We don’t want to make any of you reading this feel old, but the time when we could safely ignore a skincare regimen has passed. It’s time to get serious about taking care of your skin before all the wrinkles and the bags under your eyes become something you can’t fix anymore, and all that means you need a great face wash. These are our favorite face washes you won’t find at the grocery store.
ManCave Willowbark Face Wash
If you’re the kind of guy that doesn’t want to spend a significant portion of your paycheck on the weekly take home shopping, but you still want to exercise some brand loyalty, we can’t fault you for going with the ManCave line for all your grooming needs. In addition to an excellent (caffeinated!) shampoo, ManCave makes one helluva mug cleanser with their Willowbark Face Wash. It’s mild. It has a subtle, musky scent. It’s not incredibly foamy. It’s formulated with enough of the good barks, plants and vitamins to make your face look like you actually got a good night’s sleep instead of partying until an hour before you had to be at the office. What more do you want for just over ten bucks? $12
Baxter of California Daily Face Wash
Long before Google, before online shopping guides, before the Internet in general, or before most of us were born, Baxter Finley started making men’s skin care products because no one else was doing it. After five decades of research and development, it’s safe to say his company Baxter of California has a jump on the competition, and that’s never been as true as with the company’s Daily Face Wash. Don’t get us wrong, the Baxter deodorant and aftershave are both phenomenal, but this daily face wash blows them both out of the proverbial water with its coconut-derived, antioxidant-infused, fragrance-free and soothing formula. This is one product that your significant other is going to steal from you. It’s that good. $17
Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser
In around twenty years, Jack Black–we’re talking about the men’s product line, not the actor/musician–has grown to be one of the world leader’s in men’s skincare. The Carrollton, Texas based brand has always focused on helping guys get right with a proper product regimen even though having a proper product regimen seems like the least manly thing ever. Their Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser is a powerful, multi-functional cleanser that tears through grit, grim and excess oil without drying out your skin. Dead skin cells, clogged pores and excessively oily skin will be a thing of the past with this multipurpose product. $20
Brickell Purifying Charcoal Face Wash
Listen up. If you’ve never purged your skin of a day or evening worth of crap with a charcoal based wash you have no idea what you’re missing. Activated charcoal “cleanses the pores of oil, bacteria, free radicals and other facial irritants without drying out sensitive skin.” Combine it with oils and aloe to put your skin on an all expense paid trip to protective layers, moisturization and a thoroughly nourished face. That’s all great. Brickell Purifying Charcoal Face Wash will even do all of those things. But this particular, activated charcoal face wash is on this list because it will leave you feeling so damn refreshed and ready to go in the morning that you might even be able to skip those first few cups of coffee. $25
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash
When it comes to products you intend to put anywhere near your skin, if Kiehl’s makes a product for your intended purpose it’s a safe bet that product is gonna be one of the best on the market. Much like their fantastic sunscreen, Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash combines almost two centuries of company history, research, development and expertise with a price tag that isn’t exactly what we consider cheap. But if you’re willing to pony up a few extra bucks, this gel cleanser made with caffeine, menthol, vitamins and extracts will leave your skin ridiculously clean while preparing you for the day ahead. $33
Anthony Algae Facial Cleanser
You know how every guy has that one friend from high school or college that’s the same age as you but seems to have much better skin than you? That guy is probably using Anthony Algae Facial Cleanser. The company will tell you that “Algae cleanses and refreshes, Aloe moisturizes dehydrated skin, while extracts of Azulene, Lavender and Rose Hip Oil calm and soothe.” They definitely forgot at least one period in there, but the sentiment is right on the money. This face wash will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to kick the day right in the ass the same way you would after a whole pot of coffee. It doesn’t hurt that it also happens to smell heavenly. $36
