Best Skincare Routine for Men

Our Favourites

Best Overall :

SECOND:

When you think of men’s skincare, what do you remember seeing if you think back to your dad’s (or grandfather’s) medicine cabinet? A three-in-one shampoo, conditioner, and body wash? A bag of disposable razors and a can of shaving cream? Aftershave? Brut deodorant, perhaps? As you may already know, the best men’s skincare has come a long way.

While there’s no doubt that there are still some die-hard gentlemen who believe grooming and men’s skincare products are one and the same, the past two decades have changed the way men are thinking about the health and appearance of their skin — and it’s only going to grow from here on up. The best men’s skincare of today is made up of results-driven formulas that make up an effective skincare routine for men.

Best Bet

Carrot & Stick routines take the guesswork out of building the perfect routine for your skin. You save up to $160 with a routine. Use code DERM20 for an additional 20% off.

Not sure what to look for in the best skincare for men? No worries. Here at The Derm Review,we’ve reviewed hundreds of products with a scientific lens to ensure you’re creating a skincare routine for men that’s safe and effective.

The Science Behind Men’s Skin

The skin is the body’s largest organ, so taking care of it is vital. But is men’s skin so different from women’s that it requires a separate set of products, or are clever marketing and social conditioning at play? The short answer is a little bit of both.

Scientific research suggests men’s skin is between 10 and 20 percent thicker than women’s (though some skincare experts claim it can be up to 25 percent) because it contains more collagen and elastin.

Androgens such as testosterone affect the thickness of the skin and how much sebum the skin’s sebaceous glands produce. Seeing as men produce more testosterone, their skin is thicker and oilier than women’s — though women have their own crosses to bear due to hormonal issues concerning their cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.

While oil and thickness can help from a wrinkle-prevention perspective, it also means that it’s more difficult for a man to absorb the vital ingredients from skincare products than a woman’s skin.

Another great wrinkle-fighting perk is that a man’s skin tends to have more collagen than a woman’s. This doesn’t mean they’re exempt from wrinkles or other signs of aging, which is another reason why a solid men’s skincare routine is vital.

Skincare Routine For Men

We’re going to get into more detail about what men are looking for in a skincare routine next, but let’s just say it’s all about simplicity. While that might mean just a cleanser and a moisturizer for some men, adding in a few extra vital steps can significantly impact the health and appearance of the skin. The following routine takes just less than five minutes.

Man examining face

Cleanse

Cleansing is an integral step in any skincare routine, regardless of gender. Also, considering men’s skin is naturally oilier than women’s, cleansing removes dirt, pollutants, and excess oil that has settled inside your pores and the surface layer of the skin.

Cleanse twice a day (morning and night) and after exercise — if you work out in the a.m., your first can come after your sweat sesh. Work the product into the skin in circular motions for 30 seconds to a minute.

Best Cleanser for Men: Formulyst Creamy Foaming Cleanser

Tone

Toners have come a long way from the skin-stripping solutions of yesteryear. Today you can find formulas that hydrate, mattify, control blemishes, etc., so choose one based on your skin type and needs. Simply swipe a cotton ball or round saturated with toner across your face after cleansing.

Note that if you washed your face in the afternoon and exercise later in the day, you could use a toner instead of a cleanser so you’re not over-cleansing, which can strip the skin of its natural oils.

Best Toner: SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective

Eye

An eye cream, gel, serum, is another product you may skip out on to save time (it only takes a few seconds!), but since the skin around the orbital area is thinner and more fragile than the rest of the body, it needs a little extra TLC.

There are formulas to address common concerns such as puffiness, dark circles, dryness, and eye wrinkles. You only need a pea-sized amount for both eyes, like your serum. Apply gently — use your ring finger because it has the lightest touch.

If you are concerned about aging around the eyes including bags and dark circles, one product we recommend is Carrot & Stick The Eye Cream.

Treat

Using a serum may be a step you’re inclined to skip (or one you’ve never even thought about), but we recommend you reconsider. Serums are highly concentrated, and they can penetrate the skin at a deeper level to target skincare concerns that you are experiencing — from wrinkles and sun damage to oil and acne and everything else in between.

A serum should be applied day and night — you only need a pea-sized amount. Wait approximately one minute for the product to fully absorb before moving on to the next moisturizing step.

Best Serum for Day: Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum

Best Serum for Night: Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum

Moisturize

A moisturizer delivers vitamins and nutrients to the skin while creating a barrier to protect your skin from complexion-compromising environmental aggressors like pollution.

Apply a moisturizer in the morning to replenish moisture lost during sleep and before bed to maximize the potency of the skin-strengthening nutrients while your body’s cells regenerate.

Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Carrot & Stick The Repair Cream

Best Moisturizer for Normal Skin: Carrot & Stick The Moisturizer

Renew

In most cases, exfoliating isn’t a daily step — but it is an important one because it helps remove the dead skin cells that are harboring on the surface. It also helps keep pores clean and refined and keeps breakouts at bay.

Depending on your skin type, you can use a face scrub formula or a non-gritty acid-based exfoliator (like an at-home chemical peel) to dissolve dead skin cells versus sweeping them away. Twice a week should do the trick, but some exfoliators are formulated to be gentle enough for daily uses. Be mindful of reading the instructions on the package.

Best Exfoliant: Carrot & Stick The Brightening Pads

The Best Skincare Routine for Men: What They Want

Regardless of the difference in men’s skin, for the most part, the concerns between genders are relatively the same and therefore can be treated similarly with skincare products for men.

Even so, while there’s nothing wrong with a man borrowing his significant other’s eye cream or face moisturizer, research shows that guys do have some specific requirements for a skincare routine for men, such as:

Products that are easy to use and do the job without a lot of hassle.
Products that disappear into the skin without any residue.
Their own products, and not those used by women.
They generally do not want strong scents — or any at all.

Men’s Skincare Products: The Statistics

According to a report by Grand View Research, the global men’s skincare products market is poised to reach 18.92 billion (USD) by 2027. That’s an estimated 6.2% CAGR increase from 2020 to 2027. One of the driving factors behind this upturn is the growing demand for skincare for men in the premium category, including organic and natural formulations.

While male consumers worldwide are dipping their toes in the luxury skincare pond, baby boomers make up a big piece of the pie, as they are looking for targeted solutions that go beyond shave care and fragrance. Though cleansers, face washes, and sunscreen have been on the upswing, in recent years, face masks and serums have been more in demand as well — and with some of the best men’s skincare brands.

Best Men’s Skincare Brands

Best Skincare: Carrot & Stick

Second Fav: Formulyst

Best Clinical: SkinCeuticals

Best Value: Kiehl’s Men’s Line

Best Premium: Shiseido Men

Best Natural: Brickell

Best Personalised: Geologie

Best for Simple routine: Lumin

Best Grooming for Sensitive Skin: Bevel

Skincare Routine for Men: The Bottom Line

Overall, we suggest Carrot & Stick. We recommend the Day & Night Routine. This 24-hour skincare routine will defend against and help repair visible signs of aging by addressing fine lines and

Men’s skin is between 10 and 20 percent thicker than women’s (though some skincare experts claim it can be up to 25 percent) because it contains more collagen and elastin.

Androgens such as testosterone affect the thickness of the skin and how much sebum the skin’s sebaceous glands produce. As men have more testosterone, their skin is thicker and oilier than women’s.

Even so, a basic skincare routine for men should follow the same guidelines regardless of gender, meaning choosing products based on skin type, condition, and concern, versus packaging and branding.

Still, research suggests males are still seeking skincare products for men not used by women. They should be easy to use and get the job done without a hassle. Products that absorb quickly and don’t have a strong scent are also desirable.

Overall, we suggest Carrot & Stick. We recommend theDay & Night Routine.This 24-hour skincare routine will defend against and help repair visible signs of aging by addressing fine lines and

Carrot & Stick routines take the guesswork out of building the perfect routine for your skin. You save up to $160 with a routine. Use code DERM20 for an additional 20% off.

FAQs

Do men really need skincare?

Healthy skin is well-nourished skin regardless of gender. Not to mention, the best men’s skincare of today is formulated to effectively reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne, oiliness, discoloration, ingrown hairs, razor burn, and more. The bottom line is that men need to take care of their facial skin if they want it to be healthy and look its best — regardless of age.

Is men’s face skin thicker?

Yes — besides having facial hair, there are structural differences between men’s and women’s skin. Androgen (testosterone) stimulation causes an increase in skin thickness, which accounts for why a man’s skin is approximately 20- 25% thicker than a woman’s. A man’s skin texture is also tougher.

Do most men have oily skin?

If you’re a man and you’re feeling greasy in your t-zone or even all over, you’re not alone.
While oil production slows with age, many men deal with oily skin because men produce more testosterone, and their skin is thicker and oilier than a woman’s. However, contrary, face oil is a good thing. We need sebum to help nourish and moisturize both skin and hair.

What should a men’s skincare routine include?

A skincare routine is not gender-inclusive. It’s all about skin type, condition, and concern. If you’re unsure what products or treatments you need, don’t hesitate to speak to a skincare professional such as a dermatologist or licensed esthetician.

What makes a man look old?

Just because men have more active sebaceous glands doesn’t mean they can escape the aging process. As with other skin types and genders, UV light exposure causes free radicals that damage collagen, elastin, and skin cells. This leads to premature aging, which appears as wrinkling, dark spots, dryness, and loss of tone. Even short amounts of sun exposure daily add up over a lifetime.

Is aloe vera a good moisturizer?

While we stand by a well-formulated men’s skincare product (or any product for the skin for that matter), in addition to moisturizing the skin, aloe vera gel can ease or soothe conditions such as sunburn, frostbite, or an allergic reaction.

Sources:
“Men’s Skincare Products Market Size Worth $18.92 Billion By 2027,” Grand View Research, May 2020.
“Male Versus Female Skin: What Dermatologists and Cosmetologists Should Know,” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, September 2018.
“Skincare Tips for Men,” American Academy of Dermatology Association.
“Men’s Skincare Market Research,” SIS International Research.

User Original review: Jul 27, 2020. Reply

Best Men’s Skin Care Tips
Cleanse twice a day (morning and night) to keep oiliness in check and help keep pores clear to prevent blackheads and other types of acne.
Exfoliate about twice a week with a physical or chemical exfoliant to unclog pores. Exfoliating will also help uplift facial hair to make shaving easier.
Use sunscreen every day, rain or shine. Men traditionally use less sunscreen than women. Once again, this may come down to women being socialized to care more about their skin or appearance in general.
Use a cleanser formulated with oily skin to cut through the excessive oil production characteristic of men’s skin.
Use a lightweight moisturizer (perhaps even a gel-cream) instead of a heavy cream to avoid clogged pores and worsening of acne.

You may also be wondering: Do men really need their own skin care range or can they use a woman’s products just as well? In reality, there are some major differences between men’s skin and women’s skin. Men’s skin is about 25% thicker, which may account for why they are seen to age a little more slowly (although if they don’t use sunscreen regularly, the slower aging may not be true). Men also produce more collagen (the protein that keeps skin youthful and firm) and they produce more sebum because of hormones called androgens (making their skin oilier), which can mean problems with acne. Moreover, men can actually handle stronger ingredients because they have thicker skin. For example, they can exfoliate more often than women without worrying that skin will become too irritated.

With these facts in mind, it makes sense for men to find their skin care to address their specific concerns. Furthermore, it helps to keep in mind that shaving foam and aftershave can strip men’s skin of important natural oils that keep it soft. Shaving products are dehydrating, and thus, using skin care that replenishes moisture is the way to go.

So what is the best sun care for men? Luckily, there are quite a few choices you can consider, as many brands have started creating skin care lines especially for men.

Perhaps as little as ten years ago, most men weren’t so keen on using skincare products. Socially, women are more conditioned to use a variety of skincare products to take care of their skin, while men are generally allowed to skip this process because, for some, it’s not considered a “masculine” habit. But times and preconceived notions are definitely changing.

The truth is that men need skin care as much as any woman does. And you may have noticed much more skin care products geared specifically toward men popping up in drugstores and department stores everywhere. Men’s skin care is no longer something to be laughed off or scoffed at.

SKIN CARE REVIEWS