13 Best Face Washes for Men in 2023
A healthy skincare routine starts with a great face wash, so you want to build your regimen on a strong foundation. To do so, start with this list of the best face washes for men, which includes some of the best and most notable formulas out there. You can’t go wrong with any of them!
Is Face Wash Really Better Than Soap?
Unfortunately, skincare products were mostly marketed toward women upon their arrival on the market, which has set men back years of skin health. The reality is that face wash is so much better than soap that there’s really no excuse to still be using the same product for your body as your face (unless it’s designed for that purpose, of course). Here’s why.
Soap is designed for the skin on your body, which is thicker than the skin on your face and doesn’t get exposed to the elements as much. The skin on your face is far more delicate, and thus more sensitive. Because soap is made with harsh surfactants built to scrub that thicker skin all over the body, it can damage the sensitive skin on your face. At the very least, using soap on your face will dry your skin out.
Face wash not only is gentler and designed especially for the skin on your face, but it also contains extra ingredients. These ingredients have other effects, such as slowing the effects of aging, nourishing skin, or reinforcing its moisture barrier. There are benefits you can only get from using face wash, and don’t you want to put your best face forward?
What Kind of Face Wash is Best for You?
What kind of face wash is best for you comes down to a few factors, such as skin type and what kind of effects you’re looking for. If your main concern is fixing dryness, for example, we wouldn’t recommend a wash designed to get rid of acne. Your budget should also be a concern, as face wash is a product you’ll have to buy somewhat regularly. The best face wash for you, though, is really just the one you’re the most likely to want to use daily. Face wash needs to be used twice a day to be most effective, so if you have a great wash that smells fantastic and makes your skin feel soft and smooth, you’re more apt to use it every day.
All About Skin Types
While we’re all generally born with normal skin, over time variations in environment, genetics, and hormones change our skin type. The American Academy of Dermatology has determined there are five skin types, each requiring different kinds of care. Here they are:
Dry. Dry skin, true to its name, is prone to dryness. Since men with dry skin don’t produce as much natural oil as those with other skin types, they may experience flakes, scales, rough patches, dehydration, fine lines, and irritation. If you have dry skin, you’ll want to make sure to follow a strict skincare routine, using gentle and hydrating products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture. Avoid hot showers and products with alcohol or harsh chemicals that may dry out skin further. Make sure to follow your face wash with moisturizer, which you may have to reapply throughout the day.
Normal. If your skin feels generally balanced—neither too dry nor too greasy—you likely have normal skin. You may also have small pores, a smooth skin texture, and few breakouts, if any. Even though you may have it made if you have normal skin, you should still take care of it with a proper skincare routine that focuses on nourishing skin. Look for face washes that contain vitamins and fruit extracts with antioxidants to fight off free radical damage, and focus on ant-aging.
Combination. A telltale sign of combination skin is having both dry and oily patches on your face. Maybe your T-zone is prone to greasiness, for example, while your cheeks are dry and flaky. With combination skin, your symptoms may vary throughout the year. You’ll want to take care of both parts of your face by looking for products specifically for combination skin and focusing both on thorough cleansing and moisturizing. Acids like lactic, glycolic, or salicylic will be important ingredients, as will hydrators like glycerin and squalane.
Oily. Men with this skin type have skin that produces way too much sebum, leading to a greasy sheen and/or clogged pores that cause pimples. The most important thing for you if you have oily skin is to regulate sebum production and clean out buildup in pores. It may seem counterintuitive, but some oils and hydrators are great for oily skin, as they imitate sebum and cause your body to think it’s produced enough. Clay is another ingredient that is great for clarifying pores and sopping up excess oil. If you have oily skin, a cleanser is the most important step in your skincare routine, so choose wisely.
Sensitive. It’s easy to know if you have sensitive skin. That’s because sensitive skin is reactive skin, so your skin will respond negatively to certain products and environments. You may feel burning and itching after using chemical-laden products, for example, or be prone to redness in general. It’s possible to have sensitive skin in addition to one of the other skin types above. The best thing to do for sensitive skin is to gravitate toward products that are clean and natural, as it’s often chemicals that cause the worst skin reactions. Identifying what triggers your skin reactions is a great way to avoid them, too. Some of the best skincare ingredients for sensitive skin include aloe vera, chamomile, and green tea.
What to Avoid in a Face Wash
It’s always a good idea to check out the ingredient lists of the skincare products you buy to see what’s in them. Avoid ingredients like parabens, which can trigger reactions, toxic and carcinogenic phthalates, and formaldehyde, which is known to irritate skin and can have some serious side effects. Artificial fragrances are another element you’re better off without, as they irritate even non-sensitive skin.
Although fragrances can make your products smell amazing, they also may set off sensitive skin. Sodium lauryl sulfate, an ingredient that makes products foam, is a major skin-stripping ingredient likely to make your skin feel tight and itchy. Alcohols are still used as the base ingredient in lots of different skincare products, but they are incredibly drying and will disrupt your skin’s precious moisture barrier. Stay away from artificial dyes, which are used to make formulas look more appealing but have nasty side effects, like pore blocking, inflammation, and irritation.
How to Incorporate Face Wash Into Your Skincare Routine
The ideal skincare routine goes a little something like this. You wake up in the morning and take a shower, at which point you use your face wash. Rub a few drops of the products into your skin, massaging it all over your face and neck. Let it rest for at least thirty seconds before rinsing it off. Follow this routine with a serum if you use one and then a moisturizer to lock in hydration.
At night, repeat the same steps, washing your face and then applying serums and a moisturizer or night cream to deliver moisture while you sleep. It can really be that simple! Some men may choose to incorporate other products into their routines, too, such as using a toner after washing to remove the last impurities, wearing sunscreen when exposed to the elements, and adding a face mask and exfoliator to the mix every once in a while.
1. Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Cleanser
What makes this the best face wash for men? The Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser pulls together numerous naturally derived ingredients that provide a satisfying clean and great comfort to men with all skin types. Have oily skin and want to tone down the sebum and kick acne to the curb? This wash has volcanic ash and charcoal powder to absorb that sebum right up and clean out your pores. Worried about dryness? This wash includes glycerin, a powerful emollient and humectant that draws water into skin and seals it there.
Hoping to improve the quality of your normal skin? This wash delivers vitamins and antioxidants in the form of pomegranate seed oil. Nervous your sensitive skin will react? This wash is made of 98% ingredients of natural origins, and contains lactobacillus filtrate to soothe the skin’s microbiome. Blu Atlas face wash does it all! And it comes unscented or in the classic masculine scent or coconut apricot, so take your pick.
About the Brand: Blu Atlas is the latest and greatest in men’s skincare. The brand burst onto the scene with a passion for quality and a dedication to naturally derived ingredients. All the brand’s products are made in New York City with input from a medical advisory board made up of award-winning dermatologists. Blu Atlas products have become something of a sensation, with dozens of five-star reviews and loyal customers that will vouch for its products.
2. La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
When it comes to face wash, a product you’ll use every day, gentle is best. This prebiotic formula from La Roche-Posay is mild enough to be safe on sensitive skin, making it ideal for daily use. It’s the La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water that supports this face wash, providing rich minerals and soothing properties sure to calm even the most inflamed skin. You’ll also get ceramides in this cleanser, which are naturally found in the skin and ensure an intact skin barrier. Glycerin acts as a hydrator, and niacinamide fades discolorations. The result is an excellent formula that earns a place on your bathroom shelf.
About the Brand: La Roche Posay is a French skincare brand lauded and recommended by dermatologists all over the globe. The brand bases all their formulas on thermal spring water, which has amazing properties and the power to transform skin. Many of the brand’s products are designed to manage various skincare disorders, so if you have a particular issue that plagues you it’s likely the brand can support your healing journey.
3. Carrot & Stick The Face Wash
Most skin concerns have met their match with this face wash from Carrot & Stick. It focuses on plant-based ingredients to support a healthy complexion, treating everything from dryness and sensitivity to aging, acne, and oil. Red seaweed extract plays an important part in this process, delivering antioxidants and ensuring that moisture won’t dissipate. Glycerin increases softness and comfort level with its moisturizing properties, geranium naturally cuts down on sebum production, and rosehip seed oil brightens your skin tone while keeping it conditioned. This face wash will prove to you that natural really is best!
About the Brand: Carrot and Stick is a brand that feels empowered by natural ingredients, not limited by them. There’s a long list of chemicals the brand won’t include in its formulas, such as sulfates, formaldehydes, synthetic fragrances, and more. If plant-based formulas are what you’re after, this is a great brand to follow!
4. Paula’s Choice PC4Men Daily Face Wash
Get in there for a power clean with PC4Men. The formula contains just three ingredients--that’s all you need to clean out pores and leave skin smooth! A mild surfactant cleans, getting skin ready to receive the many benefits of glycerin and aloe vera. Users love the texture, which strikes the perfect balance between watery and viscous, and how clean their skin feels after use. This non-irritating wash can be used on all skin types and makes for the perfect first step in your skincare routine.
About the Brand: Paula’s choice is forthcoming with the ingredients they turn to and the ones they avoid. There’s a whole list of toxins the brand stays away from, thanks to its commitment to smart and safe formulas. The brand’s namesake is Paula Begoun, an author of several beauty books who started the brand back in 1995.
5. Jackfir’s The Classic Daily Facial Cleanser
Wash away the day with this classic cleanser from Jackfir. It’s designed for outdoorsmen, those who happily spend the day out under the sun. This EWG-verified product contains jojoba beads and fruit enzymes for exfoliation, digging out the old to make room for the new. Aloe, calendula, and sunflower make for great soothers, even reducing the effects of sunburn, and apple extract moisturizes while licorice root nips inflammation in the bud. Many of this face wash’s ingredients are organic, plus the formula is certified gluten free, cruelty-free, vegan, and GMO free. Perhaps the best part of the Jackfir experience, however, is the scent, a blend of pine, violet, balsam, amber, and guaiac wood.
About the Brand: This responsible brand was founded by a man undergoing treatment for leukemia. Since he felt that environmental toxins were partly to blame for his health issues, he decided it was time to put together a lifestyle brand for men that focused on clean formulas. The result is Jackfir, the sustainable skincare brand for outdoorsmen!
6. Kiehl’s Facial Fuel
If you’re slow to get going in the morning, you need a face wash that will invigorate not only your skin but your whole being. That is absolutely this wash: Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men. This best face wash for men has been one of the brand’s most popular over the years, thanks to its non-greasy formula that works equally well as a daily cleanser or aftershave wash. Chestnut extract provides anti-aging antioxidants, vitamin C results in a glowing complexion, and caffeine stimulates the skin and makes it even more radiant. Just be aware that this may not be the best option for men with sensitive or dry skin.
About the Brand: Kiehl’s is an absolute classic in apothecary skincare, creating solutions for people for generations. Many of the brand’s products are total game-changers, as the brand continues to live up to its name.
7. Rugged and Dapper Daily Power Scrub
Sometimes a mild, creamy cleanser just doesn’t get it done, which is when you need this Daily Power Scrub. It works as an exfoliator, cleanser, and toner all in one, allowing you to get a deep and satisfying clean even under the surface. If you check out the product’s ingredient list, you’ll be able to recognize pretty much everything on there. For example, the solution contains jojoba esters that provide gentle scrubbing, dandelion as a natural acne treatment, red clover that takes redness and irritation down a notch, and gotu kola for a whole host of benefits. There are also plenty of micronutrients in this formula and a whole lot of moisture. This cleanser packs a serious punch!
About the Brand: Rugged and Dapper was created by a man who used to work in construction, where his skin was regularly exposed to the elements. He wanted to find skincare that could support him in his job, and created Rugged and Dapper for men just like him, who wanted to look good and feel good no matter how they spent their days.
8. Elemis Deep Cleanse Face Wash
Here we have another hard hitter, poised to instantly upgrade your daily wash and leave you feeling refreshed and younger than ever. In fact, in an independent trial, 96% of users found that this wash made their skin feel totally refreshed. It turns to some pretty unusual ingredients for its power, like English oak bark for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory power, or milk protein for healing and nourishment. Peppermint neutralizes bacteria, and oat amino acids provide a gentle yet gratifying cleanse. This cleanser was formulated just for men, taking their unique skincare needs into consideration.
About the Brand: Elemis originated in England, but has since spread all over the globe, bringing cutting edge skincare treatments to everyone. The brand is results-oriented, and focuses on combining transparency with innovation for a strategy that will mean Elemis will surely be around for another 30 years or more.
9. Bad Norwegian Wash Face
The title of this product is also its instructions: Wash Face. This vegan cleanser was made in Norway and tested on friends, so you know the brand is only bringing you a product they’d use themselves. The wash combines ultra moisturizing and age-combatting squalene, cannabis seed oil to keep the skin’s moisture balance intact, and apricot seeds as a physical exfoliant. Menthol in this formula also wakes you up with a bright burst of freshness and a surprise tingle. Not only is this wash a great option for morning and evening use, but it also doubles as shaving cream in a pinch.
About the Brand: Bad Norwegian was the result of one of the founder’s experiences as a soldier, when his skin was truly put to the test. When he went in search of a product to help him reverse the damage, he found that most of the available products were geared towards women, and decided to make his own stuff. That same stuff is what the brand sells today.
10. Atwater Skin Armor Face Scrub
Tired skin is dull, and dull skin is not putting your best face forward. Atwater’s Skin Armor was developed to change that, and is definitely one of the best face washes for men. The scrub makes for an invigorating experience, using jojoba beads for exfoliation and salicylic acid to clear pores and prevent acne. Meanwhile a chlorophyll-derived complex tamps down inflammation while helping your skin heal, making this a great product to use after shaving. Once you get over the bright green color, you’ll love this face scrub!
About the Brand: Atwater is all about boosting its customers’s self-esteem, using clean, dermatologist-tested ingredients to bring about positive change in your skin. You can select some of the brand’s best-selling products, or take a quiz to find a skincare regimen that’s recommended for your specific needs.
11. Bulldog Original Face Wash
This face wash is accessible to men of all budgets, but that doesn’t mean the brand sacrifices quality. With this cleanser, you get a creamy foam that rinses off to reveal healthier, softer skin. You’ll also get a pleasant scent when you use this wash—a mix of citrus and woods notes that is manly as could be. The brand recommends this wash for men with normal skin, as it has ingredients like citric acid for gentle exfoliation and aloe for moisture and calm. If you’re still wondering if this cleanser is right for you, just check the reviews—they are off the charts!
About the Brand: Bulldog tries to create skincare solutions that work for all skin types. They combine natural ingredients with science while also going easy on Mother Nature. You can always expect simple, straightforward skincare from Bulldog!
12. Lab Series Daily Rescue Cleanser
Hydration is the goal of this cleanser, and we think it meets (and even exceeds) that goal. Men with all skin types can apply this gel cleanser and feel dirt and buildup melting away. That satisfying clean comes from oat amino acids, a favorite mild cleansing ingredient. Three different forms of vitamin B in this formula make for healthy, hydrated skin. Caffeine gets the circulation going, and glycerin sucks moisture in and makes sure it stays there. Men in a clinical trial found that this cleanser boosted their skin’s radiance after just a week, so you don’t have to hang in there long to see results.
About the Brand: Lab Series has been around for 35 years, and has raised the bar for other brands thanks to its focus on technology and powerful active ingredients. The brand recently released lines with more sustainable packaging, so they’re working to lessen their impact on the planet, too!
13. Marlowe Facial Cleanser for Men
Men of all skin types, gather round! This facial cleanser from Marlowe is designed for men on the go, with a product that checks all the boxes and allows you to take good care of your skin even with little time to dedicate to your grooming routine. Users love this face wash, saying that it gets the job done and works great as a shaving cream, too. There are plenty of ingredients to get excited about in here, such as willow bark to get rid of extra sebum and heal acne, passion fruit extract to boost collagen production for a youthful appearance, plus calendula and green tea that work wonders on sensitive skin.
About the Brand: Marlowe is all about non-complicated skincare, which is ideal for most men. The brand creates simple skincare products that work, which is good by us! Just check their dozens of positive reviews on Amazon and in major magazines to see that this brand means business.
No matter your age, skin type, and what you want out of a skincare routine, there is a product for you on this list. Go forth and upgrade your skincare routine—you’ll thank us later!
McClatchy newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.
