Products for Men with Oily Skin & Acne

Due to testosterone production, men (and especially teenagers) are very susceptible to acne. During teenage years, testosterone levels increase drastically - causing a large amount of androgens to be produced, spawning acne breakouts.

​As men age, the amount of testosterone normally decreases, and fewer breakouts occur. However, the tendency to have oily skin & breakouts is often hereditary. In this case, you may experience acne and oiliness for your entire life, and continually be on the quest for clear skin. (For more information, view the articles on our "causes of acne & oily skin" page). ​

Surprisingly, few companies offer a product line geared specifically toward men with skin trouble. Since society is so focused on women being the image of perfection, men with skin problems are left in the dust. Oily skin and acne can damage the self esteem of men, just as it can for women; possibly even more-so, because men don't typically use foundation to cover their flaws. Below, we've listed some products designed especially for men with oily skin.  

Before reading the product descriptions below, it may help to have some in-depth information on the 2 most common ingredients found in anti-acne products: Salicylic Acid & Benzoyl Peroxide
 
Salicylic Acid (SA) – This plant based derivative is found in many acne medications, and can be purchased in gel, liquid, or powder form. When pores are severely impacted by blackheads, or buried underneath swollen breakouts, oxygen cannot circulate. This recurring cycle provides the perfect breeding ground for acne bacteria to flourish. The task of SA is not to kill acne bacteria, but to dissolve dead skin cells and blackheads. Once these blockages disintegrate, oxygen is once again allowed into pores, naturally killing acne bacteria.
 
Liquid SA dries and heals most small blemishes overnight. Large cystic acne breakouts can take several days longer, as inflammation causes swelling that further blocks pores and prevents medications from penetrating. Gradually over a few day’s time, SA dissolves dead skin cells covering stubborn breakouts, and sinks to the core to also dissolve the pore plug. At this time, the breakout will begin to shrink and inflammation will be drastically reduced. 
 
Benzoyl Peroxide (BP) – A common ingredient found in gel and cream acne medications. One of the most popular Benzoyl Peroxide treatments is the Proactive system. BP kills acne bacteria when placed in direct contact; however when BP is ineffective, that usually means it cannot penetrate skin cells, to reach the heart of pores where acne bacteria flourishes. Recently, a Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide has been developed, whose miniscule molecules are better able to sink deep into pores.
 
BP is a better preventative than cure. It often works best when used after spot-treating trouble areas with Salicylic Acid. After the SA gets to work dissolving blackheads and removing old skin cells, BP is better able to penetrate pores and get to work killing acne bacteria. Those with severely impacted, congested pores may take longer to see results, as the medication takes more applications to finally reach the core of where breakouts begin. 

Complete Skin Care Lines
​for Men with oily skin & acne

PC4 Men Kit by Paula’s Choice: A complete skin care set geared toward oily skin. It contains a blackhead fighting face wash, gentle shave cream, soothing daytime moisturizer gel, and a nighttime repair cream.

Jack Black Regimen for men with oily skin: This company offers an array of products for men with oily skin, including: Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser, Face Buff Energizing Scrub, All Day Oil Control Lotion, Power Peel Resurfacing Pads, Ingrown Hair Solution, and even Skin Friendly Shave Gel.

Proactiv was one of the first companies to offer complete skin care kits that target congested, acnegenic skin types. They recognize the importance of developing a skin care routine, to be followed morning and night. Their main kit contains benzoyl peroxide based products in the form of an exfoliating cleanser, revitalizing toner, and a repairing treatment for acne. Other complimentary items can also be purchased.

Oxy Skin Care Line: Oxy is probably the most common drugstore brand of products for acne prone, oily skin. They offer face wash, acne spot treatments, and high power cleansing pads. Their cleansing pads are a popular choice among men, because they are packaged in a small convenient container, and provide a quick, mess-free way to wipe away skin oils & dirt. The pads also contain acne fighting medication that stays on the skin for hours after application. ​​

L’Oreal Expert Pure Power Skincare Line for Men with Acne: One of the more recent men’s skincare lines to hit the market, L’Oreal's Men Expert products contain salicylic acid to control acne and oily skin. Their Pure Charcoal Moisturizer reduces oiliness while tackling breakouts. Their Pure Charcoal Daily Face Wash clears pores and exfoliates to prevent roughness. ​

 Individual Products  
​for Men with Oily Skin & Acne 

Quite a few other brands offer selections for men who experience skin problems. While their entire line might not specialize in products for oily skin and acne prone skin, they do have some highly effective singular items available.  ​

Nivea Oil Control Deep Cleansing Face Wash: Deep cleans pores and helps regulate oil production throughout the day. Charcoal absorbs impurities to help remove pore plugs and blackheads. Apply to damp face using circular motions. Rinse and dry with a fluffy towel. $7

Lab Series Oil Control Face Wash: A foaming face wash that contains salicylic acid to clear pores and target breakouts. Apply to damp face using circular motions and allow to sit for 30 seconds before rinsing. $26

Waso Satocane Pore Purifying Scrub Mask:
This product works as both a mask and facial scrub! Apply it for 5 minutes, and the purifying mineral clay absorbs pore-clogging debris. After 5 minutes, apply a bit of water and gently massage in circular motions, to coax away blackheads and dead skin cells. Rinse away the mask, to reveal brighter, fresher looking skin. 

Thayers Witch Hazel Pads: Tone skin, prevent breakouts, and help heal existing acne with these soothing witch hazel & Aloe Vera cleansing pads. They contain 100% pure non-distilled Witch Hazel, for maximum potency and antibacterial benefits. They also balance the pH level of skin, which deters future acne breakouts from occurring. $7 They also have a new type of astringent pad with 2% Salicylic Acid, which work best to heal and prevent cystic acne. $9

Lab Series Oil Control Toner Solution for Acne Prone Skin: A salicylic acid & witch hazel toner that dissolves excess oil, deters breakouts, and tightens pores. Apply with a cotton pad after cleansing & drying skin. $22

​Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Gel Moisturizer for Oily Skin: A blend of zinc, sodium & magnesium that hydrate skin without leaving a greasy residue. Also contains Bamboo Extract and Caffeine to energize and smooth your complexion. $25 ​

Hibiclens Soap: While this is not marketed as a product for acne prone skin, it is the ultimate bacteria killer.  Hospitals worldwide use it to prevent & kill MRSA or Staph infections (which are often present in acne breakouts). The ingredients linger on your skin for several hours after application, to prevent bacteria from spreading and multiplying. $18 ​

Can men use anti - acne and oil control products designed for women? 

Since so many anti-acne products are geared toward women, it makes one wonder - what's the difference? Many men can use the same skin care products that women use, and vice versa. However, women’s products may not be strong enough for men, and men’s products may be too strong for women. As a general rule, it’s best follow these guidelines:

If you are a man with thinner skin (soft, pale skin with translucency where you can see some veins) – you are probably fine using women’s products. Thin skin is normally quite sensitive, and most importantly, it easily absorbs products.

If you are a man with thicker skin (rough, opaque, with large pores) product lines intended for men will give you the best results. Thick skin has a bulky epidermis, so products designed for women’s typically thinner skin may not seep far enough into pores to do the trick.

Most natural remedies work for either gender. 

Anti-acne remedies and products for oily skin, 
suitable for both men & women:

Clean & Clear Blotting Sheets. These absorbent plastic sheets can be pressed onto the skin to soak up oil throughout the day.  Even though the packaging states "won't smudge makeup", they can still be used by any gender! They are a discreet must-have if you suffer from oily skin, and can absorb oil in mere seconds. ​

Biore Pore Cleansing Strips. After cleansing with an exfoliating scrub and warm water, apply these strips to nose, chin & cheeks. They adhere to any debris hiding within pores, to effectively remove blackheads. With blackheads gone, the  chance of developing breakouts is greatly reduced. This classic product to remove blackheads now comes in various sizes for different areas of the face, and formulas ranging from Charcoal to Witch Hazel. 

Mattify Cosmetic’s ULTRA Powder for Oily Skin. Men may scoff at wearing something deemed a “face powder" product to help control their oily skin. However, this technically is not makeup. It’s a transparent blend of kaolin clay, magnesium, silica, and rice powder that acts as invisible defense against oiliness for hours, and also helps pores look smaller.  Since it absorbs so much oil, it helps prevent clogged pores and breakouts before they begin.  ​

All of the items on our Natural Remedies for Acne Prone & Oily Skin page and our Medical Treatments for Oily & Acne Prone Skin page will benefit both men and women.

Tips for Men with Oily Skin & Acne:

Men should always avoid steroids if they suffer from oily skin & acne. Steroids enlarge sebaceous glands, causing even more oil production, and therefore trigger more acne breakouts. 

Select a good quality shave gel, and don't use disposable razors more than once. Skimping on these products can cause ingrown hair, where embedded hair can quickly get infected. According to Dr Neetu Saini, a certified medical physician by American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine,  "Shaving does have its own benefits like keeping the pores clog-free, but wrong shaving products can affect the skin - making it prone to acne problems. Razor bumps are formed when the hair grows within the skin, leading to a bump on the outside skin." 

These selections represent just a handful of products for men with oily skin and acne. Have you found something that has helped control your skin problems? If so, please let us know in the comments! ​