The essential men's skin care routine
The men's skincare products you need, and the best brands for each
by Patrick JanelleI was well into my thirties when I decided to establish a basic skincare routine. It was some time after I began to notice the fine lines around my eyes and on my forehead deepening into permanent wrinkles and the trend of shadows under my eyes darkening into full-on bags. Fortunately, with some good care and regular work, I’ve plumped my skin back to a healthy state with a simple skincare routine. And although wrinkles will continue to form for all of us (I’m ok with that—age is beautiful, too), it’s important to maintain healthy, balanced skin.
With all of the serums and moisturizers and products like gel cleansers, water-boosting hydrating cream, and micellar water, how do you decide what you need? The good news is that you can create a good foundation with only two products: a good cleanser and a moisturizer—I even made a YouTube video on this very topic (see below).
But there are benefits to having a full skincare lineup (I may not look 20 years old, but I’m doing my best). And while it’s always a good idea to consult a dermatologist if you have a particular skin issue, there are a few basics that apply to everyone. So here is a primer on the basics of skin care along with a few of my favorite skincare products to give your routine a jumpstart.
Cleanser
Every good routine starts with keeping the skin clean. You should wash your face twice a day: once in the morning and once at night, in order to clear clogged pores or wash away the pollutants that have accumulated after a long day. Use something that is made for the face and cleanses without stripping your face of necessary oils. Many cleansers do double duty as a moisturizing facial wash, ensuring that the cleansing action is balanced with replenishing the skin’s moisture.
1. Cardon Purifying Clay Cleanser
According to Cardon, the men’s brand inspired by South Korean skincare values, clay has four times the power of charcoal when it comes to absorbing and removing unwanted oil. I love the luxurious texture of the smoothing clay, which feels like a mask and cleanser in one.
2. Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
Not only does this face wash smell great from cedar and spearmint extracts, but it contains natural exfoliants called alpha hydroxy acids. AHA exfoliants—in this case lemon and sugarcane extract—lightly clean away dead skin. Aloe soothes the skin, and white tea is a natural antioxidant, protecting the skin from aging too quickly.
Toner
Think of toners as a way to reset the skin. Packed with nutrients, these liquids rebalance the skin’s PH and prepare the face for the rest of your skincare regimen. Toners often contain AHAs as well as antioxidants, which protect the skin from aging. These products can also be helpful to soothe and balance any problem areas like redness or irritation.
3. Eve Lom Rescue Toner
The Eve Lom Rescue Toner is a super hydrating solution that is filled with natural AHAs from Australian caviar lime, while witch hazel and aloe to ease any irritation and soothe the skin. The toner also uses botanical extracts to reduce dullness and to refresh and revitalize the skin.
Serum
Similar to toners, serums are intended for use before applying moisturizers. They are typically packed with nutrients and are specially formulated to penetrate the skin deeply, allowing the hydrating effects of the moisturizer to stick around a little longer. Serums can contain a number of different ingredients like antioxidants which protect the skin from premature aging, peptides, which promote the growth of collagen, and hyaluronic acid, which increases the skin’s ability to retain moisture, vitamins, and other nutrients.
4. Allies of Skin Triple Hyaluronic Antioxidant Hydration Serum
While I’m all for the hydrating, brightening, and strengthening benefits of this serum, my favorite aspects are the botanical scent and the twist-top bottle, which make it a pleasure to use. Designed to repair the skin as well, I appreciate that the serum reduces inflammation and promotes firming.
Face oil
A category that has become increasingly popular recently, face oils are tinctures derived from natural botanicals and oils. All face oils are super hydrating, but depending on what oil or oil blend you’re using, products can also contain antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, natural astringents, and fatty acids. This means oils can be formulated for all skin types, whether your skin is dry, normal, or even oily. When I first started using face oils, I was afraid that adding oil to my face would increase breakouts. In fact, the opposite has happened because the natural oils fight bacteria, help seal in moisture, and reduce the skin’s natural sebum production, balancing out the skin’s natural oils. You can use face oil in place of moisturizer or add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer for complementing the benefits of each.
5. Caldera + Lab The Good
This oil is billed as a multifunctional serum and is optimal for guys who don’t want to buy and use tons of products, but it’s good for just about anyone’s skin. The single formula packed with organic ingredients works to restore, nourish, and protect the skin at once. Jojoba oil and apricot seed oil are super hydrating, fireweed fights environmental stressors, prickly pear stimulates collagen production (increasing the skin’s elasticity and reducing wrinkles), and tocopherol reduces UV damage.
Watch my YouTube video on the basics of creating a simple skincare routine
Moisturizer
Whether you follow an advanced or a simple skincare routine, it’s important to moisturize. This is true for guys and ladies, young and old, no matter your gender our your skin type. As skin ages, it loses the ability to retain moisture and maintain a firm, glowing look with minimal wrinkles. Plus, washing your face can strip away the natural hydrators of the skin. The most effective moisturizer products contain ingredients like antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin maintain moisture. Nighttime moisturizers (or overnight “masks”) are especially formulated creams intended to seal in moisture and be washed away in the morning.
6. Allies of Skin Daily Firming Treatment
This moisturizer is packed with antioxidants to combat free radicals, those unstable atoms which cause the skin to age faster. The product is specially formulated to repair damaged skin, while peptides promote collagen creation, which gives the skin smoothness and elasticity and reduces wrinkles.
7. Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream
If you’ve been following along, you know I’m a big fan of the natural, Vermont-based brand Ursa Major. The company’s rich, hydrating moisturizer can be used both daily and as a night cream because it’s light yet lasting. It reduces redness, combats aging, and smells like sweet neroli, sour rose, and spicy sandalwood.
8. Allies of Skin Overnight Mask
In addition to peptides, this nighttime moisturizer features retinol which speeds up the reproduction of new skin cells—think fresh glowing skin. The cream is formulated to keep skin super moisturized overnight while keeping pores clear—reducing the chance of whiteheads and blackheads.
Eye Cream
Eye creams are specifically formulated to take into account the thin, sensitive skin around the eyes while also reducing dryness, puffiness, and discoloration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid for moisturizing, peptides for reducing wrinkles, and vitamin C for brightening discoloration.
9. Port Products Marine Layer Under Eye Recovery Gel
Made with botanical extracts derived from the ocean, this gel offers a tingling sensation that’s a true eye-opener. Red algae and kelp work on dark circles and under eye bags, while wakame seaweed and Irish moss restore elasticity and firmness.
10. Haoma Soothing Eye Cream
This lightweight moisturizer includes 50mg of CBD for decreasing puffiness while relying on other natural ingredients like yarrow for reducing inflammation and licorice and mulberry for brightening the skin.
Best Men's Skin Care Brands
For more on my favorite men’s skincare brands, explore via the links below: