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9 Best Men's Face Washes for 2023

Looking for a men's face wash that's safe for daily use? From oily skin to dry skin, these are the top picks to incorporate into your routine.

Headshot of Catharine MalzahnBy Catharine Malzahn
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Guys, the world of skincare may seem daunting at first, but don't get too overwhelmed: It all starts with a good cleanser. It's the first step in any skincare routine and sets you up for what comes next, whether you're using a moisturizer, sunscreen or serum. Questioning if men really need to use a face wash? The answer is yes: "If you aren't using a face wash, you should add it to your daily routine," says Bradley Glodny, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Park Ave. Dermatology in New York City. "Soap and water can only do so much. Cleaning your skin is more than removing dirt and grime. Adding a face wash will help you keep a balanced complexion."

Our top picks:

  • 1
    Ultra Facial Cleanser

    Best Overall Face Wash for Men

    Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

    $25 at Ulta Beauty
    Read more
  • 2
    Daily Facial Cleanser

    Best Value Face Wash for Men

    Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

    Read more
  • 3
     Normaderm Daily Deep Cleansing Gel

    Best Face Wash for Pimples for Men

    Vichy Normaderm Daily Deep Cleansing Gel

    Read more
  • 4
    Brightening Facial Scrub

    Best Face Wash for Dark Spots for Men

    Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

    Read more
  • 5
    Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash

    Best Face Wash for Oily Skin for Men

    Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash

    Read more

Not sure where to start or what to wash your face with? We've got you covered. The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab has tested all kinds of face wash formulas over the years, and although our scientists have never specifically tested ones for men, they know what makes a good cleanser. In addition to pulling from Lab-tested products, coworkers' favorites and Dr. Glodny's recommendations, we also tapped men in our lives to weigh in on their go-to picks. Together, these are the top nine face washes for men, for every skin type from oily to dry.

Read on after our picks for more information on how we selected the best face washes for men, how to choose the right cleanser for you and why you should trust Good Housekeeping. If you're looking for more men's products, check out our guides to the best shampoo for men and the best natural deodorant for men.

1
Best Overall Face Wash for Men

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

Ultra Facial Cleanser
1
Best Overall Face Wash for Men

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

$25 at Ulta Beauty$37 at Walmart$15 at Nordstrom
Credit: Kiehl's
Pros
  • Gentle on skin
  • Removes dirt and grime without overdrying
Cons
  • Pricey

Designed for anyone (and any skin type) to use, this Kiehl's face wash is a favorite of Dr. Glodny. "It is a gentle and smooth cleanser that gets rid of dirt and grime without drying my skin," he shares. He loves the hydrating ingredients inside, such as squalane and glycerin, "which is an added plus," he notes. Pair it with GH Beauty Lab Test Winner Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, which you can apply after washing your face. Take note that it's a little pricey for a small-sized bottle.

2
Best Value Face Wash for Men

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

Daily Facial Cleanser
2
Best Value Face Wash for Men

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

Credit: Cetaphil
Pros
  • Leaves skin clean and supple
  • Skin may appear smoother after use
Cons
  • Scent is polarizing

A classic cleanser in any home, Cetaphil is a familiar favorite across generations. For an impressive 16-ounce bottle, it's a well-priced buy. The low-lather wash was loved by GH Beauty Lab testers, who felt it left skin clean yet supple; 86% of the testers said they'd continue to use it. It also scored well for making skin feel soft and hydrated, thanks to glycerin and vitamins B3 and B5. "This didn't overdry or make my skin feel stripped," one tester shared. "My face even appears smoother," another added. While many users love the nostalgic powdery-fresh scent, it's not everyone's favorite.

3
Best Face Wash for Pimples for Men

Vichy Normaderm Daily Deep Cleansing Gel

On Sale
 Normaderm Daily Deep Cleansing Gel
3
Best Face Wash for Pimples for Men

Vichy Normaderm Daily Deep Cleansing Gel

Now 25% Off
Credit: Vichy
Pros
  • Contains blemish-fighting salicylic acid
  • Helps prevent breakouts from occurring
Cons
  • Best for oily skin types

If you're trying to get rid of pimples or you're dealing with acne breakouts, ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid will be your best friend. This option from Vichy features salicylic acid, and the gel texture makes it great for oily skin. A favorite of GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek, it can be used on men's skin as well. "I love the way it smells and how well it cleans my skin," she says. "It has been an ongoing staple in my cleansing routine for keeping acne at bay and controlling my oily T-zone." However, if you don't have oily skin, this may be too drying for you.

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4
Best Face Wash for Dark Spots for Men

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

Brightening Facial Scrub
4
Best Face Wash for Dark Spots for Men

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub

Credit: Acure
Pros
  • Well-priced
  • Brightens skin
  • Doesn't irritate skin, even dry skin types
Cons
  • Dark color may be messy in the sink

Are you seeing dark spots on your face or is your skin looking a little lackluster lately? You may just need to incorporate a face exfoliator. This one from Acure is your answer to dull skin: In Beauty Lab testing, it ranked highest for making skin look brighter and more radiant. Though a leave-on dark spot corrector will deliver best results (since a cleanser is washed off quickly and a spot treatment is left on the skin much longer), this scrub pairs great with any brightening skincare routine. Testers and their husbands alike loved it, with one saying "My husband (who has dry skin year-round) tried it too and said 'make sure to tell them this is the best scrub I've ever used!" Note that this scrub is dark and may stain your sink, so be careful when using.

5
Best Face Wash for Oily Skin for Men

Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash

Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash
5
Best Face Wash for Oily Skin for Men

Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash

Credit: Kiehl's
Pros
  • Contains refreshing caffeine and menthol
  • A little goes a long way
Cons
  • Not ideal for winter months when skin can become dry

Need a little extra boost of energy in the morning? Reach for this Kiehl's pick, specifically formulated for men. The cleanser features caffeine and menthol to refresh and wake up skin, and it comes in a gel formulation ideal for oilier skin types. Our Beauty Assistant's dad asks for refills of this face wash every time he runs out. He loves it because "even though I have oily skin, I only need a small amount to clean my whole face, and it doesn't dry my skin out," he says. Though users love this cleanser, some feel that it's not versatile enough to be the only one in their arsenal, especially in the winter when skin gets more dry or rough.

6
Best Face Wash for Dry Skin for Men

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

Squalane Cleanser
6
Best Face Wash for Dry Skin for Men

The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

Credit: The Ordinary
Pros
  • Very well-priced
  • Nourishing formula that locks in moisture
  • Doesn't strip skin
Cons
  • Small bottle

Squalane is a super nourishing ingredient that leaves skin feeling supple. It's the first ingredient in this face wash from The Ordinary, making this formula ultra hydrating and great for dry skin (although it works well on all skin types!). Dr. Glodny is a huge advocate for face washes that have squalane, including this one. "This is a great cleanser that will remove any layers of dirt, grime, serums, sunscreen, sweat and more without stripping your skin," he says. It is very gentle, but it "will lock in moisture leaving your skin moisturized and smooth," he adds. Many reviewers wish the bottle were bigger, as they run out of product quickly.

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7
Best Scented Face Wash for Men

Grooming Lounge Mug Scrubber Energizing Face Scrub

On Sale
 Mug Scrubber Energizing Face Scrub
7
Best Scented Face Wash for Men

Grooming Lounge Mug Scrubber Energizing Face Scrub

Now 18% Off
Credit: Grooming Lounge
Pros
  • Refreshing, minty scent
  • Can help with ingrown hairs
  • Bottle will last you a long time
Cons
  • Small exfoliating beads may not give a super deep clean

This exfoliating face wash is great for dealing with ingrown hairs, irritation and the accumulation of dirt and dead skin. GH Institute General Manager Laurie Jennings shares that her husband loves this scrub. He says that "it has small scrubbing beads that dissolve, it smells really good and you only need to use a little. The tube lasts a long time." Online reviewers echo this, with many raving about the invigorating minty scent. Some users feel the exfoliating beads are too small and don't provide a deep enough clean.

8
Best Exfoliating Face Wash for Men

Horace Gentle Face Scrub

Gentle Face Scrub
8
Best Exfoliating Face Wash for Men

Horace Gentle Face Scrub

Credit: Horace
Pros
  • Lightly and gently exfoliates
  • Washes off face easily
Cons
  • May not provide a deep exfoliation some are looking for

It's important to exfoliate your face; though your skin does this naturally, you can slough off dead skin cells and reveal a brighter complexion with the help of a face scrub. This one from Horace is well-priced and is loved by GH Beauty Director April Franzino's husband Michael DiGiovanni. "My husband uses this mild face scrub as a cleanser, as he likes the deeply purifying effects," she says. He adds that "it gives a light exfoliation that feels invigorating and rinses off easily." However, some feel that the exfoliation is too light and wish the formula had a little more texture to it.

9
Best Face Wash for Shaving for Men

Jackfir The Classic Daily Facial Cleanser

The Classic Daily Facial Cleanser
9
Best Face Wash for Shaving for Men

Jackfir The Classic Daily Facial Cleanser

Credit: Jackfir
Pros
  • Gently exfoliates and preps skin for a smooth shave
  • Doesn't irritate
  • Can be used as a mask
Cons
  • Expensive

For a pre-shave cleanse, grab this daily face wash. Though pricey, it's a multitasker that does double duty as an exfoliator and hydrator. Jojoba beads and fruit enzymes gently exfoliate while aloe and sunflower seed oil comfort skin. GH Lab Assistant Nik Greenwald calls it "the perfect cleanser pre-shave." He adds that "it's mildly exfoliating so it helps reduce razor bumps. It helps me get a super smooth shave and isn't irritating." He even leaves it on for a few minutes to use it as a mask.

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How we choose the best face washes for men

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When it comes to choosing the best face wash, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab knows what to look for. Our scientists have a decades-long history of testing face wash formulas for cleansing efficacy and their effects on skin. They also distribute products to consumer testers around the country, who use them and evaluate them on criteria like ease of application, texture, scent, irritation and more. In the most recent GH Beauty Lab face washes test, 4,512 data points were tallied to find the best facial cleanser formulas on the market.

We pulled top-performing products from our Lab's testing, then crowdsourced the favorite face washes from the men on our Good Housekeeping team as well as husbands, fathers and men in our lives to round out the list.

What to look for when shopping for face washes for men

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Depending on what you're looking for in a face wash, here are some things to think about when shopping for one:

✔️ Your skin type: "Consider your skin type (oily, dry, acne-prone, etc.)," says Dr. Glodny. "Certain ingredients will target specific needs." Bottles of face wash will often say what skin type the formula is best for, so take a peek at the label while perusing your options.

✔️ Ingredients: "Retinol, glycerin, salicylic acid, vitamin C and ceramides are all great ingredients to look for in a face wash," Dr. Glodny says. If you're using a face wash with retinol or salicylic acid, make sure to apply sunscreen as well, as these actives can make you more prone to sunburn.

✔️ Fragrance: If you have sensitive skin (or you don't like scented face washes), confirm if the face wash you're picking is fragrance-free or not, recommends GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler.

How often should you wash your face?

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If you've ever asked yourself, "Do I even need to wash my face?" the short answer is yes. The longer answer is that "you should wash your face two times a day in the morning and at night — to remove any dirt and grime that has accumulated," says Dr. Glodny.

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What should men wash their face with?

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Many men use bar soap to wash their face, but "face washes will be gentler on your skin," says Butler. "If soap leaves your skin feeling tight and dry, consider switching to a cleanser that's designed for the face."

Is there anything that sets a men's face wash apart from others?

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Men's face washes will typically be stronger and provide a deeper cleanse than others. "Men generally have thicker and oilier skin due to a higher collagen density and are more prone to acne," says Dr. Glodny. So, though the same cleansing ingredients will be found in most face washes, products marketed for men are "typically formulated with stronger ingredients," he adds. You may see ingredients like peppermint oil or menthol in men's face washes, which create an invigorating and cooling sensation, explains Butler.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

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Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews and tested hundreds of skincare products, including face washes. She interviewed Bradley Glodny, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Park Ave. Dermatology in New York City, who provided product recommendations and expert insight. GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler also provided expert insight.

Headshot of Catharine Malzahn
Catharine Malzahn
Beauty Assistant

Catharine (she/her) is the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

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