Skincare for men. The search is over. Our formulas do what they say, every single time. Since 1995. The truth is Skincare for men isn’t much different from skincare for women Male skin – just like all skin – deserves daily care and nourishing ingredients that'll improve the skin's appearance while working with his shaving routine. But men are at a bit of a disadvantage, simply because most skincare products "for men" are terribly formulated, often full of drying and irritating ingredients. In a few simple steps, a basic routine of well-formulated, fragrance-free products can offer a great shave, fewer ingrown hairs and a reduction in bumps and blotches as well as oily, dry, or flaky areas - helping your skin look and feel healthy as the years go by. Did you know? The best skincare routine for men follows the same principles as those for women. These are the basic steps to maintaining and improving the skin's health, no matter your gender: Gentle cleansing Exfoliating with a leave-on product (not an abrasive scrub as these are almost always too rough on skin) Daily sun protection Night-time hydration Finding the best skincare routine Once you know your skin type, you can choose products that are best suited to your skin concerns. Read our recommendations for each skin type below and if it looks like a lot, don't fret - skincare routines won't take up more than just five minutes of your time! Oily skin Combination skin Dry skin Sensitive skin You may have problems with spots (blackheads or white pimples) and enlarged, blocked pores. Your skin feels and looks greasy during the day, even if you are not sweating. Step 1: Cleanse [morning and evening] Try our SKIN BALANCING Cleanser or CLEAR Cleanser for breakout-prone skin. Step 2: Exfoliate [morning and/or evening] Blackheads and/or spots can't be solved with harsh "exfoliant" scrubs! These are irritating and counterproductive. Instead, use leave-on exfoliants that penetrate the skin's pores to reveal healthier-looking skin. Try the award-winning SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant or RESIST RESIST Anti-Aging 2% BHA Exfoliant. Step 3: Moisturise + spf [morning] Use a light, mattifying lotion. Try our SKIN BALANCING Moisturiser SPF 30. Step 3: Moisturise [evening] Use an ultra-light formula. Try our SKIN BALANCING Moisturiser or RESIST Anti-Aging Clear Skin Moisturiser. This is the most common skin type. Your skin has both oily and dry areas but the middle of your face is probably oily. Your cheeks feel normal or vary between slightly and very dry. The skin around your eyes is usually drier than the rest of your face. Step 1: Cleanse [morning and evening] Try the RESIST Anti-Aging Foaming Cleanser or CALM Ultra-Gentle Cleanser. These gentle, effective cleansers can rebalance both dry and oily skin types. Step 2: Exfoliate [morning and/or evening] An exfoliant with a light, moisture-regulating base works best! Try the SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant. Step 3: Moisturise + spf [morning] Try a light lotion with a matt finish. Try our RESIST Anti-Aging Moisturiser SPF 50 for combination to oily skin or the CLEAR Moisturiser SPF 30. Step 3: Moisturise [evening] Use a moisturiser on your entire face, such as the C5 SUPER BOOST Moisturiser. Your skin has a rough, irregular texture and may feel tight and flaky. You may also experience redness, especially after using dehydrating skincare products. Your pores are generally small and you don't often have spots or blackheads. Step 1: Cleanse [morning and evening] Try our RESIST Anti-Aging Hydrating Cleanser or SKIN RECOVERY Cleanser. Step 2: Exfoliate [morning and/or evening] Use BHA (salicylic acid) on your entire face to combat flaky skin. Try our SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant. Step 3: Moisturise + spf [morning] Use a hydrating product with sun protection, such as our SKIN RECOVERY Moisturiser SPF 30 or RESIST ANTI-AGING Skin Restoring Moisturiser SPF 50. Step 3: Moisturise [evening] Use a calming formula with added anti-irritant ingredients to help calm the skin. Try the OMEGA+ Complex Moisturiser or the SKIN RECOVERY Moisturiser. You may suffer from sensitivity, which means your skin might experience irritation or redness. You might notice your skin feels worse off after using skincare products, instead of better. Step 1: Cleanse [morning and evening] Try our CALM Ultra-Gentle Cleanser to remove impurities whilst preserving the skin’s barrier and reduce redness. Step 2: Exfoliate [morning and/or evening] Use an extra-gentle form of BHA to smooth away dull build-up and unclog pores. Try CALM 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant. Step 3: Moisturise + spf [morning] Try our CALM Barrier Protect Mineral Sunscreen to protect a sensitive skin from sun damage. Step 3: Moisturise [evening] If your skin is normal to dry, use an ultra-hydrating moisturiser to calm redness and sensitivity, such as our CALM Rescue & Repair Intensive Moisturiser. If you have combination to oily skin, opt for a more lightweight moisturiser to reduce redness and sensitivity, such as the CALM Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturiser. Oily skin You may have problems with spots (blackheads or white pimples) and enlarged, blocked pores. Your skin feels and looks greasy during the day, even if you are not sweating. Step 1: Cleanse [morning and evening] Try our SKIN BALANCING Cleanser or CLEAR Cleanser for breakout-prone skin. Step 2: Exfoliate [morning and/or evening] Blackheads and/or spots can't be solved with harsh "exfoliant" scrubs! These are irritating and counterproductive. Instead, use leave-on exfoliants that penetrate the skin's pores to reveal healthier-looking skin. Try the award-winning SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant or RESIST RESIST Anti-Aging 2% BHA Exfoliant. Step 3: Moisturise + spf [morning] Use a light, mattifying lotion. Try our SKIN BALANCING Moisturiser SPF 30. Step 3: Moisturise [evening] Use an ultra-light formula. Try our SKIN BALANCING Moisturiser or RESIST Anti-Aging Clear Skin Moisturiser. Combination skin This is the most common skin type. Your skin has both oily and dry areas but the middle of your face is probably oily. Your cheeks feel normal or vary between slightly and very dry. The skin around your eyes is usually drier than the rest of your face. Step 1: Cleanse [morning and evening] Try the RESIST Anti-Aging Foaming Cleanser or CALM Ultra-Gentle Cleanser. These gentle, effective cleansers can rebalance both dry and oily skin types. Step 2: Exfoliate [morning and/or evening] An exfoliant with a light, moisture-regulating base works best! Try the SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant. Step 3: Moisturise + spf [morning] Try a light lotion with a matt finish. Try our RESIST Anti-Aging Moisturiser SPF 50 for combination to oily skin or the CLEAR Moisturiser SPF 30. Step 3: Moisturise [evening] Use a moisturiser on your entire face, such as the C5 SUPER BOOST Moisturiser. Dry skin Your skin has a rough, irregular texture and may feel tight and flaky. You may also experience redness, especially after using dehydrating skincare products. Your pores are generally small and you don't often have spots or blackheads. Step 1: Cleanse [morning and evening] Try our RESIST Anti-Aging Hydrating Cleanser or SKIN RECOVERY Cleanser. Step 2: Exfoliate [morning and/or evening] Use BHA (salicylic acid) on your entire face to combat flaky skin. Try our SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant. Step 3: Moisturise + spf [morning] Use a hydrating product with sun protection, such as our SKIN RECOVERY Moisturiser SPF 30 or RESIST ANTI-AGING Skin Restoring Moisturiser SPF 50. Step 3: Moisturise [evening] Use a calming formula with added anti-irritant ingredients to help calm the skin. Try the OMEGA+ Complex Moisturiser or the SKIN RECOVERY Moisturiser. Sensitive skin You may suffer from sensitivity, which means your skin might experience irritation or redness. You might notice your skin feels worse off after using skincare products, instead of better. Step 1: Cleanse [morning and evening] Try our CALM Ultra-Gentle Cleanser to remove impurities whilst preserving the skin’s barrier and reduce redness. Step 2: Exfoliate [morning and/or evening] Use an extra-gentle form of BHA to smooth away dull build-up and unclog pores. Try CALM 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant. Step 3: Moisturise + spf [morning] Try our CALM Moisturiser SPF 30 to protect a sensitive skin from sun damage: the hydrating formula for normal to dry skin or the non-greasy formula for combination to oily skin. Step 3: Moisturise [evening] If your skin is normal to dry, use an ultra-hydrating moisturiser to calm redness and sensitivity, such as our CALM Rescue & Repair Intensive Moisturiser. If you have combination to oily skin, opt for a more lightweight moisturiser to reduce redness and sensitivity, such as the CALM Rescue & Repair Weightless Moisturiser. Never use products containing irritating ingredients such as alcohol, menthol, peppermint or fragrances (synthetic or natural). Most skincare products for men contain fragrances and other irritating substances, so make sure to pay attention to what you’re buying. If you suffer from spots, adding active ingredients such as salicylic acid (BHA) and azelaic acid to your daily skincare routine can significantly help improve your skin and reduce redness. Find out how to beat breakouts or chat to our skincare experts to get personalised recommendations. A smarter shave: skincare routine for men Any discussion of men’s skincare should include advice on how to get the best shave. It’s the element most specific to men’s skincare – the rest is just good, solid advice across the board. So, for a faster, smoother shave: Start your shaving session after showering Before shaving, wash your face: helps soften the hairs & reduces irritation Avoid very hot water: can cause redness & a dry, tight sensation Use a mild shaving gel or cream, preferably fragrance-free (check the packaging): protects sensitive skin Clean your razor Shave in the direction of hair growth using short strokes When you have to shave in the opposite direction (e.g. the neck), do so slowly and gently Afterwards, rinse your razor Replace the blade (every few shaves) Run your hands over your face: check you've not missed a spot! Apply calming skincare: prevents redness (e.g. RESIST Anti-Ageing 2% BHA Exfoliant) Apply a broad spectrum sun cream, even when indoors: prevents premature signs of ageing FAQ What's wrong with a bar of soap? Traditional bars of soap dry out the skin and cause irritation, which can result in inflammation. The ingredients in soap that give it a solid form also block pores. What should I do about spots on my face, neck or back? If you suffer from spots, treat them with a BHA exfoliant and, if needed, a product containing benzoyl peroxide. This keeps the pores free of bacteria, excess sebum and dead skin cells. How can I reduce the signs of ageing skin on my face? Use a product with SPF 365 days a year. A product with retinol and antioxidants will help repair the damage that's already been done and minimise future damage. I suffer from dry hands, elbows and feet. What can I use? Use an exfoliating product and then apply a rich, calming cream such as Paula’s Choice Ultra-Rich Soothing Body Butter. I have a beard, how do I take care of my skin underneath? We encourage daily cleansing of the beard with a well formulated cleanser. Then, use a few drops of the Moisture Renewal Oil Booster or a good milky toner, such as the CALM Nourishing Milky Toner or RESIST Anti-Ageing Replenishing Toner. This combats dry / flaky or sensitive skin and actually also helps hydrate your beard hair! If the skin beneath your beard is in any way exposed, be sure to use an SPF every day and opt for a lightweight formula that leaves zero whitecast.