Best Exfoliating Face Scrubs for Men

When it comes to the fundamentals of grooming, most of you guys have it figured out: wash morning and night, use sunscreen during the day, and apply a moisturizer before bed. But what about exfoliating? If you think cleansing your face twice daily is enough to keep it in the best shape possible, well, we hate to break it to you, but you’re wrong. RELATED: Best Shower Gels for Men “Face washes and cleansers are meant to wash away dirt and impurities from the skin surface, while leaving the skin layers intact,” explains Dr. Shilesh Iyer, a dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group. “[Facial scrubs] go further, by removing portions of the dead skin layer that sits on top of the skin.” So as it turns out, there is a big, fundamental difference between using a face cleanser and a facial scrub. But what is exfoliation, really? We'll get under the skin of that topic below, but the bottom line is that you should both cleanse and exfoliate if you want to keep your face looking its absolute best, and we've rounded up a bunch of the best exfoliating facial scrubs that'll help you do just that Why You Need to Exfoliate The top layer of your skin (under that gross layer of dead skin, anyway) is known as the epidermis, and it serves a couple very important purposes: to protect what’s underneath, and to produce new skin cells. But as you get older, this new skin cell regeneration, or cell turnover, slows down. This leads to dead skin cells accumulating, often resulting in dull skin, clogged pores, and rough texture. That's where an exfoliating scrub comes in. “Using an exfoliator can help smooth and improve skin texture, unclog pores, and even help with acne,” says Iyer. “Overall, exfoliators can give the skin a more polished appearance and reveal a more radiant [complexion].” Add to that the deep cleansing benefits that come with purging dead skin cells that lead to ingrown hair, and you have yourself a magical skin care product for men's skin.  While a good exfoliant can, quite literally, help sweep away a multitude of skin concerns, another great perk of exfoliation is that smoother skin can more quickly and deeply absorb anything you put on it afterwards. (Think serums, moisturizers, and even acne treatments.) That means deep cleansing, even skin tone, and of course, glowing skin.  So what should you look for in an face exfoliator? Celebrity beauty and grooming expert Jodie Boland says that a good face scrub should be both easy to use and gentle on the skin. While fragrance is completely up to you, she recommends finding a face scrub — preferably made from natural ingredients — with “fine granules and a nice creamy texture that easily moves around your face and neck.”  How to Exfoliate As for how often or when to use a face scrub, that all boils down to your skin type and how potent or active your facial scrub is. For example: If you’re using a product with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid, those are both considered chemical exfoliant, so you’ll want to use them less frequently than something that relies solely on physical exfoliating particles such as pumice or jojoba beads. As a general rule of thumb, Iyer advises her patients with more sensitive skin to exfoliate no more than once weekly. On the flipside, she notes that men with thick and oily skin may tolerate exfoliating as often as every other day. And if you think you don’t need a scrub because you have dry skin, think again! The truth is, most skin types — even dry skin — will benefit from going beyond just a face wash. However, the key to scrubbing off dry, dead skin is enlisting a more gentle approach and milder formula. There is one exception, though. If you’re a guy with super sensitive skin or rosacea-prone facial skin, Iyer advises that you steer clear of a facial exfoliator altogether, “as they may exacerbate facial redness and capillary formation.” (If you’re still unsure of your actual skin type and how often you should scrub, ask your dermatologist or aesthetician for guidance.) After determining your skin type, slowly work a facial exfoliator into your weekly grooming regimen. Boland recommends using a men's facial scrub “either in the morning or evening before bed, and at least three to four times a week.” Per Boland, the following steps will help you achieve blemish-free skin: Wet your face and neck with lukewarm warm Apply a quarter-sized amount of face scrub on your fingertips Start on the neck using gentle, circular movements Work your way up the face, avoiding the eye area Rinse all facial scrub off with warm water “You should use a facial cleanser on your facial skin before applying a scrub. But if you don’t have time to cleanse, a facial exfoliator will work as cleanser and exfoliator,” adds Boland. If you’re oily or thick-skinned, pay extra attention to problem areas such as your T-zone, nose, and chin. And don’t forget to exfoliate your lips! You (and your partner) will appreciate how soft and smooth a little scrub can instantly make them. Never exfoliate around the eyes, though, as the skin in that area is thin and fragile. When you're finished, gently pat your face dry with a clean towel. Never rub freshly exfoliated skin because it can potentially irritate and redden. So with all this information, the question still remains: which face scrub is right for you? Keep reading to see our favorite facial scrubs that we're loving right now. Best Face Scrubs for Men Jack Black Face Buff Energizing Face Scrub Free of fragrances and parabens, this favorite facial scrub remains a grooming staple for men with dirty and oily skin. We’re fond of its mild scrubbing factor which eliminates dead skin and excess oils trapped inside pores. It carries the perfect consistency, requiring very little product with each use. The minty aroma is also energizing and will certainly help wake you up. $30 at Amazon.com Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Facial Scrub Developed expressly for men (but beloved by women, too), this exfoliator feels especially good during warmer months. Menthol provides an instantly cooling and refreshing sensation while caffeine helps reduce puffiness and tighten skin. furthermore, apricot kernel oil prevents your face from drying out by adding lightweight moisture. $42 at Kiehls.com St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Face Scrub There is a misconception that any exfoliator found in the bargain bin does more harm than good to your skin. As a beloved AskMen Grooming Award Winner, this dermatologist-tested facial cleanser and exfoliating facial scrub proves skeptics wrong. It's loaded with green tea and salicylic acid, which are clinically proven to clear up acne scars, remove blackheads, and help prevent dreaded ingrown hairs, all without stripping skin of its natural oils. All in all, this affordable face scrub is a solid performer that surpasses its value on performance alone. $4.97 at Amazon.com Scotch Porter Exfoliating Face Scrub Founded by Calvin Quallis, Scotch Porter touts slick packaging and innovative, yet eco-friendly formulas. Fortified with a bevy of skin-healthy botanicals and natural ingredients — such as purifying burdock root, exfoliating pomegranate enzymes, and hydrating aloe — the brand’s newly reformulated facial scrub provides superior results. $13.99 at ScotchPorter.com M3 Naturals Charcoal Face Scrub We’ve preached the good word of activated charcoal long enough to convince you of its magical cleansing properties. This carbon-processed exfoliating facial scrub is combined with a truly undervalued skincare ingredient — dead sea salt — to create a detoxifying sensation that actually removes blackheads for invigorating results. You’ll definitely feel it act as a magnet while it draws out impurities. $25.81 at Amazon.com RELATED: How to Heal Your Sunburn Every Man Jack Revive Exfoliating Face Scrub This popular face scrub is a great introduction to the brand’s all-natural grooming catalog, utilizing key ingredients such as jojoba beads, marine extracts, and peppermint oil to cleanse and nourish your mug. Its mild texture and invigorating scent works on normal skin as well as sensitive skin types. $7.47 at Amazon.com Baxter of California Facial Scrub Along with buffering dead skin cells, this phenomenal face wash also stimulates cell rejuvenation to further produce a fresher, smoother facial surface. The formula is pleasantly gritty with cornmeal and walnut shell pumice, and naturally lightly scented. Best of all, this cruelty-free skincare product ensures that no chemicals or parabens hurt any animals in your quest to keep that precious moneymaker looking good. $21 at Amazon.com Barrel and Oak Charcoal Face Scrub Made with deep-cleansing charcoal and exfoliating volcanic pumice, this face scrub for active men sounds harsh, but it leaves skin feeling soft and smooth thanks to the organic white birch extract. This particular scrub is also scented with Barrel and Oak's now-famous bourbon cedar scent, which strikes strong, pleasing tones that are noticeable without being overwhelming. $15.49 at Amazon.com MALIN+GOETZ Jojoba Face Scrub This rich cleanser provides the ideal solution for dull, dry skin, and it delivers on both promises without any irritation. It gently buffs away dead skin with its finely ground jojoba beads and simultaneously hydrates thanks to its base of glycerin, sodium PCA and sodium hyaluronate, leaving skin soft, clean, and supple as soon as you rinse. $38 at MalinAndGoetz.com Brickell Men's Renewing Face Scrub Made with pumice and jojoba beads for deep exfoliation, and avocado butter, vitamin E, and aloe vera for soothing hydration, this renewing face scrub makes a great choice for just about any skin type. Its abundance of natural and organic ingredients is specially formulated to cleanse and replenish men's tougher skin so you can avoid ingrown hairs and irritation while relishing in a soft, smooth face. $22 at Amazon.com ACURE Incredibly Clear Charcoal Lemonade Facial Scrub If you're battling dull skin as well as acne, this 100-percent vegan scrub is perfect for men with oily skin. It harnesses the power of charcoal for a detoxifying deep clean, and lemon peel and blueberry for gentle, plant-powered exfoliation that sloughs off all the gross stuff at the surface, leaving skin feeling fresh and revived. $14.99 at Amazon.com You Might Also Dig: Best Skin Care Tips for Men Best Summer​ Sunscreens for Men Grooming Awards 2024: Best Face Products