Your skin is shiny and your sunglasses are sliding. Should you reach for blotting paper or tissue?

We recommend using the best blotting papers for oily skin because they don’t smudge makeup like a tissue. Instead, they soak up grease and mattify the skin. There are even blotting papers that are good for acne because they have ingredients that unclog pores.

As you shop for face blotting paper, you’ll soon see there are lots of options. It seems downright overwhelming for something so simple. That’s why we decided to review the top blotting papers and give you the highlights:

The best blotting papers for oily skin	Why we love them
Palladio Rice Paper Facial Tissues	Rice paper with rice powder for maximum mattification Three versions: translucent, natural, and warm beige Lightly scented and paraben-free Pocket size package
e.l.f. Cosmetics Mattifying Blotting Papers	Convenient design with a sponge applicator for using the blotting paper; keeps hands clean Paper has translucent powder for instant touchups No artificial fragrance or parabens
NYX Cosmetics Green Tea Face Blotting Paper	Thick, absorbent papers with green tea and calcium carbonate Pleasant natural fragrance May help control oiliness and inflammation
Tatcha Aburatorigami Blotting Papers	Ultra-thin sheets made of super absorbent abaca leaf Soft texture, can use both sides Manufacturer donates to children’s education and literacy
boscia Clear Complexion Blotting Linens	Ideal for acne-prone skin Choose from salicylic acid, green tea, or black charcoal versions Natural ingredients, no artificial fragrances Very absorbent, prevent acne by keeping pores clear Don’t interfere with makeup
Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Facial Sheets	Absorbent papers with a silky texture Powder-free, don’t leave a residue
DHC Blotting Paper Pack	Made from a renewable resource – hemp fiber Soft texture, absorbent, resistant to tearing No added powder or unnecessary ingredients
Natural Bamboo Charcoal Face Blotting Sheets	Best budget blotting papers Made from linen fiber for an almost cloth-like texture Available in either bamboo charcoal or green tea versions Noticeably larger than the competition
Teenitor Oil Absorbing Sheets	Green tea or charcoal-impregnated blotting sheets Made from linen fiber, about the size of a playing card Available in a multipack for maximum savings
Haruen Original Oil Absorbing Volcanic Rock Roller	Infinitely reusable volcanic rock that absorbs oil Packaged like a roll-on deodorant, easy to use

The things you didn’t know about blotting paper

What’s the number one secret to getting the most from your blotting paper? Don’t rub it around on the skin. Press it into place and lift it. Flip it over and repeat.

While you’re here, there are some other things you might want to know. We mentioned that some brands have oil-fighting ingredients that are good for acne-prone complexions. Look for blotting paper with salicylic acid or willow bark, charcoal, or abaca tree fiber.

Other papers are impregnated with powder, so using them is like touching up your makeup. They remove excess oil and instantly mattify the skin.

Lastly, if you’re concerned about the environment, look for blotting papers made from sustainable and biodegradable material.

Alternative ways to use blotting paper

Have you ever used blotting paper on your scalp when you don’t have dry shampoo handy? What about mattifying your lipstick or setting your foundation?

Blotting paper can get all that grease off your phone screen, plus you can use it to blend cream blush.

Best Blotting Papers for Oily Skin in 2023

Palladio Rice Paper Facial Tissues

What if your blotting paper doubled as finishing powder? This brand offers translucent, natural, and warm beige blotting papers. Each one is impregnated with oil-absorbing powder that instantly mattifies the skin. You can blot and go without needing a mirror.

No, it doesn’t contain talc – the paper uses rice starch. The tinted versions have iron oxide and titanium dioxide for natural color. Rice powder is excellent for soaking up sebum and extending makeup wear time. Plus, it’s gentle and safe for the skin.

Although the papers have a subtle fragrance, they are paraben-free. They come packed in a travel-size pouch that fits in a pocket.

Are you worried about how the powder looks on dark skin? A Black reviewer expressed satisfaction with the translucent blotting papers because they left no visible residue.

Pros:

• Rice paper with rice powder for maximum mattification
• Three versions: translucent, natural, and warm beige
• Lightly scented and paraben-free
• Pocket size package

Cons:

• Not everyone wants powder on their blotting paper

e.l.f. Cosmetics Mattifying Blotting Papers

This brand makes our favorite drugstore blotting papers. They feature translucent powder for quick touchups without the need for a powder compact. However, the papers come in a cute little case that’s basically a compact!

What’s more, this is a convenient design that makes blotting touch-free. We’ve always thought it was a little gross to have to deal with greasy blotting paper after it’s been used. Instead, the case has a sponge applicator for picking up and pressing down the paper. There’s no need to get our fingers oily.

In case you’re curious, the powder on the blotting sheets consists of talc and kaolin clay. The label says it may include titanium dioxide and iron oxides.

Pros:

• Convenient design with a sponge applicator for using the blotting paper; keeps hands clean
• Paper has translucent powder for instant touchups
• No artificial fragrance or parabens

Cons:

• Not talc-free

NYX Cosmetics Green Tea Face Blotting Paper

Do you have acne-prone skin? Then try blotting paper with green tea. They don’t just remove excess oil, but they could also help reduce inflammation and reduce sebum production. Green tea is also a potent antioxidant for keeping the skin young.

Fans of this product say that these are an affordable replacement for Clean & Clear sheets. The papers have a pleasant fragrance (from the green tea) and a thick texture. They’re made from pulp and impregnated with calcium carbonate. The powder makes them extra absorbent but doesn’t leave a visible residue.

Pros:

• Thick, absorbent papers with green tea and calcium carbonate
• Pleasant natural fragrance
• May help control oiliness and inflammation

Cons:

• Not everyone loves powder on blotting paper

Tatcha Aburatorigami Blotting Papers

These blotting papers have flecks of 23 karat gold embedded in them. The plan is that the little pieces will break apart even smaller and leave a gleaming residue on the skin. That’s the plan, but the reality isn’t as perfect. You may find yourself removing chunks of gold from your forehead.

Still, there are other worthwhile features. First, the super soft papers are made of extra-absorbent abaca leaf. Even though they are very thin, they are very good at soaking up grease without messing up makeup. You can even flip them over and use both sides.

And second, this brand supports girls’ education throughout Asia and Africa as well as Room to Read in the USA.

Pros:

• Ultra-thin sheets made of super absorbent abaca leaf
• Soft texture, can use both sides
• Manufacturer donates to children’s education and literacy

Cons:

• Sometimes the gold flecks remain chunky on the skin

boscia Clear Complexion Blotting Linens

The best blotting papers for acne-prone complexions are right here. Choose from versions with salicylic acid, green tea, or black charcoal.

We selected the ones with salicylic acid because it dissolves sebum to unclog pores, plus it exfoliates dead skin. This effectively prevents breakouts in the first place.

Furthermore, they absorb oil but don’t interfere with makeup. You may find yourself using less powder for touchups once you switch to these papers. We also like that they are a decent size.

Lastly, if you notice any scent, it’s from the natural ingredients. The manufacturer doesn’t include artificial fragrances.

Pros:

• Ideal for acne-prone skin
• Choose from salicylic acid, green tea, or black charcoal versions
• Natural ingredients, no artificial fragrances
• Very absorbent, prevent acne by keeping pores clear
• Don’t interfere with makeup

Cons:

• A little pricier than some options, but well worth it

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Facial Sheets

We’ve never tried them, but everybody talked about them, so here they are. Honestly, we aren’t as impressed as we hoped we would be. We found it odd that a product for acne-prone skin would contain mineral oil and dye.

However, we admit that the papers feel silky and seem pretty absorbent. They don’t have any powder and don’t leave a residue.

Pros:

• Absorbent papers with a silky texture
• Powder-free, don’t leave a residue

Cons:

• Ingredients include mineral oil and a dye

DHC Blotting Paper Pack

We worry about the degradation of the environment, so we love it when we find blotting papers made from renewable material. These feature hemp fiber which is a fast-growing plant. The fiber makes the papers resistant to tearing and especially absorbent.

The smooth texture doesn’t smudge makeup as long as you don’t slide the paper across your face. Just press and lift instead.

The papers are packaged in a little cardboard holder that makes them easy to pull out and use.

Pros:

• Made from a renewable resource – hemp fiber
• Soft texture, absorbent, resistant to tearing
• No added powder or unnecessary ingredients

Cons:

• Not as inexpensive as some options

Natural Bamboo Charcoal Face Blotting Sheets

There was a time where our cosmetic budget was at a bare minimum. We went looking for the cheapest blotting papers that still got good reviews and found these. They’re available in either charcoal or green tea versions.

We were thrilled with this inexpensive choice. The sheets are almost 4 inches long, which is noticeably larger than the competition. Still, they come in a little package that fits in the back pocket of our jeans.

Then we discovered that they are made from linen fiber, which explains why they feel kind of like cloth. The charcoal version mattifies a little better than the green tea, but the green tea smells nicer – kind of botanical.

Pros:

• Best budget blotting papers
• Made from linen fiber for an almost cloth-like texture
• Available in either bamboo charcoal or green tea versions
• Noticeably larger than the competition

Cons:

• None

Teenitor Oil Absorbing Sheets

Coming in at a close second for best budget choice are these green tea-saturated blotting sheets. They are approximately the same size as the brand above. Compare them to a playing card.

They also come in a charcoal version for extra mattifying power. However, the green tea version smells better. It’s also anti-inflammatory to calm acne.

Both kinds of blotting papers are made from linen fibers. They have no added ingredients like powder. Furthermore, they come in a multipack for maximum savings.

Pros:

• Green tea or charcoal-impregnated blotting sheets
• Made from linen fiber, about the size of a playing card
• Available in a multipack for maximum savings

Cons:

• None

Haruen Original Oil-Absorbing Volcanic Rock Roller

To wrap up, check out this oil blotting sheets alternative. It’s a reusable rock. If you like it, you can stop feeling guilty about killing trees.

Specifically, this is a volcanic rock that soaks up oil. It’s packaged kind of like a miniature roll-on deodorant with a little holder to grip while you’re using it.

It’s been sanded down to a smooth texture. The original Korean customers wouldn’t have it any other way. Unfortunately, there is a downside. You’re supposed to wash it after every use. Roll the rock around on a soapy paper towel, rinse it, and leave it upside down to drip dry.

Pros:

• Infinitely reusable volcanic rock that absorbs oil
• Packaged like a roll-on deodorant, easy to use

Cons:

• Should be washed after every use – more convenient for home use then blotting on the go

Conclusion

Keep your complexion fresh and clean with the best blotting sheets for oily skin. They soak up sebum and reduce shine instantly. Some have setting powder for a quick touchup. Others have anti-acne ingredients, too.

We hope these reviews helped you find the best skincare products for your needs today. Check back with us again soon for new insights into more comfortable living.