moisturizers: The Slippery Road"

    Accessed Aug. 9, 2021.

6. Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

Paula’s Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

Paula's Choice Face Wash for Daily Cleansing

Paula’s Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser

This cream-to-foam cleanser is gentle on the skin, but still effectively removes excess oil and debris. It contains replenishing ingredients that balance moisture levels and leave the skin feeling soft and balanced.

Skin types: Normal, Oily and Combination
Best for: Daily Cleansing
Tested on animals: No
How to use: First, wet the skin with lukewarm water. Dispense the cleanser into your palms, and then gently massage into the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water.
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People with oily to normal skin need a cleanser that effectively cleanses without stripping the skin of its natural moisture (which can actually trigger the production of more oil). This cleanser is formulated to gently cleanse while still maintaining moisturized skin.

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Gentle
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Some reviewers noted it irritated their skin

One of the key ingredients in this cleanser is hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin retain moisture. It also contains ceramides, which work to restore the moisture barrier and strengthen the skin. Aloe also helps calm sensitive skin and reduce redness.

Water (Aqua), Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (cleansing), Stearic Acid (texture-enhancing), Glycerin (hydration/skin replenishing), Glycol Distearate (texture-enhancing), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (non-fragrant antioxidant plant oil), Acrylates Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP (hydration/skin replenishing), Phytosphingosine (skin-restoring), Phospholipids, Sphingolipids (hydration/skin replenishing), Lecithin (skin-restoring), Arginine (amino acid/hydration/skin replenishing), Cholesterol (hydration/skin replenishing), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (hydration/skin-soothing), Disodium EDTA (stabilizer), Sodium Chloride (stabilizer), Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster), Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (texture-enhancing), Xanthan Gum, Carbomer (texture-enhancing), Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol (preservatives), Caprylyl Glycol.

FAQs

Which oil-free face wash is best for oily skin?

If you have oily skin, the Paula’s Choice Resist Perfectly Balanced Foaming Cleanser is a great choice for you. It effectively cleanses away excess sebum and debris while keeping the skin balanced and not drying out the skin (which can trigger oil production). If you are also prone to acne, the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash is another excellent option. It contains salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant that unclogs pores to minimize breakouts.

Which face wash is best for sensitive skin?

There are a few great options on this list for those with sensitive skin that are looking for an oil-free option. The Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser and the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser are both excellent options, as they are formulated with sensitive skin in mind. They both contain hydrating ingredients, and are also fragrance-free.

Is an oil-free face wash better?

Oil-free skincare products aren’t necessarily better than those that contain oils. Instead, some people may just prefer oil-free products in their skincare routines. This is often true of people who have oily skin, as certain products that contain oil may make their skin feel even oilier. However, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what works best for your skin.

The Bottom Line

There are many excellent oil-free face washes available on the market. If you prefer to steer clear of oils in your skincare routine, try adding one of the face washes mentioned above to your skincare routine.