Skip to content
In this article, we're calling out seven of the most bizarre, misguided (and frankly horrific) skincare blunders that men are making.
We've scoured the depths of Twitter (now X) to uncover some truly heinous skincare crimes.
If you’ve ever thought hand sanitizer could double as face wash or decided dish soap was "good enough," consider this a wake-up call.
(And because we know you'd never openly confess to these slip-ups, we’re also handing you the no-nonsense fixes that’ll leave you looking less like a dried-up sponge and more like an actual human.)
Ready to face the ugly truth?
Mistake 1. Water And Soap
If you think splashing water and a bit of soap counts as skincare, you are very much mistaken.
Water alone doesn’t cleanse, and soap dries out your skin. You’re leaving behind dirt, oil, and the remnants of yesterday’s grind.
Is Washing Your Face with Bar Soap Effective?
No; no it does not. But don't just take our word for it, according to Healthline: "Putting a bar of soap directly on your face can be abrasive and irritate your skin. Bar soaps can be drying. Any cleanser you use on your face needs to have moisturizing ingredients. Most traditional bar soaps don't contain these ingredients and will strip your skin of moisture."
What to Do Instead
Grab a facial cleanser. One that’s gentle, pH-balanced, and actually designed for your skin. Use it morning and night, ditch the soap, and you’ll be amazed at the difference.
Mistake 2. Confusing Hand Sanitizer With Face Wash
The only reason your face feels tight after using hand sanitizer as a face wash (shudder) is because it's full of alcohol, which evaporates quickly after being applied - sucking your skin's moisture with it.
Afterwards, you're left with dry skin stripped of its natural oils. The harsh ingredients in sanitizer also disrupt your skin's natural barrier, which will almost certainly lead to dryness and irritation.
So while you might think your skin is tight and clean, it's actually dehydrated and irritated.
What to Do Instead
Anything. Do anything other than using hand sanitizer as a face wash.
But seriously, if you want that clean, fresh feeling without ruining your chances of ever seducing a woman again, just use a fash wash like normal people.
Mistake 3. Exfoliating With A Potato Scrubber (Oh Boy...)
If you think using a potato-scrubbing glove is clever, think again. It might be innovative, but you might as well go at that handsome mug of yours with a cheese grater.
We can't quite believe we're having to write this, but scrubbing with abrasive kitchen utensils can cause micro-tears in your skin.
This damage isn’t visible at first, but it invites irritation, inflammation, and even scarring.
What to Do Instead
Be normal. Use a proper facial scrub. It removes dead skin cells without shredding your face.
Mistake 4. Febrezing Your Hair
OK so this isn't a skin care mistake but it's so horrific, we had to include it here.
Let’s set the record straight: Febreze might freshen up your gym bag and your socks (urgh), but it has no business on your mane.
Air fresheners contain chemicals that don’t belong anywhere near your skin, hair or scalp.
Do you really want to smell like a teenager's bedroom?
What to Do Instead
If you want to smell good, use a Hair Conditioner with a subtle, natural aroma.
Mistake 5. Clorox Wipes As Face Wipes
Using Clorox or Lysol wipes on your face is not a good idea.
These wipes contain bleach and other chemicals that can wreak havoc on your skin, stripping away natural oils and potentially causing burns.
As a general rule of thumb: bleach is not to be used as a skincare product. Your skin does not like bleach. Bleach does not like your skin.
What to Do Instead
Stick to cleansing wipes made for your face. They’ll remove dirt and oil without removing the skin from your face.
Mistake 6. Vodka As A Cleanser
Vodka might be great for shots, but it’s a disaster for skincare. Using it on your face will only dry you out and irritate your skin.
Sure, it "kills germs," but it also kills any chance you had at hydrated, healthy skin.
What to Do Instead
Use an actual cleanser.
A simple face wash will do wonders without burning your skin or drying it out.
7. Dish Soap For Your Face
If you're washing your face with dish soap, you have serious problems. That stuff is designed to strip grease, and it’s way too harsh for facial skin.
Dish soap leaves your face dry, flaky, and over time, can lead to serious irritation.
What to Do Instead
Invest in a face wash, exfoliator and moisturizer designed for, you know, faces.
It’s a small step up from dish soap, but your skin will feel a thousand times better for it.
A simple daily skincare system that cleanses, prevents breakouts and hydrates - leaving you with vibrant, youthful-looking skin that doesn’t feel dry or uncomfortable.
SHOP NOWFinal Takeaway
If you’ve recognized yourself in any of these "techniques," consider this your wake-up call.
Do not bleach your face. Do not use a potato peeler on your face. And please don't Febreze your hair.
Skincare doesn’t have to be complex, but it does need to make sense. Invest in a few basics, ditch the kitchen supplies, and see what a difference real products can make.
Challenge: Try just one of these tips for a week. Your face will thank you—and so will everyone else who has to look at it.
