How to Exfoliate Your Face (and Skin) for Men: The Right Way

Most people picture skin as unchanging. It just sits there keeping bad stuff out and good stuff in, right? 

Actually, skin undergoes a never-ending process of regeneration and oil production—critical to maintaining a healthy, protective barrier.

It may be invisible, but this cell turnover is massive—roughly 500 million cells are discarded every day. Factor in oil production, and that’s a ton of buildup. Over time, the accumulated gunk can dull your skin tone and prompt pimples to pop up.

If you’ve noticed these issues, you’re likely searching for a solution. Exfoliation is the answer. But how do you exfoliate your face? That’s what we’re here to share.

What is exfoliation?

Put simply, exfoliation is the act of scrubbing away dead skin cells, oily buildup, and daily product residue.

Think of it like car detailing. When your ride’s clear coat gets scratched and scuffed from months of road life, its sheen dims. Detailers gently sand away the grime and imperfections, revealing a brighter, bolder shade beneath. 

When it comes to exfoliating your face, you have several methods to choose from:

• Physical tools – Brushes, sponges, body scrubbers—all allow for manual exfoliation.

• Skin products – These specially formulated scrubs contain tiny, abrasive beads.

• Chemical treatments – These rely on targeted reactions that dissolve buildup.

Each approach offers unique benefits. For instance, if you have exceptionally sensitive skin, you’ll benefit more from a chemical treatment, rather than a more abrasive method. Physical tools offer the simplest path, while products hit that happy medium.

Why exfoliation matters for men.

Before dissecting the nitty-gritty of the “how to exfoliate face for guys” question, let’s take a moment to appreciate the potential gains. Removing dead cells and excess sebum (the oily substance that retains moisture and safeguards the skin) provides massive advantages:

• Smoother skin texture

• Vivid, even-toned complexion

• Open pores (translation: fewer pimples)

• Superior shave experience (less resistance to razor blades, fewer ingrown hairs)

Less buildup also makes it easier for your skin to absorb products—a huge win for guys using skin serums and moisturizers. 

Dermatologists also extoll the virtues of exfoliation for enhancing collagen production. One of the body’s go-to proteins, collagen lends structure and elasticity to the skin and other organs. More collagen equals fresher features and skin that broadcasts vitality.

And for guys struggling with hyperpigmentation (dark patches, typically from sun damage), exfoliants can help even out skin tone.

Step-by-step: How to exfoliate a man’s face.

Alright, so we’ve gotten fired up about the benefits. Now, let’s get down to business and talk about how to actually get the job done. For this example, we’ll focus on physical exfoliation through products. 

Here’s your “how to exfoliate your face” playbook:

1. Wet your face – Splash your face with warm water (the gentle heat invites pores to open). 

2. Add the exfoliant – Work a small amount of product (roughly quarter-sized) between your fingers and apply it across your face.

3. Massage gently (but firmly) – Use your fingertips to swirl the product in soft circles. Concentrate on high-visibility areas like the forehead and nose, but skip the eye zone.

4. Rinse completely – After a thorough application and massage, use more warm water to flush away residue and lingering product.

5. Pat dry – Grab a soft, clean towel and carefully pat down your face (don’t rub aggressively, as this can irritate sensitive skin).

6. Hydrate – Add a dose of moisturizer post-exfoliation to preserve hydration and soothe your freshly scoured skin.

Gentle but resolute—that’s the name of the game with exfoliation. Go too heavy, and skin grows inflamed. Too light, and the grime stays in place. 

If you do experience a bit of irritation after rinsing the exfoliant (not uncommon), a cold compress can help soothe your fresh skin. Apply one for a few minutes immediately following exfoliation. It’s also a good idea to apply sunscreen if you’re going outside afterward for much-needed skin protection.

You’ll know you’ve done it right if your skin feels fresh, clean, and ready to tackle the day.

When and how often should you exfoliate?

So, you know the how. But what about the how often? Is exfoliation an everyday thing, or a special occasion?

Ultimately, it depends on your skin. Sensitive skin thrives under a “less is more” regimen, while others do best with regular (even daily) scrubs. As a general rule of thumb, aim for 2-3 times a week under normal circumstances.

If you’re going too heavy, your skin will tell you. Signs of excessive exfoliation include:

• Redness and inflammation – If you notice a “flushed” complexion emerging, that’s a red flag.

• Dryness – Skin should remain hydrated and flexible. If you notice crispy, scaly patches, scale it back.

• Sensitivity – If your skin starts reacting to temperature, UV rays, or other skincare products—and it didn’t before—reassess your exfoliation routine.

• Tightness – Skin should feel like it “fits” your face and body. Over-exfoliating can cause a feeling of tightness.

• Acne breakouts – When the skin's protective barrier is fractured, it may crank up oil production to compensate. Acne emerges soon after.

If, after embarking on an exfoliation routine, you find yourself checking any of these boxes, it’s time to recalibrate the game plan.

Here’s how to respond:

1. Take a break – Pump the brakes on exfoliation. Take a week or so off and see if symptoms improve.

2. Pivot to hydration – For over-scoured skin, soothing, reparative moisturizers can help spur rapid recovery.

3. Switch to zinc oxide sunscreen – Sun protection is always critical, but relying on a soothing ingredient, like zinc oxide, can help repair and protect against new damage.

Additionally, maintain normal cleansing, but switch to a gentler cleansing product if your current wash makes the situation worse. 

Once symptoms improve, try reintroducing exfoliation on a once-a-week basis. If tolerated, you can add another session per week. Just remember to go easy and let your body be the guide.

How to exfoliate your face for guys, based on skin type.

The best way to avoid over-exfoliation troubles? Understanding your unique skin type and its needs. Tailoring for skin type lays the foundation of any strong skincare routine. 

Obviously, everyone’s different. But skin can generally be categorized into the following types:

• Normal – A catch-all bestowed on skin that typically stays balanced, tolerates an array of products, and resists acne breakouts. Normal skin places you in flexible territory. Lots of products will work, and routines can stay standard.

• Oily – If your face feels progressively “greasier” as the day rolls on, you probably have oily skin. It happens when the body produces excessive sebum (the substance that retains moisture). Oily skin leans toward acne and clogged pores.

• Dry – Excess oil causes trouble, but so does too little oil. Dry skin stems from an absence of sebum. Dead giveaways include a tendency toward fine lines and wrinkles, flaky patches, and dull skin tone.

• Combination – Some guys experience both dry and oily zones on their faces. Dermatologists call this “combination skin,” and caring for it requires more nuance and strategy.

• Sensitive – People with sensitive skin will instantly recognize the signs: frequent breakouts, eczema and rosacea, quick to redden. Sensitive skin has less to do with an excess or lack of oil and more with innate resistance levels.

Fortunately, while some skin types call for a more tailored approach, all skin types can benefit from exfoliation.

For guys with normal or combination skin types, the general rule of thumb applies: 1-3 times a week with an average intensity exfoliant. No major adjustments required. 

However, the recommendation changes for other skin types:

• Dry – With dry skin, going gentle is your best bet. Stick to exfoliant products (as opposed to mechanical methods, like pumice stones). Harsher tools can leave the skin brittle and covered in microtears—bad news for already parched skin.

• Oily – Since oily skin accumulates a thicker layer of grime, mechanical methods or tougher products can actually be a smart move. Sebum-laden skin can also do with “more” on the “less is more” spectrum.

• Sensitive – Mechanical methods? A definite no-go for sensitive skin. Lean toward the mild section of exfoliant products, and go super light at first. Start with once a week, and gauge your skin’s reaction before adding further sessions. 

These skin type rules apply to full-body exfoliation too. While facial tissue usually calls for the most attention, your whole body can benefit from an exfoliant scrub.

Integrating exfoliation into your grooming routine.

Beyond brightening your features, there are other reasons to add exfoliation to your grooming routine. Exfoliation helps:

• Ensure a superior shave – By clearing debris, exfoliation creates a smooth path for your razor.

• Boost product absorption – With no dead skin cells in the way, your skin can absorb products better. 

• Minimize acne – Exfoliation unclogs pores and prevents the buildup that can cause pimples. 

Even better? You can easily incorporate exfoliation into your routine by picking up all-in-one kits, like the MANSCAPED® Skin Ultra Advanced Kit, which features the Face Buffer: top-shelf mechanical exfoliation.

Or opt for the MANSCAPED® Skin Ultra Daily Kit, which includes the Face Wash Exfoliating Cleanser: a gentle (but potent) chemical exfoliant designed to restore tone and clear pores at lightning speed.

Keep your grooming game on point with MANSCAPED®.

When first learning how to exfoliate skin, men often find the topic mysterious. An enigma. The same goes for grooming in general. 

MANSCAPED® exists to demystify the process and put the proper power tools in your hands. From exfoliation to “down there care,” we’ve got you covered. Our dialed-in kits and crowd-tested tools offer unparalleled groom game support.

Take charge of your look. Reclaim your confidence. Explore the MANSCAPED® skincare for men collection today.

Sources: 

Healthline. How Often Should You Actually Exfoliate Your Face?https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-often-should-you-exfoliate-your-face#average-frequency 

Medical News Today. What is sebum?https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sebum 

Cleveland Clinic. Collagen. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23089-collagen 

Healthline. Here’s How (and How Often) to Exfoliate Your Face and Body for Healthier Skin. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-often-should-you-exfoliate-your-body 

Everyday Health. 5 Benefits of Zinc Oxide for Your Body and Face. https://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-conditions/the-benefits-zinc-oxide-skin/ 

Cleveland Clinic. What Is My Skin Type and Why Does It Matter?https://health.clevelandclinic.org/understanding-skin-types