Skincare routine for men: simple morning and night steps that work

Should men have a skincare routine?

Yes, and it can be short. Men's skin needs the same basics as anyone's: clean it, keep it moisturized, and protect it from the sun. Shaving adds one more thing to handle, so a routine also helps with razor burn and bumps.

The American Academy of Dermatology's tips for men come down to five habits: know your skin type, wash daily and after exercise with a mild cleanser, shave with care, moisturize daily, and wear sunscreen. That is the whole base. Everything else is optional.

Most men quit a routine because it has too many steps. Start with three products. Add more only when you have a specific reason, like acne or dark spots.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology: skin care tips for men

Men's morning skincare routine: 3 steps

The morning routine takes about two minutes. Do it after you shave or shower, while your skin is still a little damp.

1. Cleanse: wash your face with a mild facial cleanser and lukewarm water. The AAD says regular bar soap can be drying.
2. Moisturize: apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp, right after washing or shaving.
3. Protect: apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to your face, ears, and neck. Reapply every two hours outside or after sweating.
4. Optional: a vitamin C serum goes on after cleansing and before moisturizer.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology: skin care tips for men

Men's night skincare routine

At night the job is to remove sweat, oil, and sunscreen, then let your skin repair. Night is also the best time for a retinoid, because retinoids can make skin more sensitive to sun.

1. Cleanse: wash with the same gentle cleanser. Use your fingertips, not a washcloth or scrub.
2. Treat (optional): apply a pea-sized amount of adapalene, retinol, or another active to dry skin.
3. Moisturize: finish with moisturizer. If your skin feels tight or dry, use a richer one at night.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology: how dermatologists treat acne

What is my skin type? A quick test and a routine for each

The AAD describes five skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. Your skin type decides which cleanser and moisturizer you pick. To check yours, wash your face, wait an hour without applying anything, then look in a mirror.

If your whole face is shiny, you have oily skin. If it feels tight, flaky, or itchy, it is dry. Shine on your nose and forehead but dry cheeks means combination. If products often sting or burn, you have sensitive skin. Acne-prone skin can be any of these types.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology: skin care tips for men

Men's skincare ingredient cheat sheet

You don't need every ingredient. Pick one active for your main goal, and read the label for it. This table lists what each one does and who it suits, based on dermatology sources and published reviews.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology: how dermatologists treat acne

How to start a retinoid without irritating your skin

Retinoids are the most studied active for acne and for skin aging. A 2006 review in Clinical Interventions in Aging notes that retinol is gentler than prescription tretinoin, and that irritation is the main reason people stop. Adapalene is a retinoid you can buy without a prescription in the US, and the AAD lists it as a first step for blackheads and whiteheads.

Start slow. Dryness and peeling in the first weeks are common. Wear sunscreen every day while you use one.

1. Use a pea-sized amount for your whole face, on dry skin, at night.
2. Start two or three nights a week for the first two weeks.
3. Apply moisturizer after it, or before it if you are sensitive.
4. Move to every night if your skin feels fine.
5. Give it at least 6 to 8 weeks before you judge the result.

Source: Mukherjee and colleagues, 2006, Clinical Interventions in Aging: retinoids in the treatment of skin aging

Shaving and razor bumps: how to stop them

Razor bumps happen when short, curly hairs curve back into the skin. The AAD says men with darker skin and coarse, curly hair get them most. If bumps keep coming back, change how you shave before you add more products.

Growing a beard can end razor bumps. The AAD says to expect fewer bumps within a month and clearing by about three months. If you prefer to shave, follow these steps.

1. Shave after a shower, or hold a warm compress on your face for 5 minutes first.
2. Apply a moisturizing shaving cream and leave it on for 1 to 2 minutes. Never shave dry.
3. Use a sharp single- or double-blade razor or an electric razor. Multi-blade razors can cut too close.
4. Shave in the direction the hair grows, with short, light strokes, and do not pull the skin tight.
5. Rinse the blade after each stroke and replace it after 5 to 7 shaves.
6. Rinse with warm water, then apply moisturizer while skin is damp.
7. Never pluck a hair inside a bump. See a dermatologist if bumps continue, because untreated bumps can scar.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology: razor bumps, how to prevent them

Beard skin care: flakes, itch, and redness

The skin under your beard needs washing and moisturizing too. Wash the beard when you wash your face, rinse well, and work moisturizer down to the skin.

If you see greasy yellow flakes or redness under your beard, it may be seborrheic dermatitis. The AAD says it often develops under a beard or mustache. It suggests washing these areas with a shampoo that contains 1% ketoconazole, or a product your dermatologist recommends. Shaving the beard off is another option.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology: seborrheic dermatitis self-care

Sunscreen: the step most men skip

Sunscreen protects against skin cancer and the dark spots and lines that come from sun damage. The AAD recommends a product labeled broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, and water resistant. Water resistant means it keeps working for 40 or 80 minutes on wet or sweaty skin.

Men often skip it because it feels greasy. Try a light lotion or gel labeled non-comedogenic. Apply it to your face, ears, and the back of your neck, and use a lip balm with SPF. A moisturizer with SPF 30 counts if you apply enough of it.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology: how to select a sunscreen

How to start a men's skincare routine in 4 weeks

Starting everything on day 1 is the fastest way to quit. Add one step at a time. If your skin reacts, you will know which product caused it.

Keep the products by the sink or in the shower, where you will see them. Tie each step to something you already do, like brushing your teeth or shaving.

1. Week 1: wash your face morning and night with a gentle facial cleanser.
2. Week 2: add moisturizer after each wash, while your skin is still damp.
3. Week 3: add sunscreen SPF 30 or higher every morning, even on cloudy days.
4. Week 4: if you have a clear goal, add one active at night, such as adapalene for acne.
5. After week 4: keep the same products for 6 to 8 weeks before you judge them.

Do men need toner, serums, or face masks?

No. They are optional. Toners with alcohol can dry skin, and the AAD advises against astringents if you get acne. A serum is just a way to apply an active ingredient, such as vitamin C or niacinamide. Use one only if it targets a goal you have.

Face masks feel good but do little that your routine does not already do. Spend the effort on daily sunscreen instead. It is the step with the strongest evidence and the one most men skip.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology: acne tips for managing breakouts

Common men's skincare mistakes

Most problems come from doing too much, not too little. Watch for these.

• Washing your face with body soap or bar soap, which can dry skin out.
• Scrubbing hard with a washcloth or grainy scrub. The AAD says to wash gently with your fingertips.
• Using alcohol toners or astringents, which can dry skin and make acne look worse.
• Starting three new actives at once. If your skin reacts, you won't know which one caused it.
• Changing products every week. Give each one 6 to 8 weeks.
• Skipping sunscreen on cloudy days or in winter.
• Shaving over active acne. The AAD says not to.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology: 10 skin care habits that can worsen acne

A simple skincare routine with fewer steps

How to get clear skin

When should you see a dermatologist?

See a dermatologist if acne is deep or painful, if it leaves scars or dark marks, or if over-the-counter products have not helped after 2 to 3 months. Razor bumps that keep coming back after you change how you shave also need a visit. Check your skin for new spots or moles that itch, bleed, or change color, and get them looked at quickly.

Source: American Academy of Dermatology: acne that won't clear

Track your skin with Lookist

A routine is easier to keep when you can see where you started. Lookist reads one front photo and scores 15 features, including four for skin: clarity, texture, tone, and radiance. Each score comes with a written note.

From your results and the goals you pick, Lookist builds a daily glow-up plan with skin care, gentle hair care, and sleep reminders. You check off tasks and see your routine history, and scan history lets you compare skin scores across scans. Use the same light and camera setup each time so the comparison is fair. A photo score describes how skin looks in a picture. It does not diagnose a skin condition.

How to take a consistent face photo

Track facial changes over time

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