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Grooming for Men 101: Everything you need to know

Skincare rituals and the like aren’t just for females. Here’s what you need to know about taking care of yourself.

Published November 16, 2019 8:55AM (EST)

Art Of Shaving beard wash, beard conditioner and beard oil (Art of Shaving)
Art Of Shaving beard wash, beard conditioner and beard oil (Art of Shaving)

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Having a skincare routine is about so much more than just washing your face in the shower using bar soap and shaving a few times a week with your old favorite razor - and yet, many men aren’t grooming themselves the way they should be. Taking a little time out of your morning and/or night to take care of your skin and your hair is completely worth it in the long run. 

Put aside some money and stock up on a few essentials to upgrade your time spent in front of the mirror. Here are the tips you need to know: 

Start using face wash.

Bar soap can dry out your skin too much, using shampoo as face wash is a huge no-no, and not using anything is an even worse option. Get yourself a simple face wash that cleanses the dirt and bacteria from your skin, such as Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash. It won’t leave your skin feeling stripped and it preps your face for shaving. 

Care for your beard with oil.

Your facial hair deserves a lot more love than just running a comb through it once in a while. This Initiative Citrus Beard Maintenance Kit is a good start. It includes shampoo and conditioner to wash your beard out (the facial hair can collect a lot more bacteria than you’d like to think about), as well as a hydrating beard oil to keep the hair silky and soft.

Toss the body wash/shampoo hybrid and opt for something more mature. 

Combination products like a three-in-one body wash/shampoo/conditioner are convenient, but they aren’t the best for your skin or your hair. Start by buying a body wash that is only meant to cleanse your skin and leave you smelling better, like L’Occitane’s L’Occitan Shower Gel. Then get yourself a shampoo and conditioner - America Crew's 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash will leave your hair cleaner and softer than ever before. 

Give your nails a little more attention. 

If you don’t want to spring for a professional manicure once in a while, then you’ll need to take matters into your own hands. Clean the dirt out from your nails daily, especially if you’re doing hard labor throughout the day. Clip your nails whenever they start to get too long, and file them to keep them from being too jagged. Brooks Brothers Men's Small Manicure Set makes it easy, as it comes with everything you need. 

Treat your acne instead of popping pimples.

Everyone gets a few pimples once in a while, and the worst thing you can do is pop them with your dirty fingers - especially if they aren’t ready to be popped. Instead of focusing on getting rid of them in the moment, focus on preventing them. You can start by washing your face regularly. Astringent pads by Acne Anthony are easy to swipe over your face to keep oil at bay and control shine, and an acne spot treatment will get rid of pimples in a safer way that won’t leave a mark. 

Moisturize every night before bed and in the morning. 

A moisturizer should be an essential part of your skincare routine at least once a day, if not twice. Always apply moisturizer after washing your face or taking a shower, whether your skin is dry or oily. Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer includes SPF 20 to keep sunburn at bay every single day. 

Always apply after-shave.

A good after-shave will replenish your skin after shaving, and should be used whether you’re using face moisturizer or not. Opt for a super hydrating after-shave that doesn’t strip your skin of natural oils.

Use styling product in your hair. 

It only takes a few seconds to apply product through your hair after you jump out of the shower, so start to get into that routine. A texturizing foam like this one from American Crew is a lightweight way to get maximum hold without making your hair feel sticky, while American Crew boost powder gives you the volume you’ve been looking for. It doesn’t hurt to use a fiber cream for natural hold and texture as well. 

Shape your eyebrows.

Your eyebrows don’t deserve to be completely ignored. If you don’t want to get them professionally groomed, do it yourself at home about once a week (or more or less depending on how fast your hair grows). Tweezerman tweezers are the best at plucking stubborn hairs 

Use a face mask once in a while. 

If you have some extra time at night or in the morning, apply a face mask. Try a Kiehl’s rare earth cleansing mask to deep clean your pores, which will help prevent acne and improve your skin’s texture. You can also buy individual mask packs to make things even easier. 

Keep hand cream close by.

Your hands are likely a lot more dry and rough than even you realize. Regularly applying hand lotion will help that whole situation. Keep a small squeeze bottle with you at all times, and especially apply cream before bed.

Always use a sharp razor. 

Keep a close-cut shave without bumps or ingrown hairs with a super sharp razor that gets changed out pretty regularly. The Gillette ProShield has five precision blades and a flexball to make it easy to move around the contours of your face.


By Compiled by Salon staff



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