The Grooming Journal
The Ideal Skincare Routine For Men
Feb 07, 2022
Askincare routine is about using the right products in the right order to help your skin look and feel its best. It can help you to address specific skin concerns, manage your skin type, slow down signs of ageing or even completely transform your skin.
It doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming either.
Why Men Should Have A Daily Skincare Routine?
Men need to have a daily skincare routine to keep their skin clean, healthy and in balance. A skincare routine is also essential for addressing skin concerns and can provide a self-care boost during the day. Anything from oily skin and acne through to dry, dehydrated skin can be improved just by maintaining a consistent skincare routine and using the correct products.
An effective step by step skincare routine
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused by which order to apply your skincare routine in, then here’s a guide to your ideal skincare routine. If you’re just starting out and want a simpler approach, then you’ll also find a scaled-back version of the routine to get you going.
Step 1: Cleanser
A cleanser is a skincare product that’s used to remove dirt, oil, dead skin cells, sweat, pollution, and makeup from the skin. You usually use it twice a day (morning and evening) to keep your skin looking and feeling fresh.
It also ensures that your skin is prepped for the next steps in your routine, whilst helping to keep breakouts and blocked pores at bay.
There are different types of cleansers available, usually aimed at different skin types or concerns. Some of the more common types are foaming cleansers, cream cleansers, balm cleansers, oil cleansers, gel cleansers, and micellar water. Your skin type and skin concerns will influence the ingredients you look for and how you use your products. You can move on to the next step of your routine straight away.
Tip: If you’re using hand soap or shower gel to clean your face: STOP. This can dry your skin out and damage its natural protective barrier.
It’s also worth remembering that a cleanser is different from an exfoliating scrub, as this actually sloughs away dead skin and flakes from the surface of your skin and should only be used a couple of times per week.
If you’re in need of a new cleanser, then check out some of the best cleansers at Humanery.
Explore featured face cleansers and face washes for men
HEATH Face Wash
Exfoliating Face Cleanser with Activated Charcoal To Clear Pores
Pelegrims Vitamin Boost Facial Cleanser
Antibacterial Formula with Kent Cherry & Pinot Noir Grape Extracts
PATRICKS FW1 Face Wash
Cell Regenerating Foaming Cleanser + Soothes Redness & Irritation
DEVONINE Face Cleanser | Premium South Korean Skincare
Soothing Natural Formula with Green Tea Extract
Shakeup Cosmetics Face 4ward Multi-Action Daily Face Wash
Gentle Fragrance-free Formula + Targets Blemishes
Aesop Amazing Face Cleanser
Non-Drying Daily Cleanser with Purifying Mandarin Rind & Ylang Ylang
SCRUBD Energising Face Scrub
Natural Exfoliating Wash with Bergamot, Lime & Volcanic Rock
Aesop Fabulous Face Cleanser
Hydrating Olive-Derived Face Cleanser with Purifying Botanicals
Step 2: Toner
Toner is used to remove any last traces of excess oil, makeup and dirt, restore your skin’s natural pH balance and to help your skin get ready for moisturiser. You can use toner twice a day, but if you have dry or sensitive skin you might want to just use it once a day, or every other day. Old-school, alcohol-based toners used to be drying and damaging on the skin, but today’s toners are much more hydrating and gentle.
It delivers a quick hit of hydration and helps to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, refreshing the skin without stripping it. Toners can contain a whole range of skin-boosting ingredients such as antioxidants, glycerin, acids, and anti-inflammatories for plump, glowing skin.
Usage: You usually put a small amount of toner onto a cotton pad, swipe it across your face and let it dry on the skin straight after cleansing. You can then continue with the rest of your routine. Some toners can be applied directly to the skin, without a cotton pad.
To try a toner and add it to your routine, take a look at some of the best toners at Humanery.
Explore featured face toners for men
Shakeup Cosmetics Face 4ward Clarifying Toner
Multifaceted Formula that Exfoliates, Hydrates & Refreshes
Clear Skin Days Clarifying Toner
Evens Skin Tone & Hydrates, with Lactic Acid & Liquorice Root
men-u Matt 'Skin Refresh' Gel
Anti-Shine, Fragrance-Free Toner for Normal, Combination & Oily Skin
Skin Generics Revitalising Face Toner with Ginseng
Featuring 7.5% Active Ingredients for Improved Balance & Tone
The Grey Exfoliating Toning Pads
Detoxifying Exfoliating Pads with Nourishing and Anti-Ageing
D'ALCHEMY Hydrating Dew Facial Toner
pH Balancing with Anti-Ageing and Antioxidant Properties
ATHLETIA Core Balance Toning Lotion
Restores Skin's Hydration with Botanical Oils & Extracts
Haeckels 2.0 Earth Marine AHA Toner
Naturally Exfoliating Toner with Glycolic Acid
Step 3: Serum
The next step in your routine is to apply a facial serum. A serum delivers a powerful shot of active ingredients directly into your skin.
It’s made up of smaller molecules that penetrate deeply into the skin and deliver a concentration of active ingredients. It’s great for fighting signs of ageing, along with other skin concerns like dry skin, texture, or acne.
The ingredients that are in your serum will depend on the skin concern that you’re targeting.
For dry skin, look for Vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, or Glycolic Acid.
Dull skin benefits from Green Tea, Resveratrol, and Ferulic Acid.
For acne-prone skin try Vitamin C, Retinol, Salicylic Acid, or Zinc.
A serum can be water-based or oil-based.
Usage: Apply a small amount of serum in tapping motions with your fingertips or palms. It doesn’t need to be rubbed in and should be left to absorb by itself. You usually use serum daily, before you moisturise your skin for a boost of ingredients.
Thinking of adding a serum into your routine? Check out some of the best serums at Humanery.
Step 4: Eye Cream
Eye cream is a specially formulated cream that’s used on the delicate skin around the eyes. The skin around your eyes is thinner than on other parts of your face so tends to show signs of ageing and sun damage first. Eye cream is usually thicker and contains more oil than a regular face moisturiser, so gives extra hydration when you need it most.
If you’re looking to prevent or fight signs of ageing, then adding eye cream into your daily routine can seriously help with fine lines and wrinkles. Look for eye creams that contain hydrating and moisturising ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Ceramides, Peptides, Fatty Acids, Vitamin C, and Oils.
Usage: Using an eye cream couldn’t be easier. Just scoop up a small amount of product, gently tap small dots under your eyes and pat the product into your skin. Be careful not to get any in your eyes! Leave it to absorb into your skin before continuing with your routine.
Want to get started with an eye cream? Check out some of the best eye creams at Humanery.
Step 5: Moisturiser & SPF
A moisturiser is a cream, oil, or lotion that you apply to your skin to make it less dry and to keep it protected. These products hydrate your skin, with some even adding sun protection, antioxidants, or other anti-ageing ingredients in there too. Whatever your skin type, you should be using a moisturiser daily and you should definitely be wearing SPF every day.
The ingredients you look for in your moisturiser will vary, depending on your skin type, but in general, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, and Squalane will help to keep your skin moisturised and hydrated. Some of these ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid actually attracts moisture as well as keeps it locked into your skin.
Usage: Moisturiser is easy to apply, simply add a small amount to your fingertips and apply to your face in smooth, uplifting strokes until it’s absorbed. You should moisturise twice a day and may prefer to use a thicker night cream or moisturiser before you go to bed to add even more hydration to your skin. You can then add your SPF, followed by any makeup products that you use, such as concealer or foundation.
Ready for hydration? Check out some of the best moisturisers & SPF at Humanery.
Supplementary: Face Masks & Spot Treatments
As well as the skin routine we’ve outlined above, you might also want to include a face mask or spot treatment. These can be extremely effective for targeting any specific concerns that you may have. You’d usually use them between cleansing and moisturising your skin.
Face Masks
A face mask can be a great way to feel pampered, take care of your skin, and practice self-care. It provides a concentrated boost of ingredients directly to your skin. Whether you’re looking to hydrate, moisturise, dry, or exfoliate your skin will determine exactly what those ingredients are. Masks tend to come in two different forms; as a cream that you apply to your skin and leave for a specific amount of time or as a sheet mask covered in skincare ingredients that you lay on your skin.
Spot Treatment
Spot treatment is for you if you struggle with acne, breakouts, or blocked pores. They deliver acne-fighting ingredients directly where you need them and reduce swelling, redness, and soreness. They can help spots to become less visible more quickly. Spot treatments can either be a cream that you apply directly to the skin or in the form of a spot patch that you add to the skin over the offending blemish.Check out some of the best face masks and spot treatment products at Humanery.
A Simplified Option With Fewer Steps
If the routine above feels overwhelming and you don’t know where to start, then don’t panic. Starting out with three easy steps for your routine can help you to improve the health and appearance of your skin.
Three of the most effective and easiest ways to make a difference to your skin are;
Cleansing: washing your face
Toning: balancing the skin
Moisturising: hydrating and softening the skin
Once you’re more comfortable with this routine, you can add in some additional products to elevate your skincare.
Explore our featured men's skincare products
LifeJacket Skin Protection SPF 30 Daily Protection Face Moisturiser
Non-Greasy, Fragrance Free and Anti-Ageing Moisturiser made in the UK
PATRICKS AM1 Anti-Ageing Moisturiser
Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C Moisturiser (GQ Award Winner)
HEATH Oil Control Face Wash
Gently Exfoliates with Oil Fighting Properties for a Matte Finish
The Grey Recovery Face Serum
Potent and Concentrated with Anti-Ageing and Hydrating Properties
John Masters Organics Exfoliating Face Cleanser with Jojoba & Ginseng
Removes Impurities, Hydrates & Smoothens Skin
CELLMEN Face Ultra | Made in Switzerland
Ultra-Nourishing Cream Formula with Anti-Ageing & Brightening
LifeJacket Skin Protection Moisturiser Set
SPF 30 Non-Greasy & Dermatologically Tested Daily Moisturisers
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