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From cleansers to moisturizers to serums, these beauty picks deserve a spot in any man’s skincare routine.
In the past, it used to be that most men’s skincare routine consisted of one simple product—that bar of soap kept in the shower. And for special occasions? A bracing splash of aftershave. Thankfully, there’s been a bit of an evolution, especially in the past 20 years, with all the big name brands having their own targeted men’s product line. Everything a man of today needs to keep looking sharp and feeling fresh is now available to him, and in a wide range of price points, too. From focusing on washing away the daily dirt, pollution, and grime to moisturizing to prevent dry patches and applying sunscreen to ward off sun damage and aging, there is a general understanding that a one-step skincare routine is not the way to go.
That said, getting too complicated with products isn’t ideal, either. “Men want the simplest routine possible,” says Jeffrey Hsu, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago. With that in mind, the ideal routine includes face wash, moisturizer, exfoliator, serum, and sunscreen—with the addition of a few products that can address your specific skin concerns (like dark spots or razor bumps). Whether you’re shopping for a partner or are looking for the best skincare for men for yourself, here are the products worth your consideration. Our top picks
Across the board, dermatologists and skincare experts agree that this is one of the best face washes out there—and not just because it comes at an affordable price! The gentle formula won't irritate sensitive skin, plus it's got hydrating glycerin to boost your skin's moisture.
Does your skin have a tendency to get red and irritated? This face wash is made to help soothe your complexion. The creamy formula also infuses moisture to leave your skin feeling soft after every wash.
Blackheads and zits? No thanks. This face wash from beloved men's brand Brickell contains salicylic acid and tea tree oil—two ingredients known to unclog pores and help get rid of acne. It also has a pleasantly fresh scent that gives you a spa-like feel every time you wash.
Get a deeper clean with the help of this device. The soft silicone ridges combined with gentle pulsing helps deep clean your face to reduce breakouts, remove ingrown hairs, and prevent razor burn. To use, just add some face wash to your face, turn on the device, and use it to gently massage your face before washing the cleanser off.
If you're going to use a physical exfoliant (meaning a scrub with little particles to slough away dead skin cells), it's crucial to pick something that's gentle—if you don't, it can damage your complexion. This scrub uses naturally occurring silica particles and a vitamin-rich gel to refine and brighten skin texture.
Jack Black is one of the most popular men's skincare brands on the market today. Bamboo powder, mint, and vitamin C combine in this cleanser and facial scrub to gently exfoliate skin while also removing dirt. Use it twice a week in the shower before you shave to get a close shave.
Give dull skin a boost with a moisturizer that's fortified with caffeine for pep and vitamin C for brightness. It absorbs quickly, doesn't leave behind a greasy residue, and has a slight citrusy scent to wake you up.
"Choose a moisturizer with a built in SPF," says Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist. She says that men tend not to use SPF as often as women, and suggests that moisturizer that contains makes it less likely they'll forget this important step. This option from Clinique is lightweight and oil-free, so it absorbs quickly to protect and hydrate.
Hate the feel of a thick cream on your face? Try an emulsion. This thin formula may feel lightweight, but it packs a heavy dose of hydration thanks to glycerin, willow bark extract, and deep sea algae extract. The water-based formula is especially great for those with oily skin.
If your skin is on the sensitive side, look no further for the ideal moisturizer. This one contains aloe and chamomile to soothe and shea butter for moisture. It's also free of any irritating fragrances.
Gel moisturizers are particularly great for the warmer-weather months. Here's why: They sink into skin quickly, even if you're a little sweaty. This brand was founded by a Black man who had trouble finding grooming products that worked for his skin—so he created his own! The line is known to help with irritation, dryness, and discoloration.
If your complexion tends to look a little slick and shiny, a moisturizer with a matte finish can help. Not only does this one mask grease, it fights acne as you wear it thanks to detoxifying sweet orange peel oil.
Target wrinkles and fine lines with a few pumps of this anti-aging hydrator. It contains pro-retinol A, which is known to firm up skin. Another bonus: It contains SPF 15 to help prevent sun damage and photo-aging.
You are totally allowed to use the same moisturizer in the morning and night. However, if you'd like to upgrade your routine a bit, consider a heavy lotion at night—when it really has time to sink in and hydrate. This option contains ceramides, which help restore your skin's protective barrier.
If you're going to go for a serum, consider one that contains vitamin C. Here's why: "Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from oxidative stresses on the skin—that includes environmental triggers that everyone's skin is exposed to daily, no matter if you're sitting home watching TV or walking into an office," says Hsu. This pick from Hims is highly concentrated, ensuring you get the maximum benefits vitamin C has to offer.
This clean, multitasking face serum contains 27 active botanicals, many of which are wild-harvested from the Grand Tetons. You'll love the lightweight texture and the fact that it adds tons of moisture to your skin.
A favorite of Oprah Daily's creative director, Adam Glassman, this serum brightens and resurfaces your complexion for a more youthful look. It's particularly great for anyone dealing with hyperpigmentation or dullness.
Environmental stressors can lead to fine lines, dark spots, and dull skin. This serum protects against pollution, blue light, and free radicals and helps repair any damage those things have already done.
Great for all skin types, this serum creates a thin, breathable film over your face to lock in moisture and protect you from environmental stressors. It also leaves your complexion with a matte finish, making it great for anyone who gets shiny.
As we age, dark spots are more likely to pop up. This serum aims to get rid of them. It contains a mixture of azelaic, tanexamic, and phytic acids—all of which brighten and address discoloration. For best results, use sunscreen anytime you apply this serum to prevent more dark spots from popping up.
Applying sunscreen on a daily basis is a must. Here's why: Exposure to the sun can not only put you at risk for skin cancer but also cause premature aging. This option blends into skin easily and offers an SPF 50. "I love the ISDIN sunscreen—they are unique in that they are the only sunscreen on the market that can reverse skin cell damage while protecting the skin from the sun," says Hsu.
So light, you won't even know you're wearing it. The gel formula glides on, won't leave any residue, and gives your complexion a matte finish. It also hydrates as it sinks in.
Retinol is pretty much the holy grail when it comes to wrinkles. So if you're worried about getting crinkly in the eye area, this serum (packed with aforementioned retinol!) is the way to go. The other main ingredient is hyaluronic acid, which plumps and hydrates.
Formulated with caffeine, this eye cream perks up tired skin around your eyes and helps reduce dark circles. If that weren't enough, the metal applicator glides over the sensitive skin in that area to cool and depuff it.
Full disclosure: Incorporating a skin essence into your routine is not necessarily a must—but this one is so good, you may want to consider it. Dab it on with your fingertips after cleansing skin (before moisturizing!). It features jojoba oil and a ton of botanicals to help calm and hydrate skin for a radiant appearance.
Improve your skin while you sleep! This natural mask includes oligo-peptides which work hard to restore and refresh skin overnight. When you wake, you'll notice your complexion looks smoother and brighter.
The sheet masks are bigger to fit a man's face and are drenched in a serum that contains brightening vitamin C and soothing niacinamide. Use them when your skin needs a little extra boost.
The lactic acid in this mask is what makes it a superstar. The wonder ingredient sloughs away dead skin cells to leave you looking fresher. Then, avocado butter swoops in to help replenish skin's moisture.
Slather on this rich shaving cream to protect your skin from potential irritation caused by a razor. Just let it sit on your skin for a few minutes before you start—that way it can soften your beard and make for a more comfortable shave. While the brand offers a scent-free option, this sandalwood fragrance is calming and clean.
Shaving has a tendency to irritate skin—and maybe even leave you with razor burn. Splash this on afterward to soothe any redness. It contains blue alpine thistle to calm your complexion and bitter orange oil to fight bumps.