By: Peter Bevan - Vogue
Every guy would benefit from a consistent skincare routine. Just as you’d subscribe to a gym membership to stay physically fit or curate your wardrobe with pieces that make you feel good, working on your complexion is an investment that benefits both your health and self-esteem.
Whether you’ve noticed one of the 336M TikTok videos tagged “Men’s Skincare” or one of the many grooming brands which are popping up all over the world – from affordable expert Horace in Paris to Sydney-based Patrick’s, which focuses on luxurious high-performance formulas – it seems men are finally starting to pay attention to the benefits of looking after their skin. In fact, according to a report by Statistia, “the global male grooming market is estimated to be worth about 115 billion U.S. dollars, up from nearly 80 billion U.S. dollars as of 2022”.
The only downside? The growing choice can make it difficult to choose what’s best for you, especially amidst the countless GRWM hacks, hyped-up hero ingredients and misinformation on social media. So, to cut through the noise, we’ve broken the ideal men’s skincare routine down into a few simple steps with the help of some experts.
What are the key steps to a men’s skincare routine?
If skincare is new for you, it’s best to start small with a routine you can keep consistent every day. “Generally, a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and broad spectrum sunscreen is a solid trio to get started,” says Josh Rosebrook. “The single most important product, though, is daily sunscreen and making sure you reapply it regularly.”
After the basics are covered, you can think about adding some extra steps depending on your skin’s needs. That could be a daily eye serum enriched with depuffing caffeine (which we’d recommend keeping in the fridge, by the way), a twice-a-week deeply purifying exfoliator or a face mask for days when your face is feeling lacklustre.
Celebrity groomer, Josh Knight, who’s responsible for the internet’s incumbent boyfriend Paul Mescal’s glow, uses a few of these when he’s getting a client ready for a red carpet event. “For a special event, taking more time with your skin care will give you a healthy glow,” Knight tells Vogue. “I like to cleanse the skin using a warm towel, before applying a serum and allowing it to absorb, followed by a moisturiser, an eye mask, some glow drops or a tinted serum and concealer. If needed I’ll finish with a light powder or blotting paper to mattify.”
When it comes to your daily regime, the key is to go from thinnest to thickest consistency. So, after cleansing, that usually means serums followed by moisturisers and always finish with SPF. The only exception to the rule is a face oil, which is best to apply after your moisturiser so your skin can reap the nutritive benefits.
Rosebrook’s top tip? “Avoid getting caught up in trends and don’t complicate your routine or get overwhelmed. Incorporate one new product at a time and see how it performs before deciding if your skin needs something else”
What are the best skincare ingredients for men?
Since each individual has different skin concerns, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. “What differentiates each person are individual skin goals,” says Rosebrook. “If you want to minimise signs of ageing or repair damage, consider adding a retinol. Or, if you’re in the market for brightening, try a formula enriched with vitamin C.”
If your skin’s dry, look out nourishing ingredients like vitamin E or plant-based oils. Or if you tend to be oily or blemish-prone, it’s exfoliating salicylic acid which should be on your wishlist. Other ingredients in the spotlight right now are anti-inflammatory niacinamide which reduces redness, hyaluronic acid thanks to its moisturising credentials and squalene which has hydrating benefits.
“If you don’t know your skin type or condition, visit an esthetician or dermatologist to understand what needs to be addressed, any concerns and what products you should invest in,” concludes Rosebrook.
If you follow our easy step by step process below, we're sure you'll have a glow à la Pharrell Williams in no time.
Step 1. Cleanse
Step 2. Exfoliate (two / three times per week)
Step 3. Serum
Step 4. Moisturise
Step 5. SPF - Coming Soon
