The Best Face Wash for Men in 2023

We rounded up the best face wash because skincare is never one-size-fits-all. For instance, what works on “normal” skin can be harsh, drying, and irritating on the more sensitive folks. The best face wash for sensitive skin is going to be gentler, with soothing ingredients that preserve the skin’s precious balance.

While it’s tempting to reach for a heavy duty cleanser (perhaps you live for that “tight” feeling, the telltale sensation of your skin being pulled across your cheekbones as you scrub it down) those formulas will only hurt your skin in the long run. These picks, on the other hand, are as gentle as a lamb. They range from on-the-go wipes to milky washes, from pore-clearing powders to oil-eliminating wonders. Which means there’s bound to be an option here that’s right for your skin type, ridding your moneymaker of unwanted impurities. (And once you’ve locked down the face wash that’s right for your skincare routine, why not pick out a moisturizer and some UV-blocking sunscreen too?)

How Often Should You Really Wash Your Face?

In most cases, we’d recommend washing your face twice a day: once in the morning, to remove any built up dirt and oils you might have trapped while sleeping on the pillowcase you keep forgetting to wash, and again in the evening to take away the sweat and grime from the day (along with your trusty SPF). That said, if your skin is particularly sensitive or runs extremely dry especially in the cooler months, keeping your skin hydrated is going to be key in reducing irritation and inflammation so you can get away with a light cleanse in the morning (or forgo it altogether as long as you do a thorough clean at night).

As for the best place to wipe the slate clean? You can suds up in the shower but you make sure your hair is rinsed of any shampoo and conditioner before you do so it doesn’t run all over your face and cause an annoying breakout. The sink is a better option—but when you’re in a rush, do what you gotta do.

Ingredients to Look Out For

The whole point of washing your face is to remove unwanted oils and dirt so that you can minimize breakouts and allow the following serums and moisturizers you layer on to really penetrate the epidermis. But too much of a good thing can actually have the opposite effect. To make sure you’re cleaning and not stripping your face of necessary moisture look out for cleansers that have hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, shea butter and non comedogenic oils (rosehip, almond, jojoba are good ones to have on your radar).

The Best Face Wash, at a Glance

The Best Face Wash, Period

Philosophy’s ridiculously popular cleanser—seriously, read the reviews—remains a hallmark of eco-conscious skin care for a reason. Its secret sauce? The brand’s meadowfoam seed oil, an antioxidant-rich formula suitable for all skin types and sourced from the imprint’s extensive roster of environmentally-minded suppliers.

The Best Gentle Face Wash

A Grooming Award-winning cleanser nabbed top honors for its uncanny ability to clean your mug without causing irritation or uncomfortable tightness.

The Best Face Wash for Dry Skin

If your skin depends on every last drop of moisture to stay soft and radiant, a cleansing balm could be the key to getting a deep clean without stripping you dry. Eadem’s Dew Dream starts off as a gel-like balm packed with soothing tiger grass and skin plumping fatty acids and antioxidants that, with  the heat of your hands, transitions into an oil that’s equipped to trap all the dirt you’ve somehow managed to accumulate by staying indoors. Once you’ve sufficiently slicked up, add water to emulsify the oil then rinse away.

The Best Face Wash for Fighting Oil

This calendula-enriched, creamy-gel cleanser soothes and strengthens the skin while it washes away grease. It’s formulated for oily skin (and as you may know, men have oily skin more often than not). But to flush out all that extra grime, you need a cleanser that balances and soothes the skin instead of stripping it of its moisture entirely. Kiehl’s and its calendula cleanser are the solution for that.

The Best Drugstore Face Wash

It’s easy to be skeptical of mass-produced skincare, but sometimes the most affordable option is also one of the simplest and most effective. This hypoallergenic cleanser is totally free of soaps and dyes—so cleanse in the morning, cleanse in the evening, cleanse after the gym. This is one drugstore staple that won’t dry you out.

The Dermatologist’s Pick

One of the dermatologists I trust most with product recommendations, Dr. Heather Rogers of Modern Dermatology, recs Revision’s gentle cleansing lotion to most patients with sensitive skin. It uses apple amino acids to lift oil, then soothes and moisturizes with chamomile and algae extracts.

More Face Washes We Love