The Best Face Washes for Men, According to Dermatologists

Whether you’re a guy who’s new to skin care and feeling overwhelmed or an old pro with a 12-step routine locked down, it’s pretty much impossible to go wrong with Cetaphil’s dermatologist-beloved daily facial cleanser. It’s an ultragentle, soap-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic formula that removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin or causing irritation. Its budget-friendly price point and fuss-free bottle design make it a universal option that would fit “pretty much everyone,” according to board-certified dermatologistDr. Carmen Castilla. “It’s a basic cleanser that’s good for essentially all skin types and can be used on a daily basis without causing problems,” Castilla says. “If you’re looking for a cleanser and you’re not really sure what to get, this is what I’d recommend.”

Face washes that foam up are the best at removing oil, as they are able to loosen impurities and impart a deeper clean. Seven different dermatologists I spoke to all recommended CeraVe’s Foaming Facial Cleanser foroily skin types. “The formula has three essential ceramides to cleanse the skin without stripping it in the process,” says board-certified dermatopathologistDr. Gretchen Frieling. Ceramides also help skin rebuild and repair the protective barrier, she explains, making it more resilient against future damage and signs of aging.

Gel cleansers are also highly effective at cutting through excess oil, but the downside is that many can be too drying. Mitchell andDr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology, both say this face wash from Youth to the People is an exception. It’s formulated with organic antioxidants like kale, spinach, andgreen tea, which Mitchell says boost moisture in the skin, provide anti-inflammatory protection, and won’t leave the skin dry or tight. Strategist writerJeremy Rellosahas been using it for two years and likes that it has a fresh scent, compared to other face washes that can smell “overly chemical.” Plus, a little goes a long way: Just a half-pump “foams up a good amount, and I don’t have to restock for a few months, even with twice-daily use,” he says.

Board-certified dermatologist andPrequel SkinfounderDr. Sam Ellisoften recommends Skinceuticals’ LHA cleanser to her oily-skinned patients who are looking for deep-cleaning and decongesting benefits. “It has a very gentle blend of salicylic acid and glycolic acid, so you get a light exfoliation. It’s nice for managing oil without overly stripping the skin,” she explains.

Our top pick for thebest cleanser for acne, Neutrogena’s salicylic-acid-based face wash is the “Old Faithful ofacnecleansers.” DermatologistsDr. Robert Anolik,Dr. Alicia Zalka, andDr. Amy Wechslerall give it high marks: “The salicylic acid helps break up the oil-and-dead-skin-cell matrix that plugs pores,” says Zalka, who has been pointing patients toward it for 20-plus years.

Board-certified dermatologistDr. Wallace Nozilerecommends PanOxyl’s benzoyl-peroxide-infused face washes to his male patients who are prone to acne or razor bumps due toshaving. “Benzoyl peroxide helps to combat the bacteria that cause breakouts and acne, which tends to take advantage whenever there are nicks in the skin from shaving,” Nozile explains, adding that he suggests using it immediately post-shave. (Just keep in mind that, as with any benzoyl peroxide product, you’ll want to apply it carefully since the ingredient can bleach or discolortowelsand other fabrics.)

Another benzoyl-peroxide-based face wash, CeraVe’s acne cream cleanser is a bit less irritating than PanOxyl’s because because “it’s formulated with niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid,” says Mitchell. That’s because the ingredients balance out one another: “While benzoyl peroxide works to clear acne and blackheads, the other active ingredients in this cleanser help to calm the skin and retain moisture while protecting theskin’s barrier.”

This CeraVe cleanser starts out as a cream and turns into a foam as you continue to lather, which is a “best-of-both worlds scenario” forcombination skin, according to both Nozile and Mitchell. “It effectively cleans the skin without leaving it feeling tight or dry” since it contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids that help maintain theskin’s natural barrierand lock in moisture, says Mitchell. Nozile adds that it’s highly effective in washing awaysunscreenand other tough-to-remove impurities as well.

After Rellosa started swimming at the gym a few times a week, he noticed that being in the pool dried his skin out more than usual. He’s been using this Kiehl’s cleanser for several months and reports that “using it feels great — almost like a creamy lotion that develops a semi-thick lather, and it washes away easily,” he says. Afterward, his skin feels hydrated and refreshed, rather than tight or tingly, which he’d sometimes notice after using the gel-based Youth to the People Superfood cleanser above. The Kiehl’s is another cream-to-foam formulation, with added ingredients like glycerin and squalane to nourish the skin and protect the skin barrier. Plus Rellosa says that even with daily use, a bottle has lasted him more than two months.

Evan Shinn, co-host of the skin-care podcastDewy Dudes, calls this Dr. Dennis Gross cleansing gel the “best cleanser a combination-skinned boy could ask for.” According to Shinn, it helps exfoliate and tighten pores while keeping cystic acne at bay but isn’t overly irritating thanks to its silky, cushiony texture. The formula includesalpha and beta hydroxy acids, which “encourage natural shedding and cell turnover,” while willow bark “works to protect skin from environmental stressors and growing bacteria,” Shinn explains.

Our pick for the bestface wash for dry skin, CeraVe’s hydrating cleanser has a stamp of approval from six dermatologists we spoke to. Its creamy consistency “will leave dry skin feeling nourished and hydrated,” says board-certified dermatologistDr. Marisa Garshick, who likes that’s it’s also non-foaming, because foaming cleansers are more likely to strip the skin. Garshick adds that the formula contains hyaluronic acid to boost moisture as well as ceramides to help maintain the skin barrier. According to Mitchell, it’s also fragrance-free with no harsh ingredients, “so it cleanses without causing irritation, making it an excellent choice for daily use.”

Several dermatologists we spoke to also suggestedVanicream’s gentle cleanser as a suitable option for those with dry skin because of its simple, straightforward formulation that doesn’t contain any sulfates, dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens, or botanical extracts. “It’s super-gentle, but it still does a really good job of cleansing,” assures board-certified dermatologistDr. David Kim.

Emilio Quezada-Ibañez, the other half ofDewy Dudes, uses this PCA Skin cleanser as the first step in a double cleanse to “remove impurities left behind by oil and various pollutants.”Quezada-Ibañez, who has skin on the dry and sensitive side, claims it was the first thing he used that “felt like it was doing its damn job while not stripping too much moisture from my skin.” That’s because of its creamy texture and soothing formula packed with aloe vera, yucca-schidigera extract, and essential oils, which “help improve my overall glow,” Quezada-Ibañez says. He recommends slathering it on with an upward circular motion and gently wiping it off with a tissue.

Prequel’s gender-neutral Gleanser formula is especially suited for dry skin; it contains 50 percent glycerin, which increases hydration and prevents water loss. it It also contains inulin, a humectant that helps draw water into the skin, and citric acid, which exfoliates dead skin cells. Strategist writerTembe Denton-Hurstcalls it her “holy grail cleanser,” describing it as having a “slick, viscous texture that reminds me a bit of aloe.” After washing her face, her skin felt like she’d applied a very light moisturizer. But just because it’s gentle doesn’t mean it’s not effective: “It’s great for breaking down my daily SPF and getting my skin clean after a sweaty gym session,” Denton-Hurst reports. It’s also a fantastic value, at $18 for a giant 14-ounce bottle.

Board-certified dermatologistDr. Divya Shokeenhas noticed that her male patients enjoy “feeling that their skin is squeaky clean. They want a cleanser that really takes everything off.” However, cleansers that are more stripping or drying may cause additional irritation, especially since many men are already exfoliating their skin more often by shaving. For this reason, Shokeen recommends Kiehl’s Facial Fuel face wash, which she says will still deliver a deep clean while remaining gentle and non-dehydrating. The gel-based formula, which is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin, contains caffeine to brighten and energize, vitamin E to fight against free radicals, and menthol to impart that fresh-faced tingle.

For men with especially sensitive skin, Shokeen suggests this face wash from Nivea’s men’s line. It’s formulated without alcohol or dyes, and instead includes soothing chamomile and witch hazel extracts to gently cleanse without drying the skin. It’s also a great choice for men with thick or coarse facial hair who are more prone to irritation and razor bumps, Shokeen says.