As a foundational step in your skin-care routine, face wash plays an important role in ... glycolic acid, or alpha hydroxy acids, Gold says. Those will remove extra oil, debris, and dirt buildup ...

When you picture exfoliating your skin, you likely think about using a brush or face wash with small beads that physically work ... That's made up of products that include alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) ...

If you have acne-prone skin, look for a face wash with acids, like salicylic, AHA (alpha hydroxy), or BHA(beta-hydroxy). These ingredients help slough away dead skin cells that can cause breakouts.

Update on March 11, 2025: Added the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel under “Best Face Washes for Men With Combination Skin”; added the PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser under ...