A GUIDE TO BEST FACE WASHES FOR MEN

Washing and cleansing your face is without a doubt the most important step in  maintaining a healthy and clear complex. Dermatologists often recommend washing your face twice daily; once in the morning and in the evening before bed. It helps to rinse away impurities leaving pores clear and skin refreshed. Cleansing also preps your skin so it is ready for serums and moisturizers and allows the products to absorb deeper into your skin. 

The composition of men’s skin is about 20% thicker than women’s and also produces more sebum than women’s. It is important to first understand your skin type when deciding on a face wash. Men’s skin types can be broken down into 5 categories; dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, normal skin, and finally, aging skin.  

Knowing your skin type is the first step in figuring out which face wash for men works best for you. Secondly, having the right men's face wash for your skin type will not only cleanse and nourish your skin but it will also help balance out your skin and restore it’s natural pH.  Sorry guys, that bar soap you’re using on your body is a no go for your face no matter what type of skin you have. It is simply a bit harsh and drying for the skin on your face. 

In today’s grooming market there is a plethora of face washes marketed to men. They vary in types (liquid, balm, cream, gel) and scents, as well as face washes for specific skin types and skin conditions. We’ll guide you thru the characteristics of skin types, the best face washes and ingredients suited for each skin type.  

Choosing the best facial cleanser for men for your skin type is the first step to a good men's skincare routine.  Your skin will notice a difference. Keep in mind your skin type may shift slightly depending on the season and the climate.  If the climate changes drastically in your area from season to season or if traveling short term to a different climate, just take note to see if your face wash still works well for you as the environment and season changes. 

Men's Face Wash - Oily Skin

Oily skin is characterized by excess sebum (oils) on the face giving you a persistent shine and oily appearance.  It is especially pronounced in the forehead and the nose, often referred to as the oily T-Zone.  

Oily skin is thicker and has the benefits of a stronger skin barrier. Men with oily skin also has the benefits of looking younger with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.  Unfortunately, there are also some downsides.  Oily skin is prone to enlarged pores, blackheads, acne, and the greasy sheen on parts of the face. 

For oily skin men, look for face washes that will help to gently cleanse impurities from your skin, combat and balance excess sebum production as well as nourish your skin.  Look for a liquid, foam, or light oil cleanser with ingredients to address your oily skin needs. 

Always look for a gentle and pH balanced formula. It’s a myth that face washes for oily skin needs to be harsh to properly rinse away oils and impurities. Some ingredients to look for in the face wash: Urea, glycerine, green tea, salicylic acid, niacinimide, ceramides, benzoyl peroxide and avoid pore clogging ingredients if you’re also acne prone. These ingredients in a gentle, natural and pH balanced formulation will help to nourish your skin, minimizing shine and keep pores clear and clean. 

Face Wash for Men - Dry Skin

Dry skin is natural for some men but can also be brought on by changes in climate and weather. Those with dry skin will typically have a feeling of skin tightness, itchiness and slight skin flaking.  Dry skin that looks ashy can be evident in those with brown and black skin. Those with fair to lighter skin can display a tinge of redness on the skin due to the slight discomforts of dry skin.

Unfortunately dry skin is typically thinner and is more prone to skin irritations, compromised skin barrier, as well as accelerated natural skin aging; wrinkles, fine lines, loss of skin elasticity and firmness.

For men with dry skin, dermatologists still recommend cleansing twice daily, morning and at night before bed.  Look for richer cream cleansers and oil cleansers that can gently rinse away impurities, nourish the skin, replenish the much needed moisture and balance the skin’s natural pH.  The right facial cleanser will not only cleanse but also nourish your skin and relieve that dry, tight feeling.

The key for dry skin is to look for a pH balanced, natural facial cleanser with ingredients that will calm and nourish the skin. Look for ingredients like urea, glycerine, allantoin, safflower oil, ceramides, niacinamide, hyualronic acid, vitamin E, green tea, ginseng to nourish the skin and strengthen skin barrier. These ingredients in a richer cream formula or oil cleansing formula will soothe your dry skin and bringing it back to balance, comfort and ready for hydrating serums and rich moisturizers. But do read the labels to avoid potentially pore clogging ingredients.  

Face Wash for Men - Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin is typically more temperamental and can show skin flushing, turning red easily and sensitive to the sun’s UV rays.  It is prone to rashes, bumps, and reactions (slight stinging or burning sensation) to skincare products and active ingredients. Sensitive skin can also feel itchy, have dry patches and sometimes broken capillaries on your nose and cheeks. 

Yes, the laundry list of possible symptoms is long. It just means that picking the right men’s face wash is essential to ensuring your sensitive skin is nourished and calm.  The important thing to keep in mind for men with sensitive skin is to simplify your skincare routine and patch test all products before adding it to your skincare regimen.  Patch testing just means taking a small dab of the product and applying it to a part of your face (we recommend behind the ears) to gauge whether your skin is sensitive to the formulation and it's active ingredients.

For sensitive skin, look for a face wash for men formulation that gently rinses away impurities while soothing and nourishing your skin without causing dryness or irritation.  Look for products with calming and hydrating ingredients like aloe, urea, colloidal oatmeal, glycerine, ginseng, green tea, sodium PCA, niacinamide, chamomile and squalene. Dermatologists still recommend cleansing twice daily, morning and night.  With the right face wash for men, it should help calm and nourish sensitive skin and prepare it for serums and calming moisturizers. 

Take note that day time SPF is recommended for all skin types but it is especially important for men with sensitive skin.

Best Men's Face Washes for Normal Skin

Congratulations! If you have normal skin it means your skin is pretty well behaved and does’t have any of the common issues associated with dry, oily or sensitive skin types. Your body produce just the right level of sebum to keep your skin feeling moisturized and it’s natural barrier healthy and strong. But choosing a good face wash is still key as it is an essential first step to a healthy skincare regimen for any skin type. 

The focus for normal skin types is to choose a men’s face wash with a gentle and natural formulation.  It should rinse away the impurities and grime from the day while nourishing your skin without the dry after feel. Dermatologists recommend cleansing twice daily, morning and night for normal skin types as with other skin types. 

Men with normal skin should look for a gentle and pH balanced (5.0 - 6.0) face wash infused with nourishing and hydrating ingredients.  Look for Urea, aloe vera, chamomile, squalene, niacinamide, green tea, vitamin c, and ginseng.  

Best Men's Face Wash for Aging Skin

Men are lucky in that men’s skin tend to age better because it is thicker. Men also shave regularly so it also exfoliates the skin as part of the grooming ritual keeping the skin healthier and younger looking.  As men’s skin ages, it typically becomes drier, dull, uneven skin tone, loss of elasticity and develop more fine lines and deeper wrinkles.  The reality is that you can’t stop the aging process but with good skincare, you can age well and retain better skin. 

For aging skin look for gentle face washes that are infused with ingredients to address the various skin aging concerns. Look for lactic acid, and plant enzymes (apple, pineapple, papaya) to revitalize skin texture and tone; glycerine, squalane and hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture; chamomile, aloe vera, ginseng, allantoin, niacinamide and green tea to nourish the aging skin.  

Leveling Up Your Skincare Routine for Men

Cleansing your face twice daily with the right cleanser for your skin type is key for a clear complexion.  If you're still using the same bar soap on your face then it's time to level up your skincare game and pick up a men's face wash. You will notice the difference your skin look and feel.

Why Choose urth's Face Wash?

Powered by botanical ingredients to cleanse and soothe skin. Infused with white tea, ginseng and chamomile, it calms irritation, redness on face, and balances sebum production for a shine-free, clear complexion. It is one of the best facial cleanser for men to rinse away impurities leaving skin clean and refreshed without dry tight feel. Perfect for all skin types - including men with sensitive, dry, combo, and oily skin. It's an essential must have for an elevated men's skincare routine.

urth has curated skin care kits for men to simplify men's skincare routine. These plant powered men’s skin care products are formulated with non pore clogging ingredients like chamomile, green tea, ginseng and pure essential oils to cleanse, brighten and nourish skin for a healthy and clear complexion. Improved and better skin after every use. Perfect for all skin types - including men with sensitive, dry, combo, and oily skin.