Quick Summary
I tested five of the best face cleansers for oily skin from Australian conscious beauty brands over several weeks for the 2026 Clean + Conscious Awards. ZOË & HOPE CLNSR was my favourite gentle foam, SUPPLE Fresh Face Enzyme Cleanser delivered the deepest-feeling cleanse, and Fresh Face Skin Healer Cleanser was the standout for my sensitive skin.
Finding a face cleanser for oily skin is more complicated than choosing the strongest formula on the shelf. A cleanser that feels too harsh can leave your skin tight and uncomfortable, while one that is too mild may not remove the day’s sunscreen, let alone event makeup or excess sebum as thoroughly as you need.
I was asked to trial and review five cleansers from Australian conscious beauty brands for the 2026 awards, and my category was positioned for oilier or congestion-prone skin.
Testing was across several weeks in my regular routine, using them in the morning, at night, on makeup days, and on bare-faced days.
Read: 8 Best Moisturisers For Congestion-Prone, Acne-Prone Skin in Australia I Actually Emptied
I considered texture, scent, cleansing power, how my skin felt afterwards, and leaning into the awards focus, also the ethical, environmental, and social commitments behind each brand which I learned about behind the scenes.
The Best Face Cleansers For Oily Skin At A Glance
| Cleanser | My Pick For | Texture | Cleansing Feel | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZOË & HOPE CLNSR | Best Gentle Foam | Rich foam | Gentle but effective | From $38.00 |
| SUPPLE Fresh Face Enzyme Cleanser | Best Deep Cleanse | Foaming gel | Thorough | $52.00 |
| Habitual Beauty Balancing Cleanser | Best Ritual-Like Cleanse | Jelly-like gel | Strong | $65.00 |
| Fresh Face Skin Healer Cleanser | Best For Sensitive Skin | Balmy foam | Gentle and balanced | $49.95 |
| Indira Organics Cleansing Gel | Best Sensory Experience | Bouncy gel | Fresh and elevated | $58.00 |
How I Tested These Cleansers
I tested all five cleansers over several weeks as part of my usual skincare routine. I used them at different times of day and with different levels of sunscreen and makeup, both alone and as the second step of a two-step evening cleanse.
My assessment was based on:
- Texture and ease of use
- Scent and the overall experience
- How well the cleanser removed sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum
- How my skin felt immediately after cleansing
- Packaging and practicality
- The brand’s stated ethical, environmental, and social commitments
This is a first-person review based on my experience. Skin is individual, so a cleanser that suited me may feel different on your skin.
Best Gentle Foaming Cleanser: ZOË & HOPE CLNSR, $38.00
What I Liked About It
ZOË & HOPE CLNSR had a texture unlike any foaming cleanser I had tried before. The foam dispensed without feeling overly bubbly, and it had enough richness and body to massage across the skin without disappearing too quickly.
It broke down my daily sunscreen well, both as a standalone cleanser and as the second step in my usual two-step evening routine.
In the morning, it lifted away the overnight build-up of sweat and sebum without leaving my skin feeling stripped or dry.
The scent was warm, comforting, and slightly herbal, which made a welcome change from the stronger citrus-scented cleansers I often use.
I would describe its cleansing power as gentle, but it still did everything I needed it to do, including during colder days and nights when my skin was more prone to dryness.
What To Keep In Mind
If you prefer an unscented cleanser or want something specifically for heavy makeup removal, this may not be your first pick.
What Impressed Me About The Brand
I am always encouraged when a founder has dedicated part of their life to a cause and carries that commitment into the business they build.
ZOË & HOPE founder Evangeline has supported Compassion for Christ for almost three decades, and I appreciated hearing about her personal experience with difficult skin at different stages of life.
The brand states that it makes monthly contributions to Destiny Rescue and ZOE Australia, supporting work related to child trafficking and survivor recovery.
It also offers free skincare consultations to help customers and community members better understand their skin and routines.
Best Deep-Cleansing Gel: SUPPLE Fresh Face Enzyme Cleanser, $52.00
What I Liked About It
SUPPLE Fresh Face Enzyme Cleanser was the heavy hitter of the group. I reached for it when I wanted a more thorough cleanse after wearing heavier makeup, and it left my skin feeling fresh without feeling harsh.
The gel foamed and spread well, and I was able to use it around my eye area without discomfort.
Its large pump was practical, dispensed a useful amount of product, and made the overall experience feel considered.
Because the formula contains an exfoliating ingredient, I would not personally use it every night. I preferred it a few nights a week when I wanted a deeper-feeling cleanse, although someone with oilier skin than mine may choose to use it differently.
What To Keep In Mind
This was one of the stronger cleansers I tested, and the exfoliating element may not suit every skin type or daily routine.
What Impressed Me About The Brand
SUPPLE’s Cash Your Trash program rewards customers with store credit for returning empties, creating a practical incentive to think more carefully about packaging waste.
I also liked how the brand used Australian botanicals, including finger lime, to connect its broader story with the formula itself. The brand’s work with formulators and other partners also appeared consistent with its stated values.
Best Ritual-Like Cleanse: Habitual Beauty Balancing Cleanser, $65.00
What I Liked About It
Habitual Beauty Balancing Cleanser gave me a fresh, ritual-like moment at the end of the day.
It delivered a strong, thorough-feeling cleanse, particularly through my T-zone, while the jelly-like gel texture and generous lather made it enjoyable to use.
The packaging felt sleek, and its scent lingered lightly in the air after rinsing. I enjoyed testing this cleanser, and it made me curious about the rest of the Habitual Beauty range.
What To Keep In Mind
The noticeable scent may not appeal to people who prefer fragrance-free or very lightly scented skincare.
What Impressed Me About The Brand
Habitual Beauty joined the Encoreship program, which supports women returning to the workforce. I was also moved by the brand’s Bound by Love campaign and its stated commitment to support women experiencing complicated pregnancies during and after pregnancy.
That support extends beyond financial contributions to include product donations for people going through difficult and vulnerable periods.
Best Cleanser For Sensitive, Oily Skin: Fresh Face Skin Healer Cleanser, $49.95
What I Liked About It
Fresh Face Skin Healer Cleanser offered the best balance of gentleness and performance for my sensitive skin. Its balmy texture made it enjoyable to use, while the light foam emulsified with water and rinsed away without leaving a stripped feeling.
It was gentle enough for me to use regularly, but I never felt as though I needed it to do more. The scent was noticeable without feeling overpowering, and I expect to keep reaching for it through winter.
What To Keep In Mind
Although it is not heavily fragranced, it does have a scent, which may matter if you prefer completely fragrance-free formulas.
What Impressed Me About The Brand
Fresh Face Skin’s education-focused approach stood out to me. The brand offers in-clinic and online consultations with trained dermal therapists, and it acknowledges that living with a skin condition can affect emotional wellbeing.
The founder is also hands-on with educational website content and events. Alongside this, the brand states that it uses recycled and recyclable postal mailers and tissue wrap as part of its approach to reducing waste.
After I shared the cleanser, I received messages from several people who had used the brand and spoke highly of their own experiences, which was lovely to hear.
Best Cleansing Experience: Indira Organics Cleansing Gel, $58.00
What I Liked About It
Indira Organics Cleansing Gel delivered the most gift-worthy and sensory cleansing experience of the five. It had a warm, lightly floral scent and a bouncy texture that melted across the skin before lathering well.
My skin felt clean afterwards, but what I enjoyed most was the experience itself. It was a skincare step that sparked joy and one I looked forward to using throughout the trial.
What To Keep In Mind
The floral scent is part of the experience, so this may not be the right cleanser for someone who avoids scented skincare.
What Impressed Me About The Brand
I appreciated how hands-on the founder appeared to be and how closely connected she was with Australian communities.
The brand’s packaging choices, including bioplastic derived from sugarcane and Miron glass, showed consideration for both function and environmental impact.
I was also pleased to see the brand outlining how it plans to continue developing these commitments as it grows.
The Bottom Line
There is no single best cleanser for every person with oily skin, and this trialing period was a reminder at how personal texture and scent are.
My strongest all-round recommendations from this trial were ZOË & HOPE CLNSR for a gentle foam, SUPPLE Fresh Face Enzyme Cleanser for a deeper cleanse, and Fresh Face Skin Healer Cleanser for sensitive skin.
The biggest reminder from testing all five was that a cleanser does not need to feel aggressive to cleanse effectively, and textures might surprise you.
Let me know what cleanser is your current favourite below in the comments.
Minnie xx
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