8 Best face washes for men with dry skin: Rehydrate by 2024

If your skin is dry, then you shouldn’t be reaching for just any old cleanser. The traditional foaming facewash could actually be contributing towards the feeling of over-stripped on your skin.

Whether you’re experiencing dry skin from an overabundance of actives or it’s your natural skin type, a nourishing cleanser is key for your routine. The best face washes are essential for men who have dry skin to combat the rough patches and tight feeling.

Using a creamy cleanser might feel odd if you’re used to washes with a lather, especially if you’re also acne-prone, but it’s your best defense against dry skin. Inside of that richness, you’ll find humectants that draw moisture from the air and help your skin retain it, and emollients, also known as occlusives.

They prevent the loss of water through transepidermal channels. In short—cream cleansers lock in lots of lasting hydration and heal the skin barrier if you’re pimple-prone.

You can also use mild exfoliating agents. These ingredients remove rough skin, leaving a smooth, supple finish. Not every dry skin cleanser should contain exfoliants. This is especially true if you have sensitive skin. It’s easy enough to rely on serums or a clay mask for that.

Without further delay, let’s take a peek at the 8 best face washes for men with dry skin.

The Key Takeaways 

This assignment began with me poring over hundreds and hundreds of pictures, customer reviews, even my bathroom cabinet, until I narrowed it down to 8 finalists.

Overall, the tops among the best men’s face washes for dry skin is La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Cleanser because it’s recommended by derms, contains barrier-repairing ingredients, and is adequately priced.

I like that it moisturizes without leaving my skin feeling tight and dry. Kate Somerville Goatmilk Cleanser has a hydrating lotion-like formula that is great for deep cleansing.

Why it’s great: Dermatologists love this face wash, and not just because it’s widely accessible and moderately priced. The creamy, silky texture is gentle and effective on both dry and oily skin.

It’s packed with barrier-repairing goodness like niacinamide, Ceramide-, and prebiotic water that is rich in selenium, a powerful antioxidant. And because it’s pH balanced, it will help prevent redness and irritation. It belongs in every grooming kit.

Who is this for? If your skin is itchy, red, or sensitive, you’ll appreciate the soothing, repairing nature of this cleanser. It’s a solid option for hydrating dry skin at a great price point.

There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. This men’s face wash for dry skin contains niacinamide, a key ingredient for skin barrier health, but it can be irritating to some.

Benefits: Barrier-repairing, fragrance-free | Size: 15.52 oz | Feature: pH balance | Scent: Unscented

Why it’s great: This goat milk cleanser is so good it sounds like something you could eat. It contains highly nourishing ingredients such as jojoba oil, avocado and manuka to soothe stressed, agitated skin.

The creamy consistency is calming and hydrating, while easily removing dirt and makeup. I personally use it when my skin feels extra sensitized, and it’s certainly one of the best face washes for men with dry skin.

Who is this for? Because it’s so darn gentle and hydrating, this cleanser is ideal for red, stressed, and highly sensitive skin.

There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. This dry skin cleanser may be expensive, but it’s highly effective. This would make a great gift for any man.

Benefits: Smoothing, Calming and Hydrating | Size: 4 oz | Feature: You can also find out more about the following: | Scent: Honey

Why it’s great: It doesn’t get much better than this budget face wash that’s packed with skin-healthy vitamins and minerals typically found in luxury cleansers.

The gentle cream is infused with bakuchiol (a natural retinol substitute) and cica, which offer a mild, natural exfoliation for uneven, scaly skin. Paired with aloe Vera and rice milk, this men’s face wash for dry skin is pretty soothing and calms redness.

Who is this for? Because it’s 98.9% natural and approved by the National Eczema Association, this is a great affordable face wash for those suffering from itchy, dry skin.

There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. As per the label, it cannot be used around the eyes, so it’s not the best for make up removal.

Benefits: Natural, fragrance-free and non-foaming | Size: 6 oz | Feature: Cica and bakuchiol | Scent: Unscented

Why it’s great: Cerave has been a staple for years. This gentle but effective non-foaming cleanser contains the classic ingredients to nourish dry skin. It has a beautiful, lotion-like texture that’s boosted with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to plump the skin.

This hydrating effect will also last throughout the day thanks to controlled release technology.

Who is this for? This is a simple and budget-friendly cleanser that moisturizes dry skin.

There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. Although this is one of the best face washes for men with dry skin and also widely available and low-priced, it’s not natural.

Benefits: Fragrance-free, Moisturizing, non-foaming | Size: 8, 16, 19 oz | Feature: Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides | Scent: Unscented

Why it’s great: If this dry skin cleanser were priced a little lower, it would’ve been my top pick. With a clean, pH-balanced formula that maintains the skin’s natural acidity, it’s consistent and reliable.

This is a very gentle, unscented cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin. Aloe, glycerin and antioxidants help to give skin a supple, smooth feel.

Who is this for? If you’re acne-prone or dealing with redness, you’ll appreciate that this men’s face wash for dry skin helps to reduce flare-ups.

There are flaws, but they’re not deal breakers. I wish that this cleanser were a little cheaper, but it’s absolutely worth every penny.

Benefits: Fragrance-Free, Moisturizing | Size: 2, 8, 11 oz | Feature: sensitive skin | Scent: Unscented

Why it’s great: DHC’s water-soluble oil cleansers are based on the idea that like dissolves alike. They bind to impurities and sebum to penetrate deeply and cleanse the pores.

The oil cleanser is usually the first step of double cleansing to remove make-up, sunscreen and other products. But it can also be used alone as long as your face is washed with water. This product is packed full of nourishing ingredients, including antioxidant olive oil, toning rosemary oil, and Vitamin E, that are essential for dry skin.

Who is this for? Cleaning oil will remove stubborn makeup or sunscreen residues if you apply it daily. The amount of time it takes to remove sunscreen varies.

There are flaws, but they’re not deal breakers. This is one the best facewashes for men with dry, rough skin. Some reviewers with sensitive or irritated skin have reported some slight redness. If this sounds like you, then it’s best to look elsewhere.

Benefits: Fragrance-Free, Moisturizing | Size: 7 oz | Feature: Natural | Scent: Unscented

Why it’s great: This Mediterranean superfood cleanser is perfect for stressed, dry skin. It is great because it not only cleanses the skin but also locks in moisture. The Greek yogurt and seawater are used to hydrate and hydrate deeply the skin, while the pre- and probiotics help to nourish it.

Amaranth seed oil is high in fatty acid, which boosts the skin barrier. This face wash starts off creamy and turns into a bubbly, gentle lather.

Who is this for? Highly nourishing, this men’s face wash for dry skin is great for sensitive skin or dry, stressed skin that needs some extra nourishment and protection.

There are flaws, but they’re not deal breakers. Test it first on a small patch to see if you have dermatitis.

Benefits: Fragrance-free, Moisturizing, gentle | Size: 5.07 oz | Feature: sensitive skin | Scent: Unscented

Why it’s great: If you’d rather have a gel consistency instead of cream, this lightweight cleanser gently cleanses without disrupting the skin barrier or giving your skin that tight feeling afterward. It makes the skin silky, and contains glycerin which helps to plump up the skin.

Who is this for? Sometimes, in humid climates or hot summer months our skin needs a lighter formulation. This men’s face wash for dry skin will remove sweat and grime that accumulate during the day while still enriching the skin.

There are flaws, but they’re not fatal. Though it’s fragrance-free, some reviewers have complained about the scent.

Benefits: Fragrance-free, Moisturizing | Size: 7.8 oz | Feature: Gel cleanser | Scent: Unscented  

What to Consider When Buying the Best Face Wash for Men with Dry Skin

Texture

Many foaming cleanser are too drying and can leave the skin feeling tight. Thus, it’s critical to choose a cleanser with a creamy, lotion-like texture. It’s not going to give a big lather and can take some getting used to, but your skin will appreciate the soft, hydrated feeling.

For those who like foam, cream to foam formulas are available. Oil cleansers can also be used to remove dirt, sunscreen, and oil.

Hydration

Hydrating ingredients should be the first priority in men’s face washes. Humectants, emollients and moisturizers are needed to prevent moisture loss and add moisture. You can find hyaluronic and aloe acid in these products.

There are many ingredients that hydrate dry skin and do multiple jobs. Ceramides, squalane, and niacinamide for instance, all help to repair skin’s barrier functioning while also locking in hydration.

Exfoliation 

Your skin can be naturally dry, but dryness can result from a damaged barrier and the use of too many actives, a common occurrence in our ‘dry it out’ culture. So, it’s important to proceed with caution when using exfoliating ingredients.

Some of the best men’s face washes contain natural exfoliants that are mild and hydrate. Exfoliation can also be beneficial for skin that is dry and flaky.

Cica is a super ingredient that’s common in K-beauty. It exfoliates mildly, improves the skin barrier, and prevents acne scarring. Bakuchiol is a plant-derived alternative to retinol that performs the same function. These are good options for skin that’s both dry and acne-prone.

How We Decided

Many face washes claim to cleanse the skin without over-stripping the moisture barrier, but many don’t deliver. Skin health is not improved by that squeaky clean feeling, especially if your skin is already very dry.

I choose the best face wash for men who have dry skin by looking at the reputation of the brand, how the customers rate the product and what each formulation contains to determine the result of each ingredient.

Reputation of the Company: It is important to consider how the public perceives a business. Delivered on time, do they have good quality products? Do they have a long history of delivering or is it a relatively new company that has great potential?

All these factors are taken into consideration when I choose the best facewash for men who have dry skin.

Customer Reviews What customers say online is always important to me. Are they happy with the product? Would they be willing to purchase it again? In my decision-making, I am primarily concerned with what people have to say.

Ingredients: Face washs can make claims about hydrating or cleansing the skin, but if the ingredients are not listed, they may not deliver as promised. Does it contain hydrating ingredients? Ingredients that help repair skin barriers are included? I am sure to review them in their entirety before placing a men’s face wash for dry skin on this list.

Why should you trust us?

Rachel Cascella, who has been a leader in the grooming-and fashion industries for many years, shares her knowledge on Fashionbeans to help men look and feel better. She is thorough in her approach, comparing products and taking into account the needs of men who have dry skin.

She’s no stranger to writing about skincare. Whether it’s overall skincare products, a solid skincare routine, or something more honed in, like moisturizers with SPF, she demonstrates her commitment to providing readers with well-researched and trustworthy advice.

Rachel’s extensive experience in grooming and skincare products is reflected in her research on the best face wash for men with dry, flaky skin. She carefully selects products for review, based on the ingredients, effectiveness and feedback from grooming communities.

Rachel’s work is driven by her passion for empowering individuals through knowledge and the right products, making her recommendations reliable and well-founded. Her dedication to uncovering the best in men’s grooming ensures that readers are receiving advice from a seasoned expert who understands the nuances of skincare and fashion.

Final Verdict 

Face washes are the best for men who have dry skin because they should moisturize, contain skin barrier-repairing agents, and cleanse without leaving skin feeling stripped. La Roche Posay Toleriane Gentle Face Cleanser by Derms is my first choice because it’s gentle, hydrating, affordable, and dermatologist-recommended.