Fellas, let’s be honest: a lot of guys think that the best face wash for men is the handful of tap water they quickly splash on their mugs in the morning.
But the truth is that water alone isn’t enough to remove all the dirt, grime and excess oil that tends to build up on men’s skin throughout the day.
Nor can it replace all that gunk with skin-bolstering essential oils and additional ingredients like vitamin c and vitamin e, which keep you looking fresh and contribute to healthy skin.
So if you want to put your best face forward, finding the right face wash to work into your skincare routine should be high on your priority list.
Of course, there are a metric shit ton of different options on the market, and face wash is one of those things that gets the best results when you put it to regular use, so it’s important to find the one that’s best suited to your unique skincare needs.
To help make your quest to find the best facial cleanser for men a little more specific, below I’ve rounded up the best men’s face wash products on the market.
And to help know which ones are right for you, I’ve categorized them based on some of the most common skincare challenges that many of us… well… face.
(I mean, come on—look me in the eye and tell me that you could have resisted making that pun. That’s what I thought.)
The Best Face Wash for Men
A Closer Look at The Best Men’s Face Wash for (Damn Near) Every Guy
The Best Daily Face Wash for Men
Every man is different, and every man has different needs when it comes to face wash.
Some of us struggle with acne, oily skin or dryness, while others have to deal with in-grown hairs and other annoyances.
But for those who don’t have face a specific challenge and just want a good everyday face wash that can keep them looking clean and feeling fresh, these are some of the best options available.
Best Overall:
Lumin No-Nonsense Charcoal Cleanser
- Clears your pores of excess oil, dead skin, and dirt
- Activated charcoal gives you smoother skin
- Maintains your face’s natural pH balance
- A little goes a long way: rinse your whole face with just a dime-size amount
If you’re not sure what type of facial cleanser to use and just want a good face wash you can use everyday, Lumin’s charcoal cleanser is definitely your best bet.
It safely and effectively gets rid of all the excess shit that builds up on your face without you noticing (think gunk, grime, oil and such), cleans your pores and leave your face feeling fresh.
| Deep Dive:
- I recently did a full, in-depth review of the skincare products in Lumin’s Age Management Collection. Check out my full Lumin review here.
Tiege Hanley Daily Face Wash
- 5 Stars on Amazon
- 10 Reviews
- Great face wash that gently removes dirt, grime & excess oil
- Helps reduces redness
- Cleanses and refreshes your face
- Non-scented and fragrance free
- Good for dry or sensitive skin types
| Deep Dive:
Marlowe Facial Cleanser
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 438 Reviews
- Daily Face Wash with Natural Extracts & Antioxidants
- Mild & refreshing combination of pine & vanilla
- Soothes, Purifies, Refreshes
- Thick Lather
| Deep Dive:
Baxter of California Daily Face Wash
- 4.9 Stars on Nordstrom.com
- 19 Reviews
- Fragrance-free gentle cleanser
- Leaves your skin looking refreshed and smooth after use
- Cleanses
- Contains Aloe Vera and Caffeine
- Twice Daily
- Washes any type of skin, including sensitive
Promising Review:
“A no nonsense cleaner with substance! This will become your new favorite facial wash, a step up from what you would find in a drug store but not too over the top that you find it to be a hit in the wallet.”
– RyanTheDon
Thrive Energy Scrub
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 520 Reviews
- Exfoliating Face Scrub with Anti-Oxidants
- Improves Skin Texture
- Unclogs Pores
- Helps Prevent Ingrown Hairs
- Made In USA
- Vegan Natural Facial Scrub Exfoliator
Promising Review:
“My face has been either dry or oily .. but always out of balance. Once I started using this regularly, every day in the morning, my skin feels smooth and balanced. Girlfriend loves it ! The fact that they make this from costa rican plant oils and yes coffee is just an added bonus… Wish I had found this earlier.”
– Spinoza
Rugged & Dapper Face Wash For Men
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 1,814 Reviews
- Cleans deep and removes dirt, oil and grime
- Helps to reduce acne breakouts
- Keeps skin moisturized
Promising Review:
“I absolutely love this product. I am an extremely frugal and value oriented person, but one thing I don’t cheap out on is heath products. This product helps me take care of the skin on my face extremely well and is so worth the buy.”
– Poseidon
Best Natural Face Wash ↓
Bulldog Natural Skincare Original Face Wash
- 4.7 Stars
- 230 Reviews
- All natural ingredients
- Non-drying
- Contains aloe vera, camelina oil and green tea
Promising Review:
“I’ve been using this soap for several years now and I love it. It has a great woodsy natural smell. I sometimes have oily skin and I find that this cleans and clears my face and “tightens” up my skin. It lasts a long time if you don’t use too much and is a good price compared to similar products.”
– Joe H
Clarins Men Active Face Wash
- 5 Stars
- 116 Reviews
- Works well with all skin types
- Removes excess dirt and oil
- Gently cleanses and tones
Promising Review:
“I have been using this face wash for the past 2 months and have been thoroughly impressed. I had an acne breakout several years ago that has left many unsightly scars all over my face however, I’ve noticed that while using this product they have become far less noticeable. Along with that I have also experienced far less random pimples while using this and my skin no longer stays in a constant oily state. I will definitely be sticking to this product.”
– Noua
The Best Face Wash for Men with Acne
Count me in the category of guys who used to struggle with acne.
I spent years scouring the pharmacy aisles looking for the best products to clear up my skin and help me overcome my acne embarrassment.
If your acne is severe it may require a doctor-prescribed medication that can’t be found in an over-the-counter face wash.
But if you’re like me and just want something that will help you get fewer break outs on your facial skin, try one of the acne face washes below.
Differin Daily Deep Cleanser
- 4.3 Stars on Amazon
- 63 Reviews
- 5% benzoyl peroxide (same effectiveness as 10% bp, but leads to less dry and irritated skin)
- Developed by dermatologists
Promising Review:
“This product is amazing. I could see some results even after the first day. My skin feels soft and less oily. The few bumps I have seen to be less irritated and not as red. This is a great product and I cannot wait to show the results to others.”
– bp6311
Proactiv Acne Cleanser
- 4.7 Stars on Amazon
- 3,806 Reviews
- Includes Benzoyl Peroxide Face Wash and Hyularonic Acid Moisturizer With Exfoliating Beads
- Unscented
Promising Review:
“I have tried so many things to clear up my acne, even dermatologist prescribed medications and nothing works for me like the Proactive cleanser. I have really oily skin and this has been the ONLY face wash I can use. EVERY OTHER FACE WASH I break out! If they go out of business Im screwed.”
– Aaron
Cetaphil PRO Oil Removing Foam Wash
- 4.7 Stars on Amazon
- 859 Reviews
- Clinically proven to effectively remove oil impurities
- Specifically designed for people with acne-prone skin
- Gentle formula contains licorice root extract and zinc
Promising Review:
“I have really sensitive skin and this is one of the few cleaners that won’t aggravate it. It does a great job removing oil, which is nice because I also have incredibly oily skin. I dislike anything with a strong smell and this doesn’t seem to have one. I will continue using this product every day.”
– Evan
Biore Charcoal Acne Daily Cleanser
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 3,686 Reviews
- Infused with natural charcoal to clean pores
- Helps prevent breakouts
- Includes 1% Salicylic Acid
- Treats existing acne
Promising Review:
“A salicylic acid cleanser that actually does what it’s supposed to do. Large nose pores reduced and redness heavily relieved within 24 hours of use. I suffer from a lot of tiny under the skin bumps around my chin area. This product seems to surface those and make for easier removal.”
– Hotwire
Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Acne Cleanser Treatment
- 4.1 Stars on Amazon
- 24 Reviews
- Salicylic Acid
- Helps clear acne blemishes
- Prevents new ones from forming
- Helps purify pores and remove traces of dirt and oil
Promising Review:
“I love this cleanser!! Works great on sensitive skin and definitely helps clear up acne. Leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed. I use it everyday!”
– dude27
The Best Face Wash for Men with Oily Skin
While acne became less of an issue as I got older, oily skin is still something I contend with.
Oily skin is more susceptible to clogged pores and blackheads, which is why there’s often a correlation between oily skin and acne, as in my case.
Men with oily skin should look for face washes that are oil-free (duh) and will help them remove any buildup of excess dead skin cells.
Each of the options below should fit the bill.
Hawthorne
- Two products: Face Cleanser & Lightweight Face Lotion
- Cleanser includes natural peppermint for exfoliation
- Lotion moisturizes and has subtle botanic fragrance
- Both products free of sulfate, parabens, silicone, phthalate
| Deep Dive:
Jack Black – Deep Dive
- 4.7 Stars on Amazon
- 890 Reviews
- Multifunctional, clay-based cleanser with glycolic acid
- Dermatologist tested
Promising Review:
“I’m not much for cosmetics or fancy toiletries, but tried a small tube of this when my wife wanted to get some exfoliating masks at some store in the mall. Let me tell you, this stuff delivers. It works great as a daily facial cleanser, and I’ll occasionally use it as a mask per the directions and after that my face has never felt (and looked) better. “
– Corey
Neutrogena Men Invigorating Oil-Free Face Wash
- 4.7 Stars on Amazon
- 324 Reviews
- Oil-free (so it won’t clog your pores)
- Removes excess oil and dirt
- Refreshes without drying out your skin
Promising Review:
“This face wash is definitely doing something to my skin. I have been using it for a while now and notice that my skin has noticeable improvements.”
– Michael
Anthony Glycolic Facial Cleanser
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 550 Reviews
- 4.2% Glycolic Acid
- Cleanses and exfoliates
- Removes dirt, oil, and impurities
Promising Review:
“The best face cleanser that I’ve ever used! I’m a 47 year old Male with oily skin and I’ve struggled with pimples my whole life. I recently read an article that said glycolic facial cleanser was the best for your skin. I must say that this has changed my life, my pores and over all complexion looks and feels better than it ever has in my life.”
– kendall
The Best Face Wash for Black Men
In addition to facing many of the same skincare challenges as other guys – like acne, dry skin or oily skin – black men often have to wage an ongoing battle against in-grown hairs, which occur more often when your hair is curly.
As DapperMane.com put it, “All of these things can make it difficult for your body to maintain healthy-looking skin. So, it is essential to use products that boost your skin’s ability to regenerate and repair.”
Here are a few of the best face washes for black men that will help you do just that:
Brickell Purifying Charcoal Face Wash For Men
- 4.4 Stars on Amazon
- 2,837 Reviews
- Removes oil and bacteria from deep within pores
- All natural and organic ingredients
- Contains charcoal, aloe vera and natural oils, including olive oil and jojoba oil
Promising Review:
“I use this product every morning and it simply does the job so many other products claim to do. This so far is the only product that has eliminated my dry, flaky, oily, and red rash skin on my face. It leaves my skin feeling clean and clear. Since using this product , it has also helped me shave by clearing up blemishes…”
– Vince
Era Organic Men’s Face & Body Cleanser
- 4.1 Stars on Amazon
- 568 Reviews
- Creamy cleanser
- USDA organic
- No chemicals, sulfates or drying toxins
- Reduces inflammation and fights ingrown hairs
Promising Review:
“This Face wash is addictive! From the moment it touched my skin, that’s all she wrote. It doesn’t foam up, it’s more of a creamy texture. However, little did i know this is what my face has been crying for all it’s life.”
– Daniel
L’Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Facial Cleanser
- 4.6 Stars on Amazon
- 488 Reviews
- Combines mineral-rich sea water with anti-oil active ingredients
- Designed for everyday use
- Helps soothe razor burn
Promising Review:
“I suffer from patches of dry skin from time to time so I always try and keep on top of my moisturising regime so as not to have future flare ups which can sometimes leave my skin red and flaky. This moisturise is great and everything I look for in a beauty product – not too expensive, great for sensitive / dry skin, keeps your skin soft and actually delivers on its promise.”
– Matthew
NIVEA Men Deep Cleansing Beard & Face Wash
- 4.5 Stars on Amazon
- 1,723
- Specifically formulated for men with facial hair
- Includes natural charcoal
- Deep cleanses and leaves skin refreshed
Promising Review:
“The cost alone is worth the price of admission plus small enough for air travel. The wash is gel like with a black tint… It leaves my skin feeling smooth and clean, not dry or irritated one bit. I also have a large beard and doesn’t seem to effect that negatively either. Overall, I am satisfied with the purchase and would buy again 👍.”
– Nathan
The Summary:
What is the best face wash for men?
Choosing the best face wash is obviously a pretty subjective decision that will vary for each individual guy. But for my money the best men’s face wash is Lumin’s No-Nonsense Charcoal Cleanser, which leaves your skin looking clear and feeling fresh as hell.
You Know The Best Mens Face Wash
Now Learn How to Put Your Best Face Forward
Now that you know which skincare brands offer the best facial cleanser for men to put to daily use, you can (quite literally) put your best face forward each morning.
But, while your visage may be vitally important, using a proper face wash is only the first step in optimizing your overall appearance.
To really make a positive impression on people, you need to look just as sharp from the shoulders down as you do from the neck up.
The (handsome( devil is in the details, and if you want to look your best, the key is knowing how to nail the small-but-important aspects that add up to make a big difference on your look.
Enter your email address below and I’ll send you a checklist that outlines the Nine Details You Need to Nail, and shows you how to optimize your look from head to toe.
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