10 Summer Skin Care Tips for Men

A solid skin care routine, regardless of your gender, is a great way to take some time for yourself every day. It doesn’t have to be expensive or include 12 steps and a collection of different lotions and potions; you just have to make time and equip yourself with the right products, such as facial cleanser, SPF and moisturizer. If you’re wondering when it’s the right time to start caring for your skin — the time is now. So, read on as we share ten summer skin care tips for men to make the most of your summer skin care regimen.

What Should Your Skin Care Routine Be for Men?

Believe it or not, a skin care routine for men shouldn’t look all that different than a skin care routine for anyone else. While your skin may run more dry or more oily, basic skin care practices, like cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliating and applying SPF, suit all skin types. Check out these 10 tips for guys to level up your skin care routine for the summer season and beyond. 

1. Commit to Washing Your Face Twice Daily

Whether you’re dealing with acne-prone skin, or you just want to keep your face clean, pick up a facial cleanser that you can use in the morning, at night, and after sweating. Try the L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Hydra Energetic Extreme Cleanser Infused with Charcoal: It has a formula that acts as a magnet on the skin to capture and get rid of all kinds of dirt, impurities, pollution and the excess sebum that can lead to breakouts. 

2. Use Separate Cleanser for Face and Body

If you’re guilty of using the same bar soap for your body on your face, you should stop — immediately. While some guys might love to do this because they feel like their body soap gets a better lather and they associate that with feeling clean, a soap bar for the body often includes ingredients that may be drying to the skin on your face, stripping your skin of natural oils that are good for you. This can lead to dry, dull skin, or sebum oils (and acne) as your skin may try to counteract the dryness it’s experiencing by producing more oils. Avoid this by using a cleanser made for your face like the aforementioned Men Expert Hydra Energetic Extreme Cleanser Infused with Charcoal.

3. Be Gentle While Shaving

A good, general rule is to always be careful when handling sharp objects: In life and in your skin care routine. This probably seems obvious, but it’s easy to get a bit too overzealous with your razor, and that can result in irritation. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s beneficial to wet your skin and hair to soften the follicles before shaving. It’s best practice to apply a shaving cream or gel, and shave with the grain (aka in the direction that your hair grows). You should also change blades or toss disposable razors every five to seven shaves to help minimize irritation, per the AAD. Make sure to shave lightly to help prevent nicks, and apply an after-shave balm once you’re done. 

4. Never Skip Moisturizer

Everyone should use moisturizer as part of their daily skin care routine, regardless of skin type. The best time to layer on your moisturizer is after you’ve cleansed, shaved, or showered, while your skin is still slightly damp, as this can help lock in hydration. Twice daily, after cleansing, apply the L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Vita Lift Anti-Wrinkle & Firming Moisturizer to your face and neck to provide your skin with long-lasting moisture. The anti-aging formula includes pro-retinol to fight signs of aging, like fine lines, roughness and dryness. It also helps to soothe razor burn post-shaving. 

5. Don’t Ignore the Under-Eye Area

It’s easy to forget that the skin underneath your eyes is delicate and can give way to aging if uncared for. Don’t let under-eye bags, puffiness and dark circles give your age away, gents. After you moisturize your face in the morning and night, dab on an eye cream like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid + 1% Caffeine Eye Serum. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and caffeine, it depuffs, reduces wrinkles and brightens the eye area with continued use. 

6. Never Skimp On Sun Protection 

No skin care routine would be complete without a few key sun protection measures, and adding a moisturizer with SPF is an easy way to make sure you don’t skip this step in your skin care regimen. Try the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30 which combines top anti-aging ingredients and sun protection so that you get the best of both worlds. Additionally, the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion provides broad spectrum coverage with a lightweight, non-greasy formula that doesn’t leave a white cast on any skin tone. 

Furthermore, you should also limit your amount of time in the sun, especially during the sun’s peak hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., seek shade, and cover up exposed areas in protective clothing and accessories, all according to the Food and Drug Administration.

7. Exfoliate a Few times a Week

All skin types can benefit from routine exfoliation. Over time, excess oils can build up on your skin’s surface, causing your skin to look extra shiny, and in some cases can exacerbate a breakout. So, from time to time, use a gentle exfoliator, like the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 5% Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner, that can help remove buildup, fade dark spots and brighten the skin. As for how often you should exfoliate, some people can handle daily exfoliation, while others may only be able to do so once or twice a week. Pay attention to how your skin responds to determine what works best for you.

8. Respond to Changes and Reactions

This brings us to another important part of taking care of your skin — paying attention to how your skin reacts to products and treatments. Whether you’re switching to a different product, introducing a new product category into your routine (maybe face serums are now your jam), or the seasons have changed, you need to keep an eye out for changes in your skin, both good and bad. Remember, it’s not uncommon to have oilier skin in the summer and drier skin in the winter months. Your skin care routine may vary from season to season, and that’s very normal.  

9. Don’t Neglect Your Lips 

While you may not consider lip balm the manliest of products, that shouldn’t stop you from using it in your skin care routine because no one is immune to chapped lips. Help keep them feeling soft by applying a lip balm whenever needed, and bonus points if you use one formulated with SPF. 

10. See Your Derm Regularly

Don’t feel like the only time you should see a dermatologist is when your skin is acting up. Be sure to book a yearly skin exam with your derm to check for changes to your skin. This is very important as they can keep an eye on moles and beauty marks that can lead to skin cancer.

Next: The 7 Best Hair Care Tips for Men

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Digital Tech: Paul Yem, Photo Assistant: Matt Licari, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Alexis Badiyi, Wardrobe Assistant: Jazmine Alzado, Model: Michael Cota