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Oily skin is one of the most common skin concerns. It’s also notoriously confusing to treat.

Some products aim to completely strip your skin of its natural oils, while others aim to alleviate your skin’s oil production with more oil. And somewhere in the middle are the other oily skin side effects, such as clogged pores and acne breakouts.

To help take the guesswork out of your oily skin care routine, we polled Healthline editors with oily skin to find out which products actually work — and stand out — in their routines.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $25
  • $$ = $25–$40
  • $$$ = over $40
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Best toner

Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner

  • Price: $
  • Pros: contains antioxidants and hydrating ceramides
  • Cons: might feel a little sticky, according to some reviewers
  • Best for: enlarged pores

“Niacinamide is excellent for oily skin. It might take a little while to have an effect, but this is good stuff.” — Maggie Brown, Healthline content operations manager

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Best mask

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores

  • Price: $
  • Pros: deeply cleanses pores and helps skin feel refreshed
  • Cons: might not be great for highly sensitive skin
  • Best for: excessive blackheads

“I use it once per week to get rid of any oil or product build-up, and it’s perfect for balancing the moisture in my skin without feeling too dry afterward.” — Jasmine Seales, Healthline updates editor

Shop now at Ulta

Best setting powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

  • Price: $$
  • Pros: helps absorb oil and reduce shine
  • Cons: may dry up makeup too much, according to some reviewers
  • Best for: skin that gets oily throughout the day

“I’ve used [this powder] for years. It’s super thin and dusty (which can be a mess if you’re not careful), and I love how it settles on top of my tinted moisturizer without getting cakey or pilling.” — Jamey Powell, Healthline senior market editor

Shop now at Sephora

Best sunscreen

Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45

  • Price: $$$
  • Pros: lightweight and contains SPF
  • Cons: might not be mattifying enough, according to some reviewers
  • Best for: skin that gets oily throughout the day

“This sunscreen-moisturizer combo is the only daytime moisturizer I’ve used that is actually mattifying without drying out my skin. It looks amazing under makeup and helps control shine. It’s a little pricey, but it also lasts a really long time, so it’s worth it.” — Ruby Thompson, Greatist market editor

Shop now at Ulta

Best cleanser

Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

  • Price: $$
  • Pros: fragrance-free
  • Cons: pricey
  • Best for: sensitive skin and redness

“Most cleansers marketed toward people with oily skin — especially ones that are too foamy — tend to leave the skin feeling stripped and overly dry. I like that this one produces very little foam, but it still removes excess oil and leaves my skin feeling fresh, clean, and soft.” — Mellanie Perez, Healthline market editor

Shop now at Sephora

Best exfoliant

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

  • Price: $$
  • Pros: visibly improves textured and dull skin
  • Cons: may make your skin more sensitive to the sun (Apply a good amount of SPF daily.)
  • Best for: acne-prone skin

“I’ve struggled with ‘maskne’ during [the COVID-19 pandemic] and tried everything to prevent breakouts. I tried multiple kinds of masks and materials, acne treatments, face washes, and exfoliants, but this one changed the game. Not only did it help clear up the breakouts I was having, but it also changed my entire complexion. I no longer have any clogged pores or shine. I am obsessed with it.” — Thompson

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Best serum

Topicals Faded Brightening and Clearing Serum

  • Price: $$
  • Pros: no bleach
  • Cons: not recommended to pair with other acids or retinol
  • Best for: darker skin tones

“My skin is both oily and sensitive, which means sometimes I’m very acne-prone. This helps to control and prevent acne, as well as fade any acne scars without using bleach (which is important for me, since I have a darker skin tone!). It’s also safe enough to use daily without clogging my pores. The product does have a sulfur-like smell when you first apply it.” — Seales

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Best sheet mask

Dr. Jart+ Dermask Micro Jet Clearing Solution

  • Price: $
  • Pros: microfiber in the mask helps it stay put
  • Cons: some reviewers say it doesn’t have a strong effect
  • Best for: combination skin

“Most sheet masks are solely for people with dry skin, but this one is an exception. Ingredients, such as tea tree oil and salicylic acid, are great for oily skin, plus the antioxidant glutathione helps combat dark spots.” — Perez

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Best moisturizer

Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Sunscreen with Niacinamide

  • Price: $$
  • Pros: lightweight, oil-free, targets dark spots
  • Cons: doesn’t feel like it sinks in (according to some reviewers)
  • Best for: combination skin

“The Fenty Skin moisturizer has become my go-to for using under makeup. It’s super light, absorbs really nicely, and serves as a nice base under my favorite skin tint. It also has SPF 30, which isn’t the easiest to find in a lightweight moisturizer.” — Thompson

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Best exfoliating toner

The Inkey List PHA Gentle Exfoliating Toner

  • Price: $
  • Pro: budget-friendly
  • Con: not for sensitive skin
  • Best for: dull and uneven texture

“I love that the ingredients are straightforward, and there is also lots of information provided on how they work. The Inkey List is like The Ordinary, but without the drama and nonsense. This particular formula never irritates my skin. I use The Inkey List PHA during the day and the Paula’s Choice BHA at night.” — Brown

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Best booster

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

  • Price: $$$
  • Pro: helps shrink pores
  • Con: intended to be mixed with other products
  • Best for: wearing under makeup

“Niacinamide is known for its ability to help shrink the appearance of pore size, and even out skin tone. I use this one from Paula’s Choice every night and if I’m going to be wearing makeup all day. I think it helps keep me from getting overly oily throughout the day when I wear it under makeup.” — Thompson

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Best night cream

Dr. Dennis Gross Intense Wrinkle Cream

  • Price: $$$
  • Pro: silky, matte finish
  • Con: fragrance may not be pleasing to everyone
  • Best for: mature skin

“I may not have ‘intense wrinkles’ as the product name suggests it’s for, but I do like to use a night cream with retinol. This one has both retinol and ferulic acid, so it’s great for preventing premature wrinkles and fighting off free radicals. My favorite part about this moisturizer is that it leaves a silky matte finish, but it’s very hydrating.” — Perez

Shop now at Sephora