Men’s Skin Care Hits Its Stride
And we’ve rounded up the crème de la crème.
Creating a skin-care routine can be especially tricky for men. Navigating a market largely catering to women, combined with outdated social norms, can lead to a lack of interest or understanding about the importance of skin care. Everyone has skin, and taking care of it should be a priority, regardless of gender. Luckily, the industry is evolving, with men’s skin care in particular gaining traction.
But before diving into the best products, what should men keep in mind when it comes to caring for their skin? According to Dermalogica’s director of education, Nadia Paglia, there are some unique considerations, particularly for those with facial hair. “Cleansing, exfoliating, and hydrating the skin beneath the beard is essential,” she explains. “Beards can trap dirt and oil, so regular cleansing and exfoliation are key, along with locking in hydration to keep the skin soft and prevent dandruff.” This approach, along with addressing basic steps like cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting the skin, forms the foundation of a solid skin-care routine.
From streamlined skin-care kits to sunscreens that won’t sting, here are a few must-have products along with a few brands to know.
Multivitamin Power Recovery Cream, Dermalogica
Dermalogica, a leader in clinically formulated skin-care products, has introduced its latest innovation: the Multivitamin Power Recovery Cream. This vitamin-rich moisturizer is designed to target stressed and fatigued skin. It addresses the four key signs of skin stress—dryness, dullness, fine lines, and sagging—by combining ingredients such as vitamins A, C, and E, freshwater microalgae with astaxanthin, a rehydrating peptide-chrysin-rosemary-extract blend, pro-vitamin B5, and niacinamide.
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Eucalyptus Body + Hand Wash, MIFA
If you have a soft spot for those 3-in-1 skin-care products, might we suggest a Canadian-owned clean beauty brand? Designed, developed, and manufactured in British Columbia, MIFA is a gender-neutral skin-care company that focuses on bringing the benefits of a spa into the home. While all MIFA products are multipurpose, the all-natural Eucalyptus Body + Hand Wash cleanses, moisturizes, and has aromatherapeutic properties.
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Vitaman made its initial mark in the skin-care industry 25 years ago as the first men’s grooming e-commerce brand in Australia. From body scrubs made with sea salt to creams that target muscle soreness, the collection helps care for the body, hair, and face. Vitaman’s packaging is environmentally conscious and entirely recyclable.
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An ode to traditional American barbershops, Le Labo’s grooming collection is a luxurious way to treat sensitive skin after shaving. From aftershave balms to beard oils and everything in between, each product features modern, workable texture with a retro feel.
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Overlooking the underarm? Not on our watch. Salt & Stone is another gender-neutral favourite and features skin-care essentials such as body washes, cleansers, and of course, deodorants. Available in regular and sensitive, and featuring fragrance pairings like bergamot and hinoki, this is an upgrade from your regular deodorant stick.
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Made for athletes, by athletes, Vancouver-based brand Reyal has created products that are all about performance. Focused on fuelling, strengthening, and protecting the skin, this simple, science-backed brand is a one-stop shop for everything you need to take care of your face, body, and hair.
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Curious about incorporating a full-on regimen but don’t know where to start? Leave it to Living Libations to put together a skin-care set. The Ontario-based clean beauty company has created a routine that includes pure plant-based products such as a shampoo, conditioner, eye serum, face cream, a serum, and a mending elixir. The base kit is customizable and comes with a hemp cloth and toiletries bag.
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Rain Or Shine Sunscreen, Jaxon Lane
No skin-care routine is complete without sunscreen. Made in Korea and designed in California, The Rain Or Shine sunscreen is a 2-in-1 product, acting as a lightweight moisturizer that also prevents sun damage. The entire line, sunscreen included, was created by a husband-and-wife duo, who create products that break through the noise of what men’s skin-care products are portrayed to be.
