I started using a face wash about a year ago after reading an article in GQ that recommended face wash as a gentler alternative to bar soap, which can strip natural oils from your skin and leave your face as dry as a burnt piece of wheat toast. A face wash is a mild liquid that activates with water, is pH balanced, and is alcohol- and soap-free, so it’s a whole lot easier on your mug than a bar of Irish Spring.

With this in mind, Be Better Guys took up the challenge to try out some of the leading, widely available face washes and let you know what we think of this stuff. We give you the lowdown on which ones work and which ones might be better for washing your dishes than your face. We’ve ranked them in order of preference.

I have what’s called combination skin, meaning some areas are dry (cheeks, neck) at the same time others are oily and can get zits (nose, forehead, chin). The keys for me were twofold – did I get acne even after using the face washes and how dry did my face feel a minute after using the products? The rankings above are what worked for my face; your skin’s different so pick up some samples and experiment for yourself.

Kiehl’s, Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash:  Kiehl’s asks, "Why drink coffee when you can use the caffeine directly on your face?" Combining caffeine with menthol and lemon and orange extracts, Facial Fuel was the most gentle on my skin and left it feeling refreshed without the tightness and dryness I had experienced with all the other products. The low-key scent didn’t get in the way of my cologne. This was the hands-down winner – I barely needed any moisturizer after using Kiehl’s. It isn’t cheap, but for me, it was the best.  $16 for 8.4oz, available at Kiehl's.

Jack Black, All Over Wash for Face, Hair & Body:  It’s a shampoo, a face wash, and a body wash all in one tube?  Please. But you know, Jack Black was gentle on my skin (it’s got a heavy dose of an ingredient called panthenol, a moisturizer), didn’t suck my face dry of its natural oils, and smelled good. What could be next? Steak with all the benefits of spinach?  A very good product at a competitive price.  $13 for 6oz, available at the Grooming Lounge and Sephora.

L’Oreal Men’s Expert, Power Clean Anti-Dullness Face Wash:  It may have the longest name in the business, but this stuff works and works well. Not too drying, not too gloppy, the Anti-Dullness Face Wash didn’t make my face look any less dull than it already is and the blast of menthol was invigorating…just like the tube said. For the price, I felt it was right up there with Anthony and Jack Black for half to a third of the cost.  $7 for 5oz, available at local drugstores.

Tie:  These next two are all very solid, but they are all somewhat drying so keep the face lotion nearby.

Zihr, CLEAN Face Wash:  Like the Neutrogena, the Zirh Face Wash uses salicylic acid for acne prevention. That means one thing – it’s pretty drying on your skin. Not as much as the Neutrogena mentioned below, but it definitely felt harsher than the others. And the citrusy smell was really reminiscent of lemon-scented Joy, which I use on my dishes, not my face.  $16 for 8.4oz, available at the Grooming Lounge, Sephora,  and Zihr.

Neutrogena Men, Skin Clearing Face Wash:  The Neutrogena Face Wash has a hefty dose of salicylic acid, which apparently helps to prevent zits. I used it for a while and while I didn’t get any zits (strangely, I still get zits and I thought my Mom said they’d stop at 21), my skin felt as dry as an old sponge. I smelled good, though, so it gets points for the fragrance, but keep the face lotion close by if you use this stuff. $6 for 5oz, available at local drugsores.

Gillette Complete Skin Care, Cleansing Wash:  Gillette’s entry into the mix may have tea tree oil, eucalyptus and rosemary and spearmint extracts but frankly, I thought it felt like slathering my face with Hellman’s Mayonnaise. It goes better on my BLT than it does on my face. Not to mention the fact that my face was dry as hell after I cleaned the glop off…with a spatula. For all of Gillette’s efforts on perfecting the razor, they should put more effort into their face product line.  $6 for 5oz, available at local drugstores.

The Takeaway
Whatever you do, it’s time to stop using bath soap on your face and start using face wash. Your face takes enough of a beating as it is (sweating, shaving, sun exposure, dirt and grit, the back of your Mom’s hand), so don’t aid the aging process any more than you need to. Some face wash, a decent face lotion, and a facial scrub a couple times a week and you’re well on your way to a cleaner, softer, clearer face. And women dig a clear, soft face…get to it!