If you’re a man who wants to start a skin care routine, but you don’t actually use anything on you skin beyond body wash and deodorant, going from zero to hero may seem like a big leap. However, it doesn’t have to be that complicated: although there are hundreds of personal care products available out there, the vast majority of men (and, well, people in general) can get away with using only four essentials: a face wash, a moisturizer, a sunscreen, and perhaps an eye cream.
Today, we’ll walk you through these four essential skin care products, and help you choose the right ones for you–it’ll be quick and easy, we promise.
Cleanser or Face Wash
It’s hard to choose the most essential product in a facial skincare routine, but we believe it’s be either the cleanser or the sunscreen. Although it may seem like a minor step, facial cleansing is extremely important for men who want to build a personal care routine: when done in the morning, it helps to cleanse the skin of any oils that may have accumulated throughout the night; when done in the evening, it helps remove accumulated impurities and grime which may have latched onto your skin during a busy day.
There are different types of skin cleansers, but right now we are only recommending cleansers that can be used on damp skin–you know, typical face washes. Simply apply a small amount of product to damp skin, massage with circular motions, rinse off, and you’ll be good to go!
The Nivea Men Protect & Care Deep Cleaning Face Wash is a great example of a simple face cleanser that’s effective and easy to use. The formula contains soothing aloe vera and hydrating panthenol, all in order to restore comfort to the skin during cleansing. We also like the ClarinsMen Active Face Wash Foaming Gel, another soothing option–this time featuring aloe vera and purslane extract–that helps remove oil, dirt, and other impurities without triggering sensitivity or irritation.
Moisturizer
Everyone can benefit from a moisturizing cream, regardless of gender or age–after all, the purpose of a moisturizing cream is to restore hydration to the skin. Most moisturizing creams fulfill this need, and then some go above and beyond–tackling specific concerns such as acne, sensitivity, or even signs of aging. There are plenty of textures and forms of application to choose from–thicker or more fluid, in a jar or in a tube–but men generally prefer a more lightweight moisturizer.
Knowing this, we’re recommending two facial moisturizers with light textures that quickly melt into the skin, for a barely noticeable finish!
The first moisturizer we’d like to recommend is the Lierac Homme Energizing Moisturizing Gel. Formulated with natural extracts that help hydrate, revitalize, and protect the skin from fatigue, this moisturizer is perfect for anyone looking for a reinvigorating skin care product. For those who prefer a moisturizer in a pot, rather than in a tube, we love the Clinique Men Maximum Hydrator 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing, a refreshing gel-cream moisturizer that combines glycerin, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid: three ingredients known for their incredible hydrating power!
Eye Cream
We know, we know: for men who aren’t used to using skincare of any kind, an eye cream may seem like a far-fetched idea. And yet, the eye contour is one of the areas of the face that men complain about the most: either because they have dark circles under their eyes and they’d like to get rid of them, or because they’ve started to notice fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes as they age.
Indeed, the eye contour is a rather vulnerable area. The skin surrounding the eyes is thinner than the skin on the rest of the face; for that reason, the eye contour is usually the first area where we notice skin dehydration, fine lines, or wrinkles. Add to this the typical concerns of this area, such as dark circles, eye bags, and puffiness, and an eye cream might actually start to look like an essential skin care product for many men.
Featuring vitamin C and caffeine, the L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Hydra Energetic Anti-Fatigue Eye Roll-On also stands out for its practical applicator: a metal ball that provides a cooling and refreshing sensation, all the while minimizing eye bags and puffiness. We also like the Frezyderm Eye Balm Puffiness & Dark Circles, an anti-fatigue eye cream that uses natural plant extracts to help reduce dark circles and fine lines around the eyes.
Sunscreen
Gone are the days when people only thought about using sunscreen on the beach: nowadays, sunscreen is an essential personal care product! If you still don’t use sunscreen daily, the practice may take some using to, but the benefits are invaluable: in addition to helping to prevent skin aging, the daily use of sunscreen is also one of the lifestyle changes recommended to help prevent skin cancer.
For those who are going to start using daily sunscreen, we always recommend that you look a) for a sunscreen specifically formulated for facial use, and b) for a formula that’s adapted to your skin type. As men’s skin tends to be more oily, we’re suggesting some sunscreens that we know are effective for this skin type. With lightweight textures that dry quickly, these sunscreens provide a natural finish that feels close to the regular texture of your skin–you’ll barely notice they’re there!
One of our best selling sunscreens, the Eucerin Sun Oil Control Gel-Cream Dry Touch SPF50+ stands out for its mattifying formula, perfect for oily and acne-prone skin. Featuring SPF50+, this is a perfect sunscreen for daily use, as it will keep the skin protected from sun exposure while, at the same time, keeping excess oil and sebum under control for up to 8 hours. We’re also big fans of the Heliocare 360 Water Gel SPF50+, a super lightweight sunscreen that features Fernblock®+, an anxioxidant plant extract that boosts the skin’s natural defenses against the damaging effects of sun exposure.
Four products later, we’ve covered the essential skin care products every man needs–for facial care, that is! Make sure to take a look at our selection body care essentials too: there you’ll find some of our favorite body washes, deodorants, soaps, and so much more.
