We picked out the best face wash for guys with sensitive skin because skincare is never one-size-fits-all. What works on “normal” skin is often harsh, drying, and irritating on the more
sensitive folks. The best face wash for sensitive skin is going to be gentler, with soothing ingredients that preserve the skin’s precious balance. They’ll prevent overdrying, breakouts, and irritation.
It's easy to use a too-harsh cleanser. Some guys even chase that “tight” feeling, like your skin is being pulled across your cheekbones. But that's a bad sign, a signal that your cleanser is too strong. These picks, on the other hand, are guaranteed gentle. They range from on-the-go wipes to milky washes, from pore-clearing powders to oil-balancing wonders. Surely there’s something that suits your unique situation, and can keep your skin harmonious and blemish-free.
The Best Face Wash for Dry Skin
Clarins cleansing milk
Dry and sensitive skin are often categorized together, and for good reason: They both react adversely to many otherwise "normal" products, and are left parched or reddened. This cleansing milk is a powerful flush for toxins and grime, but leaves skin feeling as hydrated as it is clean.
The Best Face Wash for Fighting Oil
Kiehl’s foaming calendula cleanser
This calendula-enriched, creamy-gel cleanser soothes and strengthens the skin while it washes away grease. It's formulated for oily skin (and as you may know, men have oily skin more often than not). But to flush out all that extra grime, you need a cleanser that balances and soothes the skin instead of stripping it of its moisture entirely. Kiehl's and its calendula cleanser are the solution for that.
The Best Non-Traditional Face Wash
Jaxon Lane enzyme powder face wash
Not all cleansers are liquid. This powder needs a few drops of water in your palms to create a gently exfoliating lather. It uses exfoliating fruit enzymes (from pineapple and papaya) to dissolve dead skin and reveal your brightest complexion, as well as vitamins C, E, B3 and B5, which combine for soft, smooth, and—again—bright complexion.
The Best Drugstore Face Wash
Cetaphil gentle daily scrub
It’s easy to be skeptical of mass-produced skincare, but sometimes the most affordable option is also one of the simplest and most effective. This hypoallergenic foaming cleanser is totally free of soaps and dyes—so cleanse in the morning, cleanse in the evening, cleanse after the gym. This is one drugstore staple that won't dry you out.
The Post-Sun Pick
The Body Shop aloe cream cleanser
A multitasking, creamy cleanser that uses aloe to hydrate and soothe the skin. It’s a great addition to your regimen after a day under the sun’s harsh rays. And even though it's formulated for the face (which is inherently more sensitive than the body), you can also use it on other sunburnt parts.
The Cleanser-Scrub Combo
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Cream Facial Cleanser
Many exfoliating cleansers incorporate salicylic or lactic acids to dissolve those pore-clogging dead skin cells, rather than scrubbing them away. This is an expert method, but it’s not the best approach if you have sensitive skin. Instead, you'll want a gentle physical scrub, and a cleansing scrub is a good way to combine two skincare steps into one (so your skin endures half the strain). Go easy when you rub it in and it’ll be plenty safe enough to use daily.
The Dermatologist's Pick
Revision Skincare gentle cleansing lotion
One of the dermatologists I trust most with product recommendations, Dr. Heather Rogers of Modern Dermatology, recs Revision’s gentle cleansing lotion to most patients with sensitive skin. It uses apple amino acids to lift oil, then soothes and moisturizes with chamomile and algae extracts.
For After Shaving
Fulton & Roark aftershave cloths
Part cleanser, part toner, these cloths gently balance the skin after each shave. They disinfect and clean pores with the help of tea tree oil and witch hazel, while soothing sensitivities with eucalyptus. You can pack them for one-offs to the gym or for a midday refresh, even if you aren't shaving.
