“10 Best Acne Face Washes for Men – Backed by Science!”
Nothing can make a man feel less desirable, and more like a clueless pimple-popping high-schooler, than struggling to try to find an acne face wash that actually works when they find themselves in the midst of a bad skin breakout. But finding a face wash that can be an effective part of your skin routine doesn’t have to be difficult or embarrassing. In fact, just a little bit of added attention and knowledge of the right products, and when to use them, can lead to better results and clearer skin for almost anyone.
What Causes Acne in Adults?
Just because most people think that acne is the usual misfortune of hormonal teens doesn’t make it true. While the part of the old stereotype of teenage acne that focuses on hormones as a factor is correct, in that hormones are often an underlying source of skin problems, the emphasis on age as a major contributor to acne is false. Many of us with adult acne already know this to be true, for some acne issues don’t end once we reach young adulthood and for others, it may not even develop until later in life.
But hormones aren’t the only factor that could be contributing to your acne, others include excess oil production, clogged hair follicles, or even bacteria, and knowing what your probable cause may be is very important.
What’s Causing Your Bleminished Skin?
just as there are many differences between a man’s body and a teen’s body, so too will there be differences specifically with skin and how to best treat issues like acne. What works and is marketed towards a fourteen-year-old may not work for a forty-year-old. This illustrates further the problems that men, in particular, will have when trying to find a suitable treatment for their skin.
But, if you’re a man with acne issues have no fear, you’ve come to the right place, below you will find our complete buyer’s guide to 10 of the best acne face washes for men, all backed by science! We will briefly overview each product, say what we like about and what we don’t, and at the end, we will give a short guide on how to best maximize your skincare routine.
The Very Best Acne Face Washes for Men
Everyone’s skin is unique like them, thus everyone’s needs for a face wash will be likewise unique. So, while not every product below will be right for every skin type, we have endeavored to find a product for every situation and need. With that in mind let’s look at some of the best acne face washes for men.
1.Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Face Wash
Benzoyl Peroxide is one of the most common ingredients in most over-the-counter acne treatments available today and so it should come as no surprise that it is prominently featured in this product’s marketing from Neutrogena. This makes sense as benzoyl peroxide is mild enough to kill acne-causing bacteria without causing the skin to dry and peel in a painful manner. This wash has the maximum amount of benzoyl peroxide allowed, 10%, and is formulated to further alleviate any irritation that other high-powered acne face washes have been known to cause.
What we like:
-Gentle enough for use multiple times a day.
-The maximum strength you can get of benzoyl peroxide without a prescription.
-Suitable for use on body acne when showering. (Make sure to wash away product thoroughly, though, so that it does not stain clothes.)
What we don’t like:
-Can take time to climatize your skin to the treatment, especially if you are sensitive to benzoyl peroxide.
-Face wash doesn’t have a rich lather.
2. L’Oréal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Facial Cleanser with Charcoal
L’Oréal’s Men Expert line has introduced this cleanser with charcoal that is specifically formulated with men’s facial hair in mind. While charcoal may seem like an odd choice for acne treatment, it has actually gained popularity as a skin ointment additive recently. In this face wash, charcoal is added, in the specific form of activated charcoal, to the L’Oréal product. Activated charcoal is just charcoal that has been processed with excess heat to increase its absorbency by giving it tons of tiny holes. It is through these holes that the charcoal is able to act as a magnet that attracts and traps many of the common causes of acne in men, such as excess oil, also known as Sebum, or clogged hair follicles.
What we like:
-Relying on charcoal as a primary acne-fighting ingredient means that this product has less harsh chemical cleansers.
-Has a rich white lather that can be used to foam the entire face.
-Gentle enough for use both morning and night.
What we don’t like:
-No SPF included.
-The scent of the product may not be to everyone’s liking and some find it offensive.
3. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Fighting Facial Cleanser
This wash’s main acne-fighting ingredient is salicylic acid, which is a great mild cleanser that can help treat blackheads and whiteheads and is also able to prevent future blackouts. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that is derived from willow bark, its oil-soluble composition gives it a unique structure that helps it penetrate deep into pores and absorb impurities.
What we like:
-Because of its use of beta hydroxy acid, this cleanser is able to penetrate the lipid layers between skin cells for a deeper clean than water-soluble washes alone can provide.
-Gives users a refreshing exfoliation thanks to salicylic acid’s abrasive properties during use.
-Rinses clean without any hint of residue after use.
What we don’t like:
-Not a suitable product for those that are sensitive or allergic to salicylic acid.
-Can cause minor redness and inflammation around application areas during the early stages of use.
4. RUGGED & DAPPER Daily Power Scrub Face Wash + Exfoliating Facial Cleanser for Men
Rugged & Dapper is a newer entrant in the men’s skin-care space that promises products that are designed to give you better-looking skin in less time than it takes to brush your teeth, 1 minute. They claim the company’s daily face wash accomplishes this without the harsh chemicals that other acne-fighting products often contain. Instead, Rugged & Dapper uses ingredients like Aloe Vera, Jojoba beads, and Burdock root to fight breakouts. The company says that these ingredients alter the skin at the molecular level and promote cellular permeability and boost collagen production.
What we like:
-One bottle lasts up to four months, even when used twice a daily.
-Good for a wide range of ages, from young to old, and is also good for different skin types such as oily, dry, or sensitive.
-Rugged & Dapper makes their products in the U.S.A. and promises they are made free of cruelty, like testing their products on animals.
What we don’t like:
-The products are infused with essential oils for scenting purposes and some people may find the scent overly masculine or musky.
-Not the cheapest option listed, but bottles can often be found on sale for less.
5. Viking Revolution Charcoal Face Wash for Men
Another product that uses activated charcoal as its main acne-fighting ingredient is this face wash from Viking Revolution. The company promises a wash that is made of only natural ingredients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Olive Oil. Viking Revolution is even unique in telling you where the charcoal it uses for its activated charcoal powder comes from, it’s made from coconuts.
What we like:
-Has an appealing, yet inoffensive, smell that combines aloe vera and coconut notes.
-Perfect as a deep cleanser before shaving to both sensitize the face and remove impurities before they are further trapped in the skin.
-Leaves face feeling clean without overly drying or making skin feel tight.
What we don’t like:
-Not strong enough for the most severe cases of acne.
-Does not have a particularly strong or rich lather.
6. Nivea Men Deep Cleansing Beard and Face Wash
A great option for men who have thick beards that they feel like keep them from effectively washing their face is this deep cleansing face wash from Nivea. This face wash is suitable for all skin types and has the main ingredient of natural charcoal. This wash has a slightly thicker creme than other charcoal based washes that are on this list and it will work itself into a nice lather, though you will have to use more product in order to get a good amount of foam.
What we like:
-Has a subtle bourbon and vanilla scent, unlike other cleansers which often can smell chemically.
-Comes in smaller sizes which are perfect for frequent travelers.
-This wash is formulated not to affect the health of beards.
What we don’t like:
-Packaging is fragile and the cap may break if dropped in the shower.
-Not a great moisturizer when used by itself.
7. Dr. Song Benzoyl Peroxide Wash 10% Acne Treatment
For those that want a product that is focused solely on treating acne, this wash from Dr. Song may just do the trick. The complete focus on fighting acne is clear as besides the main breakout fighting ingredient, benzoyl peroxide, there are only 6 other ingredients in this face wash. As with other acne face washes on this list, the benzoyl peroxide works by attacking the skin harming bacteria at the source.
What we like:
-Great for people with tough acne cases, like those suffering from Cystic Acne.
-Works well on body acne that may appear on the back or buttocks.
-Gentle enough that is won’t sting, even on broken skin.
What we don’t like:
Not a good cleanser for those that will need it to remove makeup or dirt, as it does not foam or lather.
-No frills product, including a complete lack of an appealing scent.
8. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
This facial cleanser from CeraVe is unique on this list in that it relies on hyaluronic acid as its main acne-fighting ingredient. While having acid in its name may make some hesitant to put hyaluronic acid anywhere near their face, don’t worry it is a perfectly safe ingredient. In fact, many believe that hyaluronic acid is the key to promoting smooth, hydrated skin. It is able to do this by supplementing the body’s own natural supplies of hyaluronic acid which it uses to keep skin moisturized and healthy-looking.
What we like:
-Great for aging skin as it helps keep skin moisturized.
-Hyaluronic acid helps repair damage from things like UV exposure from the Sun’s rays.
-Great for all skin types, even those that are oily or prone to breakouts.
What we don’t like:
-Claims to be fragrance-free but has a definite chemical smell during use that thankfully does not linger.
-CeraVe does animal testing for its products for those who would want to know such information.
9. Brickell Men’s Purifying Charcoal Face Wash for Men
For men with sensitive to normal skin, Brickell Men’s product, listed above, is another good acne face wash that uses charcoal as a natural blemish fighter. This product doesn’t rely on activated charcoal alone, however, as it also has organic aloe leaf juice and Rooibos listed as active ingredients as well. The natural ingredients and formula free of harsh chemicals make this a good choice for those with sensitive skin.
What we like:
-Compact design that is meant to be more environmentally sustainable.
-One 2OZ bottle should last approximately two months with daily use.
-Nice clean scent that is subtle but pleasant when compared to other acne face wash.
What we don’t like:
-Not the best product for those with oily skin.
-Not the cheapest face wash available. While a single bottle will last a considerable amount of time, this acne face wash is still more expensive than its competitors.
10. Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Facial Scrub
This offering from Neutrogena is unique among the face wash on this list in that it uses Glycerin as its key ingredient. Glycerin is good for skin in that it is a naturally occurring humectant, which is a fancy word that basically means it attracts moisture. This is obviously great for those that need a product that will bring a moisturizer ability along with acne-fighting capabilities to their acne face wash.
What we like:
-Micro-beads, which are not made of plastic, help lather the facial scrub and provide a feeling of deep cleaning.
-Gentle enough to be used daily.
-Doesn’t overly dry out the skin.
What we don’t like:
-Only meant to be applied to the area around the face.
-Leaves skin with a tingly sensation that some may find unpleasant.
Quick Guide to Washing Your Face the Right Way:
All of the products above are great, but they won’t do a thing for your acne if they aren’t used the right way. For all of the above products includes following their recommended dosages and frequency of use that you can find on their packaging.
For those that need a great step-by-step guide on how to wash your face correctly, especially the importance of cleansing and exfoliating, check out the full wikiHow here.
Otherwise here are a few additional tips that will have you washed up and cleaned face in no time!
1.Use warm water to rinse your face before you put on the product in order to open your pores.
2.Use cold water to rinse your face wash off. This will act to tighten your pores and keep them from getting clogged now that they are clean.
3. Avoid the temptation to overuse an effective product. Using a product more frequently than recommended is actually a prime reason why irritation or worsening of acne symptoms may occur.
4. Be sure to avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, ears, nose, and lips, as this can cause further irritation.
5. If you find that one product doesn’t work for you, remember the active ingredients and avoid them or look for less concentrated versions when trying something new.
This concludes our guide to acne face washes for men. We hope that you have enjoyed reading and that you learned something new about keeping your skin in good shape in the process. Thank you for reading!
