Now that we have covered the bare essentials of Men’s skin care, let's move into some specifics. We know there are a million products out there, which can be incredibly daunting, but there is a reason for this. Different skin has different needs. Someone with oily skin has different needs from someone with dry skin. Someone with a beard has different grooming requirements from someone who shaves every day. Younger skin may need a different approach to mature skin. Something that can get lost with people starting off their skin care journey is that you don't need everything, you just need the right things.
We want to make this as simple as possible, so you can pick out the right products for you. For most of these specific skin types you will know where you fall pretty easily, but for some of the more nuanced areas we will provide explanations to help guide you through to the right products.
ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SKINCARE ROUTINE (MOST OF THE TIME)
For most men, skincare doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, the majority of your skincare needs can be covered with a few simple essentials.
As we covered in our previous blog, a straightforward routine built around Face Wash, Face Scrub and Moisturiser is a great place to start. These three products cover the basics of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising, giving your skin the everyday care it needs without turning your bathroom into a skincare laboratory.
We’ve covered the basics before, but rather than sending you off to read another blog, let’s quickly look at what each product actually does and why it earns its place in your routine.
FACE WASH
Your face deals with a lot throughout the day. Dirt, sweat, excess oil, pollution and everything else you encounter can build up on your skin.
Using a gentle face wash regularly gives your skin a clean starting point, making it a simple but important part of your daily routine. For most men, washing your face in the morning or evening is enough, but ideal if you can do it twice a day.
FACE SCRUB
While face wash takes care of the daily buildup, exfoliation tackles more periodical build up like dead skin cells that face wash can’t. This helps keep your pores unclogged.
Unlike face wash, exfoliation isn't something you need to do every day. For most men, two to three times a week is enough to give your skin some extra attention without overdoing it.
The key is to be consistent, not aggressive. A quality Face Scrub only needs to be gently rubbed over your skin to be effective.
MOISTURISER
A good, light moisturiser helps support the skin's natural moisture barrier, keeping skin feeling hydrated, comfortable and supple. It can also help prevent that tight, dry feeling that can sometimes follow cleansing.
This is where things start to get a little more individual. While all men can benefit from using a moisturiser, not every moisturiser will feel the same on every skin type.
WHAT DOES YOUR SKIN NEED?
Once you've got the basics sorted, the next question is: which products are right for you?
The answer starts with understanding your skin.
Skin types aren't complicated categories that require a degree in dermatology. They're simply a useful way of understanding how your skin tends to behave, so you can make better choices about the products you use.
Your skin may be oily, dry, a combination of both, or simply more sensitive to certain products. Here's what to look out for.
OILY SKIN
If your skin tends to look shiny, feel greasy or produce more oil throughout the day, you may have oily skin.
You might notice that your forehead, nose and chin become particularly shiny, or that some moisturisers feel heavy or greasy once they're on your skin.
You might think that you need to get your skin as dry as possible, but this can make your situation worse. It’s not uncommon for men with oily skin to use soaps and harsh cleansers in an effort to remove the extra oil. What they don’t realise is that they are actually aggravating the Oil gland, causing it to produce more oil as a result. By using a mild cleanser and moisturiser, you are actually calming these glands, helping keep oil production more in check.
You may be looking at this recommendation and think “but moisturiser just makes my skin look shinier/feel heavy”, or “my skin is oily enough, surely I don’t need to lock this in”. You should remember that having oily skin doesn't mean your skin doesn't need moisture protection. If you have oily skin, our Oil Free Moisturiser is your best friend. Designed with a lightweight, non-greasy feel and look in mind.
DRY SKIN
Dry skin tends to make itself known.
Your skin may feel tight after cleansing, look flaky or feel rough to the touch. It can also feel uncomfortable, particularly after washing or shaving.
When your skin tends to be dry, keeping it moisturised becomes an even more important part of your routine. The goal isn't to pile on product after product, but to make sure your routine includes a moisturiser that leaves your skin feeling comfortable and hydrated.
Our Moisturiser is a straightforward everyday option for men whose skin needs a little more moisture and care.
We'll take a closer look at the differences between dry, oily and combination skin, and how to adapt your routine for each, in a future guide.
COMBINATION SKIN
Not everyone's skin behaves the same way across their entire face.
You might find that your forehead and nose become oily while your cheeks feel relatively dry. This is commonly referred to as combination skin.
The important thing is not to assume that your entire face needs to be treated the same way simply because one area is oily or dry.
Pay attention to what different areas of your skin are doing and choose products that work comfortably across your routine. Again, there's no need to overcomplicate it.
SENSITIVE SKIN
Some men's skin is simply more reactive than others.
You may notice that certain products leave your skin feeling irritated, uncomfortable or more sensitive than usual. If this sounds familiar, introducing new products gradually can be a sensible approach.
You don't need to completely overhaul your routine every time you try something new. Start with one product, see how your skin responds and pay attention to what works for you.
YOUR AGE CAN CHANGE WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS
Your skin isn't necessarily going to behave the same way throughout your life.
What works for you in your twenties may not be exactly what your skin wants later on. Changes in oil production, hydration, texture and the effects of everyday exposure can all influence what your skin needs.
That doesn't mean your skincare routine needs to get progressively longer. It simply means the products you choose may need to change as your skin does.
YOUNGER SKIN
Most young men can’t be bothered doing the most basic skin care, so simply going from not washing your face to applying any level of care is often enough of a step in the right direction.
That being said, it is also important to keep in mind the differences between teenage skin and adult skin. You may be dealing with more excess oil, sweat or breakouts, while also wanting to keep your skin clean and comfortable. A good face wash can help remove daily buildup, while a lightweight, oil free moisturiser can provide hydration without leaving your skin looking too shiny.
There's usually no need to overcomplicate things. A good face wash, a lightweight moisturiser and products that fit naturally into your everyday grooming routine can be a great place to start.
MATURE SKIN
As skin changes with age, hydration, texture and overall skin appearance can become more noticeable considerations.
Years of shaving, sun exposure and everyday life can all take their toll, and you may find that your skin feels drier or less resilient than it once did.
This is where some men may choose to introduce products that target specific concerns. An anti-ageing serum can be an option for men who want to address visible signs of ageing, while a good moisturiser can help keep skin feeling hydrated and comfortable.
WHAT ABOUT MEN WHO SHAVE?
Shaving is one area where your skincare needs can be a little different.
Running a razor across your skin regularly can put additional stress on the surface, particularly if you're shaving frequently or your skin is prone to irritation.
That's why what you do before, during and after shaving matters.
Think of it as:
PREPARE → SHAVE → CARE
Preparing the skin properly can help create a better shaving experience. Getting your skin loose and opening up your pores with a warm shower helps make shaving easier. Combining this with a lubricating shaving gel, which is a lot cleaner than traditional foams, allows the razor to move comfortably across the skin. Follow this up with a quick splash of cold water and a soothing aftershave lotion and you will find shaving leaves your skin looking smooth and clean, instead of creating bumps and cuts.
We'll take a much closer look at how to get a better shave, avoid common shaving mistakes and look after your skin in our dedicated men's shaving guide.
WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF YOU?
Your face might get most of the attention when it comes to skincare, but it's certainly not the only skin you need to look after.
The rest of your body has to deal with sweat, dirt, daily showers and everything else life throws at you. Your hands probably deserve some attention too, while your hair and scalp have their own grooming requirements.
This is where skincare starts to overlap with the broader world of men's grooming.
A simple head-to-toe routine can cover a lot without requiring a bathroom shelf full of products. A good Hand + Body Wash can take care of everyday cleansing, and paired with a light application of moisturizer on your body as a body balm can keep you feeling fresher for longer.
WE'VE DONE THE GUESSWORK FOR YOU
Know what you want to tackle first but still not 100% sure where you want to start?
We've brought together three of our best selling products into our new Set Me Up kits which cover specific routines and needs, making it easier to get started without having to work out which products belong together.
And because buying them together makes sense, each kit also offers up to 15% savings compared with buying the products individually.
FACE THE BASICS
Everything you need to get your face care sorted.
Face Wash, Charcoal Face Scrub and Moisturiser.
A straightforward combination covering the essentials of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising. It's a simple starting point for men who want to get their everyday face care sorted without overthinking it.
FRESH FACED
A simple starting point for younger skin.
Face Wash, Hair + Body Wash and Oil Free Moisturiser.
A straightforward combination for younger men who want to keep their skin clean, fresh and comfortable while covering the basics of everyday grooming.
LET'S FACE IT
For skin that deserves a little more attention.
Shave Gel, Anti-Aging Serum and Moisturiser SPF 15.
A combination for men looking to put a little more focus on shaving, hydration and the appearance of ageing skin.
BODY WORKS
Everything you need to keep the rest of you sorted.
Hand + Body Wash, 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner and Moisturiser.
A simple head-to-toe combination for men who want to cover their everyday body and hair grooming without filling the bathroom cabinet with unnecessary products.
SO, WHAT PRODUCTS DO MEN ACTUALLY NEED?
The honest answer is: it depends.
And that's not a cop-out.
A man with oily skin may want a different moisturiser from someone with dry skin. A man who shaves every day has different grooming requirements from someone with a beard. Younger skin may have different priorities from mature skin.
But underneath all those differences, the fundamentals stay pretty simple.
Start with the basics. Pay attention to your skin. Choose products that suit what you actually need and add more only when there's a reason to.
You don't need a 10-step routine. You don't need a bathroom cabinet full of products. And you definitely don't need to become a skincare expert overnight.
FAQ Section
I'd add these as genuine questions rather than simply stuffing keywords into an FAQ.
WHAT SKINCARE PRODUCTS SHOULD EVERY MAN HAVE?
A Cleanser, Scrub and Moisturiser are the bare necessities for keeping your skin looking better for longer.
HOW MANY SKINCARE PRODUCTS DOES A MAN NEED?
There isn't a magic number. Start with the essentials and add products for specific needs as you learn more about what your skin needs.
SHOULD MEN WITH OILY SKIN USE MOISTURISER?
Yes. Oily skin still requires hydration to avoid the early signs of aging. Using an Oil Free Moisturiser can help avoid the appearance of overly shiny skin.
DO MEN WITH MATURE SKIN NEED DIFFERENT SKINCARE PRODUCTS?
Older skin can lose its elasticity, so using products that help restore this are ideal to help prevent or reduce wrinkling or other signs of aging. Regularly using a broad spectrum Sun Screen is also a great way to keep your skin looking younger for longer.
By Joe Maher