11 Best Face Washes for Men in 2024

To really look and feel your best, you need to keep your face clean. While splashing it with some hot water can do the trick now and again, to truly cleanse your pores and prevent the early onset of wrinkles, you'll need to use a really good face wash for men.

Luckily, you have lots of choices depending on things like your budget limitations, your ingredient preferences, and much more. Let's take a look at 11 stellar face washes for men and consider trying one or even incorporating it into your skincare routine.

1. Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser

Many of the best face cleansers and washing products utilize natural ingredients like charcoal and volcanic ash. Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser for men uses the latter ingredient alongside several others to promote a deep, satisfying cleanse each and every time you apply it. The result of the volcanic ash is balanced skin pH and reduced grime: a win–win.

The rest of the product's ingredients come from natural sources, like plants, fruits, and minerals, making it a great choice for guys who don't want to rub toxic chemicals or artificial additives into their skin.

Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser also doesn't require using a lot of product to be effective. Indeed, you only need to apply a dime-sized amount of cleanser all over your face and rub it in to see maximum results.

2. L’Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Facial Cleanser

L’Oreal is among the most popular skincare brands overall, so it’s no surprise that it also offers one of the best face washes for men. Specifically, this hydrating and energetic facial cleanser is meant to be used every day because it’s both deep cleansing and relatively gentle.

The facial cleanser is infused with charcoal, which helps fight off dirt, oily skin, clogged pores, and much more. This is also a very fun face wash for men to use; it starts off with a black, rough texture, then turns into a white foam that offers a tingly, cleansing sensation from start to finish. You can even use this product twice per day—just be sure to wet your skin and massage gently to avoid skin irritation and excessive dryness.

3. Nivea Men Maximum Hydration Moisturizing Face Wash

Nivea Men Maximum Hydration Moisturizing Face Wash is created with aloe vera, one of the most hydrating and effective natural cleansing ingredients you can find. Aloe vera doesn't just moisturize the skin, but it also helps soothe it and reduce irritation, making it a prime choice for guys whose skin tends to break out or feel red and inflamed after using a face wash product.

The Nivea face wash is also an exceptional protectant against dryness. Thus, it could be a good choice if your skin is usually very dry. It’s enriched with vitamin B5, which helps to ensure your skin stays properly moisturized and hydrated throughout the day. You only need to use this face wash once per day to see maximum results.

4. Dove Men + Care Face Wash Hydrate +

Dove Men + Care Face Wash Hydrate + is another one of the best face washes for men overall, thanks in part due to its affordability. Only a few high-quality facial cleansing products are available for just a handful of dollars, so it could be a good choice if you’re on a tight budget.

Regardless, this face wash uses a unique formula to help replace lost moisture and retain hydration throughout the day. It’s also a great choice if you enjoy feeling like your skin is cleansed and refreshed; when you rinse this face wash off, you’ll feel like your pores have been excavated. It’s an effective cleanser that doesn’t strip away excess facial oils, which gives it top marks in our book.

5. American Crew Acumen Men’s Face Wash

American Crew’s face wash for men is meant to be used in the shower and is totally free of overly hydrating oils. It combines moisturizing and antioxidant agents alongside key vitamins to help invigorate your skin and provide your skin cells with what they need to thrive.

On top of that, this face wash comes with the classic, certified American Crew fragrance. It’s a fresh scent that can accentuate other fragrances you add to your body, like deodorant or cologne. But keep in mind that this can also clash with those fragrances if you don’t plan accordingly. Our advice is to try a bit of this product first if you haven’t used an American Crew face wash before. If you have, consider whether this fragrance will go well with your other olfactory style choices.

6. Rugged & Dapper Daily Power Scrub Facial Cleanser

Rugged & Dapper offers a 2-in-1 foaming face cleanser and exfoliating facial wash in the same bottle. It's perfect for guys who want to clear away excess dead skin cells and prevent acne crop-ups, which usually occur when the pores become clogged. More importantly, this formula is made with natural, gentle ingredients, so the facial wash and exfoliating cleanser won’t strip your skin of moisture unnecessarily.

It uses plant-based exfoliants that can gently remove impurities along with foaming gel to help get rid of dirt deep in your skin’s pores. It’s a good option for men with combination or oily faces, although guys with sensitive skin may want to test it with a sample first before buying a whole bottle (as it’s one of the more expensive face washes on this list).

7. Botanic Hearth Tea Tree & Mint Face Wash

Botanic Hearth’s Tea Tree & Mint Face Wash is imbued not only with the effective titular ingredient, but also mint, coconut oil, rosemary oil, and jojoba oil. Combined, these natural ingredients are very good at calming and hydrating irritated skin while simultaneously working to wash away impurities, dirt, and dead skin cells.

The tea tree in particular can dissolve tension in the skin and, when combined with the mint, refresh your face and leave it feeling tingly and cleansed plus smelling good. This is also a good face wash for men concerned about animal cruelty practices—it’s made without any animal testing. The formula also foregoes any artificial colors or parabens.

8. Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Face Wash

Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Face Wash is a little pricey and only available in small bottles that contain 8 ounces of product. That said, there’s a lot to like about this face wash, including it being made with natural moisturizing extracts, along with charcoal, which does the important work of deep cleansing your pores without irritating your skin.

Other key ingredients include aloe vera, olive oil, and jojoba oil. These natural elements help moisturize your skin and keep it energized and great-looking throughout the day. It’s an optimal face wash for men of all ages and for guys with any skin type, including dry, sensitive, and combination or normal skin.

9. Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser

Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser is all about deep cleaning the pores, making it a perfect choice for guys who use a little concealer, mild men’s makeup, or who just have large pores in general, which may be more likely to develop acne. This product uses natural charcoal to provide cleaner feeling skin. You’ll notice that the face wash foams white as it works.

The face wash can draw out impurities and remove excess oil, making it a great choice for guys with naturally oily skin. You can use it daily, but keep in mind that if you have sensitive or combination skin, this face wash may be a little too intense and cause incidental acne flare-ups (sometimes by causing the skin to make more oil to compensate).

10. Era Organics Super Hydrating Cleanser

Era Organics offers a super hydrating men’s facial cleanser, which doubles as a body wash. If you’re a guy who wants a cleansing product that can work on practically any skin, this could be just the ticket. It’s a USDA-approved face wash that uses natural, gentle ingredients to revitalize the skin and help to soothe irritation.

Era Organics Super Hydrating Cleanser can also help to fight off blemishes and clogged pores. Retinol and other anti-aging ingredients may assist with wrinkle reduction, too. Perhaps most importantly, this effective hydrating facial wash isn’t made with parabens, sulfates, toxic elements, or artificial ingredients.

11. Caldera + Lab The Clean Slate

Caldera + Lab's The Clean Slate is an exfoliating facial wash made without any aluminum, GMOs, toxic compounds, or sulfates. It's a 100% vegan and plant-based product made with the benefits of extensive research and clinical trials using biome-friendly ingredients.

Probiotic-based plant extracts, hydrating amino acids, and glacial oceanic silt extracts combine to reduce the incidence of fine lines and wrinkles, soothing your skin, calming it, and leaving it looking and feeling more refreshed than ever. It could be a great facial wash for guys who have normally sensitive skin that’s prone to flare-ups or redness after using any washing product. It may also be a good choice for guys who are getting older and who want to give their skin extra tools and vitamins to look younger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I use a face wash?

Face wash is an important type of skin care product that every guy should use at least some of the time. Think of face wash as specially formulated soap for your face, which has different skin compared to the rest of your body.

The skin on your face is thinner and it’s protected by more sebum, a naturally occurring skin oil that prevents your skin cells from becoming too dry. If you try to use a regular body soap on your face, you'll run into some big problems fast:

• Your skin will be more likely to dry out more quickly
• Your face may be more likely to break out in acne since body soap strips away too much oil, causing your body to create extra oil to compensate, which can clog your pores and lead to zits

In addition to those points, you should use a face wash purely so that you look your best. When you use a face wash, you ensure that the skin on your face is just as clean as the skin on the rest of your body. Combine that with a good haircut, the right cologne, and some good clothes, and you'll look excellent for any social occasion.

You have some other reasons to use a face wash, as well, including:

• If you have acne-prone skin, using a face wash can help to tackle the problem. That's because a face wash clears away extra dirt and debris that can become trapped in your skin's pores. Trapped dirt and debris is the number one cause of acne in men, and it's more likely to occur if you don't wash your face regularly.
• Washing your face allows you to apply other facial products to your skin’s pores more effectively, like serum and moisturizer (see more below). These products can be effective if you have any skin type aside from combination skin (which is essentially the same thing as “normal” or average skin).

How do I add a face wash to my skincare routine?

Of course, just using a face wash product isn’t enough. You need to use the face wash strategically and in the right position in your skincare routine to see maximum beneficial effects. Here’s a breakdown of how to use face wash in a skincare routine step-by-step.

Apply Face Wash

Face wash is easy to remember—it’s the first thing you should apply in a holistic skincare routine. You should start with face wash because it’ll clear away dirt, dead skin cells, excess skin oil, and any other gunk.

In doing this, you open up the pores across your face so you can apply other products and ensure they are maximally effective. You should apply your face wash by squirting a dime- to quarter-sized amount on your fingers. Rub it between your fingers for a second to warm it up, and then apply the face wash to your skin by rubbing it in smooth, concentric circles.

You shouldn’t scrub face wash into your face; that will just irritate your skin and you won’t get rid of as much dirt as you would otherwise. Once you’ve rubbed the face wash into your skin, be sure to rinse it off with lukewarm water. Use lukewarm water instead of hot water to avoid irritating your facial skin. Remember, face wash is essentially specialized soap; you need to wash all of it off your face before you move on to another product.

Apply Toner

Next, use toner to take advantage of your recently opened pores. Toner is a more specialized soap that can clear away even deeper dirt and debris packed into your skin cells as well as help brighten your skin and make it look more vibrant.

Toner isn’t always necessary, and you shouldn’t overuse it. For the best results, you should only use toner once or twice per week or as otherwise directed by a dermatologist. If you have very sensitive skin, you may never need to use a toner whatsoever.

The same goes for exfoliating tools like sheets or creams. Exfoliants are specially designed products that strip away dead skin cells, which can pile up and pack into your pores over time. For most guys, a toner is enough to get the job done.

Apply Serum

Now it’s time to apply a facial serum. Facial serum is like a vitamin shot for your facial skin cells, providing key nutrients and compounds to help your skin replicate healthier than ever. Facial serum is also vital if you want to reduce lines, wrinkles, spots, and other signs of aging skin.

You should apply the serum at this step of the process because your pores are as open as they will be. Therefore, the serum can be absorbed into the deepest layer of your skin possible.

Apply Moisturizer

The last step in a complete skincare routine is moisturizer application. Moisturizer provides a little extra water to your skin cells, preventing them from feeling dried out after using a face wash and/or cleanser. But it also seals in moisture, preventing the water from evaporating over time.

Moisturizer is the last step because you are effectively sealing your pores and preventing anything else from getting inside. Never use moisturizer before using a face wash product; any good face wash will remove the moisturizer ingredients just like it will dirt and debris.

What about using a face wash in the shower?

To get a head start on your skincare routine, you can easily use face wash in the shower. For example, you can wash your face with your favorite face wash product, then scrub your body with bar soap or any other body wash product.

Again, just remember not to scrub your face with overly hot water. Hot water irritates your skin and can cause your pores to close. That makes your face wash and toner products less effective at getting dirt and debris out from deep within your pores.

How often should I use a face wash?

Because face wash is soap, you shouldn’t overuse it. If you overuse face wash, your skin cells may produce extra oil to compensate for it being removed, leading to acne outbreaks.

Instead, you should use face wash once per day, usually at the end of the day after your face has accumulated dirt and dead skin cells. You can use it twice per day, such as once in the morning and once in the evening, but only if you have naturally oily skin and need a face wash to remove that excess oil beforehand.

If you use face wash twice per day, be sure to use a moisturizer afterward every time. Using a moisturizer is key to preventing your skin cells from drying out and becoming itchy or flaky.

What should I look for in a face wash for men?

Generally, you should look for natural, healthy ingredients like:

• Vitamin E—one of the most effective antioxidants for facial skin cells
• Charcoal—a natural exfoliant and scrubbing ingredient to get rid of dirt and debris
• Aloe vera—a natural moisturizer and soothing compound that prevents your face from feeling itchy or irritated
• Hyaluronic acid—a natural moisturizer included in some face wash products for men to prevent dryness or irritation, especially for guys who don’t use a dedicated moisturizer afterward

However, you should always try to avoid face wash products that have a lot of synthetic additives or compounds, like parabens or sulfates. While these can clean your skin, they also can put you at a higher risk of certain health side effects. In addition, they’re more likely to be irritating or inflaming to your skin, particularly if you have a sensitive skin type already.

Can I use face washes for women?

Generally, yes. The big differences between face washes for women and men are marketing and fragrances. While some minor differences exist between facial skin in many women, those differences aren't enough to make certain ingredients more or less effective. As an example, aloe vera is just as soothing and moisturizing to male skin as it is to female skin.

If you want to avoid the fragrances found in many products marketed to women, it’s a better idea to get one of the best face washes for men instead. Alternatively, go for a gender-neutral or unisex face wash; these don’t usually have any fragrances to speak of.

What should I do if my face wash causes skin irritation, dryness, or acne?

If your face wash product constantly causes skin dryness or irritation, don’t worry. You shouldn’t stop using soap whatsoever; instead, you should look for a different face wash product ASAP.

Odds are that your skin irritation, dryness, or acne outbreaks are due to an ingredient mismatch. For example, maybe you have combination skin, but you chose a face wash that washes away too much skin oil. As a result, your skin produces extra oil to keep itself moisturized, which leads to an acne outbreak.

In a lot of cases, if one face wash causes skin problems, another will do a better job without the same issues. Take a look at the face wash products above and try to find one with natural ingredients and proven results, like Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser for men.

Is a face wash the same thing as a cleanser?

Yes. Depending on the brand and the exact product you choose to use, you may see a face wash described as a “facial cleanser” or something similar. These are essentially the same things.

Is a face wash the same thing as a toner?

No. A toner is not the same as a face wash. Toner products are more intense and often more astringent, so they have a tendency to cause your pores to close or to dry your skin much more than a normal face wash.

Toners are used more sparingly than face washes and are often leveraged to remove dirt buried deep in your pores. Some toners can also be used to strip away extra facial oil, which is important for guys who have naturally oily skin.

Don’t replace your face wash with a toner product, even if you have oily skin. Again, you should only use toner once or twice per week at most. If you use it every day, don’t be surprised when your facial skin dries up and acne outbreaks become more common.

Can I use regular soap on my face to accomplish the same thing as a face wash?

No. Regular soap, such as bar soap or body soap, is not formulated for the sensitive skin on your face. In fact, bar soap is among the worst things you can use on your face overall!

It's more astringent, more drying, and more harmful to your face's natural microbiome. In short, it will dry out the skin on your face and could strip away so much oil that you end up having more acne outbreaks. If you need to wash your face but don’t have a face wash product, just use regular water until you purchase the right product for your skin type.

Using bar soap or any other soap formulated for your body could end up doing much more harm than good.

Is face wash good for guys with sensitive skin?

It can be. The face wash just needs to be formulated for sensitive skin from the ground up.

Generally, a good face wash for men with sensitive skin has ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, both of which can reduce skin irritation and inflammation while helping skin cells retain moisture throughout the day. Most good face wash products for sensitive skin are advertised as such. You may additionally see other ingredients and antioxidants included in their formula compositions.

If you have sensitive skin, don’t use a face wash formulated for guys with oily skin. Those face washes are usually designed to be a little tougher and harsher on the skin to get rid of extra dirt and oil. Such face wash products could wreak havoc on your skin and make it feel irritated, itchy, or dry.