How to properly wash your face: Men’s guide to clean skin.

Your face is your identity. It’s how you present yourself to the world, what people notice first when they meet you, and what they think about when you’re on their mind.

Ultimately, our faces define us—which is why blemishes, acne, and other imperfections can be such confidence killers.

Treating your face with a proper wash and care routine is key to preventing these issues and ensuring you always look—and feel—your best. That’s why we’ve created this definitive guide on how to face wash. Men of all skin types, keep reading. You’re about to discover how to make face care an easy part of your everyday routine. 

Why washing your face matters.

Even for the most rugged among us, facial skin is delicate, so using the wrong products can cause negative reactions. While you may be tempted to lather up with the same soap and water as the rest of your body, this can lead to dryness, breakouts, and other skin issues. 

In fact, when we use the wrong skincare products, men in particular tend to suffer:

• Dry skin

• Edema (fluid retention or swelling)

• Erythema (reddening and patchiness)

Not to mention, using the wrong facial care solutions—or forgetting to wash entirely—can lead to oiliness, clogged pores, and other dermal detriments. 

Getting the right products for your skin type, learning how to use men’s face wash, and adopting a few essential skincare practices can help prevent these issues, leaving your face smooth and clear.

Steps to washing your face correctly.

It’s time to learn how to properly wash your face. So, let’s get into it:

Step 1: Find the right face wash for your skin type – Face skin is usually classified as dry, normal, oily, or somewhere in between. Luckily, MANSCAPED® Skin Ultra™ Face Wash is designed for all skin types—so there’s no need to assess, stress, and hunt for the right solution. 

Step 2: Wet your face with lukewarm water – Cup your hands and splash from the tap—or add face washing to your shower routine.

Step 3: Apply cleanser in gentle, circular motions – Use your finger tips or, for extra exfoliation, The Face Buffer from MANSCAPED®. Don’t rub too hard—that’s a recipe for irritation. 

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly – Keep washing until all the cleanser is rinsed off.

Step 5: Pat dry – Make sure to pat, rather than rub, to avoid irritation.

After this quick process, you’ll be clean, fresh, and ready to take on the world—as long as you avoid these common face washing faux pas. 

Common mistakes men make with face wash.

Wondering “How to wash my face properly?”

In addition to following the steps above, make sure to also avoid:

• Using bar soap or body wash – As mentioned, regular body soaps can cause irritation as they’re not formulated for the more sensitive skin on your face. Low pH balance cleansers can also dry out the cells in your stratum corneum (your outermost layer of skin). Many soaps also contain acetone, alcohol, and other harsh ingredients that lead to further dryness, roughness, and potentially even peeling. Additionally, certain men suffer allergic reactions from the fragrances, preservatives, and dyes in regular body wash.

• Washing too often – Your face has its own biome with a variety of different microorganisms living and thriving alongside you. While it may sound strange, these microbes actually prevent other, more harmful bacteria from taking over your skin cells. Washing too often reduces the presence of these beneficial microorganisms, creating the conditions for more malicious microbes to take root.

• Rubbing too hard – Oftentimes, men with skin irritation—especially redness, itchiness, and dryness from dermatitis—scrub their faces harder, hoping to relieve their symptoms. However, extra force isn’t the answer. Instead, choose a higher quality face wash and, if necessary, an exfoliating face buffer to alleviate skin issues without the strenuous scrubbing.

How often should men wash their faces?

So, now you know how to use face wash for men. But how often should you actually be scrubbing your mug?

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends washing your face twice a day with a suitable cleanser—though this may vary based on your skin type and lifestyle.

For example, if you sweat regularly—such as through exercise or at your job—the AAD suggests cleaning your face as soon as you're finished perspiring to prevent oily buildup. Meanwhile, if you have particularly dry skin, washing once a day may help preserve more of your dermal moisture. 

Aftercare: What to do post wash.

To keep your face clean, properly moisturized, and healthy, follow each cleansing with the right aftercare products for your skin type. We recommend:

• Moisturizer – Quality moisturizer keeps your skin soft and hydrated throughout the day without feeling greasy or oily.

• SPF solutions – Persistent sun exposure damages the skin, causing uneven pigmentation and accelerated aging. Add sunscreen into your morning routine and, if you’re outside during the day, reapply often to keep your skin protected.

In addition to these aftercare products, incorporate a face retinoid serum into your skincare regimen to reduce signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. face brightening serum also helps fight aging while illuminating your skin and improving its tone.

From your face to your feet, MANSCAPED® keeps you clean.

Now you understand how to face wash, men. But do you know where to get cleanser, body wash, and other self-care products specifically formulated for men’s skin?

For all your men’s skincare and beard products—plus grooming products—trust MANSCAPED®. Our lineup has everything you need to look and feel your best. 

From face wash to moisturizer, body buffers, and more, MANSCAPED® is your partner in personal care.

Sources: 

National Library of Medicine. The Prevalence of Sensitive Skin. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6533878/ 

National Library of Medicine. Adverse Cutaneous Reactions to Skin Care Products on the Face Vary with Age, but not with Gender. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6234074/. 

National Library of Medicine. Human skin type classification using image processing and deep learning approaches. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10656243/. 

National Library of Medicine. CLEANSERS AND THEIR ROLE IN VARIOUS DERMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3088928/.. 

National Library of Medicine. Facial Skincare Routine Adherence in the General Population. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11735236/. 

National Library of Medicine. Rubbing the skin when removing makeup cosmetics is a major factor that worsens skin conditions in atopic dermatitis patients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33040474/. 

National Library of Medicine. A single-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluating the effect of face washing on acne vulgaris. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17014635/. 

National Library of Medicine. Natural and Sun-Induced Aging of Human Skin. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4292080/.