The 12 Best Blotting Papers to Soak Up Shine

So simple yet so effective, blotting paper is one of those OG beauty products that may never need to be modernized. As dermatologist Rachel Maiman, MD, explains, the highly absorbent sheets are used to soak up grease and reduce shine. “They resemble tissue paper and are pressed into the skin, usually on the T-zone, to absorb oil and are then discarded,” she tells Review2Coupon.

Meet the Expert

Rachel Maiman, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified general and cosmetic dermatologist practicing at Marmur Medical in New York City. She provides treatments for a broad range of skin conditions and concerns, including acne, rosacea, melasma, and photoaging.

Most blotting papers come in the form of small rectangular sheets and are often housed in little cardboard envelopes for easy transport in your purse or pocket. Maiman says that the best blotting tissues are made with naturally absorbent abaca tree fiber or willow bark (a source of salicylic acid) for sebum control. “These agents lock onto oil and help lift it, as well as impurities, out of pores,” she says. And if you have greasier-than-average skin, she recommends powder-coated sheets.

Review2Coupon Researched & Approved

Our best overall pick is Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers, which are biodegradable, whisper-thin, and made from abaca leaf, a naturally absorbent fiber that soaks up oil. For a more affordable pick, consider e.l.f. Cosmetics Shine Eraser Blotting Sheets, which are infused with green tea extract to help absorb oil and balance sebum production without stripping your skin. 

Ahead, find the best blotting papers for a shine-free complexion.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:
Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers at Amazon

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Best Budget:
e.l.f. Cosmetics Shine Eraser Blotting Sheets at Amazon

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Best Drugstore:
Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets at Amazon

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Best Value:
DHC Oil Blotting Paper at Amazon

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Best Premium:
Fenty Beauty Blotting Paper at Amazon

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Best for Very Oily Skin:
Shiseido Oil-Control Blotting Paper at Amazon

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Best for Shine Control:
Payot Anti-Shine Sheets at Payot.com

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Best for Acne-Prone Skin:
Boscia Clear Complexion Blotting Linens at Amazon

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Best for Makeup:
Beauty Bakerie Oil Blotting Sheets at Amazon

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Best Design:
Too Cool for School Mulberry Blotting Paper at Amazon

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In This Article

Expand

• Our Picks

• Final Verdict

• What To Look For

• How We Researched

• Why Trust Review2Coupon

Best Overall:
Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers

4.8

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What We Like

• Teardrop shape

• Vented case

• Hygienic separator

What We Don’t Like

• Tricky to clean

Looking for ways to cut down on waste? Beautyblender Blotterazzi is a reusable alternative to everyday blotting sheets. Available in packs of two or four, the thin, absorbent sponges are shaped like teardrops to fit around all the curves and contours of your face. The case is also ventilated with a hygienic separator between each sponge to keep things fresh and sanitary.

Material: Sponge | Count: 2–4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick is Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers, which are biodegradable, whisper-thin, and made from abaca leaf, a naturally absorbent fiber that soaks up oil. For a more affordable pick, consider e.l.f. Cosmetics Shine Eraser Blotting Sheets, which are infused with green tea extract to help absorb oil and balance sebum production without stripping your skin. 

What to Look for in Blotting Papers

Oil-fighting ingredients

While the blotting paper of yore was essentially nothing more than a piece of paper, many of today’s top contenders are made with specialty ingredients like willow bark, charcoal, and abaca tree fiber that can help gently lift oil away from the skin. Dermatologists tend to favor blotting papers made of rice, cotton, willow bark, and flaxseed. Consider these if you’re super oily or acne-prone.

Powder-Containing Paper

For more than a simple sop-up, go for a blotting paper that’s been coated in mattifying powder to instantly absorb excess surface oil while refreshing makeup and helping your complexion to look fresher for longer. It’s like keeping a red-carpet touch-up with you at all times.

Sustainable Materials

Sure, they’re just paper, but at two or so blots a day, every day, that’s a lot of waste. Fortunately, many of today’s hottest blotters are made from earth-friendly biodegradable materials, helping to keep our routines as clean as possible.