# Best Face Wash for Men, by Skin Type URL: https://dermalguide.com/articles/best-face-wash-for-men/ Part of: https://dermalguide.com/men/ Published: 2026-10-23 > Men's face washes compared by label: gentle cream vs foaming gel, charcoal, glycolic and salicylic acid washes, and which list fragrance or aromatic oils. ## Short answer Choose by how your face feels after washing. For dry or normal skin, CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a cream wash free of added fragrance. For oily skin, CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser or Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser. For breakouts, Lab Series Clear LS Deep Pore Purifying Gel Face Wash adds salicylic acid; for rough texture and ingrown hairs, Jack Black Deep Dive adds glycolic acid. ## What this means for you ### Start with what you notice If your face feels tight and dry after washing, or still greasy an hour later, your face wash is the wrong match for your skin. ### The ingredient names, translated Cleansers use surfactants to lift oil and dirt so water can rinse them away. Foaming gels usually suit oily skin; creamy washes suit dry skin. Some add an exfoliating acid: salicylic acid works inside pores, glycolic acid loosens dead skin on the surface. Many men's washes also add a scent through fragrance or essential oils. ### How to decide - Tight or flaky after washing? Switch to a creamy wash such as CeraVe Hydrating. - Shiny by midday? A foaming gel such as CeraVe Foaming or Jack Black Pure Clean. - Breakouts or clogged pores? A salicylic acid wash, once a day to start. - Ingrown hairs or rough texture? A glycolic wash a few times a week, not on freshly shaved skin. ### What to expect A good wash leaves skin clean and comfortable, not squeaky. An acid wash is on your skin for less than a minute, so expect a modest effect. We haven't tested these products; facts come from each brand's label. General guidance, not a test of these products: [AAD: face washing 101 (lukewarm water, gentle cleanser, twice a day)](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101); [AAD: skin care tips for men](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/skin-care-for-men); [FDA: alpha hydroxy acids in cosmetics (sun sensitivity)](https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/alpha-hydroxy-acids). Each product's label source is linked on its product page. The right face wash depends on how your skin feels afterward. If washing leaves you tight, choose a creamy wash like [CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-hydrating-facial-cleanser/). If you're shiny by lunch, a foaming gel like [CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-foaming-facial-cleanser/) is a better fit. Acid washes are for specific jobs: breakouts or ingrown hairs. A lot of men use whatever is in the shower. The [AAD recommends](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101) a gentle facial cleanser and lukewarm water, twice a day and after sweating. ## How do you know which face wash you need? Wash, pat dry, and wait 20 minutes without putting anything on. - **Tight, flaky or itchy:** your wash is too stripping. Go creamier. - **Comfortable:** you've found it. - **Greasy again already:** a foaming gel will feel cleaner. Two extras show up on men's labels. Salicylic acid is an exfoliant that works inside pores, useful for breakouts. Glycolic acid loosens dead skin on the surface, and Jack Black says it helps prevent ingrown hairs. Both can sting freshly shaved skin. > **Skin Realist check:** That squeaky-clean feeling is your skin asking for its oil back. ## For normal to dry skin ### CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser [CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-hydrating-facial-cleanser/) is a creamy wash for normal to dry skin with CeraVe's three ceramides and [hyaluronic acid](https://dermalguide.com/ingredients/hyaluronic-acid/). CeraVe says it removes dirt and oil without leaving skin tight. It's free of added fragrance and carries the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance. Massage it in gentle circles on a wet face, rinse and follow with moisturizer. It won't foam much, which takes getting used to if you're coming from a gel. **→ [Check price on Amazon](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-hydrating-facial-cleanser/)** ## For normal to oily skin ### CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser [CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-foaming-facial-cleanser/) is a gel that foams, made for normal to oily skin, with ceramides, [niacinamide](https://dermalguide.com/ingredients/niacinamide/) and hyaluronic acid. CeraVe claims 12-hour oil control, though its page doesn't explain how that was measured. No fragrance appears on the recorded list, but it does list methylparaben and propylparaben. **→ [See the foaming cleanser on Amazon](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-foaming-facial-cleanser/)** ### Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser [Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser](https://dermalguide.com/products/jack-black-pure-clean-daily-facial-cleanser/) is a foaming gel the brand positions as a 2-in-1 cleanser and toner, with sage leaf, chamomile, aloe and witch hazel. Jack Black says it leaves skin ready for shaving. It also lists lavender flower extract and rosemary leaf oil, and the brand doesn't call it fragrance free. **→ [Check price on Amazon](https://dermalguide.com/products/jack-black-pure-clean-daily-facial-cleanser/)** ### Brickell Purifying Charcoal Face Wash for Men [Brickell Purifying Charcoal Face Wash for Men](https://dermalguide.com/products/brickell-purifying-charcoal-face-wash-for-men/) is Brickell's signature wash, with activated charcoal, aloe, olive oil, jojoba and tea extracts. Brickell lists it for dry to sensitive skin and says it suits oily skin too. It's sold scented (with eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass oils) and unscented as separate listings, so pick the unscented one if you avoid scent. **→ [See the Brickell wash on Amazon](https://dermalguide.com/products/brickell-purifying-charcoal-face-wash-for-men/)** ## For specific problems ### Breakouts: Lab Series Clear LS Deep Pore Purifying Gel Face Wash [Lab Series Clear LS Deep Pore Purifying Gel Face Wash](https://dermalguide.com/products/lab-series-clear-ls-deep-pore-purifying-gel-face-wash/) is a 4.2 fl oz gel for oily, sensitive and acne-prone skin with [salicylic acid](https://dermalguide.com/ingredients/salicylic-acid/). Lab Series doesn't state the percentage. In its testing after one use, visible pores were 14% less noticeable (18 men) and skin was 11% smoother (31 men). It lists fragrance and colorants. **→ [Check price on Amazon](https://dermalguide.com/products/lab-series-clear-ls-deep-pore-purifying-gel-face-wash/)** ### Ingrown hairs and rough texture: Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser [Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser](https://dermalguide.com/products/jack-black-deep-dive-glycolic-facial-cleanser/) combines [glycolic acid](https://dermalguide.com/ingredients/glycolic-acid/) with [kaolin](https://dermalguide.com/ingredients/kaolin/) clay and volcanic ash, a fine physical exfoliant. It's for normal, combination and oily skin, and doubles as a five-minute mask on a dry face. Skip it on raw, just-shaved skin, and don't pair it with another acid or retinoid. The [FDA notes](https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/alpha-hydroxy-acids) that AHAs can increase sun sensitivity, so wear sunscreen. **→ [See Deep Dive on Amazon](https://dermalguide.com/products/jack-black-deep-dive-glycolic-facial-cleanser/)** ## Quick comparison | Product | Best for | Format | Notable on the label | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [CeraVe Hydrating](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-hydrating-facial-cleanser/) | Normal to dry | Cream | Free of added fragrance | | [CeraVe Foaming](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-foaming-facial-cleanser/) | Normal to oily | Foaming gel | Parabens; no fragrance recorded | | [Jack Black Pure Clean](https://dermalguide.com/products/jack-black-pure-clean-daily-facial-cleanser/) | Oily, before shaving | Foaming gel | Rosemary oil, lavender extract | | [Lab Series Clear LS](https://dermalguide.com/products/lab-series-clear-ls-deep-pore-purifying-gel-face-wash/) | Breakouts | Gel | Salicylic acid; fragrance | | [Jack Black Deep Dive](https://dermalguide.com/products/jack-black-deep-dive-glycolic-facial-cleanser/) | Ingrown hairs, texture | Cream and mask | Glycolic acid, clay | ## How to wash your face 1. Use lukewarm water, not hot. 2. Massage a small amount in with your fingertips for about 30 seconds. 3. Rinse well and pat dry with a clean towel. 4. Moisturize while your skin is still slightly damp. ## Mistakes to avoid - Using body wash or bar soap on your face. - Scrubbing hard or using a washcloth every time. - Using an acid wash right before or after shaving. - Washing more than twice a day unless you've been sweating. > **Skin Realist check:** Your face doesn't need to feel like it's been power-washed. Clean and comfortable is the goal. ## The bottom line If you only buy one, make it [CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-hydrating-facial-cleanser/) for dry or normal skin, or [CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-foaming-facial-cleanser/) for oily skin. Add an acid wash only for a specific problem. Browse every option in [facial cleansers](https://dermalguide.com/categories/facial-cleansers/), and see our [men's skincare basics](https://dermalguide.com/articles/mens-skincare-routine-basics/) for what comes next. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can men use body wash on their face? It's better not to. Body washes are often stronger and more fragranced than face washes, and the AAD recommends a gentle facial cleanser. ### How often should men wash their face? The AAD suggests twice a day and after sweating. Use lukewarm water and pat dry. ### Is charcoal face wash better for oily skin? Charcoal is an ingredient brands use to absorb oil, but the surfactants do most of the cleaning. Choose by how the wash feels and what else it lists. ### Should I use an acid face wash every day? Start with once a day or a few times a week. If your skin gets dry or stings, cut back, and don't stack it with other acid products. Amazon links on this site are affiliate links. This is general information, not medical advice.