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Any well-rounded skin care routine consists of a few key steps: cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and, last but not least, applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. To help take a routine to the next level, using serums, toners, and weekly treatments are easy ways to enhance the basics. But with so many options on the market, it can sometimes be tricky to determine what the best skincare products for men actually are. Which is why we have done the hard work for you and pulled together a short list of some of our favorites.
These top-rated essentials from popular brands like Kiehl's Since 1851, EltaMD, Murad, and others come highly recommended from editors, skinfluencers, and beauty enthusiasts alike (with some pulled directly from men's routines in our Go to Bed with Me series). Plus, with Father's Day right around the corner, many of these products are eligible for quick delivery with expedited shipping or purchase on Amazon, and happen to make great gifts for both the dad with a 16-step routine and the skincare minimalist. Here, 18 of the very best skincare products for men to shop now.
Right now, during Kiehl's Friends and Family Sale, you can take 25 percent off the brand's range of skincare, including the largest size of this best-selling cleanser to help him feel a little more awake in the morning.
Aesthetician Sean Garrette loves incorporating this hyaluronic acid serum into his rotation while his skin is still damp. "I love PCA," he previously told BAZAAR.com. "I like this hydrating serum because it has ceramides and niacinamide, so it's really nourishing and helps strengthen the skin barrier, which is the protective layer of your skin. It just makes my skin super plump—I love this serum."
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton uses these cooling under-eye patches on a regular basis to de-puff and relax. Because they come in an eight-pack, they're the gift that keeps on giving.
If your dad or partner has sensitive skin, consider gifting him this popular luxe and soothing moisturizer from the experts at Augustinus Bader.
No skin care routine is complete without the addition of an effective sunscreen, which is why this dermatologist-recommended pick is one of our everyday go-tos (and beloved by more than 30,000 Amazon customers).
"I like to finish off with a lip mask," celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin previously told BAZAAR.com of his skin care routine. "This one from Tatcha is incredible, it's the Kissu Lip Mask, and this is like a really hydrating lip jelly that's made out of peach nectar—I'm obsessed with this product. It doesn't really taste like anything, but it's really, really comfortable, and there's no weight to it."
For those with sensitive skin, this gentle cleanser uses naturally derived ingredients like coconut and sugar to remove dirt and oil, plus chamomile, calendula, and aloe to soothe irritation.
Treat Dad to a spa day at home with this rejuvenating face mask that contains bentonite clay and charcoal to remove excess oil, dirt, and bacteria deep within his pores.
More than 700 Ulta shoppers are raving about this brightening, vitamin C-based eye cream, which is gentle enough for both day- and nighttime, and also contains entirely vegan ingredients.
YouTube’s favorite doctor, Dr. Mike Varshavski, swears by this non-greasy, featherweight moisturizer from Murad for his nightly routine. It contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and coconut extract to moisturize without being too heavy.
If he prefers using a physical sunscreen rather than a chemical one, consider picking up a tube of this top-rated sunscreen from Supergoop! Because it's formulated with a blend of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and leaves behind a matte finish, he won't have to worry about any excess shine.
This popular lip balm comes in six signature flavor options, including natural mint and shea butter, pineapple mint, and grapefruit and ginger. Plus, it has broad-spectrum SPF 25 for sun protection.
Garrette is also a fan of using this Paula's Choice balm to double cleanse, which he says is ideal to combat uneven texture and hyperpigmentation.
To keep his complexion as smooth as possible, Pharrell Williams uses this gentle exfoliator from his brand, Humanrace. It features a blend of chemical and physical ingredients like glycolic acid and rice particles to sweep away dead skin cells.
"My skin is more combo to dry, and sometimes it can be a little dehydrated, especially around my eye area," Garrette says. "So I love eye creams for morning and night now." To moisturize dry under-eyes, he reaches for this de-puffing cream from Sunday Riley, which feels lightweight on the skin. "You literally need the tiniest bit; I use my ring fingers and bring that all around my eye area," he adds.
Here's a vitamin-enriched moisturizer from Fresh that won't weigh his skin down and is ideal to even skin tone and texture while brightening dark spots.
For bald (or balding) men, an exposed scalp is another area of the skin to keep protected. This SPF 30 sunscreen is formulated for both the scalp and face, and won't leave behind a ghostly white cast once it's rubbed in.
For a more elevated balm pick, consider this matte option from Chanel that aims to keep his lips moisturized for up to eight hours per wear.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, those designated male at birth often have a thicker and tougher dermis layer than those designated female. This skin difference often causes deeper, more furrowed wrinkles from repeated muscle movement, with increased testosterone contributing to oilier skin.
In addition to these factors, it's important for men to determine their overall skin type—dry, oily, combination, or "normal"—to incorporate the right products for their overall skin needs. Keeping up a consistent regimen also plays a key factor in the effectiveness of one's daily skin care routine.