Facial blotting papers come in all different shapes, sizes, sheets and containers, but they all help to reduce excess oil that can cause shine and lead to breakouts. Some even include key skincare ingredients for face with antibacterial properties for acne-prone skin, while others boast anti-ageing formulas or come with powder to mattify without disturbing your makeup.
We're here to help you find the best blotting paper for oily skin; one that's easy to carry, straightforward to use and does its job! We'll also show you where to buy them. Once you're clued in on what to look out for, check out our top 10 product recommendations. We've got blotting paper from big cosmetic and drugstore brands like Soap & Glory, Revolution and NYX that you can buy in the UK with a few clicks from Boots, ASOS, Amazon and more.
Quick List - Top Blotting Papers
EcoFeminii
All-Natural, Environmentally-Friendly Sheets, Great for Sensitive Skin
Soap & Glory
Easy-To-Use Blotting Sheets With a Large Compact Mirror for Touching up on the Go
PleasingCare
A Natural Pack of 100 Blotting Sheets for Those With Sensitive Skin
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Table of Contents
Blotting paper can either come on a roll or as individual sheets. Rolls have one continuous sheet that you tear off on the sharp edge of the container, allowing you to choose exactly how much paper you need (so you can conserve it). But, let's face it, it can be tricky to get a clean cut, and you could end up tearing the paper.
Blotting sheets, meanwhile, are pre-cut to size, so you just need to remove a sheet, dab and go – ideal when you're in a rush! You can end up wasting the product though, as you might not always end up making use of the entire sheet, and you can only use them once.
Having oily skin doesn't mean you should skip moisturiser - browse our best moisturisers for oily skin!
There are lots of plant extracts to look for in your blotting paper that boast great skin benefits such as these:
These blotting papers come in a mini cardboard satchel or book, giving them some projection so you can carry them around with you. You can also use disposable packs to refill a blotting paper compact you already have.
Don't be put off by the word disposable either – you can often recycle them as they're usually made from cardboard. If it's your first time trying blotting paper, it may be best to go for a disposable option as you need to find out how suitable it is for your skin and whether it's something that's going to work for you.
Have you ever tried to apply something to your face without a mirror? It's not impossible, but it makes the task much harder than it needs to be, especially with blotting paper where you need to see which areas look shiny.
Most compacts come with a mirror so you don't have to splash out and buy one separately, which is great if you know you'll be using the paper while you're out in the evening or on the go. Another plus for compacts is that you can refill them with a paper of your choice, or even just use them as a mirror afterwards.
Other blotting papers come in a little cosmetics bag that's similar to a disposable container, only better protected. If it's raining outside and it soaks through your bag, the cardboard protecting the blotting paper will soak through, but a bag offers protection.
Cardboard can also break or tear pretty easily, leaving the blotting paper exposed to any bacteria which can cause blemishes. So, if you don't choose a paper with a bag, you may want to store yours in one anyway – after all, they're meant to reduce excess oil that can lead to spots, not cause them!
Looking for a new toner? Here are our recommendations for toners for oily skin.
The blotting paper should help your skin, not irritate it, but fragranced products can cause dryness, blotching, and aggravation. This can also be tricky to manage as you can't always see when your skin has a problem before it's too late, so it's best to play it safe if you have sensitive skin.
It can be difficult to tell if a product is fragrance-free as some companies use it as a selling point whilst others don't list it at all, but preferably you would look for the former to be sure.
If you've had no trouble with fragranced products in the past, don't be scared off. Everyone's skin is different! Plus, fragrances from natural ingredients (which are there to help your skin) don't usually cause as much irritation and can make a product smell great.
Opt for a tinted moisturiser to give your skin the coverage and hydration it needs. Check out our favourite tinted moisturisers for oily skin!
Cosmetic products are sometimes tested on animals to see if they're safe before the product is released on the market. These experiments can cause harm to the animals and even kill them, so you might like to pick cruelty-free products if you're against this.
Cruelty-free products are still safe; they get tested using human volunteers, computer systems and human issue samples instead. It can be hard to tell if smaller companies are cruelty-free, but you can check organisations like Cruelty-Free Kitty to find out if larger, more popular brands are.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Teenitor Oil Blotting Sheet | ![]() | A Bargain Multipack of 100 Sheets Infused With Green Tea to Tackle Acne | |
2 | EcoFeminii Oil Control Blotting Papers | ![]() | All-Natural, Environmentally-Friendly Sheets, Great for Sensitive Skin | |
3 | Soap & Glory Blot Right Now Blotting Sheets | ![]() | Easy-To-Use Blotting Sheets With a Large Compact Mirror for Touching up on the Go | |
4 | PleasingCare Natural Bamboo Charcoal Oil Absorbing Tissues|Pack of 2 | ![]() | A Natural Pack of 100 Blotting Sheets for Those With Sensitive Skin | |
5 | MAIKO Premium Oil Blotting Paper for Make Up|Pack of 3 | ![]() | Natural Hemp Blotting Papers for Balancing Oily Skin | |
6 | Superdrug Deep Action Mattifying Shine Control Papers | ![]() | Blotting Papers Perfect for Combination Skin With Excess Oil on the T-Zone | |
7 | Mai Couture Blush Papier | ![]() | Pretty, Portable, Blush-Infused Blotting Sheets for On-The-Go | |
8 | Shiseido Oil Control Blotting Paper | ![]() | A Luxury Option Featuring Absorbent Kaolin and Balancing Rosemary | |
9 | Revolution Mattifying Blotting Papers | ![]() | Affordable Mattifying Paper for Even Very Oily Skin | |
10 | Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Paper | ![]() | A Makeup-Suitable Roll of Extra Absorbent Papers in a Beautiful Compact by Rihanna |
With four packs of 100 sheets, this bargain bundle is certainly going to keep you going – great if you're looking for refills or need to use blotting paper every day. They're made with all-natural linen fibres and contain organic green tea, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to reduce and even prevent acne.
They do have a scent, but this is a natural fragrance coming from the green tea, so it won't affect your skin. The other great thing about these blotting papers is that they're much more gender-neutral than most – blotting papers can be used by any gender, as part of any skincare routine, especially when they're as effective as these!
If you like to keep your skincare and beauty products on the environmentally-conscious side, these blotting papers will be right up your street as they're free from plastics and 100% biodegradable. They're also extra thin and fragrance-free so they're kind to all skin types, even sensitive skin!
Using all-natural ingredients including hemp and charcoal, these sheets reduce shine and help to ensure makeup stays in place without irritation. They can also be used as part of your morning routine to help prevent spots caused by excess oil.
These blotting paper sheets come inside a compact that has a large mirror so you can clearly see your skin when it's time to use them. That's useful! The compact is also easy to carry around inside your bag or pocket, whether you're at a work event or even out clubbing.
Bear in mind the pack size when you're buying these, though, as there are only 30 sheets. This is probably best if you need them for a special occasion like a wedding or party – for everyday use, it's better to go for a pack with more inside. The ingredients are also not specified, even on the packaging, which could put some people off.
These blotting papers come in a lovely compact case, making it easy to blot away any excess oil when you're on the go. The pack contains 100 sheets, and you can refill once you've used all the sheets making it a good value buy.
This product is ideal for sensitive skin as the sheets are made from 100% natural linen with Organic Bamboo charcoal factor. It's also fragrance-free and has no artificial ingredients, so you can be certain it won't irritate or cause redness.
These natural blotting papers use natural hemp, which will help keep your skin under control by stopping excess oil production and soothing redness. The result? No shine and fewer spots!
They come in a disposable case, so you can use them as a refill in your compact. But we think you may want to keep the case as it has a pretty print on the outside too. Plus, coming in a pack of 3, each with 200 sheets, you'll be shine free for a long time!
Do you find your skin is oily in some parts but not others? Most people end up with oily skin at one time or another; these pads can help stop that, especially around the T-zone area. They'll allow your makeup to stay on longer and your skin to look shine-free. That's a great way to combat oily skin!
These blotting papers absorb oil and sebum from the T-zone area, reducing shine and leaving the skin with a matte finish. Its small size makes it portable, easy to use and convenient for on-the-go touch-ups. On the downside, these do not specify any added skincare ingredients.
With this innovative blush sheet that you can easily take with you on the go, you can give your complexion a natural-looking flush of colour and delicate glow. Create a weightless multidimensional look on your skin and in your bag!
These sheets are intended to remove excess oil and dirt from the skin in order to prevent breakouts. The icing on the cake is that it can also provide long-lasting, natural pink cheek colour for a flawless finish. This product has not been subjected to animal testing. It is also recyclable, biodegradable, talc-free, and paraben-free.
These blotting papers from Shiseido use absorbent kaolin clay as well as rosemary leaf extract – perfect for oily skin as they'll prevent breakouts without dehydrating the skin. They blot away every last trace of oil with just one sheet as they're super absorbent, and they also aren't too powdery.
However, while this is a very highly rated product and absolutely worth the money, this is a luxury item from a luxury brand so it does have a higher price than most. Great if you can afford to spend some extra pounds, though!
It's time to feel pretty in pink with this bargain blotting paper compact, which helps to mattify and reduce shine when you're wearing makeup. It does its job well and even works on very oily skin, so it's a big help for anyone trying to battle this common skin concern.
Although it is formulated to be fragrance-free, this blotting paper has a subtle rose scent that might not be suitable for some people's skin. If you've had no problems with scented products in the past, though, you might find the scent to be pleasant!
Even if you're not a fan of Rihanna's music, we highly recommend trying her skincare range! This compact blotting paper roll keeps away the shine thanks to its extra-absorbent paper and won't leave any residue, even when you have makeup on.
Let's not forget to mention how stylish this blotting paper roll is – you'll be happy to show it off and dab away all day. It also comes in a portable lipstick size so you can easily slip it into your bag when you're out and about. The only con to all these pros is that tearing the paper takes some getting used to, so you might end up wasting a bit to begin with.
Gently press the blotting sheet on any oily areas, hold for a few seconds, and then lift! Continue doing this wherever you see shine or oil that needs to be matted. You can also use blotting papers to remove any oiliness after applying makeup in a patting motion to prevent your makeup from lifting off.
Use a blotting paper when you notice any oiliness or greasiness on the skin to remove any excess oils, giving your complexion a fresh look and feeling. This could be in the middle of the day at work, school, or when you're on the go.
Blotting papers do not cause acne if you are just using them to remove shine throughout the day. However, you should watch out for the potentially irritating ingredients or ones that are known to clog pores such as mineral oils.
Written and researched by Rosa Fairfield
No. 1: Teenitor|Oil Blotting Sheet
No. 2: EcoFeminii|Oil Control Blotting Papers
No. 3: Soap & Glory|Blot Right Now Blotting Sheets
No. 4: PleasingCare|Natural Bamboo Charcoal Oil Absorbing Tissues|Pack of 2
No. 5: MAIKO|Premium Oil Blotting Paper for Make Up|Pack of 3
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