I hear you, and I completely understand how frustrating it is to deal with oily skin. You’ve been doing everything right: cleansing, toning, using serum, moisturizing, and staying consistent. But despite all that effort, blotting your face still feels like dabbing a greasy slice of pizza!
If you’re familiar with gel cleansers, you might already know why dermatologists recommend them for oily skin. They’re lightweight, water-based and remove excess oil without stripping your skin’s natural moisture.
In this article, I’ve carefully selected the best Japanese gel cleansers highly rated on @cosme, Japan's most trusted beauty review platform, along with a few personal favorites I swear by.
With the right combination of diet, sleep, self-care, and a gel cleanser that works for you, I hope you can finally enjoy the healthy, refreshed skin you truly deserve.
Why Use Gel Cleansers vs. Other Types of Facial Washes
Gel cleansers are ideal for oily and acne-prone skin because of their lightweight, water-based formulas. They often include acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, which help control sebum production and prevent breakouts.
Here’s why they’re a great choice for oily and combination skin types:
Deep Cleansing Without Stripping
Gel cleansers effectively remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities without overdrying your skin. Unlike foam cleansers, which can strip away natural oils and leave skin feeling tight, gel cleansers maintain your skin’s natural moisture balance.
Hydration and Balance
Many gel cleansers are infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to keep your skin moisturized while cleansing. Unlike oil cleansers, which may leave some residue, gel cleansers provide hydration without a greasy finish.
Lightweight Texture and Non-Greasy Finish
Gel cleansers have a refreshing, lightweight texture that rinses off easily, leaving your skin feeling clean and fresh, perfect if you prefer a non-greasy finish after cleansing.
Fewer Harsh Ingredients
Gel cleansers are often formulated with gentle surfactants, minimizing irritation and maintaining the skin’s barrier. They cleanse effectively without relying on harsh foaming agents, making them a safer option for sensitive or combination skin.
Perfect for Double Cleansing
Gel cleansers work perfectly as the second step in a double cleansing routine. After using an oil cleanser to dissolve makeup and sunscreen, a gel cleanser removes remaining impurities and leaves your skin completely clean.
Japanese skincare (J-Beauty) is all about simplicity, effectiveness, and clinical ingredients. These gel cleansers not only keep your skin clean and balanced but also provide hydration and help brighten your complexion for that healthy, glowing look.
Here are some top-rated products, trusted by thousands of reviewers on @cosme, plus a few of my personal favorites!
1. FAS The Clear Cleansing Gel
Best for preventing breakouts and gently exfoliating sensitive skin
Awarded Best Cosmetics of the Year in 2024, FAS cleansing gel features fermented honey extract from Kyoto's "hyakuka honey" for gentle exfoliation and hydration.
It is ideal for oily and combination skin because of its lightweight, oil-free, and water-based formula. It effectively dissolves excess oil and impurities without clogging pores, helping to prevent breakouts and blackheads.
The fermented honey extract gently exfoliates dead skin cells and clears away dirt, leaving skin smooth and refreshed. Since it provides mild peeling and deep cleansing without over-stripping, it balances oil production while keeping the skin hydrated.
Plus, its non-greasy, rinse-off formula ensures that combination and oily areas stay clean without feeling dry or tight.
2. Dr.K Medicated C Clear Cleansing Gel
Best for brightening dull skin and calming acne-prone complexions
This medicated cleansing gel by Dr. K provides a deep yet gentle cleanse that removes excess oil and impurities without stripping moisture.
Packed with 11 types of vitamins, including vitamin C derivatives, it brightens the skin and promotes a smoother texture. Anti-inflammatory ingredients help soothe irritation and prevent breakouts, making it ideal for acne-prone skin.
The lightweight gel formula effectively unclogs pores, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and balanced. Its non-greasy texture ensures a clean, smooth finish while maintaining essential hydration.
Gentle enough for everyday use, even on sensitive skin, this cleansing gel is perfect for those seeking clearer, healthier skin without overdrying.
3. Kao Curel Makeup Cleansing Gel Intensive Moisture Care
Best for removing makeup gently on sensitive, oily skin
Curél, a respected name in skincare, was launched by Kao Japan in 1999 as Japan’s first solution for sensitive skin. Backed by research from Kao’s skin lab, established in 1976, Curél continues to set the standard for gentle, effective skincare.
Although Curel’s makeup cleansing gel is designed for dry, sensitive skin, it can also be a practical makeup remover for oily skin. Its rinse-off, soft gel formula effectively melts away oil-based impurities like sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum without harsh rubbing.
Since oily skin tends to produce excess oil, thorough yet gentle cleansing is essential to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. The product is designed to preserve the skin's natural ceramides, which are essential for a healthy skin barrier.
Kao Curel Makeup Cleansing Gel Intensive Moisture Care 130g
$18.00
4. Orbis Cleansing Gel
Best for gentle, everyday cleansing on sensitive or combination skin
Orbis cleansing gel is a melting gel formula that effectively removes makeup without rubbing, making it perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
The dense, bouncy gel transforms into a liquid as it blends with makeup, effortlessly lifting away even stubborn residues. Formulated with three types of moisturizing ingredients, it leaves the skin feeling soft, hydrated, and supple after cleansing.
This gentle formula is oil-free, fragrance-free, colorant-free, alcohol free, and paraben-free, making it safe for sensitive skin. Additionally, it’s safe to use with eyelash extensions, ensuring gentle yet effective cleansing.
5. Pluest Mannan Jelly Hydro Face Wash
Best for hydration-focused cleansing and preventing oil-triggered dehydration
Pluest Jelly Wash gently removes dirt while providing hydration and nourishment. Its hydrogel base lifts impurities and excess sebum without overdrying, while plant-derived bubbles from soapwort leaf extract trap dirt and cleanse thoroughly.
The formula also contains glucomannan, a konjac-derived scrub that clears clogged pores, removes sebum, and prevents breakouts and blackheads.
Additionally, this cleanser increases the moisture content by approximately 30% after cleansing, preventing dehydration that can trigger excess oil production.
Free from 14 additives, including preservatives, parabens, and artificial fragrances, this allergy-tested cleanser leaves the skin clean, smooth, and hydrated without irritation. 
Pluest Mannan Jelly Hydro Face Wash 120g
$39.98
6. Ishizawa Lab Baking Soda Pore Cleansing Gel
Best for blackhead removal and pore exfoliation
This Baking Soda Pore Cleansing Gel by Ishizawa Lab, known for its affordable, reliable products that focus on minimizing pores and exfoliating skin. Its thick gel formula effectively dissolves makeup, dirt, and sebum while unclogging pores. Powered by baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate), it softens dead skin cells and gently exfoliates to remove blackheads and prevent clogged pores, making it perfect for those dealing with blackheads or excess oil buildup.
The formula is free from colorants, mineral oil, parabens, and alcohol, making it gentle enough for sensitive skin while providing a deep, thorough cleanse.
Ishizawa Lab Baking Soda Pore Cleansing Gel 100g
$17.95
7. BCL Tsururi Pore Care 5-in-1 Warm Cleansing Gel
Best for deep pore cleansing and lazy-day multitasking routines
BCL Tsururi Pore Care Cleansing Gel is a versatile 5-in-1 cleanser that effortlessly melts away makeup and impurities. It works as a makeup remover, cleanser, exfoliator, pore cleanser, and facial pack, which is a lifesaver when I’m feeling super tired or lazy and want to cut down my skincare routine.
The formula is packed with powerhouse ingredients like Moroccan ghassoul clay and konjac to absorb excess sebum and impurities, while witch hazel and papain work to minimize enlarged pores. On top of that, double ginger extract, citrus peel, and honey provide a boost of hydration to prevent overdrying.
Since it’s oil-free, it effectively removes blackheads and controls excess oil without stripping away moisture, leaving the skin feeling clean, refreshed, and perfectly balanced.
BCL Tsururi Pore Care 5-in-1 Warm Cleansing Gel 150g
$11.95
8. Mediplus Cleansing Gel
Best for balancing oily skin and simplifying skincare steps
Mediplus Cleansing Gel is a lightweight, all-in-one cleanser perfect for oily skin. It removes makeup, unclogs pores, and hydrates without leaving a greasy residue.
Packed with collagen, ceramides, and natural extracts, it balances oil production while keeping skin smooth and refreshed.
Its gentle formula prevents over-cleansing, helping to reduce excess oil and prevent breakouts. Ideal for simplifying your skincare routine while maintaining a healthy, radiant complexion.
Mediplus Cleansing Gel 160g
$52.00
9. Keana Beaute Pore Care Cruelty-Free & Halal Cleansing Gel
Best for T-zone oil control and minimizing clogged pores
Keana Beaute Pore Care Cleansing Gel is perfect for those struggling with clogged pores, especially around the nose and cheeks. Its warm texture opens pores, dissolving keratin plugs and sebum, while charcoal absorbs excess oil for a deep clean.
Enriched with vitamin C and Heart Leaf Extract (Cica), it cleanses, moisturizes, and conditions the skin without stripping natural oils.
Vegan, cruelty-free, and Halal-certified, it leaves your skin soft, smooth, and refreshed.
Keana Beaute Pore Care Cruelty-Free & Halal Cleansing Gel 40g
$11.95
10. Biore Ouchi de Esthe Gel Cleanser
Best for improving skin texture and clogged pores with daily use
What we love most about the Biore Ouchi de Esthe Gel Cleanser is that it doesn’t just feel good, it actually works. It has this soft, jelly texture that glides on effortlessly, and there’s a light, spa-like scent that makes you want to slow down for a second and actually enjoy washing your face. I also noticed that my makeup goes on way better in the mornings when I use this, like, my base just sits more nicely.
If you’re like me and your skin gets rough or textured easily, this has been one of those small-but-mighty changes in my routine that really made a difference. I still use my oil cleanser when I wear heavy makeup, but this has earned its spot as my go-to daily cleanser.
Biore Ouchi de Esthe Gel Cleanser Massage Facial Wash Gel 150g
$11.99
For more skincare tips, check out our guide to the best cleansers and facial washes for clogged pores. And if you’re on the hunt for a good toner, don’t miss our roundup of must-try acne toners.
Struggling with breakouts or textured skin? You might also find our article on fungal acne treatments and dermatologist tips super helpful. It covers what it is, how to treat it, and what ingredients to avoid.
Give Your Skin the Care It Deserves
I know how frustrating, exhausting, and downright unfair it can feel to deal with oily, acne-prone skin. But with the right cleanser, I’m hopeful you’ll start seeing the results you’ve been working so hard for. Pair that with a little patience and consistency, and you’re well on your way to achieving that fresh, balanced glow.
Hang in there! Nourish your body with the right food, embrace self-care, and trust the process. And most importantly, be kind to yourself, even when it feels like nothing is working. Self-love does more than any skincare product ever could. It nourishes not just your skin but your confidence, too. You’ve got this!
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