We know, we know—the last thing you want to do is spend time researching the best men’s facial cleanser. But trust us, your skin will thank you later.
The right face wash can make all the difference when it comes to clear, healthy skin because, let’s face it, not all cleansers are created equal. And for good reasons.
Using the wrong face wash for your skin type can do more harm than good. For instance, if you have oily skin, you wouldn’t want to use a face wash formulated for dry skin, as this would only leave your skin feeling greasy.
But with so many face wash options, how do you find the right men’s face wash? We’ve got you covered - here’s a handy guide on how to find the best men’s facial cleanser.
Why Use a Face Wash for Men
A lot of guys already use a face wash as part of their daily skincare routine for men, but if you don’t, it’s time to start. While using water and plain old soap does clean your skin, it’s not formulated specifically for your face, which can be more sensitive than the rest of your body. Your grandfather’s bar soap may be cheap, but it’s full of synthetic ingredients that leech moisture from the skin.
A face wash’s primary purpose is to remove excess oil, dirt, and grime that build up on your skin and clog pores. Cleaning your skin isn’t just about wiping away the dirt and grime, it’s also about keeping a balanced complexion.
A great men’s face wash won't only leave you squeaky clean but can provide much-needed nourishment to prevent those all too familiar breakouts and tackle free radicals in one fell swoop!
Start with Your Skin Type
Before searching for the best men’s face wash for healthy skin, it helps to know what type of skin you have. Knowing this will help you narrow your search significantly, as certain products are better suited for certain skin types. You can determine your skin type by observing how your skin looks and feels after washing it.
Oily Skin
If your skin tends to be oily or feel greasy and you often feel like you get more breakouts than others, you probably have oily skin. The bad news is that genetics and hormones can play a role in increased oil production on your skin. Other factors, such as environmental stress, can also add to this production.
But, the good news is that proper face washing can go a long way towards balancing your complexion. The best face wash for oily skin should be a gentle gel-based or foaming formula with beneficial ingredients that won’t clog pores.
Dry Skin
If your skin is dry, flaky, and prone to redness or irritation, your skin type is likely dry or sensitive, maybe even both. And while you may think these skin types are drastically different, they both mean you have a compromised skin barrier.
Using the right cleanser helps restore balance, providing hydration while fortifying lipids in the skin. The best men’s cleanser for dry skin or sensitive skin should be a gentle, lightweight formula enriched with hydrating ingredients.
Combination Skin
If your face is dry in some areas but oily in other areas, such as your nose and forehead, you probably have combination skin. Enlarged pores, blackheads, and added shine are also common when it comes to combination skin.
Working with combination skin can be challenging, but it truly is possible to achieve the “just right” harmony. You will need to opt for a daily skincare routine for men that addresses both oily and dry areas simultaneously. Look for a gentle face wash suitable for all skin types with added spot treatments, as needed, tailored to balance out overly oily or dry spots.
Normal Skin
If your skin is not too oily or dry overall, congratulations, you have normal/balanced skin. Not everyone has the pleasure of having a complexion that requires minimal effort to maintain and manage.
But even normal/balanced skin needs some attention–nothing too intense–to keep your skin looking healthy and naturally radiant. Look for a gentle, lightweight face wash with nourishing ingredients like vitamins A and E so that it doesn't strip away too much moisture from your already healthy complexion.
Acne-Prone Skin
If you’re dealing with consistently clogged pores and endless acne breakouts, you probably have acne-prone skin. Skin that easily develops acne is usually very oily - so much so that it requires special ingredients that deeply cleanse the pores while removing excess oil.
Ingredients Matter
Knowing your skin type is a great start to the journey toward healthy skin, but it's only the beginning. Just like with any healthy lifestyle routine, you need to look at what ingredients will work best for your skin type and ultimate goal.
The best men’s facial cleansers should be formulated with all-natural ingredients, free of parabens and synthetic fragrances. Some of the best natural ingredients for face wash include
- Salicylic acid. A beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), salicylic acid helps to unclog pores, get rid of acne-causing bacteria, decrease inflammation and exfoliate dead cells on the surface of your skin. Face wash formulated with salicylic acid is ideal for acne-prone or oily skin.
- Hyaluronic acid. A powerhouse moisturizer, hyaluronic acid is renowned for its ultra-hydrating properties that keep your skin's natural moisture barrier in check. This deep hydration also helps to reduce fine lines and prevent future wrinkles.
- Aloe vera. Not only does aloe vera offer hydration, but it can also help reduce inflammation and irritation. Plus, it's naturally loaded with vitamins A, C, and E and antioxidants and minerals, all of which can renew your skin for a glowing finish.
- Coconut oil. Helping to maintain the skin's natural moisture barrier, coconut oil is a powerful cleanser that removes dirt and other impurities, in addition to reducing inflammation and protecting your skin from bacteria.
- Jojoba oil. Providing deep moisturization and anti-inflammatory benefits, jojoba oil is a gentle cleanser that scrubs away dirt and grime without irritating your skin. Jojoba oil also helps to rebuild your skin barrier after cleansing.
- Geranium. With natural antibacterial properties, geranium is an antiseptic that helps to cleanse your skin while balancing its pH levels. Geranium revitalizes tired and dull skin to give you a radiant complexion.
Finding the Right Men's Face Wash
Shopping for the right men’s face wash can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Knowing your skin type beforehand and keeping an eye out for ingredients that can benefit your skincare routine for men puts you one step ahead of the game.
Here at Brickell, we’ve got you covered with our top-rated list of facial cleansers. From nourishing oils to natural exfoliants, there’s guaranteed to be a face wash suitable for you so that you can start achieving that perfect complexion.
Best Face Wash for Men with Oily, Combination, or Normal Skin
Clarifying Gel Face Wash for Men
Key ingredients: Coconut, aloe, geranium
Rejuvenate and brighten your complexion with this luxurious gel face wash formulated with aloe to nourish your skin and geranium to remove impurities while preventing pores from clogging.
Best Face Wash for Men with Dry or Sensitive Skin
Purifying Charcoal Face Wash for Men
Key ingredients: Charcoal, olive oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera
Packed full of extracts, vitamins, and activated charcoal, this skin cleanser for dry skin deeply yet gently cleanses away dirt, grime, and bacteria. Thanks to this formula, you’re left with refreshed and hydrated skin.
Best Face Wash for Men with Acne-Prone Skin
Acne Controlling Face Wash for Men
Key ingredients: Salicyclic acid, grapefruit, tea tree oil
Achieve clear, healthy skin with our anti-aging face wash formulated with salicylic acid and other natural acne-fighting ingredients. This powerful combination of organic ingredients is anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory - helping to unclog your pores while soothing any irritation caused by breakouts.
Best Face Wash for Men with Anti-aging Properties
Redefining Anti-Aging Face Wash for Men
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), geranium
Skin type: Dry, normal, and combination skin
Our gel facial cleanser is the perfect way to restore your skin's youthfulness, leaving it firmer and more radiant! This powerhouse blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamins C & E, plus geranium deeply purifies while replenishing key nutrients for a glowing complexion.
The Bottom Line
Finding the best men's facial cleanser isn't rocket science—it just takes a bit of research and knowing which ingredients will work best with your particular skin type. Now that you’ve figured it out finding the right men’s face wash isn’t such a daunting task after all! But don’t leave the cleansing to only your morning start; face cleansing should also be added to your nighttime skin care routine for men.
Whether you’re looking for the best overall face wash for men or one formulated for oily skin, we’ve got you covered here at Brickell.
