7 Best Face Washes For Men To Stay Fresh (2024)

Best face wash for men of every skin type:

Next to SPF, there’s no product that’s as essential as face wash when it comes the world of skincare. And that’s true no matter your skin type. More to the point, a great face wash is the foundation of your daily grooming regime. Prior to putting on moisturizer, sunblack or anti-aging cream, the first order of duty is to wash your face with the right face wash to fit your needs.

And speaking of the new year and getting a good night's rest prior to your grooming routine, it’s a good time to think about purchasing new items. One of the reasons that I enjoy the New Year is because it is a good time to donate and refresh your home and apparel. For example, a good Nolah Mattress might be just right item to refresh your comfort and get a great night's sleep— prior to starting your grooming regime. Sleep is so important for your skin - especially around the eyes where skin is much thinner. More importantly, while on the path to dressing and grooming for success, there is no better time than the New Year to update your business wardrobe. On that note, I recently reviewed Zegna’s new business-casual collection. The luxury Italian fashion house has revamped the entire collection to adhere to modern times. Once you enter the store, I assure you that it will entice you to get on board with modern menswear style and be on-trend. And if you’re interested American western style, look no further than Tecovas boots right out of Texas. Wearing boots with a suit and/or work attire has become a small but growing trend in the USA. Verily, I believe that if you keep your personal needs and style arsenal intact, your life will run much more smoothly and give you that daily boost of confidence and strength that you need to take on the day.

Today’s face-wash product-offerings include expertly formulated face washes for men that will bring that healthy glow to your routine. You see, a good face wash will help to gently exfoliate your skin and remove any excess dirt and oil. And unlike the old stand by washing your face with soap and water, a good face wash will not dry out your skin. In my expert opinion, I suggest that you find the right face-wash and use it every morning prior to leaving the house. They work for you.

Better still, my pick of the best face washes range basic to volcanic ash and even charcoal.

The thing is, if you’re used to simply rubbing a bar of soap over your face, you may wonder why it’s even necessary to make the switch to an actual face wash. While standard bar soap isn’t inherently bad for your skin, it’s not great either. For some, it can be drying and have irritating side effects, but ultimately, it won’t serve your skin well in the long run. Face wash, on the other hand, can tackle whatever concern you’re dealing with, be it breakouts, an oily T-zone or skin as dry as the Sahara. So however much you want to invest in your grooming ritual, there’s a product for you here. Behold, the 7 best face washes for men that will keep your skin fresh, your complexion bright and your confidence booming.

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1. Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser

A clean face is a happy face, and there’s no better way to achieve that result than with our top-ranked Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser. Its all-natural ingredients, which they use for all their products (including shampoo, body wash, deodorant, etc), work to balance your skin’s pH levels, wash away dead skin cells, and remove oils and toxins from your pores.Using volcano ash to exfoliate deep down in you pores, this powerful cleanser also utilizes pomegranate seed oil to rehydrate your skin. You can get this highly effective and all-natural cleanser at up to 20% off with Blu Atlas’ subscription service. Top-notch customer service and clean skin is a combination that will never get old.

2. Clinique For Men Charcoal Face Wash

If you have skin that skews oily, this detoxifying face wash from Clinique will help rebalance your skin. The hero ingredient here is charcoal, a skincare ingredient lauded for its ability to draw out toxins, deep-clean pores and remove excess sebum. One thing to note: Even if you have oily skin, you’ll never want to choose a formula that will strip your skin of its natural oils (this can actually backfire and lead to excess oil production as the skin tries to compensate for the moisture lost during cleansing). Clinique nailed this formula because it controls oil effectively, but does so without stripping the skin or compromising the moisture barrier.

3. Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash

Looking for a face wash that will give you an instant pick-me-up in the morning? Try this one from Kiehl’s. If the minty blue packaging didn’t give it away, this energizing face wash contains menthol and caffeine to perk up the skin, along with vitamin E for intense nourishment. You’ll have the citrus extracts to thank for its invigorating, refreshing scent, and its debris-removing formula to thank for its ability to give you a closer shave. Not only will this face wash revive your senses on a groggy morning, but it will wake up lackluster, dull-looking skin for a brighter complexion.

4. Shiseido Men Face Cleanser

Looking to kill two birds with one stone? Then you’ve hit the jackpot with this face cleanser from Shiseido. Serving as a two-in-one face wash and shaving cream, this creamy wash turns into a foam upon contact with water, yet never feels drying on the skin. A little goes a long way with this one, as it creates a fine-textured lather and soaks up all traces of dirt, oil and impurities on the skin. We’re fans of the fact that you can use it in more ways than one, and for the fact that the simple white packaging won’t be an eyesore on your bathroom countertop.

5. Anthony Algae Facial Cleanser

Sensitive-skinned dudes, rejoice! This pick from Anthony is remarkably gentle yet oh-so-hydrating, using algae as its star ingredient for maximum results. Combined with aloe vera for intense moisturizing capabilities along with lavender extract to soothe dry, irritated skin, the formula is free of irritants like parabens, phthalates and triclosan, so you can rest assure your temperamental skin won’t act up post-wash. Best part? This wash doubles as a face mask. Just apply an even layer to the skin and let it do its thing for five to 10 minutes before rinsing off. Your skin will never be smoother (or more hydrated)—we promise.

6. Elemis Deep Cleanse Facial Wash

How often do you come across a face wash that works for oily skin as well as dry skin? That’s just what this face wash formula from Elemis does. It’s a gel-textured face wash that contains a short list of hero ingredients, but they’re all the right ones. English oak bark is used for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory qualities—perfect for fighting off acne-causing bacteria. Spearmint and peppermint deeply clean the pores, ward off daily pollutants, balance oil production and prevent pesky ingrown hairs from forming. And finally, milk proteins boost the skin’s moisture levels and reduce inflammation. Consider it the jack of all trades—cleanser style.

7. HOMMEFACE Daily Face Wash for Men

A face wash doesn’t have to have fancy ingredients or packaging to earn top-shelf status in your grooming routine—as evidenced by this pick from HOMMEFACE. Not only does it prep skin for a closer shave; it’s designed to maximize all-day hydration. This wash is free of alcohol and synthetic fragrances, making it ideal for sensitive skin types. It also fuses tea tree leaf with lavender and witch hazel extracts to nix inflammation and bacteria that could be contributing to acne. Finally, it uses sodium hyaluronate as its moisturizing agent to make the skin appear plumper, healthier and more youthful.

What’s the difference between a face cleanser, a face wash and a face exfoliator?

Face cleanser, face wash, face exfoliator—things can get confusing! But each of these product types is meant to do different things for your skin. Let’s take face cleanser and face wash to start. Face cleansers are formulated to purify, hydrate and calm the skin, and they usually use a gel, cream or milky formula to get the job done.

A face wash, on the other hand, is meant to give your skin—and pores—a deep clean by way of foamy lathers. If you have dry skin, a face cleanser may be your best bet, as they tend to be gentler than their face wash counterpart. If you have oily skin, you may find a face wash to be more beneficial, as they work to clear pores and ward off skin impurities. However, both skin types can use either formula depending on the ingredients, especially if you’re double cleansing.

Face exfoliators are in a category of their own, and are meant to scrub away dead skin cells to reveal a brighter complexion. Within face exfoliators, there are chemical and physical types—the former is typically found in serum and moisturizer products, and is meant to work within the deeper layers of skin, while the latter is typically characterized by a gritty texture that removes the surface layer of dead skin to bring newer, fresher skin cells to the surface.

All three differ in application. While face cleansers and face washes are meant to be used daily, face exfoliators are only meant to be used two to three times a week, otherwise they could be the source of irritation on the skin.

What ingredients should you look for in a face wash?

The ingredients you choose in a face wash depend on your skin type. If you have parched skin, opt for hydrating ingredients such as humectants (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) that draw in and trap moisture. If you’re oily, look for ingredients that deeply clean pores such as salicylic acid (which is touted for its ability to fight off acne-causing bacteria) and glycolic acid to encourage cell turnover.

There are some tried-and-true ingredients that work universally for all skin types: vitamin C to brighten, retinol to increase cell turnover, ceramides to hydrate and peptides to firm the skin. No matter what product you choose, the key is to look for one that cleans surface impurities, balances your skin, improves hydration and is non-stripping. Make sure you do your research to find the best face wash for men.

What ingredients to avoid in a face wash?

There are a few face wash ingredients to steer clear of, especially if you have sensitive skin. Sulfates, parabens, phthalates and fragrance are all ingredients that are commonly found in men’s skincare brands and grooming products (either because they make the ingredients more effective, improve the product’s functionality or extend a formula’s shelf life). But such ingredients can cause irritating side effects even if you don’t have sensitive skin, and they are best avoided.

How often should you use a face wash?

Most experts agree that you should be washing your face twice a day, in the morning and evening. You’ll want to wash in the evening to remove the day’s dirt, oil and pollutants, and to give your skin a fresh base for any serums or moisturizers you put on top. This will help whatever hydrating ingredients you apply work more effectively, as there’s not a layer of gunk on the surface of the skin inhibiting its absorption.

Morning washes are usually just as important—if you’re a morning shaver, washing your face with a face wash will help set the stage for a closer shave, which means less risk of cuts, nicks and burns from your razor. That being said, many people with dry skin types tend to skip washing their face in the morning and just do a lukewarm rinse. This is often done to avoid over-stripping the skin, but if you find a hydrating face wash formula that works well with your skin type, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Finally, you’ll definitely want to wash your face after a workout. This is because, as your body exercises, its natural reaction is to produce sweat to cool off. This, combined with your skin’s natural oils, is a prime recipe for clogged pores, and thus acne. Washing your face post-workout is essential to maintaining clear, healthy, acne-free skin.

What should the water temperature be when using a face wash?

Just as important as the face wash you use is the water temperature you’re washing with. While some argue that hot water will help remove dirt and gunk sitting in your pores (just like it gets rid of bacteria on your clothes in the laundry), scalding-hot water can dry out your skin and lead to irritation and redness.

On the flip side, others say that ice-cold water doesn’t do a good job of ridding the daily toxins that hit your skin. The best water temperature to wash your face with is lukewarm. This way, you’re able to get rid of the gunk in your pores without drying out your skin, and whatever skincare products you apply afterward will be able to better penetrate the skin.The only caveat to this is if you’re washing your face after a gruesome workout. In this case, using colder water can increase blood flow, help cool down the skin, reduce puffiness and flush out any post-workout redness you may be experiencing.

The Proper Face Wash:

Washing your face may seem as simple as rubbing the product into your skin and immediately rinsing it off, but as it turns out, there’s a method to the madness that may make for a better, more effective clean. Here’s how.

Wet your face with lukewarm water: Just like you want to saturate your hair before applying shampoo, you want to wet your face with lukewarm water before applying your face wash. Applying it to dry skin won’t allow the product to fully glide on, and may make you use more product than necessary.

Apply a dime-sized amount of face wash: More often than not, people use more than they need when it comes to amount of face wash. A dime-sized amount is plenty to cover your whole face. If you’re using a face cleanser with a pump, one pump should do it.

Avoid scrubbing: Rather than scrubbing your skin, which can cause irritation and redness, use gentle circular motions to rub the product into your skin. Be slow and steady with these movements—remember, your skin gets thinner and more susceptible to irritation with age.

Cleanse for one to three minutes: For best results, you’ll want the cleanser to be in contact with your skin for one to three minutes. And remember, even though they’re a rinse-off product, your skin will still be able to reap the benefits of whatever ingredients are found in your face formula.

Rinse with lukewarm water: Sticking with the lukewarm-water theme, begin rinsing your face cleanser off. This should take another 30 seconds or so—if it takes any longer, you probably applied too much product.

Gently pat your skin semi-dry: It’s important to pat—not rub—your skin dry with a soft, clean towel. Patting won’t disrupt your skin like harsh rubbing will. And, of course, always ensure the towel or cloth you’re using is clean, as putting a used towel on your skin can introduce bacteria and essentially undo all the cleansing you’ve just done. We recommend that you semi-dry your skin because if you’re following up your face wash routine with a serum or moisturizer (as you should), it’s best to apply these products onto damp skin to allow for better product absorption.

Follow up with serum and moisturizer: Now that your skin is clean, it’s ready for serums and moisturizers. And because you got rid of the daily grime, these products will have a better chance of penetrating the skin. Apply these products methodically according to your skin type for best results.

Should you wash my face in the shower?

If you’re a multi-tasker, washing your face in the shower can be both productive and efficient. There’s no harm in washing your face in the shower, unless you’re cranking up the water temperature. As discussed, washing your face with hot water can lead to irritation and redness, so unless you take your showers in lukewarm water (or are willing to turn the water down for the sake of your skin), it’s best to apply your face wash outside of the shower. And remember, extreme water temperatures (either too hot or too cold) can be damaging to the skin.

Can you use bar soap to wash my face?

Once upon a time, bar soap was the standard when it came to everything from washing your face to washing your body. Nowadays, though, the standard bar of soap has been replaced with a slew of face cleansers and face washes that will make your skin feel clean—but not squeaky clean like a bar soap.

This squeaky-clean feeling is actually not a sign that your skin is cleansed and refreshed—it’s a sign that your skin has been stripped of its natural oils and is quite parched. This is a common side effect of using bar soaps to wash your face, as they’re typically made with fewer ingredients. Though this may sound attractive, especially if you have sensitive skin, it can also mean that the bar soaps lack the hydrating ingredients. Bar soaps can also disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier, which is your skin’s first line of defense against things like UV rays, environmental pollutants and toxins. When this protective barrier isn’t intact, it allows moisture to escape (and impurities to enter), ultimately leading to fine lines and wrinkles.

What to apply to your skin to face wash?

Your good ol’ hands can be used to apply your face wash, though some people prefer to get fancy with facial brushes and tools. A sonic cleaning brush is a popular cleansing tool that many people tout as being an essential part of their face wash routine.

Especially if you have oily skin, a sonic cleaning brush can prove to be an efficient and effective method of washing your face. This type of mechanical brush is meant to provide gentle pulses on your skin, which helps to cleanse the pores more deeply than your standard face wash formula can. The bristles on a brush like this are able to deeply penetrate the skin and remove more of the skin’s oils and gunk, ultimately giving the skin a smoother, brighter complexion.To use a sonic cleaning brush, rinse your skin with lukewarm water and apply the face wash directly onto the brush. Use slow, gentle, circular motions for roughly one minute before rinsing your skin. If you have sensitive skin, avoid using a face cleansing brush every day (one to three times a week is plenty), and use the lowest setting to avoid irritating your skin.

Why does the face break-out even though you wash?

If you find that your skin is breaking out or getting overly oily after washing, you may be overdoing it with your washing (or using the wrong product for your skin type). The skin is good at regulating itself and only generating the oil it requires to remain healthy and hydrated. If you overdo it on the face washing, you’re stripping your skin of its natural oils and drying it out. This dryness signals to your skin that it needs more moisture, thereby triggering it to produce more oil than it started out with. This excess oil production can lead to buildup in the pores and can ultimately mix with bacteria to cause acne.

What to do after washing your face?

After the face wash is the ideal time to start loading up on hydrating as well as anti-aging skincare products. If your skin feels tight after washing, this means you’ve dried it out. In either case, though, use this time to quench your skin’s thirst with moisturizing toners, serums and moisturizers that work to rebalance your skin’s pH levels and keep your moisture barrier intact. These products are best applied directly after washing your face and on damp—not completely dry—skin.

This is because skincare products are able to have better absorption when they’re applied to skin that’s slightly wet. If you’re using a retinol, it’s best to use a hydrating face wash that contains non-irritating, sensitive skin-friendly ingredients, as retinol tends to be quite drying and irritating on the skin.

7 Best Face Washes For Men To Stay Fresh (2024)
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