Whether you’re a newbie to the grooming scene or you’ve been perfecting your process for decades, there’s always room to add a new product to level up your looks.
With a roundup of this year’s best grooming products for men, we introduce you to top-shelf products and ingredients that tame your hair, soothe the skin, and scrub away impurities and the day’s sweat or grime. It’s never been this easy to find new, high-quality grooming products for men.
Let’s get grooming, chaps.
1. Blu Atlas Purifying Face Mask
Have you ever experienced the luxury of the best facial mask for men? Here’s your chance. Blu Atlas’ Purifying Face Mask is one of the best grooming products for men this year. If you’re new at the self-care game, a face mask is a deep cleansing mask that you apply to your face and leave on for 10 to 20 minutes while it fights impurities and acne, deeply cleaning the skin. The Purifying Face Mask is a grooming product that also hydrates and nourishes the skin.
This superior face mask uses the purest natural ingredients to produce the best results. Kaolin clay takes on impurities, pulls out toxins, and battles oily skin while thoroughly clearing out clogged pores. Goji berry extract is a nutrient-rich ingredient that boosts skin strength, clears acne, balances skin tone, and increases collagen production. Algae extract is a powerful antioxidant that helps skin find its strength and glow.
2. Blu Atlas Aftershave
Every clean shaved face deserves the best aftershave for men. If an aftershave is missing from
your toiletry bag, Blu Atlas’ Aftershave is here to change the game for you. We all know how soft, irritated, and sensitive the skin can be after a close shave. It’s critical to have a product that protects your open pores and prevents painful in-grown hairs.
Blu Atlas Aftershave is a simple, vegan, fragrance-free moisturizing cream made from all-natural ingredients that protect the skin. The cream is a blend of natural botanicals that soothe and nourish the skin. Shea butter hydrates the skin quickly while aloe leaf brings gentle antioxidants that moisturize and even the skin tone. Rose water helps handle any nicks, cuts, or razor bumps and reduces inflammation or irritation.
Hands down, the best aftershave cream for men is Blu Atlas’ Aftershave.
3. Jack Black Double-Duty Face Moisturizer
Jack Black’s Double-Duty Face Moisturizer is reporting for duty for men who want to skip the sunscreen step in their grooming process. It’s a dual moisturizer and sunscreen lotion that hydrates and protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays. Moisturizing is a critical step to the best grooming routine—it protects from signs of aging and gives your skin that hydrating glow.
Men love Jack Black products for their natural approach to skincare and grooming. The Double-Duty Face Moisturizer utilizes blue algae extract to soothe irritated skin and smooth it with phospholipids to attract moisture. Vitamin A and E work together with sea parsley to improve skin tone and protect from sun damage. Jack Black prides itself on using natural ingredients that are safe for the body and skin.
Dual-action moisturizers make life easier, and they’re perfect for men with busy lives.
4. Native Unscented Body Wash
All-natural ingredient body washes are easy to come by, but few are as great as Native’s Body Wash. The company focuses on putting the health of its buyers first and foremost, so they only use clean ingredients that are safe for the skin. The unscented option is perfect for every skin type as there are no harsh chemicals to irritate or bother your skin.
The natural body wash is a mix of all-star ingredients, including coconut oil, citric acid, and food-grade cleansing salt. They deliver a clean, fresh experience in the shower without compromising on quality ingredients. Native’s Unscented Body Wash is the best all-natural body wash available for men.
5. Malin + Goetz vitamin b5 body lotion
Chuck out your grocery store lotion or cream and try out Malin + Goetz’s b5 body lotion. Keep the skin nourished and moisturized with their smooth blend of skin-loving ingredients. This simple formula mixes bergamot, avocado oil, grapeseed oil, fatty acids, and vitamin B5 to saturate the skin and draw in moisture. Fast-absorbing and incredibly light, you can apply this lotion quickly—perfect for when you’re in a rush.
There’s no reason to use cheap, chemical-filled lotions when you have options like this. It’s a vegetarian, cruelty-free body lotion that deeply hydrates the skin without leaving it feeling greasy or streaky. We love the refreshing scent and lightweight moisturizer formula.
6. Bevel Shave Kit: The Complete Shaving System
The best shaving kit available, Bevel’s cares about men and their hottest ticket item—their face. The kit includes Bevel’s Pre-Shave Oil, Shave Cream, Post-Shave Balm, and high-quality Bevel Blades. They also include a safety razor and shaving brush with your first purchase.
The Bevel kit comes fully stocked to give you the best shave wherever shaving fits into your grooming routine. Start with the pre-shave oil to prep skin and reduce the chances of nicks, cuts, or razor bumps. Lather the shaving cream onto your shaving brush to apply it evenly to the face. Then use the included safety razor to groom your face and beard confidently. Last but certainly not least, wash off the leftover shaving cream and slather on the shave balm to soothe and nourish your skin.
The Shave Kit is perfect for beginners or men who know what they like. We believe this is one of the best grooming products of the year.
7. Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
The most luxurious eye cream on the market, Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment is a lavishly thick and creamy eye product that takes care of those undereye bags and dark circles. If you’re the type of guy who loves late nights but hates seeing dark circles the next day, it’s time to add the best eye cream grooming product to your bathroom cabinet.
This creamy eye treatment looks like witchcraft, reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and puffiness. Tested by both ophthalmologists and dermatologists, you can feel safe applying it to the most sensitive skin on your body.
Its formula is perfect for every skin type, including super sensitive skin because it uses a safe blend of natural ingredients. The star ingredients avocado oil, shea butter, and beta-carotene improve under-eye skin texture.
8. Lumin Charcoal Cleanser
Every guy needs a deep face cleanser to scrub away dull, tired skin after an all-nighter with the boys. We love Lumin’s Charcoal Cleanser because it’s a scrub that gets deep into the pores and blasts away impurities without irritating the skin. This dark gray cleanser applies smoothly to the face’s surface, gently scrubbing away the day’s dirt and grime. While most charcoal cleansers aren’t for everyday use, Lumin’s is made with ingredients gentle enough to be used daily.
This facial cleanser soothes irritation and tackles bacteria with its plant-based ingredients. Charcoal takes care of impurities, cleans the skin, and tackles clogged pores. Rose flower oil brightens the skin and helps keep redness and puffiness in check. Centella Asiatica boosts the skin’s natural protective barrier and hydrates.
This is the best charcoal cleanser for men this year.
9. Hims Hair Loss Kit
Hair—or lack thereof—doesn’t need to hold you back any longer thanks to Him’s Hair Kit. With the help of medical professionals and dermatologists, Hims formulated a personal treatment plan for men and their health complications. The Hair Loss Kit comes with a personalized hair treatment plan that may include a prescription-strength drug to treat hair loss. Depending on the type of hair loss you are experiencing, their medical professionals may encourage using two clinically proven drugs, Finasteride and Minoxidil.
Hims brings men’s hair loss treatments that work. They care about men and their overall health and offer professional medical help and treatment for erectile dysfunction, therapy, genital herpes, and skincare needs like acne or anti-aging.
Without question, Hims offers the best grooming products for men who are experiencing hair loss.
10. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Don’t forget your face wash! You need the best facial cleanser as the first step for your top-notch grooming routine. Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser is the best facial cleanser for all men and skin types, even those with dry or sensitive skin. It’s a gentle, creamy formula that doesn’t irritate or bother the skin as it scrubs away dirt and grime and clears clogged pores.
The cleanser formula utilizes a blend of ingredients to clean the face properly—niacinamide, hydrating glycerin, and panthenol tackle impurities, dirt, and bacteria.
11. Huron Shampoo
A great shampoo is vital to maintaining your cool, clean, manly vibes. You want an all-natural shampoo that doesn’t cost a fortune and won’t strip your hair of its essential oils and vigor. Even better—a shampoo that delivers a quality clean with no leftover debris or grease. Huron’s Shampoo is here to take care of your hair. We don’t recommend washing hair daily, but if you’re a guy who loves a daily wash, the Huron shampoo is perfect due to its gentle formula. It’s ideal for every guy and hair type.
Free from all the junk other brands use, they never include parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicone, or aluminum. They jam-pack this shampoo full of good-for-you hair ingredients that your head will thank you for. The foamy lather releases the power of argan oil and vitamins E and B5 to bring your hair blissful relaxation. The rich lather is insane, and men love the scent of this shampoo—a mix of energizing citrus and mint.
They don’t just love your hair. They also love the environment. Their products come in 100% recyclable packaging and are always cruelty-free.
The Best Grooming Routine for Men
The best grooming routine is the one that is easy to do every day, treating your skin type and any skin conditions you may have.
Identify Your Skin Type, Hair Type, and Concerns
Before starting any grooming routine or ritual, you need to know what you’re treating. Do you have naturally oily hair and skin? Do your skin and hair get incredibly dry or dull during the long winter months? First, identify these needs, and build your grooming routine based on those.
Build an Excellent Grooming Routine
Wash Your Body
The first step to any man’s grooming routine is easy peasy. Pick your favorite body wash, shower gel, bar soap, or body cleanser to scrub off that dirt, bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells clogging your pores. The best times to shower are after workouts, after a good sweat if you live in a humid location, or in the morning to energize you for the day. Whatever your ideal shower time is, you want to get your body and skin squeaky clean. If you need to take care of fungus, eczema, or any other skin conditions, it’s an excellent idea to find a body wash that can gently treat those skin needs.
Depending on your skin type or skin conditions, you may benefit from using an exfoliator such as a loofah. It’s a great way to exfoliate and blast bacteria and blocked pores.
Shampoo and Condition Your Hair
Clean hair is the next step to your manly grooming routine. Shampoo and condition your hair once every two to three days. You don’t need to wash your hair every day, even if you have greasy or oily hair. If you do have oily or greasy hair, find a shampoo and conditioner formulated to tackle the problem instead of overwashing.
People notice hair, and if you’re walking around with greasy hair, they will take note. It’s an effortless step to do while you’re already in the shower.
Cleanse the Face
Wash your face with your favorite face wash, face scrub, or other facial cleansers. Wash your face once in the morning and once in the evening.
A lot can happen in a day, and if you want to optimize your skin, you’ll need to have a full morning and evening grooming routine. Depending on your skin type, you can also add an exfoliating scrub one to two times per week.
Use a Toner
After cleaning your face, you can apply toner. A toner is a liquid that aims to balance and even out the skin tone. You can simply apply it to your face by hand—no need to waste a cotton pad. The environment will thank you!
Applying toner to your face is not a necessary step. Only add this in if you think your skin will benefit from a toner.
Apply a Moisturizer
Now your face is ready for a moisturizer. With the moisturizer, cream, or lotion of your choice, apply it to your face to lock in hydration. Even if you have oily skin, you want to lock in that moisture and hydration.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin and you’re worried about causing new blemishes, find an oil-free moisturizer that also treats acne. A light, oil-free moisturizer with a small percentage of salicylic acid or tea tree oil may work wonders for your skin.
Men with sensitive or dehydrated skin need to find a moisturizing formula that won’t irritate or bother the skin. A moisturizer with all-natural ingredients, free from harmful chemicals, is a great choice. If a moisturizer contains natural anti-inflammatory or soothing agents, such as shea butter or jojoba oil, that’s even better!
Use Anti-Aging Products or Apply a Spot Treatment
This step in your grooming routine is where you treat any spots or skin conditions that affect facial skin. If you’re interested in an anti-aging product like an eye cream or serum to treat fine lines and wrinkles, you can apply it during this step of your grooming process.
For men with acne, it’s time for some blemish or spot treatment. If your face has a spot or blemish, consider applying a spot treatment liquid to the area. There are many acne spot creams to choose from, but a simple, easy choice is Clean & Clear’s Advantage Spot Treatment. It’s a simple blend of 2% salicylic acid and witch hazel.
For men with dry patches or eczema, you can add an extra layer of moisture. Why is this necessary? If your skin is still flaky and dry even after applying your moisturizer, your skin’s protective barrier can use help to keep your face nourished. Opt for a moisturizing formula, such as Kiehl’s Age Defender Moisturizer, which adds an extra layer to keep your skin hydrated and happy.
Men with sensitive skin might want to consider adding an extra layer of protection between their skin and the rest of the world. A light gel or cream moisturizer with natural ingredients like hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, or squalane is excellent for this step.
Take Care of Odor
Never underestimate the power of your scent. If you’re a guy who produces a lot of underarm sweat and the stinky smell that accompanies it, you should invest in a high-quality deodorant and antiperspirant. People want to smell the fragrance from your deodorant of choice, not your underarms. During this grooming step, you can also apply a cologne!
Face or Hair Mask
Sometimes your hair and face need a bit more TLC. You can use a face mask or hair mask one to two times per week. They hydrate your hair and face and leave it feeling fresh and youthful. This step is also relaxing and something you can enjoy after work or during your night in.
Take Care of Facial Hair
We’re not going to tell you when you should shave during your grooming process. Some men love to shave before hopping in the shower, and then they can wash off any lingering hairs. Other men enjoy shaving after taking their showers and completing other parts of their grooming routine. Find what works best for you and what you think is most enjoyable.
We recommend using a facial scrub before shaving. It opens pores and helps you get a closer shave.
Ingredients You Want in Grooming Products
When looking at the ingredient list of your skincare, haircare, or other body products, there are a few great ingredients to keep an eye out for. Most of these are natural ingredients that increase hydration, brighten skin, and help your body or hair retain moisture.
Hyaluronic Acid
This natural ingredient is a heavyweight champion for hydrating skin and locking in moisture. It works hard to soothe and moisturize the skin. One of the best ingredients, hyaluronic acid is the clear winner in products for men with dehydrated skin.
Jojoba Oil
A high-quality humectant that fortifies the skin’s protective barrier and locks in moisture. Jojoba oil is a nourishing and moisturizing ingredient popular in many men’s grooming products.
Aloe Vera
Known for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera juice or extract is a dominant ingredient. You can find this ingredient in all types of grooming products, including moisturizers, serums, shaving creams, and even shampoos and conditioners. Aloe is an A+ natural ingredient.
Retinol
The golden standard for anti-aging products, retinol is the champion for aging skin. Some of its many benefits include exfoliating, stimulating collagen production, and giving skin a young fresh, look.
Vitamin C
The body loves vitamin C, which usually comes as ascorbic acid in your grooming products. It’s a powerful natural antioxidant that kills infections, soothes blemishes, and brightens dull skin. This is one of the best ingredients in facial moisturizers, serums, and creams.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a natural essential oil that helps treat inflammation, irritation, ingrown hairs, and redness. It’s included in many men’s grooming products and is a beneficial ingredient to treat the skin.
Glycerin
Glycerin is another powerful humectant that draws in and attracts water to the skin. It is an ingredient included in many moisturizers, facial creams, and serums. It’s a seriously hydrating component that many men’s skincare products carry.
Ingredients to Avoid
Men’s grooming products are often full toxic chemicals that produce specific effects, such as creating a rich lather or granting your product a longer shelf-life. It’s often better to avoid these harmful chemicals, as they can cause long-term side effects to your body and skin.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a harsh drying component included in men’s products. While it’s great for killing bacteria, drying out oil, and cleaning nicks and cuts, it can be a drying ingredient. If you need a serious disinfectant for your skin, it’s probably okay if your grooming product has alcohol.
Parabens
Parabens have been linked to certain cancers, so we think it’s wise to steer clear of products that include them. Parabens are preservatives that give grooming products a longer shelf-life. We don’t think being able to keep toiletry items in your cabinet longer is worth your life.
Phthalates
This chemical is in many products with artificial fragrances. It’s best to avoid phthalates and synthetic fragrances. Studies have shown their link to advers affects on the endocrine system in people.
Aluminum
Many antiperspirants include aluminum and make your body produce less sweat. The aluminum blocks the pores that produce sweat, decreasing foul odors and scents. Research suggests that you should avoid using aluminum in all grooming products as it may affect the hormone system. On top of that, it’s a reaction to that aluminum that causes armpit stains in your shirts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Grooming Products for Men and Women the Same?
No, they’re not! They’re different for many reasons, one of them being that men have thicker skin. This means men need a more potent formula in their products to penetrate the layers of skin and treat certain skin conditions. Men also produce more oil in their sebaceous glands, and the skin may need extra help with oil control.
This also applies to other grooming products as well. Shaving creams formulated for men include ingredients that treat this difference in skin.
Do I Really Need to Wear Sunscreen?
Yes, you should wear sunscreen. It’s easier to protect the skin from wrinkles and fine lines with sunscreen. Wherever you start your grooming routine, keep in mind you need sunscreen added in there. Look for a moisturizer that includes SPF if you think you’re likely to forget.
What’s the Most Important Grooming Product?
There are at least three important grooming products. The most basic grooming routine is to use a body wash, face wash, and moisturizer. These are the bare minimum essentials that help you properly take care of your body.