7 Expert Tips for Choosing the Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: Controlling oily, acne-prone skin doesn’t mean you have to strip it dry. Over-cleansing can trigger rebound oiliness and inflammation. Instead, the smart route is a thoughtful plant-based face wash for oily skin—one that cleans deeply, balances sebum, and supports your skin barrier. Here’s your expanded guide with 7 expert tips, brand picks, routine advice, troubleshooting, and FAQs to help you get it right.
1. Opt for Gentle, Plant-Based Surfactants
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: For oily skin, surfactants need to cleanse effectively without disrupting the skin’s oil-balancing ecosystem. Many conventional washes use harsh sulfates that strip away too much, setting off increased oil production.
Recommended Gentle Surfactants:
-
Decyl Glucoside (sweet-corn derived): Mild, foaming, and non-irritating.
-
Coco‑Glucoside: Coconut-based, produces a soft lather and rinses clean.
-
Lauryl Glucoside: Delivers cushiony foam while maintaining microbiome flora.
These are derived from plants and free from ethoxylation processes that can introduce contaminants. Ideal cleansers for oily skin should also be non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and pH-balanced (between 4.5–6.0) to respect the acid mantle.
2. Balance Oil with Natural Astringents
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: Botanical astringents provide gentle pore tightening and oil control—without the harsh effects of synthetic alcohol. Perfect for oily skin balance.
Key Ingredients:
-
Witch Hazel Extract: Tones and clarifies pores—especially during warm weather.
-
Green Tea Extract: Reduces oiliness and inflammation via polyphenol antioxidants.
-
Cucumber Water & Aloe Vera: Hydrating astringents that calm and prep skin for subsequent products.
Used daily, these botanicals help reduce shine without drying, preserving hydration.
3. Include BHA from Natural Sources
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: Salicylic acid is a go-to for oily skin but often comes in synthetic forms. A great alternative? Willow bark extract—a plant-based source of salicin that exfoliates inside the pores to reduce blackheads and regulate oil.
This natural BHA method is gentler than synthetic peels, making it perfect for oily skin that also leans sensitive. Use face washes with willow bark up to twice a day depending on your skin’s needs.
4. Choose Non-Comedogenic Oils & Emollients
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: Contrary to popular belief, not all oils are bad for oily skin. In fact, specific plant-based oils can help balance sebum production and soothe inflammation.
Recommended Oils:
-
Jojoba Oil: Mimics natural sebum to trick the skin into producing less oil.
-
Squalane (from olives or sugarcane): Lightweight, antioxidant-rich, and helps with texture.
-
Grapeseed or Argan Oil: Rich in linoleic acid, which supports barrier function and helps clear pores.
When included in the right concentrations, these oils can hydrate and protect oily skin without triggering breakouts.
5. Look for Soothing, Anti-Inflammatory Botanicals
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: Oily skin often flares up with breakouts, and the right botanicals can reduce both inflammation and long-term damage.
Calming Additives:
-
Chamomile & Calendula: These herbs contain powerful antioxidants that soothe irritation.
-
Licorice Root Extract: Helps even skin tone while calming redness.
-
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Regulates sebum production and strengthens the skin barrier.
Products with these ingredients support overall skin health while helping to control oil.
6. Ensure Low-pH and Balanced Formulations
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: The pH of your face wash plays a major role in how your skin reacts post-cleanse. High-pH cleansers (like traditional soap bars) can disrupt your skin barrier, causing oil overproduction and breakouts.
Look for face washes labeled pH-balanced, ideally in the range of 4.5–6.0. These maintain your skin’s acid mantle, protecting against bacteria and inflammation.
7. Sustainable Packaging & Ethical Standards
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: When selecting a plant-based cleanser, also consider how it’s made and packaged. Brands committed to sustainability often offer better overall formulations and transparency.
Look for:
-
Recyclable or refillable packaging (glass, aluminum, or PP2 plastic)
-
Vegan and cruelty-free certifications
-
Ethical sourcing practices
-
Transparent ingredient lists and third-party testing
These details show the brand’s commitment not just to your skin, but to the environment and ethical manufacturing.
How to Use a Plant-Based Face Wash Effectively
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: To get the most from your plant-based cleanser, follow this skincare method:
-
Splash face with lukewarm water
-
Apply a small amount of product to your hands
-
Massage in circular motions for at least 30 seconds
-
Rinse thoroughly
-
Pat dry with a clean towel
-
Follow with toner, serum, moisturiser, and SPF
Avoid hot water, over-washing, and harsh scrubbing, which can worsen oily skin and trigger irritation.
Troubleshooting Common Oily-Skin Cleansing Issues
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: Even the best cleanser won’t work well if your routine is off. Here are some quick troubleshooting tips:
-
Still oily after cleansing?
You may be stripping too much natural oil, causing rebound oil production. Try reducing cleansing to twice daily and avoid harsh toners. -
Tightness or dryness after washing?
This could indicate a cleanser with an incorrect pH or overly harsh surfactants. Switch to a milder product or introduce a hydrating toner immediately afterward. -
New breakouts after switching products?
This might be a detox phase. If irritation continues for over two weeks, patch test ingredients to find possible triggers.
FAQs
Is plant-based safe for all types of oily skin?
Yes, as long as the product uses mild surfactants and non-comedogenic oils. Look for formulas that also include calming and balancing ingredients.
How soon will I see results?
Most users begin seeing oil control benefits and fewer breakouts within 2–3 weeks of consistent use. For deeper clarity, pair with a minimalist, hydrating routine.
Can I use it during hormonal breakouts?
Absolutely. Look for ingredients like willow bark or niacinamide to target inflammation during that time.
Should I avoid bar cleansers entirely?
If you’re dealing with oily skin, it’s usually best to avoid traditional soap bars unless they’re specifically formulated to be low pH and contain non-drying ingredients.
Real-World Results You Can Expect
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: A well-formulated, plant-based cleanser for oily skin can lead to visible improvements such as:
-
Less midday shine
-
Reduction in breakouts and clogged pores
-
Calmer skin tone
-
Better texture and fewer dry patches
-
More balanced, hydrated skin overall
The key is consistency. Pair your face wash with a simple, non-irritating routine and stay hydrated.
Expert recommendation
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin Organic Series
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: The Organic Facial Cleanser is an all-natural remover of the stubborn pollutants from the facial skin. Women who love makeup should grab this nourishing cleanser. It effectively eliminates the makeup grime without irritating the skin tissues. Perfect for all skin types, including sensitive and problematic skins. The gel leaves the skin soft and perfectly clean while protecting it from drying out.
Benefits
- Keeps the facial skin clean, soft and illuminated.
- Softens and removes all the dirt from the face and neck areas.
- The skin regains its fresh glow.
- Massaging the gel lightly on the dermis revitalizes the blood vessels. Blood flow gets boosted.
- Signs of ageing become a faraway concept. Regular facial cleansing dramatically helps the skin to regain its youthful glow.
- By clearing away all the grime, the gel allows other nourishing skincare products to penetrate the skin layers easily.
- Works like a wonder for dry skin issues. Naturally heals dermis cracking, redness, and inflammation.
How To Use
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: Keep the hair away from the face. And wash the face first with room-temperature water. Squeeze out two to three drops of the cleansing gel into the palm of the hands and create a foamy texture with water. Apply it on the facial and neck skin areas. Massage the foam for a minute, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Dry the skin with a clean towel. Use regularly for achieving flawless results.
Active ingredients
- Medical Marshmallow – moisturising and regenerating. Softens, smoothens the skin and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Apricot – revitalizes, soothes, moisturises, nourishes, and regenerates the skin. Improves skin color.
- Phytofoam™ – Shikakai, Plaster, Egyptian Hummingbird – gently cleans and smoothens. Moisturises, nourishes the skin and makes it more flexible. Has antibacterial properties.
- Hydriol PGCL (polyglycerol based emollient) – purifies and smoothens. Moisturises and forms a protective layer.
- Mg-60 corn syrup – soothes, smoothens, moisturises, and protects.
- Rosemary Hydrolate – has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Protects against UV rays, as well as regenerates the skin, and reduces wrinkles.
- Rose Hydrolate – soothes and offers an anti-inflammatory effect. Refreshes the skin, supports blood circulation, moisturises, and normalises sebum secretion.
- Lavender Hydrolate – has antiseptic and astringent properties. Soothes the skin, normalises sebum secretion, regenerates, and protects against UV radiation.
Ingredients
Best Plant-Based Face Wash for Oily Skin: Aqua, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Water, Rosmarinus Of cinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Glycerin, Maltooligosyl Glucoside / Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower Extract, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Balanites Aegyptiaca Fruit Extract, Gypsophila Paniculata Root Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Sodium Phytate.
More inspiration
Follow Organic Series UK on instagram and facebook for more inspiration, expert tips and special discount codes!
