Whether you’re a complete beginner or an expert aiming to enhance your skills, we’ve got you covered.
Men and their skincare routines haven’t always been the best of friends. The skincare routine for men is a fairly recent development, gaining traction over the last decade. For the longest time, men rarely had a skincare regimen and didn’t bother seeking one. The rise of Metrosexuals changed the game for men looking after themselves, and social media further fueled an interest in looking good and having smooth skin.
That’s how we’ve arrived at where we are today. Men are now into skincare routines more than ever, and phrases like Retinol and SPF aren’t foreign to them.
However, there’s still room for improvement. Despite adopting skincare routines, men make amateur mistakes that cause undue damage. These basics should be second nature, and we’re here to guide you on the best skin care for men.
What is a Skin Care Routine?
“Skin Care Routine” might sound like a complicated industry term, but it’s not that complex, at least not how we approach it. A routine is essentially a series of steps, much like your routine in the shower, where you follow a set order—shampoo, conditioner, soap, or body wash, and maybe brushing your teeth. It’s something you do out of habit without much thought. That’s a routine.
We have curated routines with the fewest products and the least time required. We keep it simple, speedy, and successful. You should be clear about what you’re using and its purpose.
Let’s explore a few routines.
A Simple Skin Care Regimen for Men
Although taking care of your skin may seem like a lot of work, the key is consistency and the correct regimen. Experts simplify it into three important stages that men often miss.
Cleanse
Give up washing your face in the morning to protect the natural oils on your skin. However, to stop debris and pollutants from entering your pores while you sleep, be sure to wash every night. Experts advise using a gentle foamy cleanser before shaving to lessen surface oil. If you don’t have sensitive skin, alternate between a mild wash and an exfoliating cleanser for a more enjoyable shaving session.
Buy Similar Items Here:
L’Oreal Paris Men Expert Hydra Energetic Daily Facial Cleanser with Charcoal
Murad Resurgence Renewing Cleansing Cream
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Cetaphil Face Wash Daily Facial Cleanser for Sensitive
“Cleaning your face in the morning with a hot towel and then spritzing it with cold water may be refreshing for those with oily skin.”
Repair
Our skin suffers from daily exposure to free radicals from UV radiation, cigarette smoke, and air pollution. Experts advise using a vitamin C antioxidant serum before moisturizing first thing in the morning. For the nighttime routine, retinol lotion may help reduce wrinkles and fine lines, particularly for those thirty and older.
TruSkin Vitamin C Face Serum
Tree of Life POWER TRIO for Brightening Firming & Hydrating Vitamin C Serum
ELBBUB Vitamin C Serum For Face
Eclat Vitamin C Face Serum
“Use the antioxidant serum after your shaving regimen.”
Protect and Moisturize
After applying the antioxidant serum, use a moisturizer with at least SPF 30 in the morning. Sunscreen shields your skin from UV rays regularly while you drive or have a drink outside. It’s not only for beach days. Use a mild moisturizer without sunscreen in the evening.
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Water Resistant and Non Greasy Sunscreen Lotion
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen
La Roche Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
“If your skin doesn’t feel dry at night, don’t moisturize. When your skin needs it, moisturize it. It’s like drinking water.”
Skincare Routine for Men: Beginners Level
You have never bothered to use, much less buy, a moisturizer; you have only ever cleansed your face with hand soap.
Face Cleanser
We often picture dry, perfectly clean skin when we imagine clean skin. But this feeling really means you’ve cleaned too much, which is not a good thing. It denotes a disruption in the protective layer of your skin and the removal of the vital oils that maintain skin hydration. Rather, choose a cleanser specifically made for your face or skin type.
Select a cleaner with hydrating elements if you own dry skin. Choose a gel face wash with salicylic acid or other oil-controlling elements if you have oily skin. For best mens facial routine, use your cleanser both in the morning and at night.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Nivea Men Maximum Hydration Moisturizing Face Wash with Aloe Vera
RUGGED & DAPPER Facial Wash and Foaming Face Cleanser
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Fragrance Free Hydrating Gel Facial Cleanser
Eye Balm/Cream
Eye cream is a basic tool that may solve a multitude of issues, much like the GOAT of a man’s skincare regimen. This eye cream can help with a variety of issues, including wrinkles and fine lines, puffy bags after a late-night party, and dark circles under the eyes. Because the skin surrounding your eyes is more delicate than the remainder of your face, problems might arise, and moisture loss can happen more quickly.
Apply an eye cream twice a day, in the morning and at night, after washing your eyes. Taking good care of your eye region is essential, even if you don’t follow anything else (which you should).
Brickell Mens Restoring Under Eye Cream
L’Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Eye Roll On
Dongyu Caffeine Eye Serum and Under Eye Roller Cream for Dark Circles and Puffiness
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
Moisturizer
Men often claim they don’t use moisturizer because they don’t like the way it sits on their faces. Reasonable, isn’t that right? Who would want to wake up feeling like they had goop all over their mug? Luckily, getting a best moisturizer you can endure is manageable since lighter formulations are becoming more widely accessible.
At the very least, moisturizing your skin helps keep it from getting arid. At most, it keeps your skin hydrated so that it continues to appear nice for coming years. Look for terms like “gel” or “lotion” on the product instead of “cream” if you’re just starting out. After using your eye cream, use it to seal in the essential moisture.
Brickell Mens Daily Essential Face Moisturizer
Clinique FOR MEN maximum hydrator
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
MARLOWE No123 Mens Facial Moisturizer 6 oz
SPF
The last but equally important step in the best skin care routine for men is to always use sunscreen, no matter the tone of your skin. Really? In addition to causing skin cancer, ultraviolet radiation from the rays—which everyone gets, unless they are vampires or reclusive—also significantly contributes to the aging of our skin. Using sunscreen every day is the best anti-aging derivative available to us.
But a lot of males ignore it for the exact explanation. They don’t use moisturizer (“I don’t like how it touches my skin,” sad face emoji). But it’s no longer a good enough reason. Rather than depending on a moisturizer with a low SPF, choose a sunscreen that has elements that hydrate the skin. This way, you may use it on its own sometimes, particularly in the summer or over your moisturizer (additional moisture never harmed anybody).
Neutrogena Sport Face Sunscreen SPF 70+
Cardon SPF 30 Sunscreen Daily Face Moisturizer Cream for Men
MARLOWE No128 Mens Facial Lotion with Sunscreen SPF 50
Clinique For Men Super Energizer SPF 40 Anti Fatigue Hydrating Concentrate
Skincare Routine for Men: Intermediate
Congratulations! You’ve mastered the art of washing your face like a grown-up and even discovered a moisturizer+sunscreen you’re comfortable using daily. Now, it’s time to move on to the subsequent level of best mens facial routine.
Chemical Exfoliation
Frequent exfoliation is an essential part of men’s face care routine as it eliminates dead skin that sometimes accumulates on our faces’ surface, which may clog pores, reduce the efficacy of moisturizers, and result in a dull complexion. Although some may contend that exfoliation is best left for beginners, it’s important to remember that men unintentionally exfoliate whenever they shave—possibly even on a regular basis.
Steer clear of abrasive scrubs for essential exfoliation (one a week for most people). Alternatively, for a more delicate way to remove dead cells, use an exfoliant that contains alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid. Once or twice a week, after cleaning, prior to applying any products, include your chemical exfoliant in your regimen.
Paulas Choice SKIN PERFECTING BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
REN Clean Skincare Glow Tonic
Serum
If the male skincare practice were a green tea, the kombucha shot (or any other booster, I don’t know what your life is all about) would be the serum. Compared to your regular moisturizer, serums are more powerful since they provide nutrients and active substances quickly. The pleasing report is that there is a serum for every kind of skin issue.
The difficult part is determining what you really need. If you’re fresh to the world of serums, choose one that targets a medley of concerns; generally speaking, they include skin-building and moisturizing components that work well for many skin types. Include it in your twice-daily regimen, just after cleaning but before moisturizing.
Caldera Lab The Good Mens Organic Moisturizing Face Serum for Dry
hims vitamin c serum for men
Mask
Complementing our basic skincare regimens is the common purpose of the hundreds of various types of masks available. Like serums, masks provide concentrated chemicals to target certain skin issues. Clay masks are great for males, particularly for those who are just starting out. These masks remove accumulated filth, oil, and debris from your pores by using substances like mud and clay, which is more effective than your twice-daily cleaner.
Similar to serums, several types of masks are available; some moisturize, while others exfoliate, so you may choose one that suits your requirements. Applying masks once or twice a week is the standard recommendation.
New York Dead Sea Mud Mask
JVR Peel Off Face Mask Blackhead Remover Mask for Men
Ebanel Collagen Face Mask
Skincare Routine for Men: Advanced
Your skin is free of dead skin cells, and your pores are as clean as can be. You might even have numerous serums. Aloha to the major leagues!
Retinol
Retinol, a kind of Vitamin A that aids with cell turnover—the process of producing renewed skin cells and removing old ones—is often confused with an exfoliant. This misconception is made while seeking to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. This motion is regarded as advanced because it might be rough on delicate skin.
As retinol might increase skin sensitivity to light, it’s essential to use sun protection every day if you take it. A mild version with hydrating elements is preferable since it may also result in flakiness, particularly at first. Before applying additional products, use your retinol at nighttime just after cleansing your face.
Tree of Life Retinol Serum for Face w/Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid for Wrinkle Soothing
CeraVe Anti Aging Retinol Serum
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Face Moisturizer with SPF 30 Sunscreen
Toner
While it may help remove leftover oil and grime, toner serves primarily as a pH balancer for your skin after wash, unlike what many people believe. Toners are very helpful for those with oily skin or acne issues in keeping their face clean and shine-free. However, it also helps to replenish moisture if you have dry skin. After cleaning, use a cotton bud to gently swipe it across your face. If you prefer not to use cotton pads, you may use a gel base post-washing.
THAYERS Alcohol Free Hydrating Lavender Witch Hazel Facial Toner with Aloe Vera Formula
Anua Heartleaf Soothing Toner Trouble Care Calming Skin
Night Cream
It may seem strange to use a specific moisturizer during nighttime, but it makes perfect sense since this is the time when your skin repairs itself. Known for providing deep hydration, night creams often include certain active ingredients, such as peptides, to promote skin regeneration.
Think about a night lotion that works its wonders overnight with mild exfoliating acids or retinol for further advantages. Investing in a separate night cream is a pro-level skincare choice, even if using the same moisturizer for night and day is fine.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Night Face Moisturizer
How to Pick Products for a Skincare Routine for Men
The industry is now catering to males more than ever, thanks to a spike in men’s grooming products, which range from practical lip balms to luxuriant beard oils. Though having so many alternatives is great news, you may not know which ones are the finest. Let’s dissect it.
1. Know your Skin Type
Expert dermats point out that testosterone influences men’s skin, which is often oilier and thicker. A lot of men’s products aim to address excessive oiliness. But choose products designed to address those issues, especially if you have dry and flaky skin. Experts advise using a thick moisturizer and a cream cleanser for dry skin.
Think about using products meant for combination skin if you have both dry and oily patches on your skin. Opt for products with few ingredients mentioned if you have sensitive skin that is prone to burning or inflammation.
“Give ‘cocktail moisturizing’ a shot. While it may add a bit more to your skincare routine, it can make a significant difference for combination skin. Rather than relying on an ‘all-in-one’ moisturizer, address specific skin concerns with targeted products”
2. Forget Gender
Although treatments designed specifically for men are beneficial, many skincare products are gender-neutral and may benefit both sexes.
Don’t let the packaging limit you to certain skincare brands. Choose fragrance-free goods if you prefer unscented choices. As an alternative, choose products that include essential oils with earthy or woodsy notes, such as cedarwood or sandalwood, since they may also have a relaxing effect.
3. Consider your Ethnicity
Your skin type and skincare needs may vary depending on your background. For these people, the best way to lessen razor bumps is to use a depilatory rather than shaving.
However, males of Asian and Hispanic descent are more likely to have uneven skin tones. They should thus exercise caution when exposed to the sun and may want to include a skin-brightening product into their skincare regimen.
4. Experiment
Choosing skincare products often requires some trial and error. Start with samples or think about buying from a retailer that offers returns.
If you’re not sure what to put in your medicine cabinet, ordering a sample box or subscribing to a service are enjoyable ways to try out new goods. Depending on your preferences, these boxes usually include a range of travel-sized goods.
Skincare Routine for Men: 7 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Now, let’s take a look at a few of the mistakes that must be avoided in skincare routine for men.
1. Ignoring the Skin around Your Eyes
Though it’s crucial to moisturize your whole face, don’t overlook the area around your eyes. It requires special attention since it is very sensitive. Neglecting this area is a common error made by men. You should include in your skincare regimen the use of an under-eye serum or cream, as well as the occasional use of masks and patches.
2. Not Cleansing Properly
It’s excellent that men are now cleaning their faces at least twice a day; proper face cleansing is essential. Splashing water alone, however, is insufficient. Daily wear and tear takes a toll on the skin in our dirty, dusty world. This is why cleaning your skin and using a decent exfoliator is essential. Consider including a face mask in your regimen twice a week for additional advantages.
3. Using Wrong Products
Determine your skin type and select skincare accordingly. Use thicker, oil-based serums and creams if your skin is dry. If your skin is oily, go for gel and water-based products.
4. Inconsistency
Regretfully, some individuals begin a skincare regimen, follow it for a few days, then quit suddenly, and then pick it back up later. As with many good things, consistency is the key to excellent skincare. Creating a regimen that is easy to follow and simple to keep to each day can help you maintain consistently smooth, glowing, and supple skin.
5. Scrubbing
Why do men feel as if scrubbing their faces is essential to their survival? Instead, blot your face dry with a gentle cloth. Refrain from painting your face in a Jackson Pollock style—that will just damage the canvas!
6. Skipping Steps
There’s no justification for skipping or missing stages in your skincare regimen, even if you’re in a hurry. Apply the toner first, then the serum, and lastly, the moisturizer. Apply SPF to everything, and only then should you leave your house.
7. Constantly Touching Face
It’s time for males to realize this as well, as women have had to learn this the difficult way. Throughout the day, grazing your face at random might cause dirt to adhere to your face via your fingers and palms. This may lead to breakouts, acne, and other skincare problems. Please refrain from touching your face.
FAQs
Are you looking for a good skincare regimen for men? Dermatologists provide the following advice to help you form healthful habits:
Examine ingredient lists and product labels
Daily Face Washing
Cautious Shaving Technique
Daily Moisturizing
Frequent Skin Checks
Sunscreen Protection
Try applying toner to your skin seven times a row, letting each layer fully absorb before adding the next one. This technique deeply hydrates your skin, enhancing its texture and overall appearance.
Yes, facial cleansing and moisturizing are crucial for every skincare routine, not exclusively for women. Men have different skin needs and challenges, and using a quality facial cleanser and moisturizer can assist in keeping their skin healthy, clear, and youthful.
Conclusion
Men take a cue from women who have long used skincare habits and products to prepare for the day or unwind at night. Even a simple routine can contribute to your well-being. We urge you to remember that part of our skin journey is about practicing self-love. Being kind to your skin is a form of self-compassion linked to how we treat and care for others. So, there’s nothing to lose by following a proper skincare routine for men.
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