Best Face Wash for Men

A face wash specifically designed for men can help bring your skincare game up to par.

A quality face wash can rid your skin of any oil buildup, dead skin cells, general dirt, and grime, all while still being gentle on your skin – such as the Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Face Wash.

Not only will we review some of the most popular and highly rated face wash brands currently on the market, but we will also go over a few key considerations that you should think about when making a purchase.

Men’s Face Washes Compared

Ranking	Face Wash	Scent	Size (ounces)	Compatible Skin Types	All Natural?	Travel Friendly?	Container Type	Price	Price per Ounce	Award	Rating
1	Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Face Wash for Men	Peppermint	8.0	Dry, Sensitive, Normal	Yes	Yes	Pour Out	$25	$3.13	All-Natural	97
2	Oars + Alps Solid Face Wash	Light, Clean	1.4	All	Yes	Yes	Stick	$19	$13.57	Activated Charcoal	95
3	Ursa Major Face Wash	Cedar, Lime, Spearmint	8.0	Oily, Combination, Normal	Yes	No	Pour Out	$29	$3.63	For Oily Skin	93
4	Scotch Porter Face Wash	Citrus, Spice	4.0	Sensitive	Yes	No	Pour Out	$11	$2.75	Highly Rated	92
5	Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser	Coconut, Rosemary, Aloe Vera, Sage, Chamomile	3.0	All	Yes	Yes	Pour Out	$13	$4.33	Luxury Pick	91
6	Bulldog Natural Skin Care: Original Face Wash	Clean, Fresh	5.0	Normal	Yes	No	Pour Out	$8	$1.60	Affordable	90
7	Clinique Men Face Wash	Fresh	6.7	Normal, Dry	No	No	Pour Out	$23	$3.43	Designer Pick	88
8	Face and Stubble Wash by Percy Nobleman	Peppermint, Cucumber	2.5	All	Yes	Yes	Pour Out	$14	$5.60	Trending	85
9	Dove Men+Care Face Wash	Fresh	5.0	All	No	No	Pour Out	$17	$3.40	Widely Available	84
10	NIVEA Men Original Moisturizing Face Wash	Light	5.0	Dry	Yes	No	Pour Out	$6	$1.20	Soothing	82

10 Best Face Washes & Cleansers for Men in 2023

Here are our top reviews and ratings of face washes:

Beloved by men who prefer a product that isn’t nearly as reliant on synthetic ingredients, Brickell offers a terrific daily use face wash.

The exfoliator that we recently reviewed received top honors for delivering superior performance.

This face wash is a great complementary product that is perfect for daily use.  Containing 99% natural ingredients and 60% organic, you won’t have to worry about the long-term damage that may be happening on the surface of your skin with other cheap washes.

With ingredients like green tea extract that are natural antioxidants, this face wash will be incredibly effective at protecting your skin from free radicals.

The charcoal in this product won’t be nearly as abrasive as pumice which is found in exfoliators, and therefore, should help to release dead skin cells from your pores with regular use.

Other men have been happy with the performance of this product as well, exclaiming that it effectively deep cleans the skin without overly drying it out.

What customers are saying: Customers highly recommend this face wash, especially for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. They appreciate the gentle, natural ingredients and pleasant minty scent. Users also report their skin feels smooth and refreshed after use, with improvements in skin clarity and reduction in breakouts. Some minor issues mentioned include a flimsy cap and a slightly runny consistency.

When it comes to quality grooming products, at the top of the list will be Oars + Alps.  Known for delivering stellar results through natural ingredients, it’s no wonder that they are quickly making a splash in the men’s grooming market. 

Unlike so many other face washes we reviewed that come in liquid form, the Oars + Alps face wash is the first that delivers an effective product in a solid stick form.  Adhering to the strict TSA travel requirements, this stout 1.4oz stick can be stowed away in your favorite carry-on luggage and won’t cause any issues when going through security.  

This small and convenient design also makes it a terrific companion to the gym as well.

Of course, given that it’s in a solid form rather than liquid, you never have to worry about it spilling and ruining your Dopp kit or other grooming products.

It’s important to note that traveling isn’t a requirement when it comes to considering this face wash.  The stick design allows for a much easier (and cleaner) application of the product on your face in the morning and evening.  With activated charcoal included within the product (more on this in a minute), you can see the application of the product in the mirror to make sure that you get all areas of your face.

One of the biggest problems when it comes to men’s face wash products is that many companies try to cut corners and use filler ingredients that deliver less than optimal results.  However, Oars + Alps pushes back on the trend and offers a face was that is largely all-natural.  Including standout ingredients like Alpine Caribou Moss (their secret sauce), activated charcoal powder, palm oil, and more.  If you want to learn more, Oars + Alps provides a great breakdown of each ingredient and what it does for the product on their site.

What customers are saying: Most customers seem to be quite satisfied with this face wash as it effectively cleans and refreshes the skin without causing any irritation. They particularly appreciate the product’s long-lasting nature and convenience for traveling. Some users mention that it takes some getting used to applying the right amount of water, and one customer experienced their product arriving without a cap.

Have naturally oily skin? Then you should move the Ursa Major Face Wash to the top of your consideration list.

Containing a mixture of natural ingredients along with AHA for gentle chemical-based exfoliation, this face wash will gently remove surface oils, unclog pores, while not over-drying your skin or throwing off the pH balance.

Men who used this face wash daily found that it began to both brighten and tone their skin – giving them a much more healthier and vibrant appearance.

For the eco-conscious men out there that are wary of suspect ingredients, you will be happy to learn that Ursa Major is sulfate-free and paraben-free.

Evoking a slightly woodsy aroma mixed with peppermint, it’s an invigorating face wash that will wake you up in the morning without smelling overly pungent.

While this face wash is priced fairly high (nearly $30 for a single bottle), it was formulated in a cruelty-free manner along with being made in the USA.

What customers are saying: Customers have mixed opinions on this face wash. Some find it gentle and effective for sensitive skin and enjoy its scent, while others find it drying and don’t appreciate the smell. A few also mentioned issues with the product’s packaging, receiving half-filled bottles.

This low-foaming face wash by Scotch Porter is a vegan face wash that primarily relies on a unique mixture of both charcoal and licorice along with their own proprietary ‘Skin Renewal Complex’ making it one of the most distinct face washes to make our list.

Of all the face washes on the market, this Scotch Porter face wash is a personal favorite of men everywhere.  With over 100 reviews on the Scotch Porter website alone, you will find men making claims that this was the ‘best face wash I’ve ever used‘ to simply ‘better than expected‘.

What many men loved about this face wash compared to so many other mass-produced brands on the market, is that it not only kept the pH balance natural to your own skin but also easily controlled shine and oil – drastically reducing any occurrence of pimples or mild breakouts on your face.

At the top of the men’s luxury grooming market, you will find a familiar company – Jack Black.  Featured in countless men’s lifestyle magazines and men’s cabinets across the U.S. and abroad, it’s easy to see why everyone loves this company.

First and foremost, they keep their products simple.  Developing solutions that are free of so much bad stuff on so many levels, you will find in this 2-in-1 face wash that is colorant-free, paraben-free, and free of any synthetic fragrances.

To further make the label ‘clean’, they also largely rely on natural and organic ingredients to get the job done.

The wash itself is terrific in that it’s not only effective at lifting dead skin cells and excess oil from your pores, but it will also help to tone your skin.  It largely achieves this toning ability through the inclusion of witch hazel (which also doubles as an antioxidant and astringent).

Leaving your skin looking and feeling great, you can’t go wrong with this excellent face wash by Jack Black.

What customers are saying: Many customers love this face wash, praising its effectiveness, great smell, and the smooth feeling it leaves on their skin. Some people mentioned that a little bit goes a long way, making the price worth it. However, a few customers did not find it suitable for their skin type and felt it left their skin oily.

Starting to make inroads into major drug stores like Walgreens, Bulldog is delivering some awesome skincare products for men.

This face wash is packed with eight essential oils that deliver a plethora of natural benefits for your skin.

In addition to the wide array of essential oils, you will also find green tea that is a natural antioxidant that will stop free radicals from damaging your skin.

Men who have oily skin have exclaimed that this face wash by Bulldog was extremely effective in keeping acne flare-ups at bay with continued use.

Use this along with their top-rated face cream for best results.

What customers are saying: Many customers appreciate the face wash for its pleasant scent, effectiveness in cleaning without drying out the skin, and suitability for both teenagers and adults. However, a few found the quantity to be small for the price, and one customer disliked the smell. Overall, most customers had a positive experience and would recommend the product.

Formulated specifically for men with dry to normal skin, this daily face wash by Clinique will do an effective job at clearing out your pores.

With the absence of inferior ingredients found in other more affordable face washes on the market, Clinique won’t leave your face feeling overly dry or stretched out after application.

Packed in a hefty 6.7-ounce tube, this face wash isn’t the most travel-friendly.  If you plan on traveling via plane, you will have to check your bag as it doesn’t adhere to the standard 3.4-ounce liquid rule enforced by the TSA.

Therefore, this makes for a great at-home wash that will be incredibly easy to use either before your morning shave, or just a simple wash before you hit the sack at the end of the night.

What customers are saying: Customers generally like this face wash for its gentle formula, scentless quality, and ease of use. They appreciate that it doesn’t dry out their skin and find it suitable for daily use. However, some mention that it might not be as effective for deep cleansing or removing makeup.

One of the highest peer-reviewed face washes on this list comes from Percy Nobleman.

But you see, this face wash isn’t like most other face washes.  What really sets this solution apart from the rest is that it’s also a stubble wash.

Therefore, Percy Nobleman really straddles between being a full-blown face wash and a beard shampoo.

Expertly crafted in England (which has a long lineage of excellent grooming products for men), the Percy Nobleman solution competes head-to-head with both Brickell and Jack Black face washes when it comes to their reliance on natural ingredients.  At a 98% composition of natural ingredients, this product will be able to fully wash your face in an extremely comfortable and effective manner without the use of harsh and suspect chemicals.

Ingredients like glycerin (which is a natural humectant) will work to trap the moisture in your skin that will help to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Evoking scents of peppermint and cucumber, once you use this face wash you will feel invigorated before you head out the door.

In a stout 2.5-ounce. bottle, this face wash is perfect for men who travel frequently and need to adhere to the TSA liquid container rules.

This product is also great for men who don’t mind investing a few extra bucks for quality when it comes to their grooming routine.

What customers are saying: Many customers appreciate this face wash for its pleasant aroma and the perfect balance it provides. However, some find the scent overpowering or have experienced the product drying their skin. Despite the occasional issue, most customers are satisfied with the results and would purchase it again.

Matching their incredibly well-made body wash, Dove Men+Care delivers another quality product to the men’s grooming repertoire.

This face wash comes in three variants, including deep clean, sensitive, and hydrate (pictured above) to suit just about any man’s preference.

The dermatologist-tested solution will very gently and mildly wash away the excess dirt from the surface of your face in a non-abrasive manner.

If you have dryer than average skin, this face wash should do a terrific job at providing adequate moisture to keep any skin flakes at bay.

Should you be a man on a shoestring budget that is just dipping your toes into a proper skincare regimen, then this face wash by Dove Men is a terrific product at an affordable price point.

What customers are saying: Customers appreciate the Dove Men’s Face Wash for effectively cleaning and moisturizing their skin, with some even experiencing clearer skin within a week. However, those with sensitive skin or rosacea may find the product irritating. Some customers noted that the consistency of the product seemed slightly different from what they had previously purchased in-store, but overall, the product remains highly recommended for daily use.

NIVEA knows a thing or two when it comes to making quality products.  As we recently featured their aftershave balm in our latest product roundup, the NIVEA moisturizing face wash is another great addition to their lineup.

Packed with Provitamin B5 and Vitamin E, your skin will start to realize the full benefits of this product almost immediately.

Providing a nice sudsy lather upon application, this face wash is great for men with normal to oily skin.

Should you have slightly more sensitive skin, it’s important to note that NIVEA does provide a Sensitive face wash for you.

While this is one of the most affordable face washes on this list, it doesn’t come without a caveat.  One of the leading ingredients on the side of the label is denatured alcohol; therefore, we recommend that you use a face cream in tandem with this product.

What customers are saying: Customers find this face wash to be effective, especially for those with dry skin, including elderly users. They mention that it leaves their skin feeling refreshed, light, and free from acne, with some even receiving compliments on their improved skin tone after using the product.

4 Tips for Buying a Face Wash

When buying a face wash, here are a few considerations you should think about:

1. Skin Type

When buying any skincare product intended for your face, you must consider your skin type. 

For example, for oily skin, get a face wash that is non-comedogenic.  For dry skin, go with a face wash that is packed with moisturizers.  For combination skin, then any non-specific face wash can work.  Lastly, if you have sensitive skin, then a gentle face wash that is fragrant-free will likely perform best.

2. Ingredients

When looking at any face wash ingredient list, there will nearly always be some artificial ingredients within the bottle. However, it’s essential to understand that some chemicals are needed for removing oil or dirt build-up. 

Additionally, natural ingredients may cause allergic reactions for men with sensitive skin.  As recently stated by the FDA, ingredients such as essential oils may “contain materials that are toxic, irritating, or likely to cause allergic reactions when applied to the skin.” 

The takeaway: Don’t dismiss products simply because they have some unfamiliar ingredients.  If you want to know the safety of a particular ingredient, we recommend searching the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep database for more information. 

3. Size

Some men like to use one face wash for home and another for the gym or business travel.  If this is your case, be sure the bottle size is TSA-friendly (3.4oz or less) if you plan on tucking the face wash away in your toiletry bag.  

4. Brand

Online marketplaces allow anyone to quickly list products and make them available to millions of men.  With such a loose vetting process, plenty of unknown brands try to make a quick profit.  Our recommendation when buying a face wash is to go with a trusted brand.  Ideally, you will want to buy from a company with a proven track record, customer support and have been in business for at least a few years.