The Best Skincare Products for Men — Including John’s Favorites

Not all men like cologne, so a scented body wash is a nice way to add a subtle aroma that doesn’t feel overpowering. This formula from Native is free of dyes and sulfates and full of all-natural ingredients. You can pick from myriad scents, from fruity to woody, to lather up with.

For those with sensitive skin, opting for a foaming cleanser may be a skincare game changer. Unlike gritty face washes or intense gel cleansers, a foaming wash gently removes dirt and oil without stripping away all of your face’s natural moisture.

Everyone has spots they’d like to fade, especially as we get older. This vitamin C serum can help brighten dull skin and fade dark marks with regular use. To use it, all you have to do is add four or five drops to clean skin, rub it in, and lock it all in with your favorite moisturizer. Before you know it, your skin will be glowing, and age spots will be less noticeable.

Skin has a tendency to act up after shaving, breaking out in red bumps or itching incessantly, but a post-shave moisturizer can help battle both those effects. Aesop’s post-shave lotion is one of John’s favorites because it not only smoothes skin and moisturizes, but its botanical oils actually help calm and nurture irritated skin. It’s also naturally scented with neroli and sandalwood oils, which leave a subtle smell behind after application.

Create your own spa moment with this aesthetically pleasing skincare bundle. The set includes a face brush, exfoliating body bar, and soap tray. The brush allows for a gentle physical exfoliation, which helps cleansers work more effectively on the skin (removing dead skin allows the ingredients to better penetrate the skin). The body bar contains glycolic acid for a gentle chemical exfoliation (so it doesn’t feel gritty or rough) that delivers some moisture with jojoba oil. Lastly, the soap dish keeps the bar from sitting in a watery mess, keeping the shower clean and lengthening the soap’s lifespan.

Made from all-natural ingredients, this soap can exfoliate and cleanse while you’re taking a shower. Dr. Squatch combines a mild grit (from ingredients like cornmeal) and natural moisturizing oils to create a soap that’s effective and smells amazing. We’re fans of the “bourbon barrel” scent, but you can also choose from scents like Alpine Sage or Cedar Citrus.

Suffering from dry, cracked hands? This thick cream will instantly soothe tight skin and tender cuticles. It’s full of skin-loving ingredients like sesame seed oil and avocado oil, which nourish and pamper hands. It’s also free of parabens and even gluten, which can irritate skin.

Reapplying chapstick is a pain, especially when your lips are already sore and raw. A thick lip moisturizer, like this one from Malin+Goetz, not only stays on longer, but helps replenish and lock in moisture. Fatty acids in the formula nourish sensitive skin and lips, while also helping the product soak in faster, so there’s no greasy feel after application. Reviewers call this one a “great investment” and “so clearly superior” to drugstore chapsticks and moisturizers, saying it’s worth the higher price tag.

We all struggle with dark circles, but most products for tired eyes aren’t marketed toward men. This under-eye cream from Lumin is specifically made to target men’s puffy eyes, crow’s feet, and fine lines without creating irritation or dryness, which can occur when you treat such sensitive skin. Ingredients like caffeine, niacinamide, and lemon extract help even tone and reduce darkness, while the product’s cooling texture helps fight puffiness.

Biography’s products are vegan, not tested on animals, and scented with natural extracts, making them a fit for those with sensitive skin and who are picky about the ingredients in their skincare. These drops can replace a traditional shaving cream — they’re a blend of oils that actively moisturize and protect skin, while also allowing for a closer shave. Ingredients like radish seed oil soften hair follicles and coat skin for a smooth shave, while borage seed oil works as an anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps soothe acne, rosacea, and eczema.

This one is for the pros. If you already have your skincare routine down pat, know which order to apply toners and serums in, and like to look extra-sculpted, then a device like this is a great addition to your skincare arsenal. The NuFace helps tone facial muscles with the use of microcurrents that help tighten and sculpt the face. It comes with a gel primer, which you would apply to clean skin, to help conduct the currents. From there, you can gently sweep the device along your chin and cheeks to sculpt, lift, and tone. (As a bonus, it feels like a mini massage.)

Everyone gets chapped lips, but if you tend to get them often, this balm will be a savior. It’s thick, which means it’ll stay on lips for longer, and even contains SPF 25 to protect against sun damage. Plus, the balm comes in five different flavors, so you can feel like a kid again.

Packed with superfood ingredients (hence the name) like kale and spinach, this gentle cleanser will remove dirt and oil without stripping natural oils from your face. After wetting your face, gently work the gel into a bubbly lather, giving yourself a little facial massage in the process. Your skin will thank you for it.

For those who tend to get red bumps or irritation after shaving, a soothing post-shave balm could help. This one from Bevel is a lotion rather than a liquid aftershave, so it’ll moisturize and soothe skin when it needs it most. It also doesn’t contain alcohol, so it’s less likely to burn on any nicks or cuts. Tea tree oil helps prevent ingrown hairs and bacteria growth, while shea butter and jojoba oil keep skin soft and moisturized.

Still using an old razor with dull blades? Even if that set-up is budget-friendly, it can wreak havoc on skin, adding irritation and increasing the risk of nicks and cuts. This Harry’s set comes with a razor (with a weighted handle so you don’t have to push the blades against your skin), a five-blade cartridge head and three replacements, and a shave cream. When it’s time for a new blade, all you have to do is pop off the old one and add a replacement. When he runs out, replacement blades from Harry’s start at $2 a piece.