Best Face Wash for Men
By Nate Calder · Updated · How we pick
Quick Picks
The right face wash is the one you stop thinking about: a minute at the sink, and your face feels clean instead of tight, with no shine by lunch and no flakes under the beard. We compared 17 cleansers on their ingredient lists for oily, dry and combination skin, and the three above cover most men. Once yours is dialed in, pair it with our best moisturizer for men picks, or see the full sequence in our complete routine guide.
Full Reviews
CeraVe
Foaming Facial Cleanser
For an oily T-zone that needs the grease gone without a tight, stripped face after.
- Best for
- Oily, Combination, Normal
- Key ingredient
- Ceramides, Niacinamide
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
Built for oily and combination skin: the gel foam cuts through grease and leftover sunscreen, while ceramides and niacinamide help keep your moisture barrier intact, so your face comes out clean rather than tight. Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, which makes it an easy twice-a-day wash.
Why it works
- Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
- Removes excess oil without over-drying
- Niacinamide helps calm redness
- Widely available and affordable
Watch out for
- Too stripping for dry skin types
- Pump dispenser can be wasteful
CeraVe
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
For dry skin that feels tight after washing and flakes under the beard by evening.
- Best for
- Dry, Normal, Combination
- Key ingredient
- Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
If your face feels tight after washing, you need this cleanser. The hyaluronic acid actually draws moisture in while you cleanse, leaving dry and sensitive skin feeling hydrated rather than stripped.
Why it works
- Maintains skin's natural moisture
- Ideal for dry and sensitive types
- Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
- Works as a makeup remover too
Watch out for
- May not be enough for very oily skin
- Milky texture takes getting used to
Cetaphil
Gentle Skin Cleanser
For skin that's raw or recovering and can't handle anything stronger than a mild wash.
- Best for
- Dry, Normal, Combination
- Key ingredient
- Glycerin, Niacinamide
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
When your skin is reactive or raw from shaving, this is the wash that asks the least of it: a mild, soap-free, fragrance-free formula with glycerin, panthenol and niacinamide that cleans while it hydrates. It does one job, cleaning without irritating, and leaves the treating to the rest of your routine.
Why it works
- Mild enough for reactive, sensitive skin
- No fragrance, parabens or sulfates
- Labeled dermatologist recommended for sensitive skin
- Very affordable
Watch out for
- Limited deep-cleansing ability for oily skin
- Cleans only; no exfoliating or acne actives
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
For sensitive, eczema-prone skin that turns red and itchy after most face washes.
- Best for
- Dry, Normal, Combination
- Key ingredient
- Thermal spring water, Niacinamide
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
Made for dry or sensitive skin that a basic wash leaves tight or stinging: a creamy, fragrance-free cleanser with prebiotic thermal spring water and niacinamide that cleans without stripping, so skin feels soft and comfortable afterwards. A calm start to the day for eczema-prone and reactive faces.
Why it works
- Thermal spring water soothes reactive skin
- Prebiotic formula supports skin microbiome
- Dermatologist tested for sensitivity
- Leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable
Watch out for
- Mid-tier price for a cleanser
- Not ideal for oily or acne-prone skin
Vanicream
Gentle Facial Cleanser
For skin that reacts to something when you can't work out which thing it is.
- Best for
- Dry, Normal, Combination, Oily
- Key ingredient
- Glycerin, Coco-glucoside
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
Most gentle cleansers are gentle because of what they add. This one is gentle because of what's missing: no fragrance, no dye, no parabens, no lanolin, no formaldehyde releasers. If your skin reacts to things and you can't work out which thing, this is the cleanser to reset with.
Why it works
- Nothing in it that commonly irritates
- 8 oz — lasts months
- pH-balanced, doesn't strip
- Safe bet for reactive skin
Watch out for
- Barely foams, which some men read as 'not cleaning'
- No barrier actives — it cleans and nothing more
Gentle Facial Cleanser is sold out on Amazon
Kiehl's
Ultra Facial Cleanser
For a pre-shave wash that leaves skin soft, not tight, before the razor goes on.
- Best for
- Normal, Combination, Dry
- Key ingredient
- Squalane, Avocado oil
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
Squalane mimics your skin's own oils, so this foaming gel dissolves oil, grime and sunscreen without disrupting the moisture barrier, and skin comes out soft rather than tight. It also preps stubble well before a shave, for men who want the morning wash to feel like a small upgrade.
Why it works
- Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic
- Leaves skin soft, never tight
- Squalane and plant oils replenish as it cleans
- Works well before shaving
Watch out for
- Light on heavy oil control
- Small 5 oz tube for the price
Paula's Choice
CLEAR Pore Normalizing Cleanser
For a clean-shaven face with visible pores and shine that creeps back by midafternoon.
- Best for
- Oily, Combination, Normal
- Key ingredient
- Salicylic acid, Niacinamide
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
Salicylic acid in the wash starts clearing oily, congested pores while you clean, and niacinamide helps with shine, yet the formula stays gentle enough for every day. Fragrance-free, with no scrubbing grit, and a good first step before a leave-on BHA.
Why it works
- Salicylic acid and niacinamide in one wash
- Helps reduce shine and the look of pores over time
- No harsh scrubbing agents
- Works well before BHA exfoliant
Watch out for
- Not the best for beard-heavy guys (can leave residue)
- Mid-tier price point
CeraVe
SA Smoothing Cleanser
For rough, bumpy texture you want smoothed daily without adding an exfoliant to the routine.
- Best for
- Normal, Combination, Oily
- Key ingredient
- Salicylic acid, Ceramides
- When
- Night only, 2–3x per week
Why we picked it
Salicylic acid in a wash gives you chemical exfoliation without adding a separate exfoliant: it's gentle enough for daily use, and ceramides and hyaluronic acid keep the barrier from stripping, so rough, bumpy skin turns smooth without a new step.
Why it works
- Gentle salicylic acid for daily exfoliation
- Ceramides prevent barrier damage
- Fragrance-free
- Replaces a separate exfoliating step
Watch out for
- Gentle strength, not a deep treatment
- Rinses off, so it works slowly
SA Smoothing Cleanser is sold out on Amazon
COSRX
Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
For breakout-prone skin that wants a low-pH morning wash with a hint of tea tree.
- Best for
- Oily, Combination, Normal
- Key ingredient
- Betaine salicylate, Tea tree oil
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
A low-pH gel that cleans effectively while keeping your skin balanced, so your barrier isn't stripped every morning. Betaine salicylate and a light tea tree scent help with breakouts too.
Why it works
- pH-balanced (won't strip skin)
- Great for acne-prone skin
- Very affordable
- Little goes a long way
Watch out for
- Light tea tree scent
- Not the most satisfying lather
Krave Beauty
Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
For dry or touchy skin that should come out of the shower soft instead of squeaky.
- Best for
- Dry, Combination, Normal
- Key ingredient
- Matcha extract, Hemp seed oil
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
This cleanser is so gentle you'll wonder if it's actually working — but it is. The matcha and hemp seed oil formula removes dirt and oil without that tight, stripped feeling, for men who want a wash that feels soft rather than harsh.
Why it works
- Extremely gentle
- Fragrance-free
- Leaves skin feeling soft, not tight
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Watch out for
- Low lather (some guys want more foam)
- Mid-tier price for a cleanser
Neutrogena
Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser
For any skin type that wants a soap-free, scent-free wash gentle enough to use twice a night.
- Best for
- Dry, Normal, Combination, Oily
- Key ingredient
- Glycerin, Panthenol
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
At under $10, Neutrogena's Ultra Gentle formula is a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cleanser that suits every skin type. The soft lather rinses clean without leaving residue, and glycerin and panthenol keep it from stripping, so it's gentle enough to use morning and night.
Why it works
- Budget-friendly all-skin-type formula
- Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic
- Available everywhere
- Gentle enough for daily double-cleansing
Watch out for
- Minimal active ingredients
- Basic cleansing only — no added benefits
Aveeno
Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Face Cleanser
For dry, easily irritated skin tired of reaching for moisturizer the second it's rinsed.
- Best for
- Dry, Normal
- Key ingredient
- Prebiotic oat, Glycerin
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
The oat is the marketing; the useful part is that this is a fragrance-free, low-foam cleanser at under $10. It cleans enough to remove sunscreen without the tight feeling that drives men to over-moisturize afterwards, landing between a barely-there wash and a stripping foam.
Why it works
- Under $10
- Fragrance-free
- Low foam, doesn't strip
- Removes sunscreen adequately
Watch out for
- Oily skin may want more cleansing power
- No ceramides or barrier actives
Every Man Jack
Hydrating Face Wash
For cologne wearers who want an unscented, vegan gel wash that leaves skin hydrated, not tight.
- Best for
- Normal, Combination, Dry
- Key ingredient
- Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
A fragrance-free gel wash with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide that takes off the dirt and oil of a workday or a gym session and leaves skin clean, not stripped. No sulfates, silicones, dyes or added scent, so it won't compete with your cologne, and the two 5 oz bottles mean one by the sink and one in the gym bag.
Why it works
- Fragrance-free, so it won't clash with your cologne
- Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
- No sulfates, parabens or silicones
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Watch out for
- Sold only as a two-pack
- Light on heavy oil control
Bulldog
Original Face Wash
For normal-to-oily skin at the end of a long day, rinsed clean with green tea and aloe.
- Best for
- Normal, Combination, Oily
- Key ingredient
- Aloe vera, Camelina oil
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
Bulldog makes skincare only for men, and this is its starting point: a creamy foam with aloe, green tea and camelina oil that leaves your face clean and hydrated rather than tight, with a light citrus-and-wood scent. Mild enough to use every day.
Why it works
- Made for men, mild and non-drying
- Vegan with natural ingredients
- Green tea and camelina oil
- Affordable and easy to find
Watch out for
- Contains fragrance
- Some find the scent overpowering
Drunk Elephant
Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser (60 ml)
For the gym bag or carry-on: a travel-size jelly that takes the day's sunscreen off clean.
- Best for
- Normal, Combination, Oily, Dry
- Key ingredient
- Glycerin, Marula oil
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
It does the hard thing well: removes sunscreen and a day's grime while leaving skin comfortable. Fragrance-free, alcohol-free and pleasant to use. The honest caveat is that a cleanser is on your face for thirty seconds, which makes it the step where paying a premium returns least — and the listed price is the travel size.
Why it works
- Removes sunscreen without stripping
- Fragrance-free and alcohol-free
- Cruelty-free
- Suits every skin type
Watch out for
- A cleanser is the worst step to spend premium money on
- Listed price is the 60 ml travel size
Eucerin
Hydrating Cleansing Gel
For normal-to-dry skin that finds cream washes too soft and foaming ones too harsh.
- Best for
- Dry, Normal, Combination
- Key ingredient
- Hyaluronic acid, Glycerin
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
A competent middle option: more cleansing power than a cream cleanser, less stripping than a foaming one, with hyaluronic acid to offset what washing removes. At under $11 for 6.8oz it's an easy daily habit to keep, and it's rinse-clean, with no residue left behind.
Why it works
- Under $11
- Rinses without residue
- Hyaluronic acid offsets the strip
- Good middle ground on cleansing power
Watch out for
- No barrier actives like ceramides
- Low lather takes getting used to
Harry's
Exfoliating Face Wash
For rough skin and a beard you want softened before the razor, with a daily scrub.
- Best for
- Normal, Oily, Combination
- Key ingredient
- Volcanic rock, Eucalyptus oil
- When
- Morning & night
Why we picked it
A face wash with a scrub built in: fine volcanic rock polishes off dead skin while the wash lifts dirt and oil, so skin comes out smooth and your beard is soft before the razor goes on. Eucalyptus and peppermint oils give it a cool, fresh scent, and it's gentle enough for every morning, which makes it a one-bottle shave prep for the man who wants exactly that.
Why it works
- Cleans and exfoliates in one step
- Softens your beard before a shave
- Fresh eucalyptus and peppermint scent
- Sulfate-free and paraben-free
Watch out for
- Scented with essential oils, so not for fragrance-sensitive skin
- Scrub grit can feel rough on irritated or broken-out skin
Not Sure Where to Start?
Answer 5 quick questions and get a personalized AM/PM routine with the right cleanser for your skin type.
More specific versions
How to choose
Look for
- Ceramides keep your skin barrier intact while you wash, so your face doesn't feel tight afterward. You'll find them in most dermatologist-recommended cleansers.
- Salicylic acid (BHA) gets into pores and clears the buildup behind blackheads, for oily or breakout-prone skin. For more, pair it with a leave-on acne treatment.
- Niacinamide calms redness, including razor burn, and helps keep oil in check over time.
- Glycerin holds water in your skin, so the wash cleans without drying you out.
- Aloe vera soothes skin you've just shaved or that's easily irritated.
Skip
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and SLES strip the barrier, and skin answers with more oil.
- Denatured alcohol near the top of the list dries skin out with daily use.
- Added fragrance is a common irritant in something you use twice a day.
Pick for your skin type, not for a bottle that says “for men.”
Get the most from it
- Use lukewarm water. Hot water strips your skin's natural oils and leaves it tight.
- Massage a dime-sized amount in for 30 to 60 seconds. Most men rinse after five, before the cleanser has done its job.
- Rinse well and pat dry with a clean face towel, not the one you used on your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should men wash their face?
Twice daily — once in the morning to remove overnight oil and once at night to clear the day's dirt, sweat, and pollution. If you work out, a third wash post-exercise is fine, but use a gentler formula to avoid over-stripping.
Is bar soap okay for washing my face?
No. Bar soap typically has a pH of 9-10, while your skin's natural pH is around 5.5. That mismatch strips your skin's protective barrier, leading to dryness, irritation, and paradoxically more oil production as your skin tries to compensate.
What's the difference between foaming and non-foaming cleansers?
Foaming cleansers use surfactants that create lather and are better at removing excess oil — ideal for oily and combination skin. Non-foaming (cream or milky) cleansers are gentler and better for dry or sensitive skin because they clean without stripping moisture.
Should I use a face wash with active ingredients like salicylic acid?
It depends on your concern. Salicylic acid cleansers help with acne by dissolving pore-clogging buildup. But since cleansers rinse off quickly, the active has limited contact time. For most men, a gentle daily cleanser paired with a leave-on treatment is more effective than loading actives into your wash step.
Can face wash cause breakouts?
Yes, if it's the wrong formula. Cleansers with harsh sulfates can damage your skin barrier, triggering excess oil and breakouts. Comedogenic ingredients can clog pores directly. Look for non-comedogenic, sulfate-free formulas — especially if you're acne-prone.
Do I need a different face wash for morning and night?
Most men can use the same cleanser for both. The exception is if you use a medicated wash (like one with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide) — use that at night and a gentler formula in the morning to avoid over-treating your skin.