Find the ideal face wash or cleanser for skin type.
Washing your face with a face wash or cleanser is an essential step in any man’s morning and nightly grooming routine. A good face wash will help to keep the skin clean, clear and healthy.
Researchers and dermatologists have found that using traditional soaps to clean your skin can lead to dryness, tightness, pimples and even irritation. So if you are still using soap, we recommend that you stop using it immediately and start using either a facial cleanser or wash.
What are the benefits of using a face wash?
One of the main benefits of using a men’s face wash is that you are able to get a wash or cleanser that’s been specifically designed for your particular facial skin type. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, acne or even combination skin, there is facial wash that will be able to target that type of skin.
Here is our list of best face washes for men for achieving the best results.
1. Bulldog Men’s Original Face Wash
Kicking off our list of the best face washes for men is Bulldog Original Face Wash. It’s become a popular choice for men and not just because it’s reasonably priced. With its active ingredients to combat daily pollution build-up, it has the ability to get the job done without any fuss.
Who’s it best for: This is ideal for guys with sensitive and normal skin.
2. L’Oreal Men Expert Charcoal Facial Cleanser
The L’Oreal Men’s range are some of the best men’s face washes around. Not only can they tackle most male skin problems, L’Oreal products are mostly affordable. This Men Expert Facial Cleanser contains the active ingredient, charcoal, which cleanses, removes oil, dirt and impurities.
Who’s it best for: Great for men of any age who suffer from oily skin.
3. Neutrogena Men’s Invigorating Daily Foaming Gel Face Wash
Neutrogena have always made quality products that are dermatologically tested. Don’t be put off by the price – it’s cheap but will work just as well as more expensive brands on the market. Neutrogena Invigorating Face Wash deep cleans the skin whilst protecting it from sun damage with it’s active SPF 15 sunscreen.
Who’s it best for: Great for men with dull and normal skin and any man exposed to sun.
4. Dove Men+Care Face Wash Hydrate Plus
Dove products are better known for moisturising the skin. However, they also do a good job with cleansing, as demonstrated by their Dove Men+Care Face Wash Hydrate Plus. It’s one of the best face cleansers out there for men who are prone to dry skin conditions. Its active ingredients removes dirt from the pores whilst, at the same time, locking in hydration and preserving natural skin oils.
Who’s it best for: This wash is great for any man with dry skin.
5. Mancave Natural Willowbark Face Wash
Mancave started out seven years ago and has grown in popularity since. Without fail, their products can be trusted to deliver and attract outstanding reviews from their customers. As an added bonus, Mancave products are well priced and affordable. Their Natural Willowbark Face Wash uses all natural ingredients including Willow Bark, Green Tea and Spinach. This deep cleans and refreshes the skin without leaving it dry and tight.
Who’s it best for: Good for normal, mildly dry and mildly oily skin.
6. Paula’s Choice PC4MEN Face Wash with Aloe
Paula’s Choice facial products use only the best ingredients to help men achieve top skincare results. If you are on the search for the best face wash for men, Paula’s Choice PC4MEN Face Wash will be a serious contender. It deep cleans the skin without irritation. It’s soothing aloe makes this a perfect choice for men with sensitive skin.
Who’s it best for: Work great for any man with sensitive skin.
7. RUGGED & DAPPER Face Wash for Men
Rugged & Dapper men’s grooming products are top quality products. Their Face Wash For Men includes multi-purpose, energizing action with all natural ingredients to cleanse the skin from muck and grime. It also works as an exfoliator to rid the skin of dead cells and toner to help restore balance in the skin. Rugged & Dapper is good all rounder but is great for those who are concerned with mild acne and aging skin.
Who’s it best for: Works on all types of men’s skin.
8. MenScience Androceuticals Daily Face Wash
As the name suggests, this skincare range takes a scientific approach to men’s skin. MenScience only use professionally graded ingredients which are scientifically proven to achieve maximum results. Their Androceuticals Daily Face Wash contains Salicylic and Glycolic acid to remove dead skin cells, dirt, grime and other unwanted impurities. All this whilst leaving the skin hydrated and soft.
Who’s it best for: Ideal for those men with combination or oily skin.
9. Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Face Wash
Brickell are a company who are known for using all natural ingredients in their men’s grooming range. Perfect for men who wish to cleanse without the worry of harsh chemicals. Brickell Purifying Charcoal Face Wash removes unwanted oils, dirt and grime whilst hydrating the skin and maintaining a natural balance.
Who’s it best for: Perfect for any man with dry, sensitive and normal skin.
10. ELEMIS Deep Cleanse Facial Wash
Next on our list of best men’s face washes is the Elemis Deep Cleanse Facial Wash. Elemis first started out with a women’s range (any woman with experience of Elemis will tell you how great their products are) and their men’s range is just as good. This fast-acting gel removes dead skin cells and blasts through impurities. Its peppermint extract refreshes the skin and will leave you smelling great.
Who’s it best for: Ideal all types of skin, but not those with severe skin complaints (such as extensive acne).
11. Anthony Glycolic Facial Cleanser
If you’ve not been able to find a brand that works well for your skin type, consider trying Anthony who provide excellent results when it comes men’s grooming products. This Anthony Glycolic Facial Cleanser is a perfect choice for those who struggle to find a good face cleanser for combination skin (finding products for this skin type is always a challenge). This Glycolic cleanser is a little stronger than others on the market. It’ll remove dead cells and excess oils whilst maintaining balance.
Who’s it best for: Works great on combination, oily and mature skin.
12. LAB SERIES Multi-Action Face Wash
Lab Series are well known for their men’s grooming products and their ability to make the skin look great. The only issue a man may have with these products is the price…Lab Series can be a bit steep and that includes this Lab Series Multi-Action Face Wash. It’s a really good cleanser that works to unclog the pores and buff away dead skin cells and excess oil, making this a great product of choice for men with combination to oily skin type
Who’s it best for: Ideal for any man who has combination to oily skin skin.
13. Aesop – Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser
Australian company Aesop has become one of the leading skin care brands throughout the world. They are renowned for being able to treat some of the most difficult skin conditions. This Aesop Purifying Facial Cream Cleaner includes French clay to deeply nourish and smooth the skin, leaving it hydrated and healthy. The ideal choice for men with dry and very dry skin.
Who’s it best for: A facial cleanser is perfect for dry and very dry skin.
14. Clinique For Men Oil Control Face Wash
One of the biggest names on the high street for skincare is Clinique. Their men’s range work well on both younger and mature skins types including this Oil Control Face Wash. Men with oily skin will find this cleanser cuts through oil and doesn’t leave their skin greasy and shiny after use. The only problem with Clinique is that many of their products may fall outside most men’s budget with some considering this a bit costly for a cleanser.
Who’s it best for: Perfect for men with oily skin.
15. Kyoku Facial Cleanser for men
Kyoku Facial Cleaner For Men only uses natural, Japanese ingredients which attracts impressive results from customers around the globe. This cleanser is ideal for people who suffer with oily and acne skin types as it removes unwanted skin oils that can lead to breakouts. It also has a refreshing and invigorating peppermint scent leaving you feeling fresh and alert. For maximum results, consider buying the Kyoku exfoliator (they work extremely well together).
Who’s it best for: This facial cleanser is idea for combination, oily and acne skin types.
16. Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
Ranked one of the best face washes for men, ideal for combination, oily and even acne type skin is this URSA Major Fantastic Face Wash which is free from sulfates and harsh ingredients. Its coconut-derived surfactants, rice seed, aloe vera and sugarcane provides gentle exfoliation and deeply cleanses the skin and pores. Its soothing moisturizing qualities will leave skin feeling and looking brighter and healthier.
Who’s it best for: Ideal for men who suffer with combination, oily and acne skin types.
17. Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash
Dermalogica is a brand used by professional dermatologists because of their outstanding results when applied. Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash is an ideal men’s face wash for those who suffer breakouts. It deep cleans the pores to remove dead skin cells and bacteria, stopping breakouts dead in their tracks. Dermalogica is expensive and so you may wish to keep this on the shelf for breakouts only, rather than using as a daily wash. As and when needed.
Who’s it best for: This wash is ideal for those that are prone to breakouts.
18. KIEHL’S Age Defender Cleanser
Next up on our list of the best face washes for men is KIEHL’S Age Defender Cleanser. All of KIEHL’S products work well but there is one downfall….they’re ridiculously expensive. If you can get past this, you will find this an excellent cleanser for mature skin. It includes active ingredients such as lava clay and charcoal to remove dead skin cells and reduce fine lines, giving the skin a much more youthful appearance. As an added bonus, it can also be used as a face mask if left on for 5 minutes.
Who’s it best for: This cleansers is for men with mature skin.
19. men-ü Healthy Facial Wash
Trust us – men-ü has one of the best face washes there is. Their Healthy Facial Wash is super concentrated and so it’s possible to get up to 265 washes out of a single bottle. It contains natural tea tree oil which acts as a natural antiseptic and antibacterial, deeply cleaning the pores and killing unhelpful bacteria. It leaves the skin looking and feeling great and is reasonably priced for something so high quality.
Who’s it best for: This facial wash is ideal for all types of skin, especially combination and oily.
20. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is recommended by Dermatologist. It’s suitable for all skin types and is especially good for those who have dry and sensitive skin types. It helps to gently remove the dirt, grime and impurities without stripping away the skin’s essential oils. Also works to restore the skin’s PH balance leaving it feeling soothed, clean and hydrated.
Who’s it best for: This cleanser is good for those with dry and sensitive skin types.
Reminder!
Not all face washes are the same and it can take several goes before you find a product that works well for your particular skin. Men shouldn’t just choose any cleansing product that’s available. They should consider their skin type, any complaints and products especially formulated to help.
How to wash your face
Time needed: 2 minutes.
The big question with washing your face is how many times you should do it. Generally speaking, you should wash your face in the morning and then before you go to bed. However if you’re somebody who works in a dusty environment (for example, in construction) – it’s recommended that you also wash your face immediately after finishing work.
Men who work in these environments will need to take extra care as leaving heavy dust on the face will lead to dry skin and even irritation.
- Dampen face
Firstly, when washing your face, dampen your face with warm (not red hot) water. This will help open up the poles and allow your face wash to work deep within them to remove dirt, grime, excess oils and any other impurities which have built up during the day or night.
- Applying the face wash
Take a dime size amount of product into the palm of your hand and rub them both together to lather it up. With your fingertips, apply the product to your face for 1-2 minutes (although oily/very dirty skin may require longer and dryer and more sensitive skin types; not as much time). Concentrate on the areas around the nose, chin and forehead
- Rinsing the skin
Rinse thoroughly with fresh, running water. Try not to use water sitting in the sink as this will become mucky as you wash and you don’t want to apply this to your freshly cleaned skin.
- Dying the skin
Pat dry your skin with a clean towel and apply a good moisturizer to keep skin healthy and hydrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are face washes really necessary?
We think so, yes. The alternative is to use something that may not be good for your skin (such as a shower gel or soap) or something that may not cleanse your skin effectively (such as using water alone).
- Is face wash really better to use than soap?
100% better. You can use soap on your face but this will be at the risk of developing unpleasant skin conditions such as severe dryness, irritation, redness, soreness and acne. Soap often times isn't formulated to be used on the face. Your skin will likely feel tight and uncomfortable after using soap and so it's best to stick to a face wash.
- Is face wash the same as cleanser?
No. A face wash is different to a cleanser. A cleanser is formulated to purify your skin whilst a face wash will offer the pores a deeper cleanse. There is also a difference in texture between the two with a cleanser being more like a gel or creamy consistency and a face wash being more foamy when applied to damp skin.
- Are washes bad for your skin?
If you are using the correct face wash for your skin type and are using it in line with the instructions on the label, there is no reason as to why you will suffer any adverse effects.
- Should my face wash burn my skin?
No. It really shouldn't. Some face washes may leave a cool and tingly sensation on the skin but burning suggests the face wash just is't agreeable with your particular skin type. If you experience burning from any grooming products, you should cease use immediately.
- What are charcoal face washes good for?
Charcoal face washes are great for deeply cleansing the skin. They work to draw out any nasties on the skin including daily build up of dirt and grime, unhealthy bacteria, harmful chemicals and excess oils. Active charcoal is also highly absorbent of toxins on the skin and aims to remove excess sebum and dead skin cells.
