According to the experts, no. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist and the Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, says the idea of men’s skin being any less sensitive or age-defying than women’s is “a complete myth” according to him — and he adds that everyone should have a solid skin care routine, regardless of gender.
“Aside from packaging and fragrance, there’s no significant difference,” says Dr. William Huang, a board-certified dermatologist and professor in Duke University’s Department of Dermatology. Zeichner agrees, saying that “while there are certain products that are marketed towards men versus women, the reality is that the differences are often only the packaging or a fragrance.”
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To pick the best face wash for men, I compiled products formulated for a range of skin types — including best products for oily, dry and sensitive skin — using recommendations from dermatologists and NBC Select staff. I also avoided face washes with benzoyl peroxide — according to Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology, they could possibly bleach facial hair.
NBC Select Art Director Andrew Ward says that this face wash is “perfect” for his normal to oily skin. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid and essential ceramides for moisture and barrier maintenance, according to the brand, which he says leaves his face feeling fresh and clean without any tight, dry sensations. This face wash also has niacinamide, which helps to calm irritated or inflamed skin. “It foams really easily and I feel like it’s actually cleaning my face while being gentle enough to not aggravate my skin,” says Ward. NBC Select video producer Josh Rios also likes the non-foaming gel version of this cleanser, which he says is easy to use and has a lightweight feel.
Consistency: Gel to foam
Huang recommends this brightening cleanser, which uses vitamin C and extracts from licorice and lily to boost your skin’s tone and radiance. It also carries the protective benefits of antioxidants by using white tea extract and vitamin E to soothe your skin while cleansing, according to the brand.
Consistency: Liquid
This exfoliating face wash comes recommended by King, and contains 2% salicylic acid, as well as papaya enzymes, to gently exfoliate your skin while cleansing. It also contains glycerin to help hydrate the skin, she says, and oat kernel extract to soothe and support the skin barrier. King says this cleanser is “great for acne and minimizing the appearance of pores, as well as for smoothing keratosis pilaris.”
Consistency: Liquid
Great for oily and acne-prone skin, this face scrub is formulated with charcoal, which gives your skin a gentle exfoliation, according to King. She likes that the face wash “hydrates the skin with glycerin and supports the skin barrier with jojoba oil and castor oil,” which can help to balance out oilier skin. However, if you have sensitive skin, even a scrub as gentle as this can cause inflammation.
Consistency: Scrub
If you’re looking for a face wash scrub that you can also use on your body, Face Reality’s Antioxidant Scrub may be just what you need. King likes that it’s sulfate-free (which means it’s safe for sensitive skin) and that it has cellulose beads, which she says is a gentler physical exfoliant. This face wash is also filled with antioxidants like green tea and licorice, for protection against free radicals and environmental damage, according to the brand.
Consistency: Scrub
This cleanser is another antioxidant-rich option from Face Reality, according to King. It has a gel formula that, once it’s wet, “gently foams and thoroughly cleanses, but is free of harsh detergents,” she says. It also has glycerin and panthenol to support and soothe your moisture barrier without stripping your skin. To bring this face wash to lather, the brand recommends applying a small amount to damp skin, and massaging until a light foam forms.
Consistency: Gel
King calls this face wash “unique and fun to use” because of its unusual texture that transforms from a gel, to an oil, and then to a milk. She likes that it removes oils and still supports the skin barrier without leaving behind any residue. This wash also has vitamin C, which helps to reduce the look of dark spots and protect against free radical damage, according to the brand.
Consistency: Gel/oil/milk
This versatile face wash can be used as a balm cleanser or mask, says King. It has a thick, creamy texture, which King says is “thanks to moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, rosehip oil, arctic cloudberry oil, camellia oil and coconut alkanes.” She says this makes the balm especially great for dry skin, but it still works well when used on all skin types. It’s also gentle enough to be left on as a mask without irritating the skin, according to King.
Consistency: Balm
This gel-to-foam option uses a complex of prebiotics and probiotics, along with humectants like vitamin B5, to help your skin retain moisture after cleansing, according to the brand. Zeichner especially loves its gently foaming formula. “It offers the lathering aesthetics that most people are looking for, while respecting the outer skin layer and the skin’s microbiome,” he says.
Consistency: Gel
Rios purchased this cleanser after establishing a regimen and says it’s a “step up” for his daily routine. He also adds that it leaves his skin feeling moisturized with very little dry tightness afterwards, and that it makes his skin “feel firmer after just a couple of uses.” The formula uses emollients like squalane, vitamin E, avocado oil and more to hydrate skin and maintain the moisture barrier.
Consistency: Liquid
Since skin care concerns differ from person to person, developing your own routine is a very personalized process, and it can often involve a lot of trial and error. Our men’s skin care experts suggest paying attention to your skin’s type and needs, which will determine the best formula for your face.
Skin type: Determining your skin type can go a long way in helping to build a steady routine that works for your skin’s needs — “what your best friend is using may not be right for you,” says Zeichner.
In order to keep your beard at its best while washing your face, King suggests gentle cleansers that won’t strip your beard hair of its natural oils. While washing, she says to work the cleanser through the beard and into the skin underneath it, especially in thicker areas where it may be harder for your face wash to penetrate. Lastly, thoroughly rinse off your cleanser and pat your beard dry, and then proceed with the rest of your routine.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am an associate reporter at NBC Select who regularly covers self care, home and lifestyle. For this article, I interviewed dermatologists to find out the best advice and recommendations on face wash for men.
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