Everyone, including rough, rugged, and tough men, should wash their face. Instead of relying on the same bar soap you use on your body, it is worth finding a face wash that fits your skin type, routine, and daily grooming needs. The wrong cleanser can be a waste of money and may leave your skin feeling dry, tight, irritated, or poorly cleansed.
With so many face washes available, choosing the right one can be difficult. At Dapper Doctrine, we aim to make that process easier by curating a list of face washes for men based on price, availability, formula, brand reputation, and suitability for different grooming needs.
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Clinique is our choice for the best overall face wash for men. Its water-based, unscented formula provides a gentle wash for your face. We also found it to be a versatile face wash that can be used day, night, or before your shaving routine. We also like it for men who desire a straightforward, no-frills face wash that can handle sweat, oil, and normal everyday buildup.
However, Clinique is not cheap. It costs $28 for every 6.7 oz bottle, but you get what you pay for: its simplicity, quality, and versatility are worth the cost. Also–and this is the annoying part–you won’t find it at your local supermarket. Places like Macy’s and Ulta may have it, but you might be better off purchasing it online. Bottom line, Clinique is an impressive face wash suitable for many skin types; just make sure it’s within your budget.
Established in 1851 and headquartered in New York City, Kiehl’s has a rich company history in the health and wellness business. While the company specializes in many cosmetic products, our research concludes that Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Face Wash is our pick for men who need a face wash for daily use. With no alcohol in its ingredients, it’s not only an excellent face wash for many skin types, but it can also be applied day or night.
However, there are some cons that should be considered. It is not available in your everyday supermarket, and can actually be difficult to find in stores. So, you are better off just ordering it online. Also, it’s expensive. At $33.75, for the average size bottle, but at 16.9 oz, it should last you about two or three months, depending on how much you use it. Lastly, while the face wash is a versatile product designed for a range of skin types, those sensitive to scents or caffeine may want to find an alternative better suited for their skin type.
Men with sensitive skin looking for a face wash that is designed to get the job done should look into Vanicream. Vanicream is made by Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc., a company known for developing products for people with sensitive-feeling skin. Those who purchase Vanicream can expect an unscented, cost-effective, that almost anyone can use. The only drawback is for men who need a face wash to be more heavy-duty because they work in labor-intensive jobs. They will find that Vanicream will have trouble washing faces that have gotten really dirty.
Founded in 1975, its parent headquarters is located in La Roche-Posay, France, but also has a US branch headquartered in New York City. Men with dry-feeling skin may want to look into La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Moisturizing Milky Cleanser. It is a fragrance-free and paraben-free cleanser designed for dry-feeling skin.
While it has a thick, creamy solution that can be used for your morning and night routine, it may be difficult to fully wash off. For instance, we found it can leave a silky film on your face, but it was not a deal-breaker for us. However that may be problematic for those who need a deeper cleanse after heavy sweat, oil, or grime buildup. For only $19.99 a bottle, it’s decently priced for what and how much you get; however, it’s only available in select stores. So if you don’t get it online be sure the store you intend to go to find it has it available.
Jack Black, not to be confused with the popular movie celebrity, is a premier skin product brand dedicated to providing men access to high-quality skincare products. We found Jack Black’s Face Buff Energizing Scrub the best exfoliating face wash for men. We found its creamy, yet sandy feel to be an effective exfoliator, but non-abrasive. Especially before shaves, which really made the skin feel refreshed. However, because of its minty scent and physical exfoliating texture, men with sensitive-feeling or dry-feeling skin may want to consider a gentler option.
Jack Black isn’t known for low, frugal pricing. In fact, it’s anything but cheap. And while it comes at a pretty penny the size of the bottle may offend some folks, so that we are clear, at 6oz for $30, that is fairly expensive for a small amount of product. But you get what you pay for, and with Jack Black, it’s a premium product. Unfortunately it comes at a premium price.
Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost wins our best drugstore face wash. However, it didn’t win because it’s found in almost every supermarket, or that it is one of the most cost-effective face washes at just $9.99 a bottle. It won because its lightweight, unscented formula was a powerful face wash that did its job.
Although it states on the bottle that it can be used for normal to sensitive skin, it should be noted that there is hyaluronic acid in the ingredients; those sensitive to that ingredient should proceed with caution. Also, we found it leaving our skin pretty dry, but nothing a good moisturizer wasn’t able to handle, though still noticeable more so than other face washes we tried out.
Editorial note: This article is for grooming and skincare information only and is not medical advice. If you have persistent acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, allergic reactions, or ongoing irritation, consult a board-certified dermatologist or another qualified healthcare professional.
At Dapper Doctrine, we approach men’s grooming with editorial judgment, product research, and practical experience. Our team of human editors and writers evaluates products through the lens of usefulness, value, availability, and how well they fit into a man’s daily routine.
We thoroughly evaluated each product, combining personal experience with competitive research, and collected the following product details: price, brand reputation, and product availability to give you a carefully curated list of the best face wash for men.
