One of the basic steps in a high-quality skincare routine is a quality cleanser. If you are not starting with a clean face, any serums, moisturizers, and toners you put on simply will not be working to their full effect. It's kind of like waxing your car without first giving it a good wash. It kind of defeats the purpose.
And no, a 3-in-1 body wash doesn't count as a face wash. As tough as you think you are, the skin on your face is more delicate than on any other area of your body. In order to get it fully clean, you'll need a gentle yet powerful cleanser to get rid of any bacteria without over-stripping your skin of its natural oils. Once you start with a clean base it can make all other products you use more effective and it can also help reduce acne, pimples, and blackheads.
To find the cleanser that will be the best choice for your skin type, check out our top picks for the best face washes for men in 2022 below.
Disco Charcoal Face Cleanser Stick
Best Face Wash for Acne-Prone Skin
There have been great studies showing the effectiveness of charcoal as a facial cleanser, and with good reason. Disco's take comes in a stick form that makes for less mess and no more product running down your hands while using it. The best part? This product is perfect for those with acne-prone or oily skin, making sure to rid your pores of excess dirt, toxins, and oil. Here are a couple of things we found to be helpful in using this product. We recommend having a dry face for application, then rinsing off and not using it in the shower; best to keep this one on the bathroom sink.
Pro tip: toss this in your gym bag and it makes for a quick and easy clean-up after a hard gym session.
Venn Moisture-Balance All-In-One Face Cleanser
Best Face Wash for Combination Skin
Combination skin is a real struggle, but this all-in-one cleanser really lives up to its name. The secret is in the use of humectants instead of surfactants to cleanse the skin, which helps keep the skin feeling soft and moisturized. This low-pH, multi-tasking, non-foaming facial cleanser deep cleans with vitamins B3 (niacinamide) and B5 (panthenol), and gently exfoliates with fruit enzymes to reveal brighter, clearer skin.
Perricone MD Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Gentle Cleanser
Best Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
CBD skincare is on the rise, and for good reason. Cannabidiol, which is derived from the hemp plant, has been proven to soothe, calm and moisturize red, sensitive skin by supporting its natural endocannabinoid system. Formulated with 99% pure cannabidiol (CBD), this ultra-soothing cleanser removes dirt and oil gently, while cannabis Sativa seed oil helps hydrate and soften skin texture. Red, rough skin will chill out immediately.
Patricks Anti-aging Face Scrub
Best Face Wash for Anti-Aging
This is a dual-action scrub that exfoliates as well as hydrates and promotes cell regeneration. The volcanic sand and crushed diamonds will remove dead skin cells and clean pores. The formula is a thick cream-like paste that works by rubbing in a circular motion across your face and neck.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
Best Face Wash for Dry Skin
The winner of our 2019 and 2021 Grooming Awards, Cerave's face wash can clean even the most sensitive skin without drying it out. After all, its formula was approved by the National Eczema Association, and it contains the same skin-clearing ingredients found in many luxury soaps at a fraction of their prices.
Linné Purify Face Wash and Mask
Best Multi-Purpose Face Wash
Get two products for the price of one with this multi-purpose face wash and a mask. Linné Botanicals is a well-established clean skincare brand, which means that its formulas contain organic, wild-harvested, and eco-certified ingredients. The purifying combination of French green clay and bentonite clay helps draw impurities from the skin while also providing vital minerals. Each bottle also comes with a sea sponge, which can be used to physically exfoliate the surface of the skin. Safe to use both morning and night, as well as once a week as a clay mask if you feel like your skin could use a detox.
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
Best Foaming Face Wash
Ursa Major does a great job with their lightweight, Fantastic Face Wash as this product gives your face a nice refreshing, clean feeling once you're done. The best part is that it has a gentle exfoliator with the help of AHA to deep clean without over-drying your skin with a subtle foaming action. With ingredients like aloe, lemon, and white tea, to name a few, it contains everything you need in a great smelling face wash. It's so good you might even consider it fantastic.
Oars and Alps Face Wash
Best Exfoliating Face Wash
If you miss washing your mug with regular bar soap, we suggest using Oars and Alps' solid face wash, which has the same consistency, but features charcoal to safely clean skin without irritation, and is made without toxic parabens and sulfates.
Harry's Face Wash
Best Face Wash For Shaving
Harry's is beloved for its sleek, budget-friendly razors, but the brand's skincare products are just as impressive. We're big fans of the peppermint-infused face wash, which leaves skin feeling cool and soft.
Whether or not you use moisturizers, serums, oils, or exfoliators, the one thing every man should at least do is properly cleanse their face. These top face washes of 2022 will get rid of the junk without damaging your skin.
