“I wash my face with the same soap I use for baths”
A friend said when I asked him about his skincare routine.
Intrigued by this, I continued asking more of my friends about their routines—the answers were no different.
But when I asked them why they don't follow a skincare routine, the persistent answer was that it feels like a chore.
If you share this sentiment—view skincare as a task rather than a treat—this blog is for you.
Here, I will walk you through a fun and effective men's skincare routine, ranging from baseline to advanced steps—that will leave your skin looking amazing, clean, and fresh.
3-Step Basic Skincare Routine for Men
If you want to start taking care of your skin, it’s best not to apply too many products. Start slow and with gentle skincare ingredients.
Here is a morning and nighttime routine that contains a cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen.
1. Wash your Face with a Gentle Cleanser - Day and Night
While sleeping, bacteria accumulate on your skin, and if left unclean, it can lead to infections in hair follicles, potentially causing breakouts.
So simply rinsing your face with water in the morning is not enough—use a cleanser.
Then wash your face again in the evening to begin with your bedtime skincare routine.
2. Moisturise - Day and Night
Using a face moisturiser is essential for men.
Moisturiser effectively prevents dryness and flakiness by creating a protective barrier that retains moisture.
Ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramide—when combined in a moisturiser, can offer advanced hydration throughout the day, making your skin look healthy and glowing.
Moreover, moisturisers play a great deal of role in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and redness—and improving the overall skin texture.
And if you are someone who travels a lot, or stays out during the day, a moisturiser can protect your skin against environmental damages such as UV rays, pollution, and free radicals.
3. Apply a sunscreen - Day
In men, one of the biggest causes of premature ageing is overexposure to the sun. Moreover, men face a higher prevalence and increased risk of fatality from skin cancer, especially melanoma.
So make sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 after cleansing your face and applying moisturiser—as a part of your morning skincare routine.
Beyond Cleansing and Moisturising - An Intermediate Skincare Routine for Men
So you already use a cleanser and follow it up with a moisturiser/sunscreen, what’s next?
Do you stick to the same routine, or it’s time to level up?
Let me tell you, there are great skincare products available for men that can help you upgrade your skincare regime.
Here are 3 products you can add between washing your face and applying sunscreen.
Exfoliation - Twice a Week
Exfoliating your skin twice a week has several benefits; it removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, prevents acne, and evens your overall skin tone. Moreover, exfoliation boosts collagen production, a protein that makes your skin look healthy and smooth.
But don't exfoliate too hard or scrub your face. Gently massage your face and rinse it off with lukewarm water.
Toner - Day and Night
Toner can be a valuable addition to your skincare routine.
But what does it really do?
Toner helps in restoring equilibrium for your skin.
Basically, it balances the pH levels of your skin after you cleanse your face. For example, if you have oily skin, toner can help keep your skin non-greasy and shine-free. If you have dry skin, toner will hydrate your skin and retain that much-needed moisture.
Moreover, toner can minimise pores, tighten skin (temporarily), and remove any excess oil or dirt.
Serums - Day and Night
Serums are topical products with a lightweight consistency, that deliver active ingredients like Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid to the skin.
Serums are very effective in treating discolouration, dullness, fine lines, or acne.
But to maximise its benefits, you need to seal the serum with a moisturiser.
Derived from basic and intermediate skincare practices, here is an optimal approach to your routine.
Cleanser → Toner → Serum → Moisturiser → Sunscreen
Adding Active Ingredients - An Advanced Skincare Routine for Men
You did your skincare for a while but could not get relief from your skin concerns.
What’s next?
It’s time to enter the major leagues.
Here is a list of active ingredients you can add to your skincare routine and achieve great results.
Retinol - Night
Retinol is derived from Vitamin A and is one of the most effective anti-ageing skincare ingredients.
It majorly treats fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and textured skin.
However, note that Retinol has potential adverse effects such as redness, itching, and skin peeling. So start slow and with lower concentrations such as 0.1%.
How to apply Retinol?
- Wash your face with a gentle cleaner.
- Apply a pea-sized amount of Retinol to your entire face.
- Follow it up with a hydrating moisturiser.
Note: Retinol should only be applied at night.
Precautions
- Avoid skin near your eyes, lips and nose.
- Do not mix Retinol with Vitamin C, AHA/BHAs and other potent ingredients.
- If you are new, apply Retinol once a week and gradually increase the frequency.
In case you experience any adverse reactions, contact your dermatologist.
Vitamin C - Day
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights free radicals (toxins that come into your skin from air pollution), prevents wrinkles and fine lines, and improves overall skin texture.
A clinical trial says that topical application of Vitamin C improves hyperpigmentation and acne scars with no side effects.
AHA/BHA - Day or Night
AHA and BHAs are exfoliants that can be found in a variety of skincare products like cleansers, toners, moisturisers, and scrubs.
Both are effective in treating inflammation, acne, and textured skin. Plus, they even out your skin tone, and increase the cell turnover.
Precautions
- Carefully follow the ‘How to use’ instructions on the product’s label.
- Start with low concentrations.
- Make sure to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50.
Niacinamide - Day and Night
Niacinamide is a derivative of Vitamin B3 that helps fight premature ageing, acne, and dark spots.
Moreover, Niacinamide strengthens your skin’s barrier, protecting it from environmental damage.
You can find niacinamide in various skincare products like cleansers, creams, masks, and serums. Consistently use this skincare ingredient for a healthy and glowing complexion.
