6 of the Best Exfoliating Face Washes On Amazon (For Different Skin Types)

Apart from a good diet and exercise, the key to skin health lies in adopting a great routine. This includes finding the right exfoliating face wash for your specific needs.

We’re rounding up six of the best exfoliating face washes for men’s skin that we’ve come across. Best of all, Amazon carries each one! Easy peasy.

Exfoliating simply means cleaning beyond the surface level of the skin, which also removes unwanted dead cells. By doing this, your skin will also take to moisturizers better.

In this guide to the best exfoliating face washes, we’re going to cover a whole gamut of scrubs, from the best for dry skin to the best for skin prone to acne. We even check out some excellent drugstore picks.

Our Favorite Exfoliating Face Washes

Six of our favorite, and quite highly-rated, face scrubs. Check out all our picks to find one that’s right for your skin.

Best Overall: Viking Revolution Microdermabrasion Scrub

The Men’s Microdermabrasion Scrub from Viking Revolution is the most versatile exfoliator, formulated for oily, dry, and medium skin. It even combats skin irritation caused by shaving, and works well for men with stubble or full beards. 

This scrub is a good option if you’re prone to ingrown hairs.

It’s packed with different antioxidant-heavy ingredients like vitamin E, which is also good for blood health, and portulaca oleracea extract. This extract not only calms and hydrates irritated skin, but can help heal wounds and boasts anti-aging properties.

This face wash removes excess oil from the skin, and leaves you feeling clean, smooth, and balanced after shaving. 

The brand is so confident, they even provide a number to call for people who are dissatisfied with the product.

Best for Oily Skin: Brickell Men’s Renewing Face Scrub

If you’re someone with very oily or blackhead-prone skin, Brickell’s Renewing Face Scrub would work great.  

We often try to remedy extra oily skin with extra abrasive face washes. I get what you’re going for, but that’s not necessarily the best route to take. The rounded jojoba beads in Brickell’s face scrub provide a gentle yet effective exfoliant that removes dead skin cells and excess oil.

Brickell uses quality organic ingredients and you’ll instantly feel the smoothness of your skin after one simple wash. 

Using a formula that works smart, not hard, Brickell Renewing Scrub de-oils you and unclogs pores without jagged exfoliators or overly drying ingredients. 

Best Drugstore Pick: Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Facial Scrub

If you’re looking for an easy-to-find and affordable drugstore pick, opt for the Neutrogena brand. This facial scrub contains glycerin, which allows it to clean deep under the skin’s surface. 

Glycerin treats and prevents rough, scaly, and itchy skin, as well as minor skin irritations. That’s why it’s often used for diaper rashes and skin burns.

If you feel your face tingling, it means the product is working. It’s also one of the few brands that are recommended by dermatologists, and it leaves the skin feeling and looking visibly clean after use. 

Best for Dry Skin: Aveeno Positively Radiant Exfoliating Daily Scrub

Used by men and women alike, Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Scrub is designed to fight dry skin and improve skin texture. 

This scrub features jojoba and castor oils which tones your skin and evens out its surface, as well as soy extract which provides hydration.

One of the benefits of a good toner is that it sets your skin up to more effectively drink up the moisturizer. This scrub tones and hydrates at the same time.

It smells delicious and works for sensitive skin types too. It’s an overall mild cleanser and one of the best if you are new to exfoliation.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Nivea Men’s Maximum Deep Cleaning Scrub

Regardless of the root cause of your breakouts, excess oil will always irritate acne-prone skin. Nivea Men’s Maximum Deep Cleaning Scrub effectively foams away oil, and improves skin texture while doing so.

This is thanks to its Provitamin B5, which protects the skin’s barrier, and helps it retain proper moisture levels. 

A face wash alone can’t completely eliminate acne if it’s caused by something like hormones. But if your hormones are the seeds of your breakout, then surface bacteria and excess oil are the sun and water. 

This face wash contains aloe vera, a strong antioxidant with antibacterial effects, which is why it’s used on wounds too. Basically, it cuts off that sun and water, so the “seeds” have a hard time sprouting.

Overall, this exfoliator gives you an incredibly clean feeling and it smells great. 

Best Chemical Exfoliant: Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

The AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser from Murad is an excellent chemical exfoliant that works for all skin types. 

It’s enriched with ingredients including salicylic acid, which clears clogged pores and loosens dead skin cells, and lactic acids, which brightens and smooths skin while also firming it.

Since the biodegradable beads in the cleanser are smooth in texture, they exfoliate gently without piercing the surface of your skin. Most importantly, Murad doesn’t use animal-derived ingredients, chemically-imbalancing phthalates, or irritating formaldehyde.

FAQs About Exfoliating Face Washes

Here are the most frequently asked questions about exfoliators we’ve come across. Hopefully our answers help!

Is it good to use an exfoliator every day?

In most cases, you don’t want to exfoliate every day. Skin care experts always advise a once-weekly exfoliation is all you need.

I’d heed their advice and exfoliate once, maybe twice, per week at the most.

When do you know you have exfoliated too much?

Over-exfoliation may cause redness on the skin. If this happens, and it doesn’t go away after toning and moisturizing, you may have over-exfoliated, and should hold off until your skin is no longer irritated.

At that point, I’d exfoliate less often. So if you were exfoliating 3x a week and noticing that redness, stick to the recommended 1x per week.

If your skin feels extra irritated, this may also mean that the exfoliator doesn’t agree with you. In this case, you should check with your dermatologist to see if you’re allergic to any ingredients.

When shouldn’t I exfoliate?

Skin care experts suggest that those with inflamed acne and rosacea shouldn’t exfoliate. Also, people with overly sensitive skin should steer clear of abrasive exfoliators. And as always, if you’re unsure, consult your dermatologist… especially if you have problematic or sensitive skin.

How do you use an exfoliator?

Apply your exfoliating face scrub to your hands or facial brush. Gently rub it on your face and neck in a circular motion. It’s best to leave the exfoliator on for a few seconds before washing it off. Then, simply rinse your skin thoroughly.

You’re done rinsing when you no longer feel the exfoliating texturized beads on your skin.

What is the benefit of an exfoliator?

Exfoliators work to remedy skin pigmentation, uneven skin tone and texture, and reduce pores and fine wrinkles. By preventing clogged pores, they also prevent breakouts.

Long-term exfoliation also increases collagen which improves and maintains skin elasticity, and reduces signs of aging.

Which Exfoliating Face Wash will you Choose?

Do you have a favorite exfoliator? If you aren’t reaping any skin benefits from your current exfoliator, perhaps consider one from the list above. 

You’d be surprised at the results you can gain from using the right exfoliator for you.

Exfoliation really cleans the skin, giving you that fresh-faced feeling so that you’re ready to face the world.

Let us know your thoughts or skincare questions on Instagram DMs anytime!