The best skin care for men cannot be universally defined. What works for one guy might not work for another, especially considering how many skin types there are: dry, oily, acne-prone, aging. Regardless, the foundation of a good skin care routine will likely be the same for everyone: cleanse, moisturize, apply SPF, and, every now and then: exfoliate.
You can incorporate even more steps into a skin care routine—like adding an eye cream, serum, or hell, an LED face mask—but if you whittle it down to the four essentials, you’ll more than likely be set. Because the world of skin care is so vast and unwieldy, we went ahead and found the best of the best for virtually every skin care category—and explained why you should be adding it to your routine. Plus, we even got some dermatologists to weigh in because we don’t want to leave the sanctity of your mug to random guesswork.
The Best Men’s Skin Care Products, at a Glance
In This Guide
The Best Oil Cleanser: Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil
Why It’s the Best: May we introduce you to the double cleanse? This is essentially the best way to make sure your skin is absolutely clean and primed for the rest of your skin care routine. The idea is that by applying an oil cleanser to a dry face, the oil in the cleanser will attract the oil on your face and help to do a better job to clear it away. Then you go in with your water-based cleanser to clear everything out. We like Hanskin’s cleansing oil because it’s affordable and works for all skin types. It clears out a day’s worth of dirt and debris from the face, and it’s safe to use around the eyes. If you don’t wear makeup or use a mineral sunscreen, you don’t necessarily need to implement this step into your skin care routine, but the fresh face feeling after double cleansing is worth the effort.
The Best Face Wash for Men: Church California- Botanical Clay Cleanser
Church California
Botanical Clay Cleanser
Why It’s the Best: I could wax poetic at length about my affinity for Church California’s Clay Cleanser. This California-born hair and skin care brand nails the balance between luxe and laid-back, with a vibe that’s equal parts indie, earthy, and refined. Their clay cleanser reflects this ethos: a creamy clay, lathering formula that detoxifies, cleanses, and tones in one go. Plus, you can leave it on for 10 minutes, and it moonlights as a quick face mask. The compact tube dispenser and its fantastic wild-harvested scent might just have you reaching for it even when your face doesn’t need cleansing.
The Best Foaming Face Wash: Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
Ursa Major
Fantastic Face Wash
Why It’s the Best: If you’re going to put “fantastic” in the name of your product, you’d better have the goods to back it up. Luckily, Ursa Major’s flagship face wash is exactly that. This natural cleanser is made with only good, clean ingredients because no one wants to be slathering their face with nasty chemicals. From moisturizing rice seed to soothing aloe, the ingredient list is basically a who’s who of excellent skin care components. The cleanser (which smells exceptional, by the way) has a gel-like consistency that quickly and effectively foams up to get into every single pore, clearing out all the gunk and nastiness that’s accumulated. Despite its super-foaming properties, it doesn’t dry out the skin, leaving it feeling fresh and nourished once you’ve rinsed it all away. As an added bonus, the cleanser also has a gentle exfoliating factor, which won’t nix the need for a separate exfoliant, but will give your skin the bright, smooth appearance you’d think you could only achieve through Photoshop.
The Acne Treatment Face Wash: Cetaphil Gentle Clear Pore Clearing Acne Cleanser
Cetaphil
Gentle Clear Pore Clearing Acne Cleanser
Why It’s the Best: A face mask is a powerful ally against acne, but a specialized daily face wash is just as essential for keeping breakouts at bay. Enter Cetaphil’s Gentle Clear Pore Cleanser, the latest innovation from this trusted skin care stalwart. Powered by 2% salicylic acid, it combats acne, blemishes, and blackheads while exfoliating and clearing pores. It’s ideal for sensitive skin and infused with the brand’s signature moisturizing formula to leave your face soft and hydrated after working its magic. Widely available at most drugstores or Target, it’s the perfect combo of reliability and accessibility.
The Best Toner: Then I Met You Living Sea Cleansing Tonic
Then I Met You
Living Sea Cleansing Tonic
Why It’s the Best: Do you need a toner? Probably not, but it’s a great step in the skin care routine to give your face an extra dose of cleansing and hydration. This toner features a combination of papaya enzymes, licorice root, seaberry, and persimmon extract to help plump and soften the skin post-cleanse and pre-moisturizing. We recommend pouring it directly into the hands and then applying it to the face, but you can also pour some into a cotton round and then applying it to the skin that way.
The Best Gel Moisturizer for Men: PrettyBoy Revival Moisturizer
PrettyBoy
Revival Moisturizer
Why It’s the Best: When it comes to recommending the universally best face products for men, I think of the most finicky among us. Does the product satisfy the most sensitive-skinned individuals, without suffocating oily skin and while deeply replenishing dry skin? That’s the framework here, and Pretty Boy clears all of those bars easily. They’ve got a soothing gel formula that is rich in ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides; it received the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which is also why I recommend this to guys as a multitasking workhorse. It’s also an exceptional post-shave remedy, which will save you some coin on that product category, if you’re in the market for some skin care consolidation. (I’d even happily endorse it as a night cream.) When I think of all the moisturizers I’ve recommended to friends, this one comes back to me the most, in terms of rave reviews and thank-you-for-the-suggestion.
The Best Cream Moisturizer: Lab Series All-In-One Face Treatment
Lab Series
All-In-One Face Treatment
Why It’s the Best: If you’re reading this, chances are you’re no stranger to Lab Series—even hesitant dudes finally dabbling in moisturizer know this iconic brand. And for good reason. Lab Series has built its reputation on accessible, clinically backed formulas that guys trust. I’ve tried many moisturizers under the sun, but I consistently recommend the Lab Series All-In-One Face Treatment. This lightweight lotion (prefer a gel texture? See above) hydrates, repairs, and eases fine lines while keeping shine in check with its matte finish. It’s light, non-greasy, and makes my skin feel softer and smoother, with no heavy residue or oily sheen. While having a few moisturizers in your grooming arsenal is smart, this one deserves a permanent spot.
The Best Day Serum for Men: Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Liquid Rehydration Serum
Medik8
Hydr8 B5 Liquid Rehydration Serum
Why It’s the Best: There are a million different face serums you can use in the daytime, each with its hero ingredients that promise a grip of different results. It’s extremely convoluted, and it requires you to do some research, given that we all have different skin needs and concerns. However, if there are any ingredients I can suggest for everyone, it’s the hydrating superheroes like hyaluronic acid and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), which provide same-day firming, plumping, and radiance-boosting benefits. Medik8 is one of those brands I trust with each new recipe, given their dedication to the science behind the recipe. (There is no hasty white-labeling happening here.) Another perk of this serum is its quick absorption, which layers wonderfully beneath your moisturizer. It’s a serum that is worth its upgraded price from the baseline regimen, and a little drop goes a long way to keep skin looking and feeling healthy every day.
The Best Chemical Exfoliator for Men: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
Dr. Dennis Gross
Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
Why It’s the Best: Dr. Dennis Gross might be one of the most famous dermatologists, and it’s for good reason: Doc knows how to make a good skin care product. The brand offers a popular two-step chemical exfoliant (it’s also available in super-strength and gentle), which utilizes five doses of AHAs and BHAs to dissolve dead skin, excess sebum, and dirt and debris so that skin is left smooth and even. The two-step process is simple: Use the first wipe exfoliate and smooth, and then immediately follow with the second wipe to neutralize premature aging. Over time, your skin will start to look like it’s gone back in time, and all it took was a two-minute process every day.
The Best Physical Exfoliator: Blu Atlas Exfoliating Scrub
Blu Atlas
Gentle Exfoliating Scrub
Why It’s the Best: Unlike a chemical one that relies on acids, a physical exfoliator uses manual beads to slough away impurities and refresh your skin, but they can sometimes be too harsh. That’s why we love the gentle yet effective scrub of Blu Atlas’ exfoliator. It features natural exfoliants like bamboo stem powder and silica to do the heavy lifting, while botanicals such as hibiscus and chamomile calm your skin. With granules so fine they’re almost imperceptible, the formula feels more like a standard face wash, leaving your skin deeply cleansed yet noticeably soothed and refreshed. Gentle enough for more than once-a-week use, it comes in Blu Atlas’ signature cobalt blue glass jar with apothecary-style typography, making it as handsome as it is effective.
The Best Face SPF for Men: CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
CeraVe
AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Why It’s the Best: SPF is an essential everyday ingredient, and one of the easiest ways to get it is with a moisturizer like this one from CeraVe. Even just that light layer of sun defense can neutralize the majority of UV rays your skin encounters on the morning commute or while sitting next to the window (yes, UV rays can penetrate glass). I find that this hybrid chemical-physical formula wears light, even on my oily skin—plus it has the brand’s signature ceramide concentration and blends easily into skin without any ghostly white finish. And how can I not acknowledge its low price point, plus the fact that pretty much every dermatologist I work with will recommend CeraVe’s well-tested and well-researched roster?
The Best Gel Eye Cream for Men: Blue Lagoon Skincare BL+ Eye Cream
Blue Lagoon Skincare
BL+ Eye Cream
Why It’s the Best: Ever since visiting Blue Lagoon’s skin care labs outside of Reykjavik, Iceland, I’m convinced this brand is worth the upgrade across every category—namely in terms of face masks and eye creams. This eye cream is a product that uses the same replenishing bioactive minerals pumped into the Blue Lagoon itself, to give the eye-area skin its necessary weapons against “photo aging” by both boosting collagen production and reducing collagen deterioration. Whereas I’m often so-so about the eye care products I incorporate into my routine, I go out of my way to apply this one—sometimes even remembering that I forgot to put it on before sleeping, so I spring out of my cocoon, apply the cream, and then head back to bed. I find it a pinch on the heavier side, so I recommend using it at bedtime as opposed to the daytime. As a bonus, you’ll wake up looking for restful than if you hadn’t applied it.
The Balm Eye Cream: Lumin Dark Circle Defense Balm
Lumin
Dark Circle Defense Balm
Why It’s the Best: Your eyes deserve special care as the skin around them is thinner, more delicate, and often the first to show signs of fatigue, like dark circles and puffiness. As someone who’s battled dark circles, I’ve sworn by Lumin’s Dark Circle Defense ever since I discovered it a few years ago. Over time, the formula has only gotten better. This lightweight gel absorbs quickly and, most importantly, delivers results. Packed with niacinamide to strengthen and tone and caffeine to boost circulation and reduce puffiness, it works wonders whether used at night or during the day. Just dab a small amount onto your ring finger (the gentlest touch) and gently tap around your eyes. Bags, begone!
The Best Night Cream for Men: Kiehl’s Recovery Cloud Cream
Kiehl’s
Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream
Why It’s the Best: I realized something while writing this article, and linking to a bunch of previous articles I’ve written about moisturizers and night creams: I am constantly recommending this hall-of-fame-caliber night cream. It might be my most recommended product ever. It goes on dense but feels ultra light on my grimy and acne-prone skin, but always has me looking well rested and replenished by morning. I chalk that up to its fatty acid-dense recipe, which keeps skin looking firm and full, so you never wake with sullen, suffocated complexion. It’s especially great in air-conditioned rooms or in peak winter (even with that heat cranked up) since it blankets your skin and prevents moisture loss. If you’re a texture person like me, then you’ll also love its whip-like consistency.
The Best Night Treatment for Men: Doctor Rogers Night Repair Treatment
Doctor Rogers
Night Repair Treatment
Why It’s the Best: This night treatment is a lightweight cream that you layer beneath a night cream (like you would with a serum). It won a much-deserved GQ Grooming Award because of its thoughtful recipe: Bakuchiol boosts cellular replenishment and is a gentle alternative to retinol, while glycolic acid buffs away dead surface cells. Dr. Heather Rogers gives her customers a simplified regimen—this is one half of a treatment plan, along with a damage-mitigating day treatment—and whenever I use either product, I realize how much of my regimen feels frivolous. It really can be simplified into a few high-performance products like these treatments, which layer light and pack a wallop in terms of keeping your skin bright, clear, and supple.
The Best Acne Treatment for Men: Murad Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Mask
Murad
Rapid Relief Acne Sulfur Mask
Why It’s the Best: Another GQ Grooming Award winner, this sulfur mask soothes as you apply it into your skin, and manages to not deplete your dermis of its moisture as the sulfur neutralizes acne-causing bacteria (aided by oil-busting salicylic acid, no less). That’s probably since it also contains nourishing peat moss, making this one of the best face masks you can use for acne prevention, as well as a targeted spot treatment on budding blemishes. I especially love to use it as a blackhead-busting treatment across my pore-dense nose. I should add that it’s nearly impossible to see a product with a score as high as 4.8/5 on Sephora, especially an acne product, since people buying these products have high expectations and urgent needs. Acne sucks, but this stuff rules.
The Best Sheet Mask for Men: Narcyss Le Fix Emergency Facial Mask Intense Hydration Sheet Masks
Narcyss
Le Fix Emergency Facial Mask Intense Hydration Sheet Masks
Why It’s the Best: Wow, three GQ Grooming Award winners in a row. But let me tell you: This hydrating, brightening face mask will earn you insanely high praises on your complexion—even if that’s something you never aspired to. It might feel expensive to buy $10 sheet masks, but that’s why I save them for special events or, uh, especially public appearances. On the days you need your skin to look unmistakably glow-y and well taken care of just deploy one of these bad boys in the hour ahead of the need, and your skin will look like you got a face lift, a top-tier facial, and downloaded an IRL Instagram filter.
The Best Wash-Away Face Mask: Aesop Lucent Facial Refiner
Aēsop
Lucent Facial Refiner
Why It’s the Best: To complement its existing Lucent Facial Concentrate, Aesop recently released the Lucent Facial Refiner, a face mask that gives your skin a healthy dose of vitamins and exfoliation. The gel-like mask rubs on easily, and only needs to be left on for 15 minutes before you rinse it away. It’s a great mask to use in the warmer months because of the product’s consistency, making it feel cool. Pro tip: Throw it in the fridge so that it’s extra cooling, as if you’re getting a professional facial done.
The Best LED Face Mask: Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask
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Shark
CryoGlow LED Face Mask
Why It’s the Best: We’ve been testing LED face masks a lot recently, and have come to the conclusion that these pricey devices to in fact work. Our favorite of the bunch comes from Shark, and that’s because it’s easy to use, fits well, and even helps to depuff around the eyes, a unique feature that we’ve found particularly helpful after long nights (or few hours of sleep). The combination of different lights means you can target various skin issues—acne, fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation—and you can keep track of the length of your treatments through the wired remote.
The Best Retinol Treatment for Men: Onekind Radical Repair Retinol Reinvent Serum
Onekind
Radical Repair Retinol Reinvent Serum
Why It’s the Best: Grooming guru Matthew Taylor Ruggieri, founder of The Motley (one of the first luxe niche grooming brands—if you know, you know), recently unveiled Onekind, a skin care brand offering serious solutions with a spotlight on retinol. For the uninitiated, retinol is basically kale for your skin. It tackles fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots by helping shed dead skin and boosting collagen for a firmer, more elastic appearance. Onekind’s Retinol Reinvented Serum combines marine algae-derived bio-retinol and an advanced retinoid in a dual system to combat premature aging and environmental damage. With more proven ingredients like peptides, squalane, and snow mushroom, this formula is as effective as it is researched—trust the science. Apply it nightly under your moisturizer, and you’ll see more youthful, radiant skin in no time. The accessible price point, given its premium formulation, and the fact that a little goes a long way makes it a no-brainer investment in your skin care arsenal.
The Simplest Skin Care Routine for Men
A rock-solid foundational skin care routine should be your absolute baseline, and it really only involves three to four products; you can combine some of the below into dual-purpose formulas.
Wash, rinse, repeat—morning and night, as the first step in your regimen. Do it after sleeping on your gnarly pillows all night, and after a long day’s buildup of sweat, oil, and grime. Don’t put a lot of agency into this product beyond purifying, cleansing, and soothing purposes (and sometimes, exfoliating purposes, too). “Many active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and antioxidants are more effective as leave-on products since they require time to penetrate the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brandon Kirsch, founder of Kirsch Dermatology in Naples, FL. “In other words, they are not likely to be effective when formulated in cleansers.”
There are various ways to remove dead skin cells from your mug, namely “chemical” acids and physical scrubs. Some face washes even have exfoliating properties. Exfoliant intensities vary, and typically shouldn’t be used daily. Follow the brand’s advice, and the doctor’s too: “While many people like physical exfoliants, I usually recommend the daily use of chemical ones,” says Kirsch. “Chemical exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) work by gently dissolving dead skin cells, offering a more uniform exfoliation. In addition, they tend to be less abrasive than physical exfoliants (like scrubs), reducing the risk of micro-tears in the skin.”
Moisturizer provides skin with nourishing, hydrating benefits so everything stays soft, but it also builds up skin’s barrier-like defenses to help trap moisture inside, and to block skin-aging pollutants from getting inside.
You need to apply SPF every day—that is, if you want the best steady and lasting defense against skin-aging UV rays. Trust us here: the simple act of applying facial SPF each morning will knock 10 years off your mug by the time you’re 50 or 60. And, like our top moisturizer on the list below, you can often combine these two steps together (with SPF-packed moisturizers) to get your dose of SPF 30+. Dr. Kirsch, who touts “sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen” as his top skin care mantra, advises reapplying your SPF two to three times daily, too, since its strength wears off after a couple hours.
How to Choose the Right Skin Care Products for You
There are two key parts of building out your skin care regimen: a base routine (something all men should be doing), then customizing it based on skin-specific needs or wants. Let’s hear from our industry experts.
Target universal skin needs.
There are four core steps that every guy should be following: twice-daily cleansing, twice-daily moisturizing, ad-hoc exfoliation, and daily (or thrice daily!) SPF applications. If you can manage that, then you’re already going to see terrific results throughout the years (mostly by not noticing any acceleration of skin damage and lost resilience).
I do think the SPF part bears repeating, too: “Using sunscreen daily should become a consistent habit, just like brushing your teeth,” says Maureen Gaspard, licensed medical esthetician and Director of Esthetics at Seaside Skin Care in San Clemente, CA. “We get exposed to damaging UV rays while in the car and running errands. Adding sunscreen to your daily moisturizer will protect your skin all day, especially when we find ourselves out in the elements.”
And remember, this regimen doesn’t need to be expensive. In fact, some of your dermatologists’ favorite products are going to be those mass-made drugstore options, since those brands usually have the muscle to research and formulate top-performing formulas which suit the largest groups of users. There’s no shame in having a vanity chock-full of CeraVe, Cetaphil, Dove Men+Care, etc.
Use active ingredients to address specific needs.
With the foundation in place, you can target things specific to you, or make adjustments to that foundation based on your skin’s oil levels, recovery time, proneness to acne, eye-area needs (like dark circles or puffiness), sensitivities, and so forth.
If you have hyperactive sebum glands—as many men do have—then you need to craft a balancing regimen that doesn’t in turn dry out the skin. “Use a gentle cleanser to avoid over-stripping natural oils, and incorporate into your routine a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer,” says Dr. Kirsch. “Salicylic acid can help with oil control and clogged pores, and niacinamide can regulate oil production as well.”
Double down on everything with the words “hydrating” or “moisturizing” or “barrier supporting” in its description—because you need to make up for a dearth of sebum production in the skin, or whichever environmental factors are depleting your skin of its moisture reserves. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalene can help attract moisture into the skin’s depths, while heavier moisturizing creams and balms can trap those ingredients inside—and prevent added loss from the air around you. Prioritize ceramides for added barrier functions, as well as SPF to keep skin resilient, and maybe slumber with a humidifier in the bedroom to make sure you aren’t a sleeping duck in an otherwise bone-dry environment.
Kirsch recommends regular cleansing and gentle exfoliation in order to keep pores clear of dirt, dead skin, and bacteria. “Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid washes are especially effective against acne,” he says. (The former is especially good for targeting bacterial-based acne). “Also, prescription and over-the-counter retinoids can help with cell turnover and prevent clogged pores. Always look for products described as non-comedogenic. Perhaps most importantly, avoid picking or popping pimples, and regularly clean things like phone screens and pillowcases to reduce the potential for bacterial transfer.”
Since sensitive skin can also be oily, or dry, or acne-prone, you need to make smart tweaks to your regimen that honor any and all of these variables. Your skin may not tolerate active ingredients like retinoids, and exfoliating acids, so search for alternatives for those things, like naturally-sourced bakuchiol which can provide similar anti-aging benefits as retinoids, or poly hydroxy acids, which provide much gentler surface exfoliation than common exfoliating acids. Avoid added/artificial fragrance in any product, too, as it is a common allergen for sensitive skin types. And of course, prioritize anti-inflammatory, soothing, barrier-boosting, and hydrating ingredients across the board.
“As our skin ages, it loses collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, lipids and more,” explains Micaela Bartash, board-certified physician assistant at Contour Aesthetics & Wellness in Mt. Pleasant, SC. “Skin thins and sags, loses moisture and the barrier becomes impaired. Skin care products and treatments aimed at combating these losses can help restore a more youthful appearance to the skin. Assuming that someone is already using daily SPF, a medical grade prescription strength retinoid would be the best investment. This multitasker reduces wrinkles, roughness, dark spots, clogged pores, inflammation and more.”
Here are the primary variables that I think are worth addressing. Sorry, “normal skin” people: You don’t need the caveats here. (And anyone with combination skin should know that they need a combination of oil-targeting ingredients with dry- or normal-targeted formulas.)
If you have hyperactive sebum glands—as many men do have—then you need to craft a balancing regimen that doesn’t dry out the skin. “Use a gentle cleanser to avoid over-stripping natural oils, and incorporate into your routine a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer,” says Dr. Kirsch. “Salicylic acid can help with oil control and clogged pores, and niacinamide can regulate oil production as well.”
Double down on everything with the words “hydrating” or “moisturizing” or “barrier supporting” in its description—because you need to make up for a dearth of sebum production in the skin, or whichever environmental factors are depleting your skin of its moisture reserves. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalene can help attract moisture into the skin’s depths, while heavier moisturizing creams and balms can trap those ingredients inside—and prevent added loss from the air around you. Prioritize ceramides for added barrier functions, as well as SPF to keep skin resilient, and maybe slumber with a humidifier in the bedroom.
Kirsch recommends regular cleansing and gentle exfoliation in order to keep pores clear of dirt, dead skin, and bacteria. “Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid washes are especially effective against acne,” he says. (The former is especially good for targeting bacterial-based acne). “Also, prescription and over-the-counter retinoids can help with cell turnover and prevent clogged pores. Always look for products described as non-comedogenic. Perhaps most importantly, avoid picking or popping pimples, and regularly clean things like phone screens and pillowcases to reduce the potential for bacterial transfer.”
Since sensitive skin can also be oily, or dry, or acne-prone, you need to make smart tweaks to your regimen that honor any and all of these variables. Your skin may not tolerate active ingredients like retinoids, and exfoliating acids, so search for alternatives for those things, like naturally-sourced bakuchiol which can provide similar anti-aging benefits as retinoids, or poly hydroxy acids, which provide much gentler surface exfoliation than common exfoliating acids. Avoid added/artificial fragrance in any product, too, as it is a common allergen for sensitive skin types. And of course, prioritize anti-inflammatory, soothing, barrier-boosting, and hydrating ingredients across the board.
“As our skin ages, it loses collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, lipids and more,” explains Micaela Bartash, board-certified physician assistant at Contour Aesthetics & Wellness in Mt. Pleasant, SC. “Skin thins and sags, loses moisture and the barrier becomes impaired. Skin care products and treatments aimed at combating these losses can help restore a more youthful appearance to the skin. Assuming that someone is already using daily SPF, a medical grade prescription strength retinoid would be the best investment. This multitasker reduces wrinkles, roughness, dark spots, clogged pores, inflammation and more.”
Your Skin Care for Men FAQ, Answered
What skin care products should a man use?
While every guy should use skin care products that target his skin type (like oily skin, dry skin, acne-prone skin, etc), the baseline for everyone is to choose a twice-daily cleanser, a twice-daily moisturizer, a periodic exfoliant, and a daily SPF.
What is the best skin care for a 30-year old man?
Oddly specific, but we feel you! Skin care needs change as we age, but in general, a 30-year-old should be using SPF every day to prevent an accelerated decline in skin resilience and firmness, as well as a nighttime retinoid that helps improve cellular turnover (and is an anti-aging, anti-acne miracle worker). Beyond that, every guy needs the baseline cleanser, moisturizer, and exfoliant—at every age.
What are the best face products for men with acne?
The best face products for men with acne will be non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores, and will wear light on skin. The overall regimen will incorporate pore-clearing ingredients at some point, too, like a salicylic acid serum or cleanser to free up trapped skin cells and backed-up oil inside the pores.
How We Tested
I’ve been a grooming writer for over a decade—since 2013 to be exact, and for GQ specifically since 2016. In that time, I’ve tested a billion different products, and have to categorize them based on what each one targets (dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin, etc); luckily, my partner and I have pretty opposite needs so I get added mileage from his POV. But in testing so many products, I love finding ones that defy many of these categories, and which can serve as many people as possible. I don’t often recommend “universal” products en masse, but everything on this list has earned its place here. My main aim is to choose products that don’t dry skin out, that don’t occlude or suffocate oily individuals, that don’t cause breakouts, and that respect any sensitivities. Hope you find a few things you like.
