Men’s Skincare Basics and Must-Haves for Guys & the Girls who Love Them

#1 A good cleanser:  most men generally get that they should keep their skin clean, but they may not also realize that washing their face, regularly, wards off bumps, blackheads and imperfections, not to mention enlarged pores and environmental saboteurs, all of which can contribute to aging.  Guys: cleaning your face well before shaving makes shaving easier, too.

#2 A decent Shaving Cream:  I know…guys like the pump cans that spew out clouds of foaming lather. But that soapy lather than be drying to your skin.  A high quality shaving cream or gel will help fight razor burn, help your razor glide, and moisturize that already-irritated skin you’ve created from using a razor in the first place!

#3 After Shave Balm:  the old style after shave lotions had a lot of alcohol and stung when you applied them. Along with pain, they disinfected your newly-shaved skin, to prevent infection. But modern, multi-tasking, after-shave products do the same thing –just without pain. “They also help reduce ingrown hairs. Some even offer moisturizing and SPF benefits in one nifty bottle. You can’t get anything easier!

#4 Multi-Tasking Moisturizer:  I know most men stop after #3, but a great moisturizer won’t clog pores, mildly exfoliates, and some have broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, too. While a moisturizer will shield your skin from the sun’s damaging rays if you’re just walking outside for a few minutes, it’s not going to protect you all day. It will help your skin look better, and more youthful (and every little bit of SPF protection, helps).

…which brings me to #5, Sunscreen.  Most women skip this step, even though they should know better, But men need it even more, because when you shave, you are opening up new skin that is raw and ripe for damage. And don’t just assume older guys need broad spectrum run protection.  Younger guys had better start using it now, if they don’t want things cut off their faces, later on (and who would want to have wrinkles you don’t need from sun damage)?  Women may layer moisturizers and foundations with SPF, but guys leave their bare skin open to all sorts of damange. Skin cancer can hit you at any age. Don’t take a chance. And if you are bald or bald-ing, you’d better start wearing a fashionable hat, or spray your scalp with an SPF.

…and #6 Tanning products:  You don’t need to have a deep tan that looks fake, but sometimes a bit of a “glow” can help make last night’s partying look less pathetic on your complexion. A tan can also make you look more youthful, as well as refreshed. But unless you really know what you’re doing, don’t try to “man tan” yourself. Go to a pro and get a spray tan that will make you look great, not goofy. Never use a tanning bed (you already know they’re bad, bad bad!). If you can do it skillfully, a super-light during of matte bronzing powder might work as well.

#7 Hair Care: no, soap from a bar isn’t the same as a good shampoo and conditioner. You really need these even (or especially) if your hair is thin or you are balding.  Good hair care products have conditioners and other ingredients that can help address the type of hair (and hair style) you have. If you can’t stand the idea of using more than one product, there are a number of multi-tasking hair/body products that cleanse and condition hair and skin in one nice bottle. The Advice Sisters have reviewed many over the years in the What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review columns.

I know I said there were seven must haves but actually, there are at least two more: #8 and or #9:  anti-aging skin and eye treatments.  Maybe you think you have been blessed with incredibly youthful skin that will never show wrinkles and fine lines, but if you don’t take care of your maturing skin, you will find them — and then it is on the way to “too late.”  Skin ages at different stages depending upon lots of factors, including general health, lifestyle, genetics and how much you’ve taken care of your skin previously, but by age 30, everybody’s skin is beginning to break down. You may not want to add anti-aging skin and eye creams to your daily routine, but it’s probably a good idea. Don’t wait until you really, really look older than you should, to do something about it.

After you’ve selected your core skin care products, remember: Use the products.  They don’t last forever, and if a product hangs around, especially in a hot environment, it may change consistency, color or smell.  And, if something has been lying around six months or more, the chances are that it might have already expired. Use it, or lose it!  And, if a product every irritates or burns your red, or makes it itchy or red, don’t use it.  Either you’re allergic to something in the product, or it just doesn’t work for you. Not sure where to get men’s products?  Just to name a few: L’Occitaine, Kiehls, Clinique, Jack Black, Lab Series, The Art of Shaving are some companies with luxe products just for men.  On the more modest end, Neutrogena, Olay, and Burt’s Bees are a good place to start. You will find many more on the drug store shelves, and in department stores, so look around and be a smart consumer!  Don’t forget to use the products as directed and you can look forward to healthier, better looking skin.