The Budget Dermatologist has gone deep on oily skin, working through more than 30 products across cleansers, serums, moisturizers, masks, and SPF. Her approval rate of 89% tells you she finds a lot to like in this category. She also named several category winners, including The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer, and L'Oreal 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel.
What does The Budget Dermatologist recommend for oily skin?
Fragrance-free formulas come up again and again in her approving takes. She pointed to the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser partly because it has no fragrance, which she considers important when you are treating acne. She also weighs up ingredients carefully. On The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Mask, she called out salicylic acid as a great treatment for acne, and noted that the charcoal and clay in the formula help unclog pores. She likes products that earn their place in a routine. The Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Pore Diffusing Primer made her list because a primer fills in fine lines and helps makeup sit better, rather than settling into them. And she tends to favour formulas matched to the season: for summer she picked La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Moisturizer over heavier creams because its gel texture gives a matte finish, which she says makes it the top pick for oily skin.
In her words
"I'm choosing the La Roche-Posay Purifying Foaming Facial Wash [...] for several reasons. Number one, it has niacinamide in it which will help acne redness and the skin barrier. Number two, it has no fragrance, and I strongly recommend choosing fragrance-free products like this one when treating acne."
"I am specifically recommending the SkinCeuticals product in this routine because it is an ideal combination of three main components. It has 15 percent pure L ascorbic acid vitamin C and ferulic acid just like what is found in the industry gold standard vitamin C serums. The C, E, and ferulic in this product is what is going to be your powerhouse anti-aging ingredient to rebuild the collagen in your skin, fade dark spots, and serve as an antioxidant."
"For the summertime, I'm using the La Roche Posay Double Repair Matte Moisturizer because it's a little bit lighter. It's a gel formulation compared to cream-based forms. This is going to be a little bit of a thicker finish on the skin and this is more matte, so if you're oily skin, definitely this is my top pick."
"The Ordinary 2 percent salicylic acid mask is great for acne prone skin because of the salicylic acid ingredient, which is a great treatment for acne. It contains charcoal and clay which help unclog the pores and further improve the texture of the skin. This is super affordable and really easy to incorporate into your routine because you only need it once or twice a week."
"I am using the Rare Beauty Illuminating Primer, and this is my newest Sephora buy and I absolutely love it. [...] A primer is going to really fill in the fine lines on your skin and help plump them up so that the makeup wears more nicely and doesn't quite settle into the lines as much. [...] It could also add hydration to the skin."
"I love this option if you've never tried glycolic acid before or you have sensitive skin. Using a wash off form of it, like a cleanser, can help decrease your irritation and get your skin used to it before you go all in with a leave-on product. 3.5% is a good entry-level glycolic acid. This is going to give you more of the exfoliation benefits, less likely to give you the anti-aging benefits where it's penetrating into the dermis more because of less contact time on the skin."
How many products has The Budget Dermatologist reviewed for oily skin?
The Budget Dermatologist has reviewed 36 products for oily skin, for an approval rate of 89%. 32 approved, 2 mixed, and 2 skipped.
What has The Budget Dermatologist skipped for oily skin?
Her skips here were cleansers, and her reason was straightforward: she does not think cleansers are the place to spend money. On the Avène Cleansing Gel she said outright that cheaper cleansers are just as good. She made the same call on the Avène Cleanance Cleanser, telling viewers the two cleansers in that line are fine but not worth the price when affordable options like Vanicream or CeraVe exist. Her advice was to save the budget for the rest of the routine instead.
"The oil-free gel cleanser is no. Cheaper cleansers are just as good."
"This line also contains two cleansers which are fine but for the price I prefer more affordable options like Vanicream or CeraVe. I do not think that you should spend your budget on cleansers in your routine. Save it for the Cleanance products, so skip these two."
What should you take from The Budget Dermatologist's picks?
The Budget Dermatologist is a generous reviewer of oily-skin products, but her generosity has a logic to it. She approves what works and earns its price. Her strong view is that cleansers are not worth splashing out on, so anyone with oily skin would do well to take her lead: keep the cleanser budget modest and put the money toward the actives and treatments she rated most highly.
Watch The Budget Dermatologist say it
Every verdict here comes from a video. These are the moments themselves, each one jumping straight to the bit about that product.
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning SolutionNamed a winnerWatch at 5:48
- ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40Named a winnerWatch at 9:38
- SkinCeuticals Silymarin CFNamed a winnerWatch at 9:19
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte MoisturizerNamed a winnerWatch at 23:47
- L'Oreal 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleansing GelNamed a winnerWatch at 4:08
- Avène Cleansing GelSkipped itWatch at 23:07
- Avène Cleanance CleanserSkipped itWatch at 15:47
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel CleanserRated itWatch at 6:53
- The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% MaskRated itWatch at 11:38
- Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Pore Diffusing PrimerRated itWatch at 5:38
- Versed Doctor's Visit Instant Resurfacing MaskRated itWatch at 3:14
- BYOMA Moisturizing Gel CreamRated itWatch at 11:02
- Dermalogica Daily MicrofoliantRated itWatch at 3:56
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel (reformulated)Rated itWatch at 7:56
- BYOMA Ultra Light Face Fluid SPF 50Rated itWatch at 16:49
- First Aid Beauty Dew Point Moisturizing Gel CreamRated itWatch at 22:06
- Three Ships Soothe Vitamin C Clay MaskRated itWatch at 3:47
- Three Ships Detox MaskRated itWatch at 9:17
- EltaMD UV Clear Blemish Prone and Oil Balancing SPF 50Rated itWatch at 7:06
- MD Solar Sciences BB Cream SPF 50Rated itWatch at 2:35
- Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat MilkRated itWatch at 14:38
- CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser with 2% Salicylic AcidRated itWatch at 2:11
- Paula's Choice Niacinamide 20% TreatmentRated itWatch at 5:38
- Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit CleanserRated itWatch at 6:11
About this expert
See everything The Budget Dermatologist has reviewed
Related guides
This guide reflects what The Budget Dermatologist said across her videos about 36 products for oily skin, aggregated by The Guru Index. Sponsored takes are excluded. The approval rate is the share of these products she approved. It is general information, not medical advice.