Building a Skincare Routine for Men

Skincare has a long history of being gendered. But the truth is, all skin requires care and attention – including men’s.

When curating a men’s skincare routine, it’s important to consider how men’s skin differs from women’s – and where products should be tailored accordingly. Some of the best skincare for men is formulated to accommodate common traits of men’s skin: including excess oil, enlarged pores, thicker, tougher texture, and facial hair.

Continue reading for our seven-step skincare routine for men.

Men's skincare routine: a step-by-step guide

The best skincare routine for men will be compatible with the unique texture, challenges, and concerns of men’s skin. Below, we’ve formulated a skincare regime that includes the basic building blocks for smooth, healthy-looking skin. This covers seven key steps:
1. Cleansing
2. Exfoliating
3. Toning
4. Targeting with serums
5. Moisturising
6. Rejuvenating with eye cream
7. Protecting with sunscreen

Read on for a full breakdown of the routine.

Step 1: Cleanse

Washing your face morning and night with a designated men’s facial cleanser is the foundation of any men’s skincare routine. Cleansing is integral to remove dirt, sweat, and impurities that accumulate throughout the day or excess sebum that builds up overnight. It also readies the skin for targeted skincare products that follow.

An effective cleanser will leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed without drying out your complexion. Our Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash has a gel formula enriched with invigorating caffeine, menthol and vitamin E to awaken the skin. Simply massage the cleanser into a lather on wet skin (avoiding the eyes), before rinsing well.

Step 2: Exfoliate

A good skincare routine for men should include gentle exfoliation to help slough dead skin cells and unclog pores – encouraging smoother, more supple skin.

Facial scrubs are also great to use before shaving to help deal with ingrown hairs or rough patches, allowing a closer shave.

You can help smooth facial roughness with the Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub. This scrub is enriched with apricot kernels to physically exfoliate the skin, while citrus extracts and caffeine revive your complexion. We recommend using your men’s face scrub two to three times a week in place of your regular cleanser to avoid over-exfoliating.

Step 3: Tone

Although it tends to be a neglected, underrated step in skin routine for men, toning can help regulate your skin’s pH balance, remove any trace impurities missed during cleansing, and prep your skin for serums.

For your toning needs, we suggest the Ultra Facial Toner, which is formulated for all skin types to support hydration and refine texture. However, if your skin is on the oily side, opt for our Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner to curb excess surface oil.

After cleansing (or using your exfoliating scrub), moisten a cotton pad with the facial toner and apply over your face, avoiding the eye area.

Step 4: Target

Now that your skin is clean and toned, it’s time for the skincare equivalent of taking your vitamins: face serums. From redness to blemishes, dullness to dryness – there’s a serum for almost everything. You can think of serums as super-potent yet quick-absorbing formulas, where only a few drops are needed to target specific skin concerns.

One of the most common skin goals for men is reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Enter: our Age Defender Power Serum. This lightweight serum is formulated with adenosine and cypress extract to help diminish the appearance of fine lines while visibly firming the skin.

Simply spread a few drops over your face and neck, both in the morning and before bed, to slot this serum into your male skincare routine.

Step 5: Rejuvenate

While a full eight hours of sleep is the best tool for warding off dark circles and puffiness, sometimes we need a helping hand. This is where eye creams come in.

Age Defender Eye Repair is designed to smooth and firm the undereye skin, diminish the look of dark circles, and soften the appearance of crow’s feet.

Using your fingertip, apply a small amount of the eye cream along the orbital bone and under-eye area, patting gently without pulling. This can be used morning and night.

Step 6: Moisturise

It’s time to seal in your men’s skincare routine with a well-formulated moisturiser for men. Even if you have oily skin, it’s important to keep your skin hydrated and balanced, as this prevents your skin from over-producing sebum.

Moisturised skin tends to appear brighter and plumper, effectively minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can look to the Age Defender Cream Moisturizer for your moisturising needs, which helps replenish dull, ageing skin while smoothing coarse, uneven texture.

Follow directly after your serums and eye cream, smoothing over your face and neck.

Step 7: Protect

Sunscreen is more than a summer skincare essential – it’s a year-round companion.

Your AM men’s skincare routine should always include SPF as the final step. This will help protect your skin against UVB rays (those responsible for sunburn) and UVA rays (those that contribute to visible premature signs of ageing).

Ensure that you apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure, allowing the product to fully absorb into the skin.

Need a little more targeted care in your men’s skincare routine? We unpack the best ingredients for blemish-prone skin next.