The 10 Best Exfoliators for Oily Skin in 2026

Exfoliating isn’t just for dry skin; it’s essential for all skin types, including oily and combination. Removing dead skin cells helps prevent clogged pores, acne, blackheads, and white bumps, keeping oily skin under control.

Oily skin has its perks, like fewer wrinkles, but it can be tricky to manage without the right routine. Knowing which products work best for your skin will make all the difference.

At the end of this article, I’ve included a guide on exfoliator types and tips for using them correctly. First, let’s dive into my top picks for the best exfoliators for oily skin!

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1. Fresh Sugar Face Polish

The Fresh Sugar Face Polish leaves oily skin smooth, soft, and seriously hydrated. Brown sugar scrubs away dead skin cells while sealing in moisture, and strawberry seeds packed with Vitamin C give your skin a gentle boost.

Plum and grapeseed oils, plus linoleic acid, help support collagen and elastin, keeping your skin healthy and nourished. It’s gentle, melts into your skin, and gives just the right amount of exfoliation—simple, effective, and perfect if you love fuss-free skincare!

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2. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is the perfect intro to chemical exfoliants. Its lower acid concentration lets your skin ease in without irritation.

The salicylic acid penetrates oily pores to clear them out, smooth texture, and shrink their appearance. Green tea adds anti-ageing and soothing benefits. You’ll notice clearer skin, fewer blackheads, and better oil control—all while your skin looks radiant and refreshed.

This exfoliant is effective, affordable, and ideal if you want a reliable BHA that actually works.

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3. Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Exfoliating Treatment

The Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intense Exfoliator is a powerhouse! It combines all three types of exfoliation—physical, chemical, and enzymatic—without overwhelming your skin.

It smooths texture, refines pores, and even softens fine lines and wrinkles. The AHAs (lactic acid) and BHAs (salicylic acid) break down dead skin cells, while silica beads provide gentle physical exfoliation. Papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes help mattify oily skin and boost overall radiance.

If you love the satisfying grit of a physical scrub but want serious results, this exfoliator is a top pick.

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4. NeoStrata Oily Skin Solution

The NeoStrata Oily Skin Solution is simple but highly effective! Designed specifically for oily and acne-prone skin, it focuses on ingredients that actually work.

Its star ingredient, glycolic acid, gently exfoliates dead skin cells, brightens the complexion, and helps prevent future breakouts. It removes excess oil without leaving your skin tight or stripped.

You’ll notice results quickly- a smoother texture, a radiant finish, and better oil control. Dermatologist-approved, this is a top choice for anyone struggling with oily skin or acne.

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5. Dr Brandt Microdermabrasion Exfoliator 

The Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Exfoliator is gentle but effective! Lactic acid moisturizes while gently exfoliating, and jojoba oil, aloe, and chamomile soothe and refresh the skin.

For physical exfoliation, professional-grade aluminum oxide crystals buff away dead cells without harsh scrubbing, letting your creams absorb better.

It helps control oil, reduces acne and acne scars, improves texture, and smooths fine lines. Sensitive or oily skin? This exfoliator is a great choice—mild but powerful enough to reveal healthier, cleaner skin.

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6. Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Resurfacing Cream

The Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins is an exfoliating sleeping mask packed with AHAs, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and salicylic acid to target dullness and dead skin cells. While marketed for dry to normal skin, it works beautifully on oily skin too.

Use it as the last step in your routine and let it work overnight. In the morning, your skin will feel smooth, hydrated, and calmer in oily areas.

This high-potency resurfacing cream is gentle, effective, and from a trusted, clean brand. If you want a simple, high-end alternative to a physical exfoliator, this overnight mask is a winner.

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7. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

Don’t be fooled by the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid—it’s more than just a blackhead solution. This BHA-rich liquid unclogs pores, fights acne, soothes the skin, and helps reduce oil production.

Its minimal ingredients make it gentle for sensitive skin while focusing on keeping your pores clean and smooth. With consistent use, your skin will look clearer and feel balanced.

K-Beauty fans will love this affordable multi-tasker that tackles several skincare concerns in one go. It’s one of my personal favourites. Read my full review on using the Blackhead Power Liquid here!

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8. Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

The Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic is a clean, drugstore-friendly exfoliating toner—perfect if you want effective acids without harsh ingredients.

It combines lactic acid from yeast, salicin (BHA) from willow bark, and azelaic acid precursors to gently remove dead skin, minimize pores, and brighten your complexion. Gentle enough for everyday use, it’s ideal for oily, combination, or congested skin.

This tonic leaves your skin refreshed, radiant, and balanced, making it a great starter acid toner that replaces physical exfoliators.

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9. Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser

The Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser is a drugstore gem! Dermatologist-tested, it smooths skin and tackles blackheads with fine, gentle microbeads.

AHAs like glycolic and salicylic acids clear dirt and oil, while glycerin keeps your skin hydrated. It helps mattify your face and reduces the need to blot throughout the day.

Affordable, effective, and perfect for simplifying your routine—this cleanser does double duty without breaking the bank.

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10. Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder

The Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder is a luxurious, non-abrasive exfoliant that leaves skin smooth and radiant. Unlike classic scrubs, its fine powder makes it extra gentle, and you can customise the consistency, add a few drops of water for a thick paste or just a sprinkle for a lighter exfoliation.

Rice and papaya enzymes promote natural skin turnover, while green tea, rice, and algae give your skin a youthful glow. Daily use helps reduce fine lines, uneven tone, and hyperpigmentation.

I’m not a fan of all Tatcha products, but this one delivers, it’s definitely worth the investment for its gentle, effective exfoliation.

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Exfoliating tips and FAQs

Exfoliating is an essential key to healthy-looking skin, and I’m sure you’ve heard conflicting opinions on exfoliating. It’s either great to remove dead skin or it’s too abrasive for the skin. So what’s really the deal? Let’s start with the basics.

Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. 

Skin Cell Turnover

Our skin naturally and actively produces new skin cells, a process called skin cell turnover. It generates new healthy skin cells to keep our skin healthy and young.

When we are younger, the skin cell turnover rate is much faster, but it slows down as we age.

How does exfoliating help with skin cell turnover?

As our skin produces more skin cells, there is also a dead skin cell build-up. When left unexfoliated, it can cause acne, enlarged pores, and rough and dull skin. That’s where exfoliating comes in.

Exfoliating removes the extra-thick coat of dead skin cells on the surface layer of the skin and diminishes clogged pores. When you clear these dead skin cells, you will most likely have a more effective skincare routine.

Why? Since the dead skin cells are removed and then you put on your creams, serums or moisturizers – they will be absorbed by the new healthy skin cells which will be a lot more beneficial to your skin. 

What are the other benefits of exfoliating?

Now that we mentioned that exfoliation helps with the removal of dead skin cells. There are other beneficial things that exfoliation does.

• Helps with slowing down the ageing process
• Unclogs your pores
• Increases skin cell turnover
• Clears acne

Tip #1: Don’t Over Exfoliate

As much as exfoliating can do wonders, it can also be damaging when overdone. Be wary of how many times you should exfoliate a week. Avoid using exfoliating products in your daily routine.

For oily skin, 2 to 3 times a week is optimal while for drier or sensitive skin, 1 to 2 times a week is enough.

Tip #2: Choose The Right Physical Grit or Granules for Your Skin

Make sure that the exfoliating agents on the scrub are not too large or too abrasive. Ground nuts like walnut shells, fruit pits and sea salt are granules that are way too large and aggressive for the skin.

Tip #3: Be gentle with scrubs

When you apply exfoliators, make sure that you are extra gentle with them. If you’re too aggressive when applying, it can cause micro-tears on your skin, which you may not see on the surface but you will definitely notice the long-term damage of it in the next few years.

Tip #4: Read The Labels

When we see a product, we tend to ignore the information on the back. But it is critical we read the instructions on it and the how-tos of a particular product. Especially when it comes to AHAs or BHAs products, they have different percentages of acid concentration.

The skin will react differently depending on these percentages.

The higher the concentration, the stronger it is, so leave it on the face for a shorter time.

Tip #5: Know How To Use AHAs/ BHAs Properly

If you’re new to AHAs or BHAs or need a little guidance, it is essential that you slowly add acids to your skincare. Use one product first and test out how it goes with your skin and how it reacts.  Start with the smallest percentage of acidity levels and use once a week. 

My Thoughts

You can’t entirely stop excessive oil buildup, but, with the right products and tricks your oily skin will be a lot more manageable! 

Skincare involves a lot of trial and error and it also evolves a lot over the years. What worked for you 5 years ago, may not work today! Go with your skin as it changes over the years!

For drier skin types, read my review on the best exfoliators for dry skin.

Hollie xx

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