How To Exfoliate Men’s Faces (and the Best Exfoliators To Use)
Isobel is a skincare obsessed Piscean hailing from Byron Bay. She studied law and journalism in Brisbane before moving to Sydney where she’s now living by the beach in Bondi. She’s worked as a Beauty Writer for BEAUTYcrew, a Digital Content Editor for Marie Claire and InStyle, and her words have appeared in Vogue, Gritty Pretty, ELLE, Women’s Health - and of course here - at Adore Beauty.
Something we’re asked all the time is, ‘Should men exfoliate?’
The answer is a definite yes!
By sloughing away dry, dead surface cells, regular exfoliation hugely benefits anyone’s skin.
The perks are countless: skin becomes brighter and more even, texture improves, and even signs of ageing like pigmentation and lines can be reduced.
For men, exfoliation also comes with the added benefit of breakout reduction via the unblocking of facial hair follicles. Sounds like a lot of wins to us!
Now that we’ve resolved whether it’s a thing to exfoliate for men, let’s check out your options for the best exfoliating products for men.
Whether you’re on the hunt for a men's exfoliating face wash, or the best men's exfoliating body wash, we’ve got you covered...
Here Are the Best Exfoliators for Men
A 2-in-1 Scrub and Wash To Streamline Your Morning
This Clarins men’s exfoliating face wash is a brilliant option for those who’d like to cleanse and exfoliate in one go. The creamy formula combines the deep-cleaning benefits of Zinc and Soapwort Extract to purify the pores and whisk away dead cells. It’s great for all skin types and ages, and ideal for use after shaving to reduce redness and irritation.
If you’re hunting for the best exfoliating soap for men, this might just be it. With its convenient stick packaging, it looks simple and unassuming. But this heavy-duty face cleanser is in fact loaded with purifying Charcoal and Green Tea to banish congestion and sweep away surface debris. It’s perfect for normal-to-oily skin types and is free from mineral oils, parabens, and phthalates.
If you’ve heard whispers about a mystical Clinique men's exfoliating face wash in the gym changerooms, this is your guy. In sleek charcoal-coloured packaging, it looks pretty mint sitting in your shower. Plus, it has some serious skincare benefits. This is the best face scrub for men as it combines a physical exfoliating action with chemical exfoliant Salicylic Acid to leave your face touchably smooth. This men's exfoliating face scrub is designed for all skin types and particularly excellent for use prior to shaving, to smooth the way for a cleaner cut.
A No-Fuss Exfoliating Chemical Peel for Men Short on Time
Looking for the best chemical exfoliant for men? While it’s specifically designed as a ‘men’s’ face peel, Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant is still a strong contender for the title. This exfoliating mask contains non-abrasive chemical exfoliants along with Fruit Enzymes, and it couldn’t be easier to use. It’s an excellent peel/mask for men wanting to up the ante on their skincare routine without forfeiting their free time. Simply apply a thin layer to clean skin, then go about your business for 10 to 15 minutes while it works its magic. Rinse it off to reveal smooth, purified, hydrated skin. It’s suitable for all skin types and PETA-accredited cruelty-free.
A Delicious, Lemony Balm To Smooth the Lips
OK, looking for something to exfoliate lips, men? This one from homegrown Australian beauty brand Lanolips is a goodie. And if you’re new to lip scrubs, don’t stress; this applies just like a balm. Simply swipe it on, then rub your lips together to get its ultra-fine Sugar Crystals doing their thing to banish any flakiness. The cruelty-free lip scrub also contains Lanolin to deeply hydrate.
A Men’s Exfoliating Body Wash To Level Up Your Shower Routine
While you’re giving your face all that TLC, don’t forget about the rest of you! Integrating a men's exfoliating body wash into your self-care time will go a long way in keeping your skin smooth, soft, and blemish-free. Grown Alchemist Purifying Body Exfoliant is loaded with Ylang-Ylang Oil to nourish and Peppermint to purify. Plus, this body scrub is vegan-friendly, certified organic, and gluten-free.
How To Exfoliate Men’s Faces
Before racing off to give your mug a good scrub, there’s a few things to know first ...
To start with, these products fall into two categories: physical exfoliants and chemical exfoliants.
Some products even combine the best of both worlds with both physical and chemical actions.
Wondering how to exfoliate for men? The type of product you choose will largely determine this. Some are used just like a face wash while others are applied like a mask.
Regardless of what formula you’re using, it’s important to follow your exfoliation session with hydrating products, including a serum and a moisturiser, to replenish the skin’s moisture levels.
And when it comes to finding the best exfoliator for men, it’s important to know there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
For best results, it’s crucial to grab a product that’s suitable for your skin type and your specific needs.
If you're still curious to learn more about the different types of exfoliants, have a watch of this YouTube video...
So there you have it! All our best recs on exfoliating products for men and our tips on how to exfoliate men's faces.
For more skincare and grooming products made for the fellas, check out our men’s category or have a read through the guides below...
Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.
