Journal · 3 min read

Face wash vs body soap: what should men use?

If your face feels tight and squeaky after washing, your cleanser is probably too strong for it.

1 / 4

Face skin is not body skin

The skin on your face is thinner than the skin on your body, and it's exposed all day to sun, dust, sweat and air conditioning. Body soaps and many shower gels are made to remove a lot of oil from large areas of thicker skin. On the face, that can strip too much and leave it dry, tight or irritated.

A small amount of face wash is enough.

2 / 4

Signs you need a face cleanser

Your face feels tight or squeaky right after washing.
You get dry patches, especially around the nose and eyebrows.
Your face gets oily again quickly after washing.
Your skin stings when you put anything on after washing.

3 / 4

What to look for in a face wash

Look for a gentle cleanser made for the face, with mild cleansing ingredients (amino-acid or glucoside cleansers are common examples), no strong fragrance, and a texture you'll actually use: gel for normal to oily skin, cream for dry skin. Wash for about 30 seconds with lukewarm water, then pat dry.

4 / 4

The short version

Keep body soap for your body. Use a gentle face cleanser for your face, morning and night, and follow it with a light moisturizer.

We're building HAWK around routines like this. Three products, in development in Dubai: a face wash, a serum and a light gel moisturizer. Tell us what you need and get early access.

Take the 1-minute survey

More from the Journal

General information, not medical advice. If you have a skin condition, talk to a dermatologist.

Help build HAWK.

One minute. Your skin, your routine, your call. Every answer shapes the first products.Finish it and get early access: first to hear, first to order at launch.

Take the 1-minute survey

9 quick taps · about 1 minute · no spam · early access

Not now? Get launch news by email WhatsApp Channel