Is Skincare Important for Men?

If you’re wondering if skincare is important for men or how to create your own routine, I’ve got everything you need to know right here.

The world of skincare can be overwhelming for everyone, but it’s especially overwhelming for men. After all, most skincare marketing and advice have historically been targeted at women.

Skincare is also a huge industry, leading to an oversaturated product market. It can leave men feeling confused as to where to start and can discourage them from trying.

But taking care of the body’s largest organ (yes – that’s right) is something that should not be gendered. Besides, if you’re a man who enjoys cologne and grooming your facial hair but doesn’t do skincare, you need to change that!

The term skincare typically refers to how someone cares for the skin on their face. All skin on our bodies should be cared for, but in this article, we’ll stick to the face as a starting point for men.

If you’re overwhelmed with ingredients you can’t pronounce and aren’t sure of the difference between creams and serums, I’ll give some product recommendations and help you begin your skincare journey.

Why Is Skincare for Men Important?

Even when skincare is targeted at men, it’s often targeted at anti-aging and keeping wrinkles and fine lines at bay. These are valid concerns, but this message undermines the importance of having healthy skin at any season of life.

The goal isn’t to have perfect, blemish-free skin but for your skin to be in the best condition that it can be in. Healthy skin provides a barrier that protects the body from bacteria and irritants that can impact health and cause adverse reactions.

A solid skincare routine also does wonders for your self confidence. Our facial expressions are vital for everyday social interactions. If you have dry or itchy skin (or even cracked lips), you’re not going to feel your best when talking and expressing yourself using your facial muscles.

Benefits of Skincare for Men

Here are a few key benefits you can expect from implementing a skincare routine:

• Healthy skin
• Post-shave recovery
• Environmental factors protection
• Acne prevention
• Increased confidence
• Anti-aging benefits

Skincare Basics for Men

The start of any good skincare routine is washing your face (dermatologists recommend washing every morning and night). Cleansing your face is laying the groundwork for whatever other products you are going to follow up with.

Having a nice, dirt-free canvas is crucial so that the beneficial ingredients from your skincare products can soak in.

Our faces have smaller skin cells than the rest of our body. For example, the cells on our faces release water faster than the cells on our arms. The smaller the cell is, the more easily that dirt and bacteria can enter. (Think acne.) That’s why the skin on our face can be sensitive and needs to be treated with a gentle touch.

Cleansing is the first slice of bread of the skincare sandwich. If you’re using standard bar soap on your face, you could be causing irritation and dryness. You’ll want a basic, gentle cleanser to start with—I recommend the Gentle Foaming Face Wash from Oars + Alps.

Many different types of products can go in between depending on your skin type and needs. These products include:

• Exfoliators
• Toners
• Serums
• Face oils
• Eye creams
• Sunscreen

The final phase of any skincare routine is almost always a moisturizer. The type of moisturizer you use will depend on not only your skin type but also the time of day.

For the morning, go with a lighter moisturizer. Men tend to develop more sebum and oiliness than women, so a lighter moisturizer will hydrate the skin without causing any additional greasiness.

Our bodies go into repair and recovery mode at night, so treating your skin with a thicker moisturizer is best to help combat the daytime offenders.

The DERMA-E Vitamin C Intense Night Cream is great for nighttime use. If you want to keep things simple and use the same moisturizer in the morning and at night, go with the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid.

Acne Prevention and Treatment

If you’ve dabbled in skincare before, you’ve probably tried out some anti-acne products. Acne can be brutal for self-confidence and feeling your best, and it can also be super painful and irritating.

Clogged pores generally cause acne, so you want to combat it by looking for spot treatments and toners with acne-fighting ingredients. Some common ingredients to look out for are salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and alpha-hydroxy acids.

Spot treatments are only applied directly to visible pimples and blemishes. They often include benzoyl peroxide.

Here’s a simple adult acne routine you can follow:

1. Cleanse

2. Spot treat

3. Moisturize

If you’ve already tried a basic skincare routine for acne and are ready to step up your game, check out this next-level skincare routine.

Your Skin Type Matters

To determine your skin type, you can try the simple wash method that involves cleansing your face and observing how your skin looks and feels after.

Consistency with your routine and choosing the right products for your skin type are key. Generally, there are 5 skin types:

• Normal
• Oily 
• Dry
• Combination
• Sensitive

(Acne-prone is a characteristic that can be associated with any of these 5 major types.)

Many men’s skincare brands have product lines dedicated to each skin type, but plenty of products are designed to work well with all skin types. If you’re unsure of mixing and matching, check out products specifically labeled for your skin type.

Product Types & Recommendations

Here are the main types of skincare products you should know (and my recommendations for each category):

Exfoliators

Exfoliators are physical (granular) or chemical products that slough away dead skin cells.

They open and purge the pores even more, which can help prevent acne and leave the skin feeling very smooth.

Toners

Toners are thin liquids applied after cleansing, often with a cotton pad. They help remove any traces of dirt and buildup from your pores that your cleanser may have missed.

Toning can also be especially beneficial for oily skin since it removes excess sebum.

Serums

If you normally experience any tightness or redness, a good serum can help to soothe that irritation. You’ll want to look for hyaluronic acid and vitamin C in a serum.

Hyaluronic acid moisturizes the skin, and vitamin C works to brighten your complexion.

Face Oils

Oils are nutrient rich and hydrating. You can apply a few drops directly to the skin or mix the drops into serums and moisturizers.

Look out for Vitamin E and argan oil, which are good for most skin types.

Eye Creams

Some argue that eye creams are marketing gimmicks and any general moisturizer is good enough to be applied to the under the eye as well. This is sometimes true, but some eye creams and serums are actually worth it.

Eye-specific creams and gels tend to target dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines using ingredients like caffeine and retinol. Whether you use a dedicated eye cream or regular moisturizer, delicately tap the product so you don’t irritate the skin under and around your eyes.

Sunscreen

You’re covered if you choose a daytime moisturizer that includes SPF, like the Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer. However, if your daytime moisturizer doesn’t, don’t sweat it — just be sure to apply a layer of SPF that fully covers your face after your moisturizer.

You don’t need to incorporate all of these types of products into your routine all at once (that could upset your skin!). Choose types of products based on your skin type and see what works for you.

Skincare for Men FAQ

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about men’s skincare:

What age should men start skincare?

The sooner, the better! A lot of skincare advice is targeted at anti-aging, but a basic skincare routine benefits everyone.

How often do I follow my skincare routine?

It’s best to do skincare every morning and night. You’ll cleanse your skin each time and follow up with any appropriate daytime and nighttime products afterward.

Do men need specific skincare products?

Not really. A lot of skincare products will work for men, even if they aren’t labeled “for men.” Men do have thicker skin than women and tend to produce more oil, but there’s not a lot of evidence to suggest that men need completely different products and ingredients. It’s more important to shop for your skin type.

Conclusion: Skincare Is Important for Men

Good skin care is linked to better overall physical and mental health. Taking care of your skin is worth the few extra minutes morning and night and will set you up for feeling your best. Having perfect, blemish-free skin is not the goal; putting your best face forward is.

Remember, it’s important to compare your skincare progress to your past self, not others. Genetics and environmental factors affect your skin and are out of your control.

Ready to continue your skincare journey? Subscribe to our newsletter! You’ll gain access to even more skincare content like product recommendations, brand reviews, and more.