As with most skincare categories, there’s no singular “best of the best” product. Instead, it’s important for each person to choose one that suits their specific skin type. Face washes for men are no exception — what’s best for oily skin is different from what’s best for dry skin, for example.
There are also different types of formulas, from cleansing clays to foams to creams: “Each type of cleanser has a different function,” says Dr. Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine. “Foam, gel, and clay facial formulas are best suited to oily and combination skins, while cream formulas are gentler and are ideal for mature or inflamed skin.”
Instead of letting the variety of choices add confusion, try to think of it as an opportunity instead. “There are options [available] that help target each person’s unique skin needs,” adds Graf. In other words, the payoff of finding the right face wash is ample: softer, more supple skin that looks as refreshed as it feels.
Read on for more insights on choosing the best men’s face wash, with expertise from Dr. Graf as well as board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michael I Jacobs, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Then, some of their favorite face washes follow, along with a couple of SPY’s top picks, too.
The Best Face Washes for Men: At a Glance
What the Experts Say
SPY asked Dr. Jacobs to be prescriptive with each specific skin need, in terms of ideal ingredients of qualities to seek out in a facial cleanser. Here are his thoughts.
- For Dry Skin: Obviously, replacing lost moisture and reinforcing the skin barrier are both high-priority here. “Products with ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid not only hydrate but also help rebuild our moisture barrier to retain moisture,” he explains.
- For Oily Skin: While it might feel nice to flush away excess oil and grime, the important thing is not to overdo it — this can dehydrate skin to the point that the pores produce even more sebum than before. “It’s best to look for gentle cleansers that don’t strip the skin or irritate it further. During the summer, incorporating chemical exfoliating products, rather than physical exfoliants, can help smooth skin from excess oil buildup, as well,” says Jacobs. Most notably, salicylic acid is a beneficial oil-balancing ingredient in cleansers.
- For Acne-Prone Skin: Jacobs recommends using cleansers that contain 2% salicylic acid, which is often helpful at controlling acne breakouts. “Gentle facial soaps will help improve acne by keeping the bacteria count on the skin lower,” he says.
- For Normal Skin: Jacobs endorses products labeled “gentle” for this group, too.
- For Combination Skin: No surprises here: “Gentle” is the magic word for skin types that have patches of oily skin alongside patches of dry skin. “Use skin-balancing products that simultaneously help retain moisture while deeply (but gently) cleansing the skin,” says Jacobs.
- For Sensitive Skin: Avoid products with added artificial fragrance — and, of course, prioritize gentle cleansers. “It’s important to have a routine and consistently use the same products to not disrupt or further irritate the skin,” Jacobs added. Anything that can build up the skin barrier, like ceramides, is an added benefit, too.
Courtesy of Amazon
BEST OVERALL
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
This is the first of two CeraVe products on this list, and it should come as no surprise: It’s a brand beloved by dermatologists and customers alike — largely because it has engineered unique formulas to target each individual skin type. This Hydrating Facial Cleanser will cover the broadest swatch of skin types, from dry to normal, though my own oily/combination skin has felt supremely replenished post-use, too.
“I recommend this to patients whenever dryness or tightness of the skin is a common issue for someone,” said Jacobs, who adds that the brand’s foaming cleanser is just as good for oily skin types. (I co-sign that pick, too).
What’s so outstanding about CeraVe’s products — not just its cleaners — is the inclusion of skin barrier-boosting ceramides, so that users never end up with irritated, uncomfortable skin. But this cleanser also includes hyaluronic acid, which is doubly moisturizing. Anyone whose skin turns dry with the changing seasons will enjoy bringing it into rotation.
Courtesy of Amazon
BEST FOR OILY SKIN
Obagi Medical Clenziderm Foaming Cleanser
Jacobs loves Obagi’s foaming face wash for oily and acne-prone skin types alike. “It will reduce buildup, improve acne, and unclog pores,” he says. That’s largely thanks to a 2% salicylic acid formula that should be gentle enough on most oily complexions. To Jacobs’ point, even people who don’t experience acne will appreciate how it balances sebum production in the pores, leaving skin refreshed without ever feeling parched.
In my experience with it, it’s been gentle enough for up to three uses per day (as someone who washes his mug more than most people), and the cooling gel tingles on contact thanks to the inclusion of menthol. Be sure to let it set on the skin for 30 seconds or so, in order to let the salicylic acid seep into pores.
Courtesy of Amazon
BEST FOR DRY SKIN
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Here’s another brand that dermatologists recommend over and over. Like all of the products in its Toleriane line, this cleanser targets sensitive skin, which includes dry skin. (I like to think of dry skin as sensitive, since it likely has a reduced barrier and is more vulnerable to the surrounding environment.)
“The Toleriane cleanser removes debris and oil buildup without leaving the skin feeling tight and dry,” says Jacobs, who cites barrier-boosting (and skin-soothing) niacinamide in the formula, as well as ultra-hydrating glycerin in its creamy base.
I also appreciate that this cleanser always leaves my hands more nourished after washing, as if I’d applied hand lotion. A nice bonus.
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BEST FOR ACNE
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
Here’s one of Graf’s favorite face washes for all skin types, thanks to its inclusion of low-grade salicylic acid to keep pores clear. CeraVe has a second salicylic acid cleanser that technically targets the most acne-prone individuals (especially those with oily skin), but I think it’s important to address the fact that not all acne-prone types necessarily have the condition because of an oil buildup. So this Renewing SA Cleanser might actually reach a broader audience thanks to the fact that it targets “normal” skin types. It won’t over-dry the skin thanks to the brand’s signature barrier-reinforcing ceramides. (Again, ceramides are a signature in CeraVe products, hence the “Cera” in the name).
Lastly, unlike many targeted acne face washes, this one is perfectly good for skin when it’s not breaking out, too. It’s centering and gentle, so that it can provide targeted benefits for blemish-prone skin at any stage.
FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
SkinBetter Cleansing Gel
Here’s a brand you’re more likely to find in the dermatology clinics — hence why it’s a favorite of docs like Dr. Graf. “Skinbetter hydrates the complexion with its creamy, gentle formula,” says Graf. “It’s ideal for daily use on sensitive skin because it’s formulated with no ingredients that are common skin irritants. It feels very luxurious and soothing!”
It’s got a hefty dose of aloe vera in its recipe, too, hence why it feels so soothing on sensitive skin types. Consider using it as a post-shave cleanser ahead of applying aftershave.
Courtesy of Amazon
FOR COMBINATION SKIN
Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser
Thayers is traditionally known as a toner brand; its hero product “centers” the skin’s pH levels to prevent irritation and dryness, in addition to balancing oil levels. This aloe-packed cleanser applies those same centering properties, meaning it finds a way to target patches of skin with different concerns — essential for those with combo skin. (Case in point: It will reduce and steady oil production across the T-zone and soothe drier skin across the cheeks.)
This cleanser is one of many products in an entire skin-balancing regimen that Thayers has launched, recently, and I find myself recommending it frequently — largely because of the fact it’s built on this harmonizing principle. The brand follows through on its promise!
Courtesy of Amazon
BEST DRUGSTORE
Cetaphil Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser
The drugstore-staple Cetaphil could have been the top spot on our list — call it a flip of a coin. And speaking of coins, you’ll save a bunch of them if you center this face wash in your skincare regimen.
This hydrating foaming cleanser primarily targets dry to normal skin types, while its companion product targets oil and sensitivities. Both have a nourishing glycerin base along with skin-soothing niacinamide and hydrating hyaluronic acid. After each and every use, it leaves my skin feeling so soft and rejuvenated. It keeps my wallet feeling bulkier, too.
BEST UPGRADE
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
While $25 isn’t necessarily a major splurge in terms of this roster of products, Kiehl’s cleanser certainly feels like an upgrade when massaged onto skin. It’s one of Graf’s favorite cleansers to recommend to patients, as well: “It’s fragrance- and dye-free, making it a great option for very sensitive skin,” she explains. “But I like its gentleness, too, and I find that it helps balance and cleanse the skin without disrupting the natural oil production.”
Unique to this recipe are apple kernel oil and avocado oil, which leave skin feeling softer on contact, while a more popular hydrating ingredient (squalane) headlines. I find it suitable for my oily and sometimes-combination skin, while my partner especially loves it on his dry and sensitive skin. Remember how we said there are few products that suit all skin types? Well, Kiehl’s finds a way to buck the trends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Face Washes for Men
What Is the Best Facial Cleanser for Men?
SPY’s pick for the Best Face Wash for Men aligns with Dr. Jacobs’ own choice: CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser. While few products are universally useful across all skin types and needs, this product manages to be gentle on all skin types, while fortifying skin with hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Are Facial Scrubs Good for Skin?
While exfoliation is an important part of a basic skincare regimen, Dr. Graf recommends being cautious about physical “scrub” cleansers. “Common scrub ingredients like almond shells can be damaging to the skin’s barrier,” she says. “Instead, I recommend opting for a chemical exfoliant like salicylic or glycolic acid,” both of which can help free the skin of dead cells and improve overall complexion (glycolic acid at the surface of skin, and salicylic acid within the pores).
Is Fragrance Bad In Skincare?
Any artificial fragrance (or parfum) in skincare is best avoided. “Strong fragrance can damage the skin’s barrier, especially in sensitive skin types,” says Dr. Graf. However, some natural ingredients have a scent — typically essential oils like peppermint, lavender, or citrus. While these ingredients can be aggressive on the skin in unregulated products, they can provide a nice smell sans irritation when used carefully and tested thoroughly by a reputable brand.
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