A Morning Skincare Routine for Men (and Why It Matters)

How is a morning skincare routine for men different from a woman’s? Let us count the ways.

Male skin is tougher, thicker, and a lot oiler than female skin. Because of this, it’s also prone to acne and its side effects, like depressed scars and pigmentation. While you can use your girlfriend’s beauty products to deal with this, that’s not necessarily the best idea. If you’re reading this article, your GF is probably more advanced than you are in the skincare department and is using active ingredients that you don’t even need. You could end up aggravating your skin condition. Why take that risk?

To build an effective skincare routine for men – one that’s tailored to your needs – consider your skin type and lifestyle. Why do you need one specifically in the morning? Because a routine sets you up for the day, boosts your self-confidence, and gets your oily skin under control. Aristotle said, “Excellence is not an act, but a habit.” As it turns out, so is healthy skin. Do the following steps every day to finally get with the program.

Drinking water in the morning doesn’t just improve digestion, joint health, and mood, it’s also good for your skin. While extra hydration is beneficial any time of day, a glass of H2O can help jumpstart the body after six to eight hours of sleep. Warm water is a popular choice, but you do you!

A skincare routine for men shouldn’t be limited to the face. Refresh your body and mind by hopping in the shower and giving your skin a thorough cleanse with a washcloth and some soap. Focus on rough areas like your elbows, knees, and the soles of the feet to prevent calluses (Ouch!). Use Dove Men+Care Extra Fresh Body + Face Bar, which refreshes the skin and has ¼ moisturizing cream to prevent dryness.

This is a whole step for a reason: many men have their own version of the TikTok-trending “everything shower,” where they literally do everything in the shower in one go. This includes washing their faces, which isn’t recommended. Having zero separation between the process of body cleansing and face cleansing may tempt you to rinse your hair and body at the same time.¡Que horror!

If you’re in a rush and must do everything in the shower, use a multitasking product like Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Body & Face Bar. It delivers moisture and comfort to your skin while leaving it invigorated and refreshed. But for your sake, rinse off your shampoo beforehand to prevent any residue from clogging your pores.

When you’re in front of a proper sink, go ahead and wash your face. Use a facial wash that suits your skin type and addresses your skin concerns. If you’re acne-prone, look for a product with salicylic acid, which sloughs off dead skin cells and controls oil. Exfoliate once a week but avoid it if you have active breakouts. Rinse the suds thoroughly and pat (don’t rub) your skin dry.

If you’re using targeted treatments, like benzoyl peroxide for acne, apply it right after cleansing on dry skin. Use a cotton swab to spread the serum or ointment evenly on the affected area. This goes for bacne, too. Note that some active ingredients can bleach fabrics, so switch to white shirts, pillowcases, and sheets for the time being. Allow the area to dry before moving on to the next step.

Let’s be clear: there’s nothing unusual about a man using moisturizer and SPF. When oily skin is parched, sebaceous glands produce more oil to compensate, resulting in extra grease and shine. Moisturizing helps keep the skin on your face and body balanced. If creams make you uncomfortable, try lightweight lotions or serums, which are better for hot climates.

After moisturizing, apply a generous amount of sunscreen. Nothing below SPF 30 and broad-spectrum only! This protects you from UVA and UVB rays, but make sure to reapply every two hours or right after sweating. Do this skincare routine for men every day – even when you don’t feel like it – to see and feel results.