When it comes to skincare, you’ve got plenty of choice. There are thousands of brands out there, each with plenty of products to choose from. But how do you know which ones to trust and which brands will actually work for your skin? It’s a tough decision, and this decision can be even more difficult if you have oily skin. You’ll need a brand with products that can actually tackle oiliness, control shine and keep your skin healthy. Overwhelmed by the amount of choice out there? We’re here to make things easier.
Here at Face Dr, we’ve helped thousands of clients find the very best skincare products for them. Our team of experts have decades of experience working with the best brands in the business. Plus, we happily share this knowledge! With a free video consultation, you can speak to a member of our team and find out the best skincare brand for you.
Here are our top brands for oily skin.
#2 Obagi
#3 iS Clinical
#4 Murad
Want to know our top brands for other skin types and concerns? We’ve covered our recommendations for sensitive skin and ageing skin.
What is oily skin?
Before we cover why we love these brands so much, let’s touch on what oily skin actually is. Oily skin is a common skin type. Some experts even think that up to 80% of us could be oily skinned. It simply means that our skin produces more oil than usual and this usually leaves us with a shiny looking complexion, oily patches and makes us prone to acne and breakouts. You may also notice large visible pores, too.
Oily skin can be caused by many different things. The main causes are:
- Genetics
- Age
- Hormones
- Stress
- Diet
- Using the wrong skincare products
- Over exfoliating or over cleansing
Luckily, there are brands out there that can help to reduce the look of oily skin and actually reduce excess oil production over time. Here are the brands we recommend.
#1 ZO Skin Health
Founded by dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi, ZO Skin Health is a top brand for those with oily skin. It’s backed by science and offers active ingredients that can tackle the cause of excess oiliness. Look out for every essentials, like the Exfoliating Cleanser, and go-to serums, like the Daily Power Defense, which can tackle other concerns like ageing and hyperpigmentation while being safe for oily skin.
We love ZO Skin Health because we’ve seen the results first hand. We know how common it is to try product after product expecting—but not getting—a change in your skin. That’s why we only partner with a small number of brands that meet our high standards when it comes to skincare that actually works.
Face Dr top pick: Despite loving these products, our top pick from ZO for oily skin is the ZO Oil Control Pads. These pre-soaked pads help to break down oil, normalise pore size and reduce acne breakouts.
#2 Obagi
Obagi is another medical-grade skincare brand that’s backed with clinically proven results. The brand has two lines of products that it recommends for oily skin: the Obagi-C RX System and the Nu-Derm RX System. Products include everything from cleansers to toners, serums to sun screens and can include prescription-strength ingredients if needed.
As well as controlling and taking care of oily skin, the brand has products for hyperpigmentation, ageing and acne, so you can tackle other concerns, too.
Face Dr top pick: Nu-Derm Exfoderm Forte, from the Nu-Derm RX System. This exfoliator is designed for oily skin and helps to break down dead skin cells, dirt and oil to clear up your complexion. Get in touch with hello@myfacedr.com if you’re interested in Obagi products or book your free consultation.
#3 iS Clinical
iS Clinical is a great brand for those who have skin that’s more on the sensitive side. While most people who have oily skin tend to have less sensitivity compared to other skin types, it is still possible to have oily and sensitive skin. iS Clinical is so gentle that it’s even safe enough for use during pregnancy and even for cancer patients.
The brand has products for concerns like ageing, hyperpigmentation and acne. You can opt for products like cleansers, moisturisers, exfoliants and serums. One great everyday essential is the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex that cleans the skin while targeting acne and visible pores.
Face Dr top pick: This iS Clinical Active Serum is ideal for those with acne-prone skin. Not only does it help to calm and reduce breakouts, but it smooths wrinkles, evens out skin tone and helps to reduce the look of large pores. Get in touch with hello@myfacedr.com if you’re interested in iS Clinical products.
#4 Murad
Murad has a whole range dedicated to oil control. These products help to reduce excess oil without stripping the skin of it altogether. The brand promises to provide instant results with the skin looking more matte straight away. But the ingredients can also help to reduce oil production overtime, too.
For an everyday oil-controlling routine, check out Murad’s clarifying cleanser, toner and lightweight sunscreen. If you experience oily skin and breakouts on your body too, opt for the brand’s Clarifying Body Spray which can clear up spots and blemishes.
Face Dr top pick: Murad’s Clarifying Mask helps to reduce breakouts, rebalance the skin and absorb excess oil which often clogs up our pores.
Get expert advice
There you have our top five brands for those with oily skin. Not sure which one is best for you? That’s when turning to an expert can help. At Face Dr, we offer free online consultations with a member of our friendly team.
On a 30-minute video call, we can analyse your skin and ask about any concerns you have beyond oiliness—like sun spots or wrinkles, for example. Then, armed with all this information, we’ll be able to recommend the best brand out there for the job.
Plus, we can share which products you should be using from this brand, too. Our experts can help you with one-off additions to your skincare routine or even help to build a whole new routine from scratch.
When it comes to recommendations, we only ever share brands and products that we’ve tried and tested ourselves. So you can be sure you’re getting something that will provide results for oily skin and beyond.
