Posted: April 6, 2026
Skincare has traditionally been marketed to women, leaving many men wondering where they fit into the conversation. Skincare can feel complicated, unnecessary, and overwhelming for many people. The truth is, taking care of your skin is about health, maintenance, and prevention.
Just like women, men also deal with a multitude of skincare concerns. Many men report experiencing skin concerns like acne, dryness, and razor burn. Another common complaint is dark spots or sun damage. The good news is that you can see results with far less than a 10-step, complicated, and/or expensive routine. A basic skincare routine for men, done consistently, can give you noticeable results and improve the look and feel of your skin.
By: Mallory
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Before diving into products, it is important to understand your personal skin type. Men’s skin is typically thicker than that of women and also produces more oil. This can make the skin prone to breakouts and irritation— especially with frequent shaving.
The most common skin types include oily, dry, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone. If your skin feels shiny or greasy throughout the day, you most likely have oily skin. If it feels tight or flaky, you’re probably dealing with dryness. Combination skin usually entails feeling oily around the nose and forehead with some dryness to the cheeks or other areas. Sensitive skin may sting, burn, or turn red easily with new products or exposures. And lastly, acne-prone skin is skin that experiences frequent breakouts.
Knowing your own personal skin type will help your product recommendations actually work instead of causing more problems.
Washing your face is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine. It is a non-negotiable step to help your face be clean and ready to absorb the necessary products in the rest of your routine. No matter your skin type, your body produces oil and sweat, and is exposed every day to pollution and bacteria. It is important to find cleansers that are gentle and sulfate-free to avoid irritation. It is also recommended to avoid hard soaps or body wash on the face, as the skin on the body and face are different. Cleansing is recommended to be completed both morning and night, as the first step in your routine.
Even if you have oily skin, moisturizing your skin is a critical part of your routine. Moisturizing your skin may be causing your skin to break out if you are using one that is not best for your skin type, or if you are overusing it. When used correctly, a moisturizer can help hydrate the skin, improve the skin’s barrier, and also lead to smoother skin. To choose a moisturizer, you must first determine your skin type. If you have more oily-prone skin, look for a lightweight lotion. If you have skin that is more on the dry side, you may require a heavier cream or thicker lotion.
Sun damage is a major cause of premature aging and causes sunspots. It is recommended to wear sunscreen every single day, even when it is cloudy. If you have windows in your home, office, or car, it is recommended to keep your skin protected from all UV rays! When finding a sunscreen, you should search for a broad-spectrum one that contains an SPF of 30+. If applying an added product in your routine feels cumbersome, there is a great choice to incorporate a moisturizer + SPF combination product.
In addition to the foundational products in your skincare routine, there are also supplementary products to help address your specific concerns. One beneficial product to incorporate is an exfoliant. Exfoliants help shed the dead cells off the top layer of your skin, clear your pores from dirt, debris, and oil, and help increase cell turnover. Exfoliants can be chemical or physical exfoliants. An example of a chemical exfoliant is a retinol product. This class of products is our biggest anti-aging antioxidant and helps cell turnover.
Additional products, such as those targeting redness or pigmentation, may also be beneficial when you are ready to target specific concerns. It’s especially important to add in additional products one at a time. If you’re unsure what products are best for your concerns, we recommend coming in for a consultation with one of our providers to discuss your skin and goals.
The best way to start a new skincare routine is to keep it simple and sustainable. Starting with just a few products, such as a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF, would be best. It’s better to be consistent than to have multiple products and a routine that is too complex to complete on a daily basis. As you begin this new routine, it will become a habit that you incorporate into your practice, not an overhaul of products. Our hope is that you always know what products you are using and why you are using them. We recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our nurse practitioners to discuss your skin type, goals, and recommendations.
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