Men's Skincare Routine

By Kiehl’s Education Team

A proper men's skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated, while still ensuring you have refreshed, healthy-looking skin all year round. Discover some key skincare steps from cleansing to SPF that will help your skin stay strong and healthy. 

To many men, starting a dedicated skincare routine can seem intimidating. Social media often makes it seem as though you cannot achieve healthy-looking skin without putting in a ton of time and effort. Perhaps you have tried to curate a routine of your own, but you have ended up discouraged by questions about whether face serums are necessary and what toner does for your skin. When you are not familiar with distinct types of products and what they do, it can be confusing (especially if your knowledge of skincare for men starts and ends with what your dad taught you about shaving in school).

Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective—we're hear to help you by breaking down a men's skincare routine that is designed for beginners. 

4 Can't-Skip Steps for Your Daily Men's Skincare Routine

While your daily skincare routine for men can be adjusted according to your needs, there are a few steps you should follow every day. Learn what they are (and what Kiehl's formulas are right for your skincare needs) below.

Step 1: Wash Away Dirt and Oil

While differences in skin can be as varied as people are, the basics of a solid skincare routine are similar for everyone. This means that no matter who you are, your skincare routine should always start with cleansing. Your skin is exposed to air pollution, dirt, and external stressors throughout the day, all of which can disrupt your skin barrier. That, coupled with the excess oil and dead skin cells that naturally accumulate, makes cleansing twice daily necessary.

To ensure your men's skincare routine starts on the right note, choosing the right cleanser is key. Our signature gel face wash for men, Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash, washes away surface dirt and oil. The energizing formula with Caffeine and Menthol also helps wake up tired, dull-looking skin to give it a fresher appearance. Using the face wash is simple: just dispense a 50p-sized dollop of the gel formula into your palms, then massage the lather onto your face in an upward motion. Once finished, rinse your skin thoroughly with warm water.

Step 2: Address Eye-Area Concerns

Eye cream is a product that you may not think you need, but we recommend incorporating it into your routine to help improve dark circles. The skin texture around the eye area is thinner than the rest of your facial skin, which is why you should treat your delicate eyelids with a product that specifically addresses your eye-area concerns. For general hydration and anti-ageing, we suggest our lightweight Eye Fuel. Like the rest of the formulas in our men's Facial Fuel line, it contains Caffeine and helps boost the appearance of tired skin.

For a more intensive approach to anti-ageing, try our Age Defender Eye Repair. The firming formula helps to visibly correct ageing skin around the eye to firm sagging, reduce the appearance of dark circles and visibly resurface crow’s feet for a smoother, more youthful appearance.

Step 3: Moisturise For Hydrated Skin

It’s important to incorporate an effective moisturiser after your cleanser into your skincare routine. For dry skin and sensitive skin this probably feels essential, but even if you have naturally oily skin, a moisturiser is necessary: it helps keep your skin balanced and hydrated. Our Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment for Men works for all skin types and delivers an invigorating formula that absorbs quickly (without residue), and leaves skin feeling hydrated, re-energized, and revitalized.

Step 4: Apply (and Reapply) Sunscreen

Applying SPF daily is a non-negotiable step in any skincare routine, and is something you should do daily, regardless of the weather or how much time you plan to spend outside. It’s a healthy skin habit with immense benefits that will be easy to implement once you make it part of your daily routine. Not only does effective sun protection diminish your chances of getting sunburnt, but by avoiding UV damage, you can prevent visible signs of ageing that result from sun exposure.

Get in the habit of applying a daily SPF, such as Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Aqua Gel SPF 50 PA+++. This lightweight, non-comedogenic formula absorbs quickly, leaving the skin with a matte finish. It is suitable for all skin types including dry skin and can be applied to your face and body. Apply an even layer of sunscreen to all exposed skin at least 15 minutes before going outside (and reapply it every two hours, or after sweating or swimming). Other sun-protective measures you should follow include sticking to the shade, avoiding direct sunlight at midday, and protecting your eyes with UV-filtering sunglasses.

Routine Booster: Deep Clean with a Kiehl’s Clay Mask

Not every step in our recommended skincare routine for men is meant to be done daily. Some additional steps are only necessary a few times a week or when your skin is in need of a boost. One such step is masking. Men's skin tends to be on the oilier side, which means skin concerns like clogged pores and visible shininess can be an issue. To help address these concerns, we recommend reaching for a clay face mask, like Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask. The bestselling formula, which features fairly-traded Amazonian White Clay, helps detoxify the skin, while deep cleaning your skin for a visibly more refined appearance.

HOW TO UPDATE YOUR MEN'S
SKINCARE ROUTINE ON SHAVING
DAYS

Step 1: Exfoliate & Prep Your Skin

Exfoliating helps remove dead cells from the surface of your skin, which can encourage a closer, more comfortable shave. You might not want to shave daily — in fact, doing so can irritate your skin. Because shaving naturally exfoliates the skin, and given the frequency that men often shave, you may want to incorporate additional formulas into your shaving routine to make it most beneficial for your skin.

Before reaching for your razor, be sure to prep your skin with Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub suitable for all skin types including combination skin. This men's skincare staple with Menthol and crushed Apricot Kernels cleanses and helps slough away dead skin and other impurities. When used before shaving, it also helps soften tough facial hair. You do not need much to reap the benefits: a 50p-sized dollop, massaged gently over your face, is ideal for your pre-shave skin prep.

To create the most enjoyable shaving experience, be sure to use shaving cream, gel, or lotion to help the razor glide over your damp skin. A brushless shave cream like Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream White Eagle can help cushion skin from sharp blades and keep irritation to a minimum. The gentle formula contains cooling Camphor and Sesame Seed Oil, works on all skin types, and leaves skin primed for a smooth shave.

Step 2: Restore Your Skin Barrier Post-Shave

Once you have removed your facial hair as you see fit, it’s important to help restore and recover your skin barrier, as freshly shaved skin and trimmed hair often require extra care.
Our Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief is an aftershave product that is specially formulated with Aloe Vera, a skin-soothing staple, to help reduce irritation and leave skin feeling calm and refreshed. To help improve skin health and restore your skin barrier, we recommend using a moisturiser like our Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream which helps to provide instant repair and relief for dry, sensitive skin. Additionally, our Ultra Facial Barrier Balm with Squalane provides on-the-go hydration for touchups during the day. Follow with a reliable SPF to complete your skincare routine and leave your skin feeling healthy, moisturised, and protected.