Face Wash vs Soap : Which is better?

Keeping your face clean is the key to clear, fresh, healthy-looking skin.

But what’s the best thing to use? A face wash or a bar of soap?

We want to make sure you give your face the cleanse it deserves so we’ve outlined the pros and cons of each so that you can make the right choice.

You can probably guess from the image what we’re going to suggest!

But because we know that our face wash is an investment we want to explain why it’s one that’s worth making.

First things first:

Why you need to wash your face every day 

Whether you have normal, dry or oily skin, washing your face daily is the key to keeping your skin looking fresh, clean and healthy.

• Washing will clear away the excess oil and dirt that can build up and cause breakouts and also lead to a dull complexion.
• It clears away dead skin cells, preventing clogged pores that can lead to ingrown hairs from shaving. And it's the key to getting rid of blackheads.
• Your face is also exposed to free radicals every day which cause your skin to age. Cleaning your face prevents them from doing more damage, and helps your skin to stay looking younger.
• If you’re prone to acne, it’s even more important to wash your face daily. Washing will clear away excess sebum and bacteria and reduce the inflammation that contributes to acne.
• And for you bearded gents, washing your beard every day will keep dryness and beard dandruff at bay - as well as any unpleasant odours! – and promote strong, healthy growth as well.

But what to use?

The temptation is to reach for the same bar of soap that you use in the shower, lather up your face and get on with your day. If it’s OK for the skin on your body, it should be OK for the skin on your face, right? Well, no.

Why a bar of soap is not good enough for your face 

Yes, using a typical bar of soap on your body is fine. It will effectively clean your skin. But the cleansing agents are too harsh for the delicate skin on your face. A bar of soap will strip your face of natural oils and disrupt the delicate pH of your skin, damaging your skin’s protective barrier. This can lead to dryness and irritation, and leave your skin feeling tight.

Paradoxically this will cause the sebaceous glands on your face to produce more oil… resulting in your face wearing a greasy sheen all day and leading to irritation and breakouts.

When skin is overly dry and flaky, it can also lead to premature fine lines and wrinkles forming.

And for a man, the last thing you need is dry, irritated skin before you shave!

Even the mildest soap is going to be too harsh and drying for your face.

But soap is very economical, so here’s why a face wash is worth the expense…

Why a face wash is better than soap 

Facial skin is much more delicate than the skin on other parts of your body, and a good face wash will have been designed for this more sensitive skin.

The skin on your face is thinner and more susceptible to signs of aging. There is a finer layer of fat under the skin here. As a result, wrinkles form more easily on your face.

Your face is also exposed to the elements which can lead to premature aging. Unlike the skin on the majority of your body, your face is often in direct contact with elements like UV rays from the sun, and pollution.

There are also more oil glands on your face. This can make it look oilier and shinier than elsewhere. But this oil has anti-microbial properties and serves to lubricate and protect your skin – warding off bacteria. When soap strips away these natural oils it can stop your skin from functioning normally and causes your skin to overcompensate by producing too much oil.

So the skin on your face needs gentler treatment than the skin on the rest of your body.

Face washes are better than soap because they are milder in nature and have a lower pH level than soaps.

They will work with your skin, without stripping away essential oils and drying it out.

Why OTIS Daily Face Wash is the best face wash for men 

Our Daily Face Wash has been specially designed for a man's skin.

It's a gentle, exfoliating face wash that will keep your face looking clean and fresh - without drying out your skin. It includes key ingredients to not only clean your face but also to improve the look and feel of your skin, and give you a glowing, healthy complexion.

OTIS Daily Face Wash is made with:

✔  Glycerin to hydrate your face and prevent any dryness

✔  Lactic Acid to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells, unclog pores and stimulate cell renewal

✔  Tea Tree Oil to purify your skin and help to regulate excess oil

✔  Black Tea Extract, rich in anti-oxidants, to help defend against environmental damage

✔  Aloe Vera to soothe, hydrate and condition your skin.

It cleans and gently exfoliates your face at the same time, giving you all of the benefits of exfoliation, to leave your face clear, bright and healthy-looking. All in one easy step. 
More bang for your buck!  

This face wash works for all skin types - even if you have sensitive skin.

Best Exfoliating Face Wash for Men

How often should I wash my face? 

Try to wash your face twice a day – am and pm. And if you’re doing any sweat-inducing sports you should clean your face after that too.

AM – Washing your face first thing in the morning kick-starts your day. If your skin feels clean and refreshed at the start of the day then chances are you will too!

Even if you don't see any visible oil or dirt on your skin when you look in the mirror, there’s a build-up of oil and dead skin cells that have accumulated throughout the night. And it’s a good idea to clean them off of your face before they have a chance to clog your pores.

It’s also helps to cleanse your face before you shave. By removing dead skin cells, your razor can run more smoothly over your face.

PM – In the evening you need to remove the general grime and bacteria that we all come into contact with during the day, as well as any oil that has accumulated on your skin. So washing your face again in the evening is a must.

AFTER SPORTS – It’s also good practice to wash your face after a workout. This clears away any sweat build up and stops it becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. The salts from sweat can be drying and irritating too so it’s vital to wash it off of your skin.

How do I wash my face? 

You may think that you don’t need instructions on how to wash your face, but it’s worth making sure that you’re getting the job done properly – without doing any harm to your skin.

First, wet your face with warm (not hot) water. Squeeze a small amount of face wash onto your fingertips, and massage on to your face in circular movements. Spend about 30 seconds on this with most of your time spent on those areas where you tend to have a build-up of blackheads and excess oil, typically in your T-zone of forehead, nose and chin.

Always massage gently. Then rinse, and pat your face dry with a clean, soft towel.

If you have acne, don’t rub at your skin with the towel, as this could irritate your face.

Make sure to keep a separate small towel just for your face. Don’t use the one that you use for the rest of your body.

Women know to always do this, but guys are not taught this and it’s really important.

Also, try to wash the towel at least once a week.

And that’s it…. You’re all done!

The Takeaway

Cleaning your face every day is going to make all the difference to how your face looks and feels, so it’s definitely worth using the right product.

Bar of soap – this is fine for your body, but soap is too harsh and drying for the delicate skin on your face

Face wash – on the other hand a good face wash is much milder. It will clean your face efficiently but without stripping away your skin’s natural oils.

OTIS Daily Face Wash – our face wash works so well because it was created with a man’s skin in mind.

It contains Glycerin so it won’t dry out your skin, and Tea Tree Oil to help regulate excess oil production. It also has  Aloe Vera to soothe and regenerate your skin, and an antioxidant (Black Tea Extract) to defend your face against the daily damage caused by free radicals.

And because we have added a gentle, natural chemical exfoliant (Lactic Acid) it does double-duty - cleaning and exfoliating in one easy step.

This face wash is the best even if you have sensitive skin.

Now you can get out there with a fresh, healthy glow, knowing that you’re doing the very best for your skin!

All you need to stay looking handsome. 
SHOP THE ROUTINE.

PRESTIGE SKINCARE FOR MEN.
MADE IN FRANCE.