With a myriad of lotions, potions, ointments and creams out there promising to cure your acne, soothe your dry skin, mend your boiler and do your laundry, it can be a confusing task to pick a face wash that simply does what it says on the tin or, err, tube.

And with cosmetics brands embroiled in a jargon-fuelled arms race, it’s not uncommon for the average guy to find himself scratching his head in the toiletries aisle while haplessly trying to decide whether the invigorating skin cleanser or the exfoliating facial gel would best suit his needs.

Which is why we’ve taken it upon ourselves at FashionBeans to sort the wrinkle-preventing wheat from the chai tea-infused chaff and bring you a carefully selected edit of the best face washes for men and the reasons they’re worth investing in.

Buying Considerations

Obviously, a good face wash should, well, wash your face, but the perfect one will also keep it in tip-top form too and help manage unwanted skin conditions.

“For healthy-looking skin, you need products that not only clean but hydrate as well,” says Claire Fynn, brand manager of skin cleansing at Unilever. “The right product will do exactly that, leaving you with healthier and stronger skin in the long run.”

Keeping your face nourished is just as vital as keeping it clean, meaning you should take a few minutes to consider a few factors before slapping any old gunk on it.

Ingredients

The skin on that delicate little face of yours is much thinner than on the rest of your body and is therefore is generally more sensitive, so it pays to know what you’re putting on it.

Parabens are a family of chemicals used to increase the shelf life of grooming products such as body washes and shampoos. While there’s no definitive research to show that they’re dangerous, some studies suggest they can wreak havoc on that handsome mug of yours, particularly if you’re prone to dermatological issues such as eczema or psoriasis.