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ALL GOOD skincare routines start with a face cleanser—and for some guys, a face cleanser is also where it ends. No judgement, here. Whether you have a lengthy
skincare routine or you’re more of a one-and-done kind of guy, most guys likely have and use a face wash. It gets rid of all the dirt and grime that’s accumulated on your face throughout the day and helps prevent clogged pores, which can cause acne. It’s especially important for guys who lead an active lifestyle. While a cardio workout boosts your skin’s blood circulation and can promote collagen production, all that sweat can leave your face prone to breakouts and irritation.
“You need to use a face wash morning and night and anytime after a heavy workout to avoid bacteria and sebum from accumulating,” Dr. Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, tells Men’s Health.
Best Overall
Paula’s Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
$19 at paulaschoice.com
$19 at paulaschoice.com
Read more
Best Drugstore Cleanser
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
$9 at Walmart$9 at WalmartRead more
Best Exfoliating Cleanser
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
$38 at Dermstore$38 at DermstoreRead more
Best Acne Face Wash
Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash
$39 at Amazon$39 at AmazonRead more
Best for Sensitive Skin
Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
$32 at Sephora$32 at SephoraRead more
Best Luxury Face Wash
Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser
$35 at Nordstrom$35 at NordstromRead more
Best CBD Cleanser
Perricone MD Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Cleanser
$15 at Skinstore$15 at SkinstoreRead more
Best Hydrating Cleanser
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
$25 at Kiehl’s$25 at Kiehl’sRead more
Best Budget Face Wash
Method Face Wash
$10 at Amazon$10 at AmazonRead more
Best Foaming Face Wash
Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser
$17 at Amazon$17 at AmazonRead more
It’s easy to think that all cleansers are the same, but that’s certainly not the case. The best face washes for men do more than just clean: they can also hydrate, treat zits, and remove excess oil. With so many products out there, finding the right one for your skin type and preferences can feel impossible. That’s why we spent the past year combing through hundreds of cleansers to find the 17 best face washes for virtually any skin type and price point.
Best Grooming Products for Men | Best Body Washes for Men | Best Bar Soaps | Best Face Scrubs | Best Face Mask | Best Face Wash for Acne | Best Moisturizer
Best Overall
Paula’s Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
Best Overall
Paula’s Choice Calm Ultra-Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
$19 at paulaschoice.com
Pros
Great for Sensitive SkinDeeply cleans without damaging skin barrier
Cons
Expensive
After reviewing over 50 cleansers, our gave Paula’s Choice’s new face wash a 2023 Grooming Award. Unlike traditional cleansers, this one removes dirt but doesn’t disrupt your skin’s barrier. “My skin feels incredible after every use,” raved one tester.
Read more: Best Face Wash for Dry Skin
| Ingredients | Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocamidopropyl Betaine |
|---|---|
| Skin type | All |
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
Best Drugstore Cleanser
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
$9 at Walmart$12 at Ulta Beauty
Pros
Great valueFragrance freeDeep cleans without drying skin
Cons
Pump can be difficult to use
You can’t go wrong with a classic. Formulated for “combination to oily, sensitive skin,” Cetaphil’s tried-and-true cleanser blends B vitamins with glycerin, a mixture that neutralizes grime and excess oil without stripping out natural moisture. No wonder it won our 2022 Grooming Awards.
| Ingredients | Glycerin, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B3 |
|---|---|
| Skin type | All |
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Best Exfoliating Cleanser
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Now 18% Off$38 at Dermstore$37 at Walmart$48 at Skinstore
Pros
Gently exfoliates for a softer, smoother skin appearance Improves skin texture
Cons
Expensive
This 2-in-1 cleanser and exfoliator uses naturally derived alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA), beta-hydroxy acids (BHA), and jojoba spheres to gently sand down a rough skin texture. The exfoliation effect is gentle enough that you can use it morning and night without any redness or irritation.
Read more: Best Exfoliating Face Scrubs
| Ingredients | Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Jojoba Oil and Salicylic Acid |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Rough skin, aging skin |
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Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash
Best Acne Face Wash
Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash
$39 at Amazon$29 at Walmart$39 at Saks Fifth Avenue
Pros
Prevents excess oil without damaging skinFragrance free
Cons
Expensive
The breakout-busting salicylic acid in this face wash is paired with vitamin B5 to soften and protect dry skin, without causing your skin to feel tight. It’s a thin line between cleansing excess oil and completely stripping away the skin barrier and this cleanser walks that line well.
Read more: Best Acne Face Washes for Men
| Ingredients | Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Vitamin B5 |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Acne-prone skin |
Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
Best for Sensitive Skin
Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
$32 at Sephora$34 at Ulta Beauty
Pros
A little bit goes a long wayHelps relieve redness
Cons
Expensive
This ultra gentle soap has the consistency of (you guessed it) jelly, and wipes off dirt and grime with ease. We love its fragrance free formula, and that you only need a small amount for a deep cleanse.
| Ingredients | Glycerin, Mild Surfactant Blend, Cantaloupe Fruit Extract |
|---|---|
| Skin type | All |
Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser
Best Luxury Face Wash
Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser
$35 at Nordstrom$53 at Walmart$35 at Skinstore
Pros
Ultra smooth consistency feels great Offers a deep clean
Cons
Expensive
We can’t get enough of Sunday Riley’s Ceramic Slip Cleanser, which has a silky, creamy finish (aka: a fancy spa treatment in a bottle). Beyond its texture, it offers plenty of substance. The face wash features natural ingredients like green clay that can wipe away grime with ease, plus rice oil, which helps keep skin hydrated.
| Ingredients | Propanediol, Octyldodecanol, Rice Oil |
|---|---|
| Skin type | All |
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Perricone MD Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Cleanser
Best CBD Cleanser
Perricone MD Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Cleanser
$15 at Skinstore
Pros
Calming effect on skinGreat for sensitive skin
Cons
Expensive
Winner of our 2022 CBD Awards, Perrione MD’s cleanser is hypoallergenic and free from irritating ingredients like parabens and sulfates. Plus, CBD and glycerin work together for a moisturizing, calming wash.
| Ingredients | Cannabidiol, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Glycerin |
|---|---|
| Skin type | All |
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
Best Hydrating Cleanser
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
$25 at Kiehl’s
Pros
Gentle non-stripping formulapH-balanced to maintain skin’s natural protection barrier
Cons
Scent isn’t pleasant for some guys
For active guys who want a no-nonsense soap that also feels luxurious, look no further than Kiehl’s bestselling cleanser. Made with hydrating glycerin and squalene, and without parabens or fragrances, this face wash thoroughly cleanses your skin without drying it.
| Ingredients | Squalane, Avocado Oil, and Glycerin |
|---|---|
| Skin type | All |
Method Face Wash
Best Budget Face Wash
Method Face Wash
Now 12% Off$10 at Amazon
Pros
Infused with with plant-based moisturizers
Cons
Fragrance may be too strong for some
We can’t stop praising this 2021 Grooming Awards winner, and for good reason. Its soothing combo of cucumber and seaweed extracts will leave your skin feeling like it’s on a tropical vacation. Plus, Method Men’s relatively affordable price point means you’ll want to stock up on this all year round.
| Ingredients | Cucumber, Seaweed extract |
|---|---|
| Skin type | All |
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Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser
Best Foaming Face Wash
Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser
$17 at Amazon$25 at Walmart$20 at Ulta Beauty
Pros
Can be used on the face and body Removes oil without disrupting the protective skin barrier
Cons
May not be great for dry skin
Long before Cerave shot to TikTok stardom, the drugstore brand has been a favorite among grooming experts for offering high-quality ingredients at affordable price points. Case in point: this budget-friendly soap that’s loaded with moisturizing agents like hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
| Ingredients | Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Normal to oily |
Oars and Alps Solid Face Wash
Best Charcoal Face Wash
Oars and Alps Solid Face Wash
$20 at oarsandalps.com
Pros
Exfoliates without irritatingLasts for months
Cons
Don’t use every day for sensitive skin
Shaped like a deodorant stick, but for your face, this solid soap from Oars and Alps is made with charcoal, a buzzy exfoliant that can gently scrub your face without irritation. Plus, we love that even a 1.4 oz container can last you for months.
| Ingredients | Propanediol, Sodium Stearate, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl, Glycerin |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Normal to oily |
Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
$36 at go.skimresources.com$55 at Walmart
Pros
Deeply cleans
Cons
Expensive
Think of this as a healthy, nutrient-rich smoothie for your skin. The star ingredient in Youth To The People’s marquee cleanser is kale, which is loaded with vitamins C, E, and K that can nourish and clear skin.
| Skin type | Normal, combination, oily |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sorbeth-230 Tetraoleate |
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good light Cosmic Dew Water Cleanser
good light Cosmic Dew Water Cleanser
$18 at go.skimresources.com
Pros
Works on so many different skin types
Cons
Formula can be too thick for some
Good light won us over with its mission: to create products for all skin types and backgrounds. Their gel-to-foam cleanser is one of our favorites because it cleanses and hydrates, and left our skin feeling fresh and supple.
| Ingredients | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Laminaria japonica |
|---|---|
| Skin type | All |
Neutrogena Fragrance-Free Mild Gentle Facial Cleanser
Neutrogena Fragrance-Free Mild Gentle Facial Cleanser
$9 at Walmart$12 at Nordstrom Rack
Pros
AffordableCleans without drying skin
Cons
May not be great for acne-prone skin
Truth be told, you don’t need to spend a fortune for a quality cleanser. Take this liquid soap from Neutrogena, which features glycerin to clean your skin without drying it out.
| Ingredients | Glycerin Oleic, Acid Coconut Acid, Sodium Hydroxide |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Normal |
Jaxon Lane Shake And Wake Exfoliating Enzyme Powder Cleanser
Jaxon Lane Shake And Wake Exfoliating Enzyme Powder Cleanser
$34 at jaxonlane.com
Pros
Great for traveling
Cons
Can be too harsh for sensitive skin
Finding a TSA-friendly cleanser that doesn’t spill is hard to find. That’s where Jaxon Lane’s Insta-famous Shake and Wake comes in. It’s a powder-to-cream product that gently exfoliates skin, and cleans just as well as some of our liquid-based soaps. In other words, it’s a dopp kit must-have.
Read more: Best Face Scrubs for Men
| Ingredients | Papaya Enzyme, Pineapple Enzyme, Niacinamide, |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Normal |
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Aesop Gentle Facial Cleansing Milk
Aesop Gentle Facial Cleansing Milk
$35 at Aesop
Pros
Great for dry and sensitive skin
Cons
Expensive
For those of us with sensitive skin, Dr. Rossi advises to stay away from face washes containing alcohol or exfoliants that can irritate your face (especially after shaving). That’s why we recommend this ultra-gentle cleanser from Aesop, which features sandalwood, a natural ingredient that improves skin elasticity.
| Ingredients | Panthenol (Provitamin B₅), Grape Seed, Sandalwood |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Dry, Sensitive skin |
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
$8 at Sephora$18 at Walmart$13 at Nordstrom
Pros
Affordable
Cons
Cab be too strong for sensitive skin
If you’re looking for a gentle face wash that can easily remove dirt and grime (and even your tinted moisturizer), look no further than this drugstore brand favorite. Squalane is the main ingredient here, a moisturizing agent, so your skin won’t dry after washing.
Read more: Best Skincare Products for Men
| Ingredients | Squalane, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily |
What to Look For In a Face Wash
A face wash is arguably the most important step in a skincare routine because without it, the rest of the products are utterly useless. When looking for a face wash, you want something that’s gentle yet effective. Especially if your skincare routine only consists of washing your face, you don’t want a cleanser that strips your skin of all its beneficial natural oils. If you have acne-prone skin, look for a face wash with acids, like salicylic, AHA, or BHA. These ingredients help slough away dead skin cells that can cause breakouts. If you have dry skin, look for a hydrating face wash with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and moisturizing plant-based oils.
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How We Selected
For the past two years, we consulted with Men’s Health’s Grooming editors and writers on the top face washes for men. Experts including our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, and our Deputy Editor of Commerce, Christian Gollayan, tried over 100 face cleansers and evaluated their ingredients, feel, consistency, and effectiveness. We also considered top-reviewed face cleansers that had at least 100 five-star customer ratings on e-commerce websites that we trust.