Skincare Routine for Men
Look and feel your best with a simple, no-nonsense skincare routine built for men. Shop dermatologist-recommended products curated by Exclusive Beauty Club.
Products in Our Men's Skin Routine
Look and feel your best with a simple, no-nonsense skincare routine built for men. Shop dermatologist-recommended products curated by Exclusive Beauty Club.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
$8.99End the day with a thorough but gentle cleanse. This hydrating formula removes makeup, oil, and d...
Essopi Glycolic 10% Moisturizing Cleanser
$44.00Formulated with a 10% concentration of glycolic acid, this soap-free cleanser gently exfoliates w...
DefenAge 1-Step Multi-Cleanse
$39.00Start your morning right with this gentle, hydrating cleanser that removes overnight buildup without stripping your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin
$5.99Start your morning right with this gentle, hydrating cleanser that removes overnight buildup without stripping your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Derma Made Antioxidant C Serum+
$56.00Brighten your complexion and defend against daily environmental damage with this potent vitamin C serum. Enjoy smoother, more even skin in one step.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF
$185.00Brighten your complexion and defend against daily environmental damage with this potent vitamin C serum. Enjoy smoother, more even skin in one step.
Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30%
$120.00Boost your skin’s defenses against environmental aggressors with this powerful vitamin C serum fe...
Marini Skin Solutions Bioclear Face Lotion
$103.00Brighten your complexion and defend against daily environmental damage with this potent vitamin C serum. Enjoy smoother, more even skin in one step.
Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 0.5
$118.00Fight fine lines and improve skin texture while you sleep. This retinol treatment stimulates cell renewal overnight for visibly smoother, firmer skin over time.
Marini Skin Solutions Bioclear Face Lotion
$103.00Fight fine lines and improve skin texture while you sleep. This retinol treatment stimulates cell renewal overnight for visibly smoother, firmer skin over time.
Derma Made Retinol+ Bakuchiol Serum 0.25
$52.00Fight fine lines and improve skin texture while you sleep. This retinol treatment stimulates cell renewal overnight for visibly smoother, firmer skin over time.
Essopi Retinol Treatment Serum 3X
$86.00Fight fine lines and improve skin texture while you sleep. This retinol treatment stimulates cell renewal overnight for visibly smoother, firmer skin over time.
EltaMD UV Daily Hydration+ Broad Spectrum SPF 50
$45.00Hydrate and protect your skin with a single application. This lightweight SPF 50 moisturizer delivers lasting hydration while shielding your skin from sun damage.
Pavise Dynamic Age Defense SPF 30
$148.00Hydrate and protect your skin with a single application. This lightweight SPF 50 moisturizer delivers lasting hydration while shielding your skin from sun damage.
MDSolarSciences Solar Stick SPF 40
$24.00Hydrate and protect your skin with a single application. This lightweight SPF 50 moisturizer delivers lasting hydration while shielding your skin from sun damage.
EltaMD UV Active Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
$45.00Hydrate and protect your skin with a single application. This lightweight SPF 50 moisturizer delivers lasting hydration while shielding your skin from sun damage.
Zerafite Barrier Repair Moisturizer
$50.00Lock in overnight recovery. This barrier-repair moisturizer replenishes essential lipids and seals in hydration so you wake up with skin that feels restored and resilient.
SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen Hydrator with Vegan Collagen
$192.00Lock in overnight recovery. This barrier-repair moisturizer replenishes essential lipids and seals in hydration so you wake up with skin that feels restored and resilient.
Medature PSL Repair Moisturizer II
$58.00Lock in overnight recovery. This barrier-repair moisturizer replenishes essential lipids and seals in hydration so you wake up with skin that feels restored and resilient.
Derma Made Ceramide Barrier Cream
$38.00Lock in overnight recovery. This barrier-repair moisturizer replenishes essential lipids and seals in hydration so you wake up with skin that feels restored and resilient.
Step 1: Cleanse Morning & Night
Cleansing is the foundation of any effective skincare routine. Every day, your skin accumulates oil, dirt, sweat, and environmental pollutants. Without a proper cleanse, these impurities sit on the surface, clogging your pores, dulling your complexion, and blocking the products you apply afterward from doing their job.
Follow these steps to properly cleanse your skin:
- Wet your face with lukewarm water (hot water strips the skin).
- Apply a small amount of cleanser to your face and neck.
- Work the cleanser into your skin using gentle, circular motions for 30–60 seconds.
- Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a clean towel.Â
If you shave on a daily basis, always cleanse before instead of after. Cleansing first softens the hair follicle and removes surface oils that can cause irritation. In the morning, reach for a gentle, hydrating formula like La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser to wake up your skin without over-stripping it. At night, switch to a foaming cleanser like CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser to cut through oil and end-of-day buildup more effectively.
Step 2: Apply Targeted Treatments
Serums, facial oils, and other targeted treatments are where the real results happen. Lightweight and highly concentrated, they’re designed to penetrate deeper than a standard moisturizer to address specific concerns from uneven tone and sluggish cell turnover to fine lines and wrinkles.Â
Follow these steps to apply targeted treatments:
- After cleansing, pat your skin almost dry with a clean towel.
- Dispense 2–3 drops of serum into your palm.Â
- Warm the serum between your hands to body temperature.
- Gently press the product into your skin without rubbing or pulling.
- Let the treatment absorb for 30–60 seconds before applying moisturizer.
In the morning, a vitamin C serum like Derma Made Antioxidant C Serum+ neutralizes free radicals from UV exposure and pollution, visibly brightens skin tone, and gives your complexion a healthy glow. All before your moisturizer even goes on. At night, retinol is the gold standard for anti-aging and skin renewal. We recommend Revision Skincare Retinol Complete 0.5 because it works while you sleep to boost cell turnover, smooth fine lines, and improve overall texture.
Step 3: Moisturize Every Time You Cleanse
Moisturizing isn’t just for dry skin types, it’s essential for all men, every day. When you cleanse or shave, you temporarily disrupt your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Applying moisturizer immediately after helps restore that barrier, seal in hydration, and protect your skin from environmental aggressors.
Follow these steps to properly apply moisturizer:
- Apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp to lock in hydration.
- Use a nickel-sized amount and spread it evenly over your face, jaw, and neck.
- Massage the moisturizer into your skin.
- For moisturizer with SPF, give the product 15 minutes to absorb before sun exposure.Â
For your morning routine, daily sun protection is a must but you can combine it with your moisturizer. EltaMD UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50 is a lightweight, non-greasy formula that delivers broad-spectrum sun protection alongside lasting hydration. At night, your skin shifts into repair mode. Support the process with Zerafite Barrier Repair Moisturizer, a targeted formula that restores essential lipids, strengthens the skin barrier, and delivers deep overnight hydration.
FAQs
What Is the Best Skincare Routine for Men?
The best men’s skincare routine is the one you’ll actually stick to. Start with a gentle cleanser, follow with a treatment serum tailored to your specific skin concerns, and finish with a moisturizer with SPF in the morning. At night, cleanse again, apply a repair treatment like retinol, and finish with a barrier-supporting moisturizer.
Do Men Need a Different Skincare Routine Than Women?
While men’s skin is biologically different from women’s, you don’t necessarily need to use different products. Due to higher testosterone levels, men’s skin is about 25% thicker, produces more sebum, and ages differently. Choosing formulas suited to these differences can make a meaningful difference. If you shave regularly, you may also need to prioritize barrier repair to minimize skin irritation.
At What Age Should Men Start a Skincare Routine?
Whoever you are, it’s best to start a skincare routine as early as possible. Your 20s are the ideal time to start because this is when skin cell turnover begins to slow. That being said, it’s never too late to start taking better care of your skin.
How Do You Build a Skincare Routine Around Shaving?
Shave after cleansing while your skin is warm and your pores are open. This allows for a closer, less irritating shave. Always use a sharp razor and a moisturizing shave cream or gel. After shaving, apply fragrance-free, alcohol-free toner and moisturizer or post-shave balm to calm irritation and restore the skin barrier.
Does Sunscreen Really Matter?
Yes, sun protection is non-negotiable. Sun exposure is the leading cause of premature aging, uneven skin tone, and increased skin cancer risk. A daily SPF 30 or higher should be the last step in every morning routine, no matter your skin type. If adding a separate sunscreen feels like too many steps, choose a moisturizer with built-in SPF.
Is Retinol Safe and Effective for Men’s Skin?
Absolutely! Retinol is one of the most well-researched anti-aging ingredients available without a prescription. It boosts collagen production, speeds cell turnover, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and large pores over time. For beginners, start with a lower concentration (around 0.5%) and introduce it slowly to give your skin time to adjust.
Explore Other Skincare Routines
Dry Skin Routine
Dry skin needs consistent hydration and a strong moisture barrier to stay supple. Our step-by-step dry skin routine features gentle cleansers, barrier-repairing moisturizers, and nourishing treatments to keep your skin soft and smooth every day.
Combination Skin Routine
Oily in some areas and dry in others? Combination skin needs a targeted approach. Explore our step-by-step combination skin routine for balanced, effective skincare.
Acne-Prone Skin Routine
Clear, balanced skin starts with the right routine. Explore our step-by-step acne-prone skin routine to find products that target breakouts without disrupting your skin’s natural balance.
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