Exfoliating Face Wash with Peppermint
Men's Grooming Best Buy
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Volcanic rock (perlite) exfoliant is gentler and more uniform than crushed shells
- +Surprisingly rich botanical lineup including willow bark, licorice root, and aloe vera
- +Exceptional value at under $8 for a well-formulated exfoliating cleanser
- +Invigorating peppermint-eucalyptus experience appeals to men new to skincare
- +Effectively smooths skin texture and helps prevent post-shave ingrown hairs
- +Rinses clean without leaving a stripped or tight feeling on skin
- +Widely available at major retailers making it easy to repurchase
- −Peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and menthol are documented skin irritants
- −Completely unsuitable for sensitive, rosacea-prone, or eczema-prone skin types
- −Cooling sensation may sting on freshly shaved or nicked skin
- −Physical exfoliation makes it risky for daily use alongside other active treatments
- −Essential oils add fragrance that sensitive individuals may react to
The full review.
About Harry’s
Makes well-made products at fair prices.
Myth
All men’s face scrubs are identical.
Reality
This formula considers ingredients beyond just the exfoliant.
How to Use
Massage onto a wet face and rinse.
Texture
Gritty, but the particles have no sharp edges.
Scent
Peppermint, eucalyptus, and menthol provide a strong cooling sensation.
Packaging
A simple, functional tube.
Best Season
Any.
Common Praise
Effective exfoliation and good value.
Common Complaints
The cooling sensation may irritate skin.
Pairs Well With
Other Harry’s products.
Conflicts With
Sensitive skin.
Best for
Oily, normal, or resilient skin.
Works for
Smoothing skin texture and preventing ingrown hairs.
Not ideal for
Sensitive, dry, rosacea-prone, or eczema-prone skin.
AM routine
Use as a face wash.
PM routine
Use as a face wash.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Water/Aqua/Eau, Palmitic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Myristic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Perlite, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Propanediol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Chloride, Coconut Acid, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Panthenol, Rice Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Shea Butter Glycereth-8 Esters, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Sulfate, P-Anisic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Menthyl Lactate, Potassium Sorbate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Capric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
Exfoliation here is mostly mechanical. Perlite is a natural volcanic glass (rich in silicon dioxide). When heated to 850-900 degrees Celsius, it expands up to twenty times its original volume into lightweight, porous particles with rounded edges. This expansion creates a more uniform particle size distribution than plant-derived physical exfoliants like walnut shell, which break into irregular, sharp fragments. A 2009 study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science shows that uniformly sized, rounded exfoliating particles cause less stratum corneum disruption than irregular particles at the same pressure.
Salix alba (willow) bark extract provides the chemical exfoliation. It contains salicin, a glycoside that skin enzymes convert to salicylic acid. The concentration in this formula is likely too low for keratolytic activity comparable to dedicated BHA products. It acts as a supplement rather than a primary agent.
The essential oils present a known trade-off. Menthol and menthyl lactate activate the TRPM8 ion channel, a cold-sensing receptor in sensory neurons, to produce a cooling sensation. While this provides a specific sensory experience, research in Contact Dermatitis shows that peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) and menthol can cause irritant and allergic contact reactions. Sensitization rates reach 1-2% in patch-tested dermatitis populations.
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists advise caution with physical exfoliants because over-use can compromise the skin barrier. However, perlite-based exfoliants with rounded particles are gentler than crushed nut shells or seed-based alternatives. Board-certified dermatologists note that combining physical exfoliation with peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and menthol creates cumulative irritation potential. This makes the product unsuitable for rosacea, eczema, or contact dermatitis patients. For patients with resilient oily or combination skin wanting a simple exfoliating routine, dermatologists recommend using it 2-3 times weekly and always following with sunscreen, as exfoliation increases photosensitivity.
Where it fits in your routine.
Wet your face with warm water. Squeeze a nickel-sized amount into your palm. Massage it in circular motions across your face for 30-60 seconds, avoiding the eye area. Rinse well with lukewarm water. Use once daily: in the morning for an invigorating start, or in the evening to remove daily buildup. If you shave, use this before shaving to smooth skin and lift stubble, not after. If you use retinol or chemical exfoliants at night, use this 2-3 times per week to prevent over-exfoliation.
At approximately $7.99 for 5.1 ounces, this exfoliating face wash offers outstanding value for its formulation. The botanical ingredients — willow bark, licorice root, rice bran, aloe vera, panthenol — match products costing three to four times more. Harry's lowers costs via mass-market distribution and minimal packaging to pass savings to the consumer. For men seeking an effective, no-fuss face scrub without a grooming-brand premium, the price-to-quality ratio is unbeatable at the drugstore level.
Men (or anyone) with oily, combination, or normal skin want an affordable, effective exfoliating cleanser that feels rewarding. It works well for post-shave roughness, mild texture issues, or dullness. This simple one-step solution costs less than a fast-food meal.
Avoid this if you have sensitive, dry, rosacea-prone, or eczema-prone skin. The peppermint oil, eucalyptus, menthol, and physical exfoliation aggravate reactive skin. Skip this if you use strong prescription retinoids or chemical peels; adding physical exfoliation risks barrier damage.
Product details.
Thick, white paste with visible fine gritty particles from the volcanic rock exfoliant
Noticeable peppermint and eucalyptus scent — fresh, minty, and invigorating
Squeezable tube (5.1 fl oz) has a flip-top cap. The simple, practical design matches Harry's no-fuss aesthetic.
The first wash feels cool because of the peppermint and menthol. The volcanic rock particles feel gritty but not scratchy. Skin feels smoother and refreshed after rinsing. The cooling sensation lasts briefly. Some users find the menthol intensity surprising during first use.
3-4 months with daily use
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
Harry's built its reputation disrupting the razor market with a direct-to-consumer model and transparent pricing. When the brand expanded into skincare, it applied the same logic — straightforward products at fair prices without the premium men's grooming markup. The Exfoliating Face Wash represents Harry's attempt to make skincare approachable for men who might otherwise just use bar soap, with an invigorating peppermint experience designed to make the routine feel rewarding rather than like a chore.
About Harry's
Established Brand (5–20 years)Andy Katz-Mayfield and Jeff Raider founded Harry's in 2013 as a direct-to-consumer men's shaving brand. The company grew into skincare and now belongs to parent company Mammoth Brands. Harry's has strong DTC credentials and mass-market distribution, but its skincare line is newer and lacks the clinical backing of dermatologist-developed brands.
FAQ.
Can I use Harry's Exfoliating Face Wash every day?
Oily and combination skin types can use this daily; the perlite exfoliant is gentler than many physical scrubs. If you use retinol or chemical exfoliants, use this 2-3 times per week to avoid over-exfoliation. Watch for irritation like persistent redness or flaking.
Is Harry's Exfoliating Face Wash good for acne?
Volcanic rock provides physical exfoliation to remove pore-clogging dead skin cells, while willow bark extract offers mild salicylic acid-like activity. This helps with mild acne and texture. For moderate to severe acne, a dedicated salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide product works better.
Does Harry's Exfoliating Face Wash contain sulfates?
It lacks traditional sulfates (SLS/SLES). Palmitic acid, myristic acid, and sodium methyl cocoyl taurate act as the primary, gentler surfactants. It contains sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, which is a milder surfactant than SLS despite the similar name.
Can I use this right after shaving?
Use this before shaving to prep the skin rather than immediately after. The peppermint oil, eucalyptus, and menthol sting micro-abraded, freshly shaved skin. If you wash after shaving, use the non-exfoliating Harry's Face Wash instead.
Is Harry's Exfoliating Face Wash suitable for sensitive skin?
This is not ideal for sensitive skin. Physical exfoliation, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, menthol, and menthyl lactate create multiple irritation triggers. People with sensitive or reactive skin should use a fragrance-free, non-exfoliating cleanser instead.
Community
What the community says.
"Refreshing invigorating feeling from peppermint and eucalyptus"
"Gentle enough for daily use despite being exfoliating"
"Affordable price point for a quality face wash"
"A little product goes a long way"
"Leaves skin feeling smooth and clean without being overly dry"
"Peppermint and menthol can sting sensitive or freshly shaved skin"
"Some users find the cooling sensation too intense"
"Physical exfoliant may be too harsh for daily use on reactive skin"
"Essential oils are potential irritants for some users"
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