How to Wash Your Face Properly: A Two-Minute Method for Men
To wash your face properly, wet it with lukewarm water, work a small amount of gentle cleanser between your fingertips, massage it over your face, hairline, jaw and neck for about 30 to 60 seconds, rinse thoroughly, then pat dry with a clean towel and apply moisturiser while the skin is still slightly damp. Twice a day is plenty for most men: morning and before bed, plus once after a sweaty workout. The whole thing takes about two minutes. Most problems men have with their skin, from tightness to shine to spots along the jaw, come from doing one of those steps badly rather than from the wrong product.
We see the results of face washing every day in the chair, mostly around the beard line, the sides of the nose and the hairline. Here is the method in detail and the reasons behind each step.
The two-minute method
- Wash your hands first (10 seconds). Your fingers have been on your phone, keyboard and the Tube rail. Clean them before they go on your face.
- Wet your face with lukewarm water (10 seconds). Not hot. Hot water feels good but strips the oils that keep skin comfortable, which is why some men feel tight and dry half an hour after a hot shower.
- Use the right amount of cleanser (5 seconds). A pea-sized blob of gel or cream is enough. Rub it between wet fingertips until it spreads. More product does not mean cleaner skin; it means more to rinse off.
- Massage, do not scrub (30 to 60 seconds). Small circles with fingertips over forehead, nose, cheeks, chin and jaw. Do not skip the sides of the nose, the hairline, under the jaw and the front of the neck. These are where oil and sweat collect.
- Rinse properly (20 seconds). Splash ten or more times. Leftover cleanser along the jaw and hairline is a common cause of irritation and flaking.
- Pat dry (10 seconds). Use a clean towel and press rather than rub. Change your face towel every few days. A damp towel hung on a radiator for a week is not doing your skin any favours.
- Moisturise within a minute (20 seconds). Skin that is still faintly damp takes moisturiser more easily. In the morning, a moisturiser with SPF covers two jobs.
How often should you wash your face?
Twice a day suits most skin. The morning wash clears overnight oil and whatever was on your pillow. The evening wash removes the day: pollution, sweat, sunscreen, and the general grime of a London commute.
Wash a third time after exercise. Sweat sitting on skin, especially under a cap or along a beard line, is a common reason for breakouts in men who train. If you have dry or sensitive skin, a splash of plain water in the morning and a proper cleanse at night can be enough. More than three washes a day is usually too many and tends to make skin either drier or oilier as it overcompensates.
Choosing a cleanser without overthinking it
| Your skin | How it behaves | What tends to work |
|---|---|---|
| Oily | Shiny by lunchtime, larger pores on the nose | A foaming gel cleanser |
| Dry | Tight after washing, flaky around the nose or brows | A cream or milk cleanser, fragrance-free |
| Combination | Oily centre, normal or dry cheeks | A gentle gel; avoid anything that leaves you squeaky |
| Sensitive | Stings, flushes or itches with new products | The simplest fragrance-free option you can find |
A bar of body soap is the most common mistake we hear about. Many traditional soaps are more alkaline than skin and can leave the face feeling tight. Our piece on face wash versus soap covers why that difference matters.
If you have a beard
A beard changes the routine slightly. The skin underneath still needs cleaning, and that is where most beard itch and flaking starts.
- Work cleanser through the beard with your fingertips down to the skin, not just over the surface hair.
- Rinse twice as long as you think you need to. Cleanser trapped in a beard dries the skin.
- Pat the beard dry, then apply moisturiser to the cheeks and neck and a few drops of beard oil to the beard itself.
- Wash the beard hair with a dedicated beard wash a few times a week rather than every day. Our guide to how to wash a beard goes into the detail.
Mistakes that undo the good work
- Scrubbing hard. Rubbing with a flannel or rough exfoliant every day irritates skin and can make spots worse. Exfoliating once or twice a week is enough for most men.
- Washing in the shower with the water blasting at your face. Very hot water at high pressure is harsher than people realise. If you wash in the shower, turn the temperature down for that minute.
- Skipping the neck and jaw. Shaving rash and spots in this area are often as much about poor cleansing as about the razor.
- Not moisturising because your skin is oily. Stripped skin often produces more oil. A light, non-greasy moisturiser usually helps.
- Changing products every week. Give a routine three or four weeks before deciding it does not work.
Washing before a cut or a shave
You do not need to do anything elaborate before coming to see us. A normal morning wash is fine. Every visit begins with an assessment, where your barber looks at your hair, skin and what you want, and makes recommendations before starting. If you are booked for a hot towel shave, which takes 20 to 30 minutes, the barber prepares the skin as part of the service, so there is no need to scrub beforehand. Freshly exfoliated skin can actually be more sensitive under a blade.
After a shave or a close neckline, wash with cool or lukewarm water that evening and skip any harsh actives until the next day.
When face washing is not the answer
A good routine helps with everyday shine, dullness and the odd spot. It will not fix persistent acne, painful cysts, eczema, or redness that does not settle. If spots are leaving marks, are painful, or are affecting your confidence, speak to your GP or a pharmacist. The NHS guidance on acne is a sensible starting point and explains when treatment is worth seeking.
Questions we get asked
Can I just use water?
For a morning rinse, plain water is often fine, especially for dry skin. In the evening, water alone does not shift sunscreen, oil and pollution well. Use a gentle cleanser then.
Should I wash my face before or after shaving at home?
Before. Clean, warm, damp skin and softened hair give a closer and more comfortable shave. Rinse with cool water afterwards and moisturise.
Do I need toner, serum and the rest?
No. Cleanser, moisturiser and daytime SPF cover the essentials. Add other products only if you have a specific reason. Our simple skincare routine for men keeps it to the basics.
Can the barber advise on my skin?
Your barber will point out things they notice, such as irritation along the neckline or dryness under a beard, during the assessment at the start of your visit. For medical skin concerns, see your GP. You can read more about our barber services on Archway Road.
Book with The Highgate House
Ready for a proper cut? Email us at [email protected] with the service and the day that suits you, and we will come back to you with times.
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The Highgate House, Archway Road, Highgate, London N6.
