Let’s face it—men’s skincare is often overlooked or overly complicated. But your skin, like your teeth or clothes, needs consistent care.
And the good news? You don’t need a shelf full of products or a 10-step routine. An effective skincare routine comes down to just three essentials: cleanse, moisturize, and protect.
Start with a cleanser. A good face wash clears away dirt, oil, and pollutants that build up throughout the day or while you sleep. Skip the bar soap—it strips your skin’s barrier and throws off your pH. Instead, look for ingredients like charcoal or volcanic ash for deep cleansing, aloe vera or green tea to calm sensitive skin, and salicylic acid if you’re acne-prone or oily. Blu Atlas’s Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser is a solid pick—it’s sulfate-free and won’t leave your face feeling tight or dry.
Next, moisturize. Yes, even oily skin needs it. When your skin is dehydrated, it can actually produce more oil to compensate, making things worse. Choose a formula that matches your skin type. Gel-based moisturizers are ideal for oily or acne-prone skin because they hydrate without feeling heavy. If your skin leans dry or crepey, go for a cream-based option. And if you have allergy-prone or sensitive skin, a fragrance-free formula is your safest bet. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid provide deep hydration without clogging pores, while squalane helps restore and protect your skin’s natural barrier.
Now, the step most guys tend to skip—sunscreen. It’s not optional. Sunscreen protects your skin from UV damage, prevents dark spots, and slows signs of aging like wrinkles and rough texture. Look for a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and make sure it’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores. Fragrance-free is also a smart choice, especially for sensitive skin. Apply sunscreen every morning after you moisturize—yes, even if it’s cloudy or you’re indoors most of the day. UV rays are sneaky.
So, how often should you be using all of this? Here’s a simple routine you can stick to. In the morning that's less than 3 minutes: cleanse, moisturize, and apply sunscreen. At night: cleanse again and follow with your moisturizer or an anti-aging serum if you want to go the extra mile. Once or twice a week, add an exfoliator to the mix to slough off dead skin and boost skin renewal. A clay mask can also help if your skin feels greasy or congested—just don’t overdo it.
There are a few things you’ll want to avoid. Harsh bar soaps can strip your skin’s protective barrier, leaving it dry and irritated. Alcohol-heavy toners often do more harm than good, especially if your skin is sensitive. Over-fragranced formulas are another common culprit for irritation. And watch out for random multi-use products that try to do everything but deliver nothing—look for clear, effective ingredients instead.
If you have facial hair, don’t ignore the skin underneath. Use a clean, lightweight beard oil to soften coarse hair and prevent flakes. A few drops go a long way. Also, gently exfoliate the skin under your beard once or twice a week to help prevent buildup, beard dandruff, and irritation.
You might still have questions—and that’s fair. Do men really need a skincare routine? Absolutely. Skin needs care just like any other part of your body. What’s the best face wash? It depends on your skin type, but in general, go for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers with natural, effective ingredients. Should guys with oily skin skip moisturizer? No way. Skipping it can actually make oiliness worse. Just use a lightweight, non-greasy formula. And if you’re wondering what’s the simplest routine to follow, it’s this: cleanse, moisturize, protect. That’s all you need to get started.
Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be complicated. Stick to the basics, be consistent, and your skin will thank you.