Dermatologist-Approved Face Wash For Men Of Every Skin Type

Men are not immune to bad skin days. As Clarins revealed, half of UK men said if they’d woken up with ‘bad skin’ one morning, their self-confidence would be affected, followed by happiness and social confidence.

After all, men are not exempt from external and internal aggressors. The harsh UVs and city pollution can still get you and your skin, along with heightened stress, anxiety, and insufficient sleep.  

“Common facial skin concerns men complain about include facial dandruff, flaking, oiliness, and acne,” Dr Karan Lal, a US-based cosmetic dermatologist, tells Beauty Daily. 

The good news is that you can start fighting these skin issues with a good face wash for men, so you can adequately prime your face for what remains of your grooming regime.  

Beauty Daily asks leading dermatologists about the importance of using a dedicated face wash for men (so you won’t have to secretly use your partner’s skincare products). Plus, a guide to the best face wash for men as recommended by the pros so you can make informed purchases when you go face wash shopping!   

Is face wash good for men?

Let’s get it out of the way: a decent skincare routine is the cornerstone of good grooming, and a great face wash is the foundation of any grooming arsenal, so it’s not only good but important.  

“A man’s skin is 25% thicker than a woman’s, which is why we differentiate between men’s and women’s skincare as a brand,” explains Charlotte McHale, Clarins Training Manager. “The reason for the difference? Testosterone levels result in a denser epidermis, and men’s skin is subject to slightly different aggressors. So when a man starts shaving,  that’s when their skin changes.” 

It’s also widely known that men have larger pore sizes due to DNA and the lack of appropriate skincare regimens. But it’s never too late to change that.  

When looking for products, opt for a men’s skincare range like ClarinsMen; these products are tested and tailored to men’s specific needs and concerns. No fuss and straightforward, just the way it should be. 

What do men need to look for in a cleanser?

When choosing a cleanser, there are certain things to remember, such as your specific skin type and skin concern. Eventually, it also boils down to your preference. There are many face wash products for men in the market,  and quite frankly, it’s hard to judge by the label. Good thing Dr Lal has a piece of advice to get started.  

According to Dr Lal, cleansers formulated with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide work best in men’s skin types.  

“Salicylic acid gently removes dead skin cells and reduces oil production. In addition, benzoyl peroxide fights many organisms, including the yeast involved in facial dandruff. It also gently exfoliates the skin,” he explains. 

Men’s exfoliating face wash

Since men have thicker epidermis than women, men need regular exfoliation. Besides leaving skin less bumpy and rough, daily scrub also reduces the appearance of ingrown hair.  

“Male facial skin is inherently thicker than female facial skin. As a result, men with beards often end up having a condition called seborrheic dermatitis [which causes beard dandruff]. This is due to an overgrowth of a yeast called pityrosporum. This is what causes redness and flakiness of the skin. 

Many of these complaints can be alleviated with a gentle exfoliating cleanser such as one that contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and benzoyl peroxide,” Dr Lal says.  

Beauty Daily recommends this two-in-one Exfoliating Cleanser, £23.00. 

This exfoliating gel cleanser has natural lava powder and salicylic acid microbeads, which are gentle on the skin and deeply cleanse, exfoliate, and refresh. This banishes those pesky blackheads and unclogged pores, leaving you with nothing but purified skin. Thanks to key plant ingredients, bison grass works hard to tone, energise, and soothe your skin. 

It is recommended for all skin types and can be part of your A.M. and P.M. grooming routine.  

How to use: Apply to damp face and neck, focus on the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and finish with cold water to tone skin and close pores.   

Men’s detoxifying face wash   

Men produce more sebum than women, making them more susceptible to shiny skin. Without a cleanser to combat this, in addition to the daily pollution, grime and slime, your skin will indeed suffer. 

You can prevent this by arming yourself with an everyday detoxifying foaming cleanser that can help draw impurities away from your skin.    

Something like the Active Face Wash, £20.00. This is in a light, gel texture formulation, in which oilier skin tends to respond well.  

This cleanser for men guarantees an ultra-clean complexion thanks to the superpowers of grindelia and gaultheria extracts, which cleanse deeply and revitalise your face. It’s also your best ally against razor burn irritation and can be used twice a day. 

How to use: Splash your face with water, and lather a small amount between your plans, massage on damp skin and rinse.  

For men battling dry skin, Dr Lal recommends: “I recommend low concentration salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide cleansers. Multiple concentrations are available over the counter. For example, standard cleansers have 1% or 2% salicylic acid, 4% or 10% benzoyl peroxide. You may also look for cleansers with standard concentrations but ingredients like ceramides, which will help retain moisture as you cleanse.” 

Dr Lal recommends Panoxyl Acne Foaming 10% Wash, £18.49. It’s tough enough to battle even the worst breakouts; this maximum strength fast-acting foaming wash contains 10% benzoyl peroxide to clear acne quickly. “This is a great strong agent. It helps with acne, oiliness, flaking, and unclogging pores.”  

Men’s charcoal face wash  

Charcoal face wash for men? Why not! Activated charcoal is beloved in the beauty community and is a trendy skin care ingredient often found in face cleansers, exfoliating scrubs, and clay masks. They help absorb dirt, oil, and toxins deep within your skin.  

“Charcoal is a natural detoxifying agent. Its purpose was made popular because of the idea that charcoal binds to pollutants and oils in the pores and brings them out of your skin,”  Dr Lal says.  

However, while he genuinely believes charcoal face wash for men works, it is pretty drying. 

“I recommend testing it out before making it part of your daily routine. Better yet, use it once or twice a week instead of daily. Alternating facial cleansers is likely to give you a better outcome (kind of exercising your skin),”  he advises.  

Beauty Daily recommends Horace Charcoal Purifying Face Cleanser, £13.  

This charcoal purifying face cleanser is formulated with Binchotan (Japanese activated charcoal), which gently purifies your skin and regulates sebum without pulling or drying out. For a thorough cleansing, massage the product on your skin in circular motions for a full minute, and pay particular attention to the oiliest parts of the face: forehead, sides of the nose, and chin. 

If you’re looking for help bringing your skin to life, check out Clarins’ Grooming Consultation or book yourself a virtual 1:1 consultation appointment. 

Read next: The best pro-ageing and anti-ageing products for men