Every Skincare Routine Should Start with a Quality Cleanser – Here Are 19 We Rate (2024)

You probably don’t get notably excited about face wash – after all, even to the most skincare-savvy men, cleansing is the least thrilling part of the ritual.

But consider this: the success of your entire skincare routine depends on you washing your face right. No pressure, but if your cleanser of choice leaves your skin too stripped (or not clean enough), then any serums, treatments and moisturisers that follow won't work as effectively.

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Not all face washes are created equal and, considering the sheer volume of them lining the shelves today, identifying a winning formula can be tricky. Foams, gels and milky lotions all come with different benefits, and the one best suited to you will depend on your skin type. Here, we break down the best face washes for oily skin, dry skin, combination skin and everything in between.

The Best Face Wash for Men

Dry skin demands to be treated with care: go in with anything too foamy and it’ll only become drier and tighter. The best option is a hydrating creamy cleanser, just like this glycerin and chamomile-based one from Paula’s Choice.

The Inkey List’s smart cleanser contains a hit of gunk-dissolving salicylic acid in a gentle and hydrating glycerin base. It’ll sink into pores to melt away the debris and oil that leads to breakouts without upsetting the balance of your skin barrier. A no-messing winner.

It might be TikTok famous, but this affordable cleanser is ideal for skin aged over 16 too. The secret to its success is simplicity: it's packed with gentle surfactants that sweep away grime, and ceramides to keep your skin barrier healthy, which in turn reduces the chance of irritation and breakouts emerging.

If you just can’t go without the foam, opt for this gentle-yet-mighty face wash: it uses coconut-based surfactants, which are kinder to skin than traditional chemical alternatives. The grapefruit scent isn't strictly necessary, but it's very welcome on a sluggish Monday morning.

Designed with ultra-sensitive skin in mind, La Roche-Posay’s lotion cleanser will remove impurities without making skin feel dry or irritated. The refreshingly short ingredients list includes glycerin (a classic hydrator) to keep that all-important moisture balance in check.

Another hit from science-y brand The Inkey List, this one ups the ante with a dose of exfoliating fulvic acid as well as powerhouse antioxidant kakadu plum. With regular use, dry, rough patches will be renewed and any lingering pigmentation – be it from breakouts or too much time in the sun – will fade away.

As the name suggests, this smart formula from Hollywood's favourite skincare people does much more than simply cleansing the skin. The lightly foaming gel (the surfactants are those used in most baby products) contains salicylic acid to deeply detox pores, as well as dead cell-dissolving glycolic acid and antioxidant vitamin E.

2-in-1s are not all bad. This face wash combines the cleansing benefits of a foaming wash with the gentle exfoliation of a facial scrub. It has a gentle, yet effective, formula that cleans off any lingering oils, dirt or dead skin, and leaves your face feeling fresh and tingling thanks to the use of eucalyptus and peppermint.

This foaming cleanser uses aloe vera extract to boost hydration. Especially suitable for people who live in cities, its anti-pollution formula utilises two alpine herb ingredients to protect the skin from dirt, pollutants and the drying effects of hard water.

Formulated with caffeine, this energising face wash from Nivea Men works to instantly revitalise the appearance of your skin (albeit only for a few hours), while also working to rid it off excess dirt and oil. For longer-lasting anti-ageing effects, follow up with a suitable serum.

This gentle face cleanser is suitable for all skin types, as well as sensitive skin. It gently purifies and controls sebum (oil) production without leaving skin dry. 98.7% of its ingredients are of natural origin and also it's vegan, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and mineral oil-free.

This foaming cleanser from Kiehl's gently removes dirt and delivers a moisturising feel. This is a pH balanced cleanser, formulated with Squalane, Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitamin E and Avocado Oil, which essentially means that it's non-irritating and non-drying, so should prevent your skin from feeling itchy or tight.

This ultra-gentle cleanser from Medik8 utilises rosemary leaf oil to help slow the signs of ageing and limit the irritating effects of external stressors. Massage into a moistened face every morning and evening, and gently remove by splashing with water and patting your face dry.

For those looking for a super gentle face wash that's suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, this foaming cleanser from The Ordinary uses glucosides, natural ingredients commonly found in baby products, to remove dirt and environmental impurities while maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier. It's also free from fragrances and additives.

Aesop's Amazing Face Cleanser not only smells great thanks to its citrus, floral and fresh aroma, but it also cleans skin effectively without leaving it feeling too dry.

This face wash from They Grey contains charcoal to deeply cleanse your skin, remove the presence of dirt, and clear away excess oil form clogged pores.

This face wash is designed to sweep away everything your skin may pick up throughout your day — from dust to dirt to pollutant particles — and leave it blemish-free. This one is best suited to those with an oily skin type.

Simple and inexpensive, it may not be the nicest to look at, but what really counts is how well it works. Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser does the latter very well. It has a creamy, soap free formula, and is suitable for normal to dry, sensitive skin.