Moisturization, repaired skin damage, that fresh-faced feeling – the best face wash for black men always manages to go above and beyond your average facial soaps. When the best lotion for black men needs a skincare sidekick, you can count on these top cleansers to back you up.
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Shea Moisture Facial Wash & Scrub (Our Top Pick)
Shea Moisture always promises relaxation and hydration on a dime, which is perfect when trying to get rid of ashy skin. I’m a huge fan of their soaps and lotions (that’s the best way to get all those satisfying shea butter benefits), but their face wash does live up to the company name.
Their facial wash doubles as a scrub, so you get a cleanser and an exfoliator all in one. At the same time, it’s a gentle product with little to no scent, so you can get away with using it every day (unlike normal scrubs). But by far, it’s biggest perk is how easily it tackles stubborn breakouts. Seriously, it’s a skin care miracle worker.
Plus, Shea Moisture is owned and operated by black entrepreneurs who constantly give back by funding other minority-owned small businesses through their community commerce fund. They have authenticity and ethics that not every brand can achieve.
Pros:
• The most moisturizing face soap you’ll ever find
• Amazing for sensitive skin
• Visibly repairs skin damage and cures breakouts
• Extremely affordable
Cons:
• Not my favorite Shea Moisture product, but still beats out the competitors.
• Be careful about using face scrubs too often; that can sometimes lead to irritation.
Bevel Face Wash
Bevel’s founder, Tristan Walker, is a black man who’s built his career in skincare by promising to make all-natural products built for black skin and hair. So I’ve always considered Bevel an extremely safe bet for black skin care.
With aloe, coconut, and witch hazel, this face wash not only preserves the moisture in your skin, but it has ingredients to help repair skin damage and even your complexion.
Plus, the smell is satisfyingly unique. It’s fresh yet earthy, with something citrus-y thrown in for good measure. Your skin will feel fresh afterwards, which is not something that every face wash manages to achieve.
Fun fact: We also chose Bevel’s face wash as one of the best pre shave face washes out there.
Pros:
• Made by and for men with black skin
• Cleanses, moisturizes, and repairs skin damage
• All-natural ingredients
• Cool, unique scent! Manly, but not overbearingly so
Cons:
• Can’t skip out on moisturizer afterwards
Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap
Trying to manage facial hair and sensitive skin simultaneously is a hard game to play. Luckily, Alaffia’s authentic all-in-one African black soap gives you a leg up.
Their slogan is “clean, green, and fair trade beauty,” so they market their skin and hair products more so towards women. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take advantage of just how gentle and natural their face wash is.
Plus, the scent (citrus ginger) is more than manly enough. It won’t linger on the skin like a cologne or lotion, but it does smell fantastic while you’re using it. Best of all, the soap itself is moisturizing, so it’ll tag team with your moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. It’s packed with shea butter.
Pros:
• Unique but manly citrus ginger scent
• Moisturizing shea butter to keep your skin soft
• All-in-one face wash, great for skin and beard
Cons:
• Has more of a reputation as a women’s soap
Brickell Purifying Charcoal Face Wash
Charcoal is an amazing cleanser, but it has one huge downfall. It’s just so dehydrating.
Luckily, Brickell Men’s has packed this facewash with some of your favorite moisturizing ingredients so that you can get all the benefits of charcoal without it’s raisin-skin side effects. Aloe, jojoba seed oil, waxes. Not only will it hydrate your skin, the wax products also give you that nice protective layer so that your skin retains that moisture.
Plus, Brickell is just one of those classic men’s brands. I know plenty of guys really want their skincare products to give them that aftershave smell that pairs well with a crisp cologne and a button down. Brickell Men’s products always come with that manly guarantee. For these reasons and more, we also voted it as one of the best men’s face wash brands for dry skin and one of the best men’s toner brands.
Pros:
• Deep-cleansing benefits of charcoal paired with lots of hydrating ingredients
• A manly product to give you that confident oomph in the morning
Cons:
• Definitely use this face wash with a moisturizer, without a doubt. Charcoal is still drying, so you have to be ready with a lotion on hand.
Revision Gentle Cleansing Lotion
It may not sound like a soap, but Revision’s gentle cleansing lotion is actually a deeply moisturizing face wash. If I only had to use one word to describe it, I’d have to go with soft.
While you’re using it, you’ll notice just how creamy it feels against your skin, and afterwards you’ll notice just how creamy your skin feels in turn! All of Revision’s products are validated by physicians, so they’re not messing around when it comes to your skin’s short- and long-term health.
My one complaint would have to be that it’s marketed as a women’s anti-aging brand. It doesn’t have much of a scent, so you can use it as a gender-neutral product, but I’m always wary of anti-aging products. They often over promise themselves. It’s a good face wash. Leave it at that.
However, Revision’s products are sold at doctor’s offices, so you have to give them props for that.
Pros:
• Deep moisturizing face wash
• Physician-approved skincare products
• Gender neutral scent
Cons:
• Expensive as hell
• ”Anti-aging,” which often means overpromising.
Frank Edwards
Frank Edwards is a men's grooming & style expert who is "internet famous" for being able to simplify complicated grooming routines into easy, yet effective rituals any man can do. As a professional analyst, he has spent years researching the biggest brands, products, experts, best practices, and breaking news in the space. He takes this analysis, tests it out on himself, and then documents everything in his writing. As a result, his experience-based articles are considered by some to be the gold standard in men's grooming and men's style.