Let’s face it, your facial skin gets the brunt of everything. Sunshine, pollution and a buildup of excess sweat and daily grime. This is why using an effective, daily face wash is priceless if you want to stay looking pretty and avoid long term damage to your skin.
There’s a whole universe of products on the market today thanks to the growing popularity of men’s grooming, but only a few really make the grade in terms of the ingredients used and the positive effect they have on your complexion. So before you go all out and grab the first thing you see online, ask yourself a few questions –
There’s a lot of dead skin and oily build up on our mugs that can either make our faces look dry or greasy, neither of which is a particularly endearing look. A good face wash helps repair the dry stuff and remove the sebum that gives your face an unwanted sweaty reflection. A good face wash will also inject essential vitamins back into your chops to keep you looking a million dollars.
Where possible, try to buy a face wash with as many natural ingredients as possible that work for your skin type. This will help you avoid sensitive reactions to products and long term damage to your skin. If you do need to use synthetics because of a particular need, ensure that they are proven to positively enhance your skin without causing issues down the line.
Face Wash products come in different forms, from powders and gels to bars and foams. This is usually to serve a purpose, such as effective exfoliation or removing unwanted oil build up. So just check what your skin needs by studying it a bit. Is it looking dry or tight? Are you getting spots due to clogged up pores? Is the skin under your eyes looking fatigued? These are all factors when choosing the right type of application for you.
Also, consider the practicality and size of each individual product before purchase. Will you have time to use it effectively on a daily basis? Is it something that is easy to use whilst city-hopping on business trips? These are all important factors.
So now you have a bit of knowledge, here comes the fun part. We’ve come up with the best face wash products on the market now – so that you stay looking fresh and clean on a daily basis.
Patricks
Aussie grooming specialists Patricks have really started to dominate the market for men who take their hair and skin seriously. Since starting out in Bondi back in 2009 they have remained one of the most innovative men’s beauty brands on the planet thanks to a unique, scientific approach. This FW1 face wash is a prime example. It’s formulated with antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols that manage to soothe your skin whilst combating the ageing process. It’s also fragranced with amber and bergamot to leave you feeling thoroughly refreshed after use.
Aesop
Founded in Melbourne back in 1987, Aesop creates high-quality hair, facial and body care products that are hugely popular worldwide. They only use sustainable ingredients that are proven to have zero health risks, which is great news for your skin. Their Amazing Face Cleaner is made for all skin types, producing a light foam that doesn’t need to be used with hot water. It’s made with a mix of Cocamidopropyl Belaine, both Tangerine and Lavender oils and good old H2O. You only need to use a small amount each wash, so one bottle goes a heck of a long way.
Perricone MD
Dr Nicolas Perricone has become renowned around the world as an innovative anti-ageing expert, creating products that eliminate wrinkles by reducing inflammation in your skin. He’s even won a few awards for his efforts, which is why his Hypo-Allergenic Cleanser is so sought-after. It’s perfect for sensitive skin and made using Olive Polyphenols, Tocotrienols, Neuropeptides and Green Tea Extract. These ingredients leave your skin feeling fresh, soft and residue-free whilst holding important natural oils that your skin needs to thrive.
Clinique For Men
Many brands that used to specialise in women’s skincare and beauty products have started to offer men’s selections due to the rise in demand. One such brand is Clinique, which comes with over 50 years of experience in the sector. Their innovative Charcoal Face Wash uses bamboo charcoal to drive out dirt and oil that sits deep in your pores. It creates a rich lather that leaves your skin feeling soft and free from dryness or tightness.
Malin + Goetz
In 2004 a little skincare store opened in New York’s Chelsea neighbourhood by the name of Malin + Goetz. The store is still there today, offering some of the most effective products on the market for all skin types, to customers all over the globe. Their Grapefruit Cleanser is one of their most sought after face wash creations. Grapefruit actually has antibacterial properties that are brought to the fore when mixed with amino acid gels, meaning this is a great choice for those who suffer from blemishes and flaky skin.
Jack Black
Jack Black was one of the first companies in the U.S to start evening out the balance between women’s and men’s skincare products. These days they have some really effective products within their range for the modern man, such as this clay-based cleanser that helps get rid of dead skin cells. It can also be used as a purifying mask when left on, making it somewhat of a 2-in-1 way to keep your face looking fresh and your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Lab Series
Fond of constant experimentation and innovation, Lab Series have been perfecting their skincare concoctions since 1987. You could argue that they were one of THE original men’s skincare brands and now distribute to over 30 countries, such is the demand for their product. This Multi-Action Face Wash is one of their best sellers, for normal to dry skin types. Its foam works to dissolve oil whilst unclogging pores and removing dead cells, to promote a healthy overall appearance. It’s even proven to give your beard a lift, if you have one, after use!
Baxter Of California
Baxter Of California first made their name when white socks and high quiffs were the styles of the day. Although they’re still proud of their barbershop roots, they’ve moved with the times and now provide a wide range of products for modern male grooming. Their Daily Face Wash is aimed at men who get their hands dirty but care about their skin all the same. It removes dirt and oil thanks to a mix of coconut oil and water and is paraben, sulphate and fragrance-free for those with more sensitive skin.
Grown Alchemist
Organic skincare is proven to have better long term results for your face, and leading the way for natural beauty products is our very own Grown Alchemist. They’re one of the many Aussie success stories in this field, with Europeans and Americans lapping up their unique and innovative ingredients. This Gentle Gel Cleanser is an out and out botanical product, using chamomile, bergamot and will bark to thoroughly cleanse and soothe your skin. It also sits in a bottle that looks nice sat alongside your other bathroom essentials.
Dermalogica
When skin therapist Jane Wurwand arrived in the United States in 1983 she realised the nation needed a bit of educating on how to look after their faces. She quickly set up Dermalogica, specialising in products for those with easily irritated and sensitive skin. This Special Cleansing Gel works a dream as it doesn’t contain soap or upset the skin’s natural moisture balance. It contains mint and lavender extract for a wonderfully fresh feeling and is definitely worth that few extra dollars.
Ursa Major
Oliver Sweatmand and Emily Doyle, co-founders of Ursa Major, have an obsessive interest in plant-based skincare, producing natural products for a clean and natural look. Their aptly named Fantastic Face Wash thoroughly cleanses even the oiliest of skin, by dissolving dead cells and brightening your overall complexion. All ingredients are vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free, and include coconut-derived surfactants, white tea, aloe and lemon. A product that makes your skin feel amazing whilst giving you peace of mind about what you’re using.
Kiehls
All skincare products start as an idea by a doctor, scientist, or in Kiehls’ case, a pharmacist. The company is one of the oldest on this list, specialising in beauty products since 1851. Their Ultra Facial Cleanser is for all skin types and offers excellent value for money. Its PH formula helps the skin maintain its natural balance, whilst dissolving dirt and unwanted debris. It's formulated with squalene, apricot oil and vitamin E to help neutralise damage whilst keeping you looking fresh.
Sisley
One of the true pioneers in botanical skincare, Parisian brand Sisley has been in the d’Ornano family for three generations. They are highly respected in the hair and beauty world and are also one of the more luxurious brands on this list. Their Facial Cleansing Bar might look like a bar of regular soap, but it’s actually soap-free. It’s made with Calendula and Benzoin extract that softens the skin to remove oil and dirt without causing dry skin and clogged up pores - an incredibly effective face wash.
Jaxon Lane
If you’re fond of award-winning cosmetics then Jaxon Lane has a fair share of gongs from some of the most recognised men’s magazines on the planet. The San Francisco brand uses Korean skincare science as inspiration for their creations (the Asian country is a world leader in the field), such as this Shake and Wake face wash. It’s actually a powder that reacts with water to create a silky foam that gently exfoliates your skin thanks to the natural fruit enzymes in its ingredients. Another great thing about this wash is that it restores vitamins B, C and E levels in your skin to keep it fresh and super healthy.
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Renowned for her anti-inflammatory skincare range, Dr Barbara Sturm has achieved near cult status with her collection of products. This paraben-free formula uses natural ingredients to deeply cleanse your skin and restore its most natural state, thanks to Aloe Leaf Juice which regenerates damaged cells. It may be in the higher price bracket but you certainly get what you pay for, and that’s one of the most effective face wash products to come out of Europe right now.
Anthony
From bath and body to sun cream and shaving gels, men’s grooming specialist Anthony has been doing the business since 2000. They like to mix up advanced skincare technologies with more natural ingredients to create everyday men’s essentials. This facial wash is non-foaming and rich in antioxidants. As well as removing dirt and oils it moisturises your skin, thanks to Glycolic Acid, Aloe Vera and Calendula. It also pumps essential vitamins into your pores to promote a fresh-looking day-to-day complexion.
Doers Of London
One of the newer additions to the natural ingredients range is this Facial Cleanser from Doers Of London. The brand comes with that no fuss, does what it says on the bottle ethos which is as refreshing as their product. It’s made using Organic Cucumber extract, Citrus Oils and Jojoba to thoroughly clean and lightly exfoliate your skin. All of the products used have been proven to have a positive impact on your face - and this one is a real steal price-wise.
The Grey Men's Skincare
Working alongside some of the best skincare labs in Europe, The Grey was set up to offer modern men who care about their appearance a superior level of skincare. Their Face Wash is made using a natural charcoal extract that naturally works dirt and oil away from the surface of your skin, without drying or removing natural moisture. It leaves you feeling completely refreshed after use, and even works to soften stubble pre-shave.
