The Ultimate Men's Skin Care Guide

Guys, be honest: How much attention do you really pay to your skin? When it comes to caring for your complexion, everyone’s skin—regardless of their gender, age, skin type, or skin care concerns—can benefit from some daily TLC. The good news is, an effective skin care routine doesn’t have to be 10 steps long or take what feels like hours to complete. Lucky for you and your busy schedule, you can keep things pretty simple when it comes to getting into face care for men.

Not sure where to begin? Consider this the ultimate guide to men’s skin care. Keep reading to learn how to put together a quality face care routine that will show your skin some love without breaking the bank or taking up too much of your valuable time. Whether you want to stick with the basics, like a facial cleanser and moisturizer, or you’re looking to up your skin care game a bit more, follow these six tips.

MEN’S SKIN CARE TIP #1. CLEANSE YOUR FACE MORNING AND NIGHT

So, you’ve been using a bar soap your entire life—that’s totally cool, right? Not so much. It’s time to ditch the bar soap and reach for a cleanser that’s actually meant for your face. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, or anything in between, it’s also wise to look for a facial cleanser that’s formulated for your specific skin type. Working out? Stash a bag of cleansing towelettes in your gym bag so that you can wipe your face in the locker room post-exercise. The bottom line to follow when it comes to cleansing is as follows: twice a day, every single day.

Product pick: L’Oréal Paris Men Expert™ Hydra Energetic Extreme Cleanser Infused with Charcoal. Pollution, sweat, and impurities can build up on your skin, which can lead to clogged pores. This cleanser is formulated with charcoal to capture and get rid of all kinds of dirt. Plus, it addresses skin issues caused by daily city grime, including oily skin, dirt, dullness, and clogged pores. Apply the cleanser to wet skin twice daily, focusing on the forehead, nose, and chin, since these areas may be oilier than the rest of your face.

MEN’S SKIN CARE TIP #2. MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE

Think you don’t need moisturizer if you have oily skin? Think again! Every skin type can benefit from some hydration, which is why moisturizing is our next must-do tip when it comes to face care for men. The best time to apply moisturizer is when your skin is still damp (this can help lock in hydration)—so don’t completely dry off after you’re finished cleansing. Instead, post-shower or face washing, apply a light layer of moisturizer all over your face and neck. Don’t skip this step—even if you’re tired or in a rush!

Product pick: L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Vita Lift Anti-Wrinkle & Firming Moisturizer. Fatigue can do a number on your skin, leaving it feeling dry and looking dull. This moisturizer targets the five signs of skin fatigue: dryness, dullness, tightness, roughness, and loss of firmness. Morning and night, energetically massage the moisturizer over cleansed skin.

MEN’S SKIN CARE TIP #3. DON’T SKIP THE BROAD-SPECTRUM SPF

Nope, SPF isn’t just a necessary skin care step when you’re spending the day at the beach. You can get burned even on cloudy days—and spending prolonged periods of time out in the sun without wearing protection can lead to visible signs of aging down the road (think dark spots and wrinkles). According to the Food & Drug Administration, you should wear a broad-spectrum (meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen with an SPF value of 15 or higher every day. You should also apply your sunscreen 15 minutes before you go outside and reapply it at least every two hours. Now, we said we’d keep this skin care routine simple, so if you’re short on time, cut one step out of your routine by using a moisturizer formulated with broad-spectrum SPF. (And FYI, this should be the last step in your skin care routine!)

Product pick: L’Oréal Paris Men Expert™ Vita Lift SPF 15 Anti-Wrinkle & Firming Moisturizer. This moisturizer is formulated with broad-spectrum SPF 15, has a non-greasy, non-sticky feel, and helps provide long-lasting hydration. Apply it to your face and neck in the morning—and bring it with you so that you can reapply throughout the day.

MEN’S SKIN CARE TIP #4. USE A GENTLE HAND WHILE SHAVING

You may not realize this, but some razors can be too harsh on your skin. Ouch! Make sure you’re gentle when you shave in order to avoid irritation. And once you’re done, use an after-shave balm.

Product pick: L’Oréal Paris Men Expert™ Hydra Energetic After Shave Balm. This balm addresses the signs of post-shaving discomfort and helps provide long-lasting hydration. Simply apply it all over your face and neck after shaving.

MEN’S SKIN CARE TIP #5. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR EYES

Sometimes, your under-eye area just needs a little extra love! Since the skin under your eyes is thinner, signs of aging—like dark circles and puffiness—can show up there first. For a refreshing treat, try an eye serum with a cooling applicator.

Product pick: L’Oréal Paris Men Expert™ Hydra Energetic Ice Cold Eye Roller. This eye serum targets the five signs of tired eyes—dark circles, eye bags, puffiness, tiredness, and roughness—and it has a cooling applicator. Gently roll the serum under each eye, starting from the bridge of your nose and moving outward.

MEN’S SKIN CARE TIP #6. KEEP YOUR FACIAL HAIR MOISTURIZED, TOO

Whether you rock a beard year-round or you’re just growing it out because of the season, you should always aim to keep your facial hair hydrated, too. You already know all too well how itchy and uncomfortable facial hair can become over time, so it’s important to keep it healthy and conditioned—just like you would the hair on your head!

Product pick: L’Oréal Paris Men Expert 3-Day Beard Moisturizer. It’s a hydrating beard softener and face cream all in one! Apply this non-greasy gel onto clean skin and beard every morning or evening.

While we’re on the subject, did you know that your choices in facial hair can actually have an effect on your overall appearance? Check out our article, Contouring for Men: How to Choose the Right Facial Hair for Your Face Shape, to learn more.