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Every skincare routine needs a cleanser, whether that’s just the start or it’s your entire routine. Washing your face in the morning and at night removes the dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells that accumulate throughout your day. It’s also a key step in getting a closer shave or keeping your beard looking fresh. It shouldn't be an afterthought you throw in your gym bag to remove sweat after workouts, but instead an intentional way to start and end your days feeling fresh and clean.
You may think any bar soap will do the trick, but a good face wash cleanses your skin while also hydrating it and removing the buildup that causes zits and blackheads. With a slew of options geared towards men, it can be overwhelming to pick the right one—but you can do so easily by determining a few factors and preferences.
Whether it’s your first go at deliberate skin care or you need a new cleanser for your tried and true regimen, we’ve gathered all the best men’s face washes to help you put your best face forward each and every day.
What to Consider
Face wash should be effective without stripping your skin of natural oils causing dryness or irritation. Your skin type determines what to look for in a face wash and what to avoid. Soap- and sulfate-free options are good for sensitive skin, plant-based oils moisturize dry skin, and salicylic acid helps if you're prone to acne.
Most of the face washes we chose are good for all skin types, but we noted the two that are best suited for oily and sensitive skin. It's also important to determine if you prefer scented or unscented washes, especially because some face washes geared towards men have particularly strong scents.
How We Selected
We looked for men’s face washes that are good for all skin types, and took into account our own experiences when using them. The variety we chose comes in different forms—cream, paste, liquid, and gel—and lather up in different ways so you can choose one based on your personal preferences.
The final selection is a group of men’s face washes at varying price points that deliver on their promises of effectively removing dirt and dead skin cells, leaving your face with that fresh, clean feeling.
Pros
- Affordable
- Sulfate-free
- Mild scent
Cons
Jack Black makes everything a man needs for a skin regimen of any level, but at its simplest, the Pure Clean cleanser is a gentle wash you can use both morning and night. The cream texture doesn't lather up too much, but a small amount still goes a long way.
The sulfate-free formula doesn’t leave your face feeling dry, and there’s no overbearing scent. Its natural ingredients do have a very mild, clean smell, but it isn’t perfume-like or overbearing and won’t conflict with any cologne you wear.
I used this face wash for years and it never left my skin feeling dry, not to mention the price point. I prefer washes that lather up more than this does, which is why I switched away from it, but as far as gentle cleansers go, this is the best I’ve tried. It’s also worth noting, the Turbo wash was the product that got me hooked on Jack Black skincare.
Key Specs
Skin Type | All skin types |
---|---|
Form | Cream |
Scented | Yes |
Sizes Available (fluid ounces) | 3, 6, 16 |
Pros
- Soap-free
- Budget-friendly
- Widely available
Cons
Cetaphil is highly recommended by skin experts and can be found in almost any store or pharmacy. The gel cleanser is free of fragrances, doesn’t contain soap, and is hypoallergenic, ensuring no irritation for those with sensitive skin.
It doesn’t foam up and won’t leave your skin feeling dry, and can be used right in the shower. This is the best no-frills cleanser if you have acne-prone skin or experience irritation with daily washing.
I’ve used this cleanser on and off, but mostly keep it in my back pocket for when my skin feels dry in winter. This delivers the clean feeling after I wash my face, but I usually opt for a more intensive cleanser, so it’s a good pick for those drier days.
Key Specs
Skin Type | Sensitive |
---|---|
Form | Gel |
Scented | No |
Sizes Available (fluid ounces) | 4, 8, 16, 20 |
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Pros
- Paraben-free
- Alcohol-free
- Can be used on sensitive skin
Cons
- Menthol scent isn't for everyone
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel wash is a great option for men who like that refreshing tingle sensation—in this case, thanks to menthol and caffeine.
The liquid cleanser foams into a substantial lather and feels like a deep clean without over-drying my face due to the alcohol-free formula. A little goes a long way in terms of the amount you need since it foams up so well—I feel like I get more from this bottle than other facial cleansers.
The tingling sensation is the “energizing” part of the Facial Fuel, and this face wash stands out because that tight feeling you might get from other menthol or eucalyptus products isn’t present here. In fact, the scent is nice to have when you’re trying to wake up for the day.
Key Specs
Skin Type | All skin types |
---|---|
Form | Liquid |
Scented | Yes |
Sizes Available (fluid ounces) | 2.5, 8.4, 33.8 |
Pros
- Fights breakouts
- Doesn't leave face feeling dry
- Gentler than other salicylic acid cleansers
Cons
For guys who struggle with acne, washing your face everyday sometimes isn’t enough. This face wash combats acne with its formula that includes salicylic acid. It’s also paraben-free, which is important for acne sufferers, and the liquid form works into a good lather with a clean scent.
Acne isn’t a huge issue for me, but I’ve used my fair share of salicylic acid washes. While most of them leave my face feeling like I just scrubbed antiseptic all over it, this one is gentle enough to use any day, whether my skin’s acting up or not.
Key Specs
Skin Type | Oily |
---|---|
Form | Liquid |
Scented | Yes |
Sizes Available (fluid ounces) | 5 |
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Pros
- Sulfate-free
- Has aloe vera to alleviate dry skin
- Paraben-free
Cons
Baxter started with hairstyling products but has branched out to shaving and skin care. This sulfate-free face wash for men has gained popularity because it's effective, long-lasting, and unscented. The formula includes aloe vera, too, which helps hydrate dry skin.
User reviews note that the wash has a great lather and that one bottle lasts for an exceptionally long time. They also say their faces feels moisturized after washing but the wash doesn't feel oily or greasy.
Key Specs
Skin Type | All skin types |
---|---|
Form | Oil |
Scented | No |
Sizes Available (fluid ounces) | 8 |
Pros
- All natural ingredients
- Full of moisturizing ingredients
- Works for face and beard
Cons
This wash is good for all skin types, but especially helpful for those with dry or sensitive skin. It’s packed with organic ingredients like jojoba oil and aloe vera that hydrate and help repair the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Jojoba oil is also found in most beard grooming products, so this wash will cleanse and nurture both your face and beard.
The light pleasant scent comes from the organic ingredients and there are no artificial perfumes in the formula. Peppermint and eucalyptus give you the cooling “tingling” feeling without leaving an overpowering scent. It’ll give you that clean feeling without your face feeling tight or dry thanks to all of its moisturizing properties.
Key Specs
Skin Type | All skin types |
---|---|
Form | Gel |
Scented | Yes |
Sizes Available (fluid ounces) | 3.4, 8 |
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Pros
- Cleanses and conditions
- Helps dry skin under beards
- Softens hair and skin
Cons
This mild cleanser is a two-in-one combo of wash and conditioner to remove dirt and dead skin from your face and beard. Argan and avocado oil are the key ingredients that soften your beard and keep your skin moisturized, and the added menthol gives the cooling tingle after use.
Reviews report that “even notoriously dry skin in winter” is improved by using this face wash daily. It reduces itchiness and flaky dead skin when the air is cold and dry.
This is best suited for men with beards as the main focus is hydration and conditioning. Its mild cleanser will do an adequate job, but if you have oily skin or are mainly focused on washing you should opt for something else to supplement your skincare.
Key Specs
Skin Type | All skin types |
---|---|
Form | Cream |
Scented | Yes |
Sizes Available (fluid ounces) | 11 |
Pros
- Great scent
- All natural ingredients
- Moisturizing
Cons
This face wash is my personal favorite in the list as it works best for my skin type. It has a rich lather and leaves me with a natural clean feeling. The ingredients give it an earthy scent that's pleasant but not overbearing, and the texture is a grainy paste that doesn't feel abrasive or irritating but achieves a deeper cleaning effect by lightly exfoliating my pores.
It easily rinses away and never leaves my skin feeling dry. It also has that tingly refreshing feeling thanks to peppermint and a slew of plant-based oils that nourish and moisturize dry skin.
This cleanser is gentle enough to use daily and one bottle lasts me awhile. I'm a fan of the clean scent, but if you wear cologne or prefer unscented, this may be too strong.
Key Specs
Skin Type | All skin types |
---|---|
Form | Paste |
Scented | Yes |
Sizes Available (fluid ounces) | 8.4 |
Danny Perez
Commerce Editor
Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.