When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
And don’t get all existential on me—let’s keep things as surface-level as possible here. How are those pores looking? Any bags under your eyes? Taken a wrinkle inventory lately?
Don’t answer that. Any of that. At least not before taking a spin through my top eight picks for the best face products for men. By the time you reach the end of this list, you’ll be armed with the knowledge and products to combat any and all less-than-ideal areas of your visage.
The first thing you need to understand is that your face is a topographic enigma. Cracking its code takes trial, error, patience, rinsing, and repeating. Put another way, you’ll need to experiment with several products catered to different areas of your face.
Chin up, though. Even if your skin care routine bobs and weaves from here, I’m confident that this is a great place to start.
Face washes. Lotions. Shaving creams. Under-eye repair products. All are present and accounted for. Now get out there and start experimenting, you face-conscious rascal.
Sorry for saying “face-conscious rascal” back there.
Key Takeaways
To find the best face care products for men, I began by poring over dozens of products, reviews, ingredient lists, and even my own cache. The resulting eight products on this list are the best of the best based on factors that include but aren’t limited to ingredients, uses, value for money, general skin feel, and overall efficacy.
My top overall pick among the best face products for men is Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser, which should be considered a staple in every man’s bathroom. Close on its heels is my budget pick of CeraVe’s AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion—another must-have on your vanity.
Why it’s great: Regardless of how “fancy” your arsenal of face products is, you’re spinning your wheels if your routine’s foundation isn’t a quality facial wash. Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple face wash is paraben- and phthalate-free, smells fantastic, and is free of harsh chemicals that could damage your skin over time.
Add an approachable price tag to this impressive roster of skincare benefits, and Purity easily finds its way onto my list of the best face products for men.
Who it’s for: Got a face? Great. This is for you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Finding a negative to this product was an exercise in nitpicking. That said, some still may find its reasonable-yet-decidedly-not-cheap price tag a deterrent.
Item Form: Liquid | Skin Type: Oily, Combination | Scent: Meadowfoam seed oil | Standout Features: Paraben-free, Phthalate-free, Meadowfoam seed oil
Why it’s great: Which brings us, of course, to the Jack Black segment of our lineup. The Texas-based grooming product brand is a staple in many a man’s arsenal.
And lest you forget that your lips are a part of your face and also demand care and attention, allow me to remind you by way of Jack Black’s Nightmode Lip Treatment. Its rich, moisturizing formula contains hyaluronic acid, manuka honey, chamomile butter, and other natural ingredients to hydrate dry lips throughout the night.
Who it’s for: Some guys can get away with the occasional ChapStick swipe and call it a day. Other guys (yours truly included) need something much more thoughtful, specially formulated, and effective. This is for the latter camp.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: By its very formulation and nature, Jack Black’s Nightmode Lip Treatment doesn’t make for a good everyday carry. It’s one of the best face products for men, but it is also a niche product that’s best left at home for pre-bed deployment.
Item Form: Balm | Skin Type: Dry | Scent: Unscented | Standout Feature: Hyaluronic acid, cruelty-free
Why it’s great: CeraVe’s AM face lotion is pretty much the total package in terms of the best face products for men. It’s a budget-friendly, effective, oil-free, fragrance-free, ceramide-packed, daily-use facial moisturizer that also happens to protect your face from UV exposure. Slap on some of this SPF 30 goodness before heading out the door and you’re good to go. I’m partial to the “slap” technique, but I’ll also accept “gently apply.”
Who it’s for: As evidenced by its over 62,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, CeraVe’s AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion hits the sweet spot for most men’s faces. It’s an accessibly priced workhorse with more bells and whistles than you’d expect from a product at this price point.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: A handful of reviewers complain of piling and clumping with frequent use. Thankfully, though, this is a wallet-friendly product that stands at the ready for some A/B testing.
Item Form: Lotion | Skin Type: All | Scent: Unscented | Standout Feature: Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, Ceramides
Why it’s great: A charcoal face wash, a moisturizing balm, and a charcoal exfoliating scrub. Oh that? That’s the all-star trifecta otherwise known as Lumin’s Smooth Operator Detox Trio.
Lumin’s products are formulated specifically for men’s skin, and the ingredients that make up this trio of products were thoughtfully formulated to address signs of aging like wrinkles, puffiness, and the dulling of skin.
Who it’s for: The Detox Trio is definitely for all 3,500-plus people who gave it a 5-star review on Amazon. But if you’re not one of them, just know that this outstanding skincare kit will be a solid fit for any guy who’s intentional about how he takes care of his skin but isn’t too fussy about it.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Committing to three products with one purchase isn’t for everyone, even if it’s the best face products for men. If you’re more of a cherry-picker, you’ll want to look elsewhere on my list.
Item Form: Cream, Balm | Skin Type: All | Scent: Unscented | Standout Feature: Odor- and dye-free, paraben-free
Why it’s great: If singing a bar soap’s praises from the rooftops is wrong, I don’t want to be right. I’ve been using this face and body soap from Dove Men+Care for years and have never come across its equal.
First things first, the lather and foaming are exceptional. Definitely not what you’d expect from an everyday drugstore bar soap. From there, the hits just keep on coming. It’s cruelty-free, hydrates dry and sensitive skin, and is lightly yet noticeably scented in all the right ways. This is definitively one of the best face products for men.
Who it’s for: Body-wash purists and 10-step Korean skin care routine enthusiasts need not apply. But if you’re already a bar soap guy or aren’t opposed to trying a new (and inexpensive) product, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s tough to argue with nearly 21,000 5-star Amazon reviews (and, ahem, my glowing review), but bar soaps (even the best face products for men) aren’t for everyone. Then again, there’s also a body-wash counterpart so… yeah, I hereby crown you a Dove Men+Care guy.
Item Form: Bar | Skin Type: Sensitive, All | Scent: Extra Fresh | Standout Feature: Cruelty Free
Why it’s great: Portland, Maine-based Brickell Men’s Products uses all-natural ingredients such as aloe, activated charcoal, hyaluronic acid, and green tea in its Daily Advanced Face Care Routine II kit. Wash, moisturize, scrub, rinse, repeat, accept praise and adoration until the end of time.
Who it’s for: If you’ve thought about going all-in on a face care routine but either never got around to it or didn’t know where to start, save yourself some trial-and-error and start here, with one of the best face products for men.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Similar to Lumin’s trio of products, this skin care routine is an all-or-nothing proposition.
Item Form: Gel, Cream | Skin Type: All | Scent: Unscented/Peppermint | Standout Feature: Certified organic
Why it’s great: Founded in 1752 (you heard me), Caswell-Massey is the oldest soap and fragrance company in America. “But Kelly,” you ask, “Was George Washington partial to the legendary company’s Number Six fragrance?” Ah, thought you’d never ask. Yep.
Moving on, Caswell-Massey’s shaving cream is paraben-, phthalate-, and sulfate-free and has been formulated to lift and separate hairs to ensure the smoothest possible shave.
Who it’s for: Fancy yourself a shaving-product connoisseur? Caswell-Massey’s shaving cream is about as thick, luxurious, and storied as it gets.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Unless you’ve got the budget to make this an everyday shaving cream option, you’ll likely find its size and longevity limited.
Item Form: Cream | Skin Type: All | Scent: Almond, Number Six, Woodgrain Sandalwood | Standout Feature: No parabens, sulfates, or phthalates
Why it’s great: Putting any Blu Atlas product in the “luxury” file is tricky. All the touchstones of luxury are there: Thoughtfully packaged products. Paraben-, cruelty-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free ingredients. Vegan formula. It goes on.
But perhaps surprisingly, you’re working with competitive prices as well. The New York-based company’s Restorative Eye Stick helps combat dark, puffy under-eye circles by way of natural ingredients like Vitamin C, algae extract, and caffeine.
Who it’s for: Maybe you suffer from seasonal allergies. Maybe you’re a man of a certain age and gravity’s doing its gravity thing. It doesn’t matter how dark lines or under-eye bags occur—if you’re got them, this powerful, portable stick is for you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Though few and far between, some reviewers of this product complain of a burning sensation and limited efficacy.
Item Form: Liquid | Skin Type: Sensitive, All | Scent: Unscented | Standout Feature: Paraben-free, Phthalate-free, Cruelty-free, Sulfate-free
Buying Considerations For the Best Face Products for Men
Ingredients
The best face products for men are the ones that incorporate all-natural ingredients and avoid parabens and sulfates. The presence of the former and the absence of the latter promote healthier skin and moisturize without causing irritation.
Heavily fragranced formulas can also irritate sensitive skin, so be sure to factor that into your ingredient considerations.
Skin Type
Not all of the best face care products for men are created equal. This is especially true when it comes to which ones are best for specific skin types. If you have acne or dry skin, for example, you’ll want to prioritize products catered to addressing those specific conditions.
There’s a face product out there for every skin type, so don’t skimp on the research when choosing the right one for you.
Routine
There’s a product out there (nay, hundreds of products) for every inch of every face, regardless of your skin type and unique needs. Honing in on the right lineup for you depends on your specific grooming routine and which areas of your face you want to prioritize.
To help you navigate your seemingly endless options of the best face products for men, start by researching things that align with your particular grooming routine and target areas. Or just follow my lead and call it a day.
How We Chose
As a fashion and grooming writer at FashionBeans, I compare, test, and research the products that make a gentleman a gentleman. If it can be worn, carried, or used in a way that elevates your look and feel, I’m into it.
For this review, I pored over trusted sources, customer reviews, ingredient specifications, and my own experience to understand what makes the best face products for men. After comparing more than 50 products, the resulting eight are what I’m calling the best of the best. Some of my key considerations include:
Purpose: “Face products” is a very broad stroke. That in mind, I made every effort to prioritize versatile products with universal functionality. Face washes and moisturizers are cornerstones of every men’s grooming routine, but sleeper products like lip balms and shaving creams also deserve their time in the sun.
Customer Reviews: I read through dozens of product reviews in search of both positive and negative throughlines before citing various perspectives throughout this list.
Price: Yes, you need your face products to work, but you also need the expense to make sense for your current financial situation. With the selection of incredible products on the market today, there’s no need to overpay for anything. I kept that consideration top of mind when choosing the best face products for men.
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to deciphering the essence of style and grooming, Kelly Larson stands out as a beacon of expertise. He has a prolific 12-year tenure in the fashion and grooming industry, and his insights are not just words on a page—they are a compass for those seeking guidance in a sea of trends.
Witness his detailing of the best casual shirts and the best Diesel colognes.
To compile this list of the best face products for men, Kelly went the hard yards so you don’t have to, sifting through a myriad of industry and reviewer information and also using his trial-and-error learnings to inform the content.
Final Verdict
The best face products for men are made with quality, lightly scented, natural ingredients. And if they happen to be free of parabens, sulfates, and other ingredients that may damage or irritate your skin, all the better.
You’ve got plenty of options, but it behooves you to start your routine with my top overall pick of Philosophy’s Purity one-step facial cleanser.
FAQ
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The foundation of every face-grooming routine is overall cleanliness. That in mind, the best face product for men based on my extensive research is Philosophy’s One-Step Facial Cleanser. Value-conscious and made with natural ingredients, it should be considered a staple in every man’s self-care regimen.
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Be it oily, dry, sensitive, or “normal,” it all depends on your skin type. If you’re looking for a catchall, crowd-pleasing profile, look for lightly scented products made with all-natural ingredients that are free of sulfates and parabens.
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Most men wash their face with either bar soap, body wash, or face wash. It depends on your specific skin type, but your safest overall bet is going with a lightly scented face wash derived from natural ingredients.
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