Want a balanced complexion that’s all glow and none of the grease? Start your quest with the best skincare for oily skin. Stocking your cabinet with dermatologist-approved products for clearing clogged pores, banishing blackheads, and soothing acne-prone skin is half the battle in bringing a blurred, velvety finish to skin that tends to shine a little too brightly.

Beyond the usual face washes and toners that cleanse, tighten enlarged pores, and gently exfoliate, a top-notch trousseau for oily skin includes face masks and treatments designed to strengthen the skin barrier and keep the pores congestion-free. Ahead, an edit of the best skincare products for oily skin, according to dermatologists and Vogue editors.

Vogue’s Favorite Skin-Care Products for Oily Skin

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Best Blackhead Treatment: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice

Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

• Why We Love It: Infused with salicylic acid—a BHA known for unclogging the pores and reducing inflammation—this liquid exfoliant is a Vogue editor all-star for taking care of blackheads. The formula has a pH level of 3.5, which keeps its salicylic acid active and is able to effectively penetrate and decongest the pores. “What we like in particular about this formula is how easy it is to integrate into a routine—it has the consistency of water and absorbs rapidly into the skin after cleansing, so you can apply your favorite serums and moisturizers on top without pilling, Vogue contributor Emily Orofino reports. As the liquid exfoliator unclogs the pores, it also works to brighten the skin and has a smoothing effect on fine lines and wrinkles.
• Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea
• Size: 4 fl oz

Best Cleanser for Oily Skin: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

• Why We Love It: CeraVe’s gentle foaming cleanser balances out oily skin without stripping away necessary moisture. Infused with a cocktail of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, the face wash has a foamy texture that makes for an ultra-refreshing wash. “A foaming cleanser like CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a great choice for patients with oily skin,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. “Oftentimes, patients with oily skin also have active breakouts, and a foaming cleanser enables them to effectively cleanse the skin without having to press too hard on the surface of the skin, which can feel irritated from acne.” He adds that the formula is packed with ceramides—CeraVe’s signature ingredient—which moisturizes the skin and helps maintain the overall health of the skin barrier. Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon in Austin, also recommends the drugstore pickup for oily-skinned patients. “This is a gentle yet effective option for oily skin, with ceramides to support the skin barrier and niacinamide to calm and balance oil production,” she notes. “It cleanses thoroughly without leaving the skin feeling tight or stripped.”
• Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide
• Size: 12 oz