If you have oily skin, you know how important it is to find effective products that control excess sebum, protect and renew, and don’t contribute to shine. Unfortunately, actually finding the products that check all those boxes isn’t always easy.

Thankfully, cult-favorite skincare brand Paula’s Choice has a variety of products that are perfectly tailored to oily skin needs. Here are the six best Paula’s Choice products for oily skin.

The Best Paula’s Choice Products for Oily Skin

Best Cleanser

Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser

Best Paula’s Choice Cleanser for Oily Skin

Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser

This gentle cream-to-foam cleanser effectively cleanses the skin and removes excess oil without drying it out.

Skin types:
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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Oily skin needs a cleanser that effectively cleans without stripping the skin of its natural oils, because this can actually lead to an overproduction of oil. This cleanser is a great option for oily skin, because it removes excess oil but is still gentle.

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Gentle

Cons

  • Some reviewers note this cleanser doesn’t remove makeup

This cleanser contains ingredients that hydrate and soothe the skin, including glycerin, sunflower seed oil, and aloe.

Best Exfoliant

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Cult favorite

Best Paula’s Choice Exfoliant for Oily Skin

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This liquid exfoliant is one of the best Paula’s Choice products for oily skin, because it gets deep into the pores to unclog and remove the build-up of dead skin cells.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Gently Exfoliating and Preventing Breakouts
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing, soak a cotton pad with the product and swipe all over the face. Follow up with a moisturizer.
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This cult-favorite product is the perfect exfoliator for oily skin types, because it contains salicylic acid, a BHA that is oil-soluble. That means it can cut through oil to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, leading to a smooth, clear complexion[1].

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Lightweight
  • Non-greasy

Cons

  • May irritate more sensitive skin types

This product also contains green tea, which soothes irritation and provides anti-aging benefits.

Best Serum

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

Best Paula’s Choice Serum for Oily Skin

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

This super light booster is great for oily skin, because it contains an effective concentration of niacinamide, which helps control sebum production (among many other skin benefits).

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Controlling Oil
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing, apply the booster to the face. Follow up with a moisturizer.
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Niacinamide is a great skincare ingredient for oily skin, because it has been shown to help control sebum production[2]. This skincare ingredient also provides a variety of benefits for all skin types. It can decrease redness and inflammation, minimize fine lines, reduce hyperpigmentation, and act as an antioxidant[3].

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Oil-free
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • May cause flushing in those sensitive to niacinamide (patch test prior to using)

In addition to the 10% concentration of niacinamide, this booster contains allantoin and licorice extract, which calm the skin. It also contains vitamin C, which brightens. It’s important to note that users should patch test niacinamide first, because some people are sensitive to niacinamide, and it may worsen acne or flushing.

Best Moisturizer

Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel Cult favorite

Best Paula’s Choice Moisturizer Oily Skin

Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel

This super light gel moisturizer is one of the best Paula’s Choice products for oily skin, because it hydrates without making the skin look or feel greasy.

Skin types:
Best for: Daily Moisturization
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing and applying serums, gently massage the moisturizer over your face and neck.
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Oilier skin types still need to moisturize daily, as it helps their skin stay hydrated and balanced. This super lightweight gel moisturizer gives oily skin the hydration that it needs without leaving a greasy finish.

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Non-greasy
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • No SPF for daytime use

This moisturizer contains niacinamide, which reduces the appearance of pores and helps control excess sebum[2]. It also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants that protect the skin.

Best Moisturizer with SPF

Paula’s Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+

Best Paula’s Choice Moisturizer with SPF for Oily Skin

Paula’s Choice Clear Ultra-Light Daily Hydrating Fluid SPF 30+

This lightweight moisturizer contains SPF that protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays. It also leaves a matte finish to eliminate shine often associated with sunscreens.

Skin types: Normal, Combination, and Oily Skin
Best for: Daily Sun Protection and Moisturization
Tested on animals: No
How to use: In the morning, after cleansing and applying any treatments, apply the moisturizer all over the face, neck, and chest.
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Many people with oily skin worry about using sunscreens, because they often feel thick and greasy. However, this SPF moisturizer is one of the best Paula’s Choice products for oily skin, because it protects the skin but doesn’t feel greasy or clog pores. It also contains antioxidants and hydrators that calm the skin.

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Lightweight
  • Matte finish

Cons

  • Contains chemical sunscreen, which may irritate sensitive skin

This lightweight SPF moisturizer contains antioxidants and replenishing ingredients that calm and hydrate the skin without contributing to shine, including vitamin E, grape seed extract, green tea, and oat extract.

Best Mask

Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Absorbing Mask

Best Paula’s Choice Mask for Oily Skin

Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Absorbing Mask

This mask contains clays that absorb excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores for a smooth, shine-free complexion. It also contains soothing plant extracts to minimize drying and to keep the skin balanced.

Skin types: Combination and Oily Skin
Best for: Absorbing Excess Oil and Minimizing Pores
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing, apply the mask all over the face. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse off with lukewarm water.
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A clay mask is a great product for people with oily skin to have on hand, because it will help keep oil in check by absorbing excess sebum. This mask contains natural kaolin clay and bentonite clay, which effectively reduces shine and minimizes the appearance of pores without irritating or drying the skin.

Pros

  • Oil-absorbing
  • Non-greasy

Cons

  • May irritate more sensitive skin

In addition to the clay, this mask contains plant extracts that calm and soothe the skin to minimize irritation, including oatmeal, sea whip, willow bark, and aloe.

FAQs

Is Paula’s Choice good for oily skin?

Paula’s Choice has a variety of effective products specifically created for oily skin needs. People with oily skin can easily create a solid skincare routine using products from Paula’s Choice.

Is Paula’s Choice BHA good for oily skin?

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is a great product for oily skin. It contains salicylic acid, which is oil-soluble and able to effectively unclog pores and remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. 

Do you moisturize after Paula’s Choice BHA?

Yes, you should apply a moisturizer after using Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (or any other chemical exfoliant product). A good oily skin moisturizer (like the Skin Balancing Invisible Finish Moisture Gel) will help counteract any dryness from the BHA and soothe the skin without making it feel greasy.

The Bottom Line

People with oily skin can create an effective, shine-reducing skincare routine with products from Paula’s Choice. Add some of the best Paula’s Choice products for oily skin to your routine for skin that is well-hydrated, clear, and shine-free.