Skincare Routine For Men: Dermatologist-Approved Steps For Every Skin Type

Following a strict skincare routine can prove to have many benefits for your skin, including:

• Bye Bye Breakouts: Men tend to have oilier skin than women, which also tends to invite more breakouts. Consistent skincare helps control oil, unclog pores, and prevent breakouts. No more surprise pimples before big dates or meetings.
• Women Aren't The Only Ones Ageing: Using sun protection and moisturising your skin can slow down fine lines and wrinkles, and keep skin looking plump and younger.
• Reduces Irritation: Following a proper skincare routine for men helps reduce razor burns from shaving, any sort of redness, and, of course, uncomfortable ingrown hairs.
• Consistent Care: Think of skincare as an extension of your gym routine — it's self-care, makes you look and feel good, and just a few minutes a day can have long-lasting effects.

While it may seem easier and more feasible, your morning skincare routine shouldn't just be limited to a splash of water. Here's an elevated morning skincare routine for men that's effortless yet effective.

While it may seem ideal, splashing water and calling it clean isn't 'cleaning' your face. Instead, make sure to use a proper face wash or cleanser, like Simple Micellar Facial Wash, to remove overnight buildup without stripping moisture. It removes any dirt, oil, or other impurities you may have collected in your pores. This helps prep your skin for the rest of the products to come.

This is optional if you've got dry skin, but for those with oily skin, toning can lend quite a helping hand. It helps balance your skin's pH level, lightly hydrates the skin, and even helps with better absorption.

No matter what your skin type, moisturising is a must! Using a daily moisturiser will help keep your skin barrier strong, preventing your skin from drying out throughout the day. Even if you've got oily skin, moisturising helps regulate sebum levels and prevents your skin from producing extra oil. Opt for a lightweight moisturiser that is non-greasy and won't leave a shine.

A non-negotiable, literally! You may not see it, but other than leaving you with a tan, UV rays cause a whole lot of damage, including ageing at a cellular level. Whether you're out on the streets or in the office, wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects your skin every single day is a must.

Over the course of the day, your skin picks up more than just stress — think dust, pollution, and excess oil, all setting the stage for breakouts, dullness, and more. This nighttime skincare routine for men is designed to cleanse, restore, and renew — so your skin can reset while you wind down.

A serum is your skin's problem-solver. It targets your concerns and immediately gets to work. Its lightweight formula, which is often loaded with active skincare ingredients, helps tackle major issues like dryness, dark spots, fine lines, or breakouts. You don't need many of them — just one that matches what your skin actually needs. Apply it before your moisturiser so it can get to work under the surface.

Your skin shifts into repair mode in the night, so give it the essential nutrients it needs to do the job right. Opt for a slightly richer or thicker moisturiser than your AM one — look for ingredients like ceramides, peptides, or hyaluronic acid. Moisturising your skin locks in the hydration and helps prevent overnight moisture loss.

Dead skin cells don't just disappear with a cleanser. They sit there dulling your glow and trapping oil, and therefore require something stronger (but gentle). A chemical exfoliant (think glycolic or salicylic acid) gently dissolves buildup, clears out pores, and lets your products actually penetrate. This can be done once or twice a week.

Every skin type plays by its own rules — which means your routine should, too. From hero ingredients to what to skip, the right tweaks can transform how your skin looks and feels, and this guide to the right skincare routine by skin type is here to make it easy.

"Normal skin can be defined as having small pores and the right amount of sebum production — a natural, oily, and waxy substance produced by sebaceous glands in the skin," says Dr Mittal Gupta. "The best part is that this skin type requires minimal care."

The best skincare routine for men with normal skin should include a hydrating cleanser and a targeted treatment like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycolic acid, or retinol, to help tackle specific skin issues.

"Oily skin happens due to excessive sebum production, making skin susceptible to blackheads, pimples, whiteheads, and enlarged pores," she explains. "Oily skin also collects a lot of dust from the environment in the pores, which can cause breakouts."

If you're looking for the best skincare routine for men with oily skin, then make sure to include a gel-based cleanser like Simple Smoothing Gel Cleanser to refresh skin and clear excess oil. Include exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid to remove buildup of dead skin cells, as well as niacinamide or retinol to regulate sebum levels. A lightweight moisturiser and a mattifying sunscreen will serve this skin types well during the daytime.

"Contrary to oily skin, dry skin happens due to low sebum production," says Dr Mittal Gupta. "This lack of sebum affects the skin's lipid level, which is essential to lock in moisture and protect skin from external factors. This increases the risk of flaky and itchy skin."

The best skincare routine for men with dry skin needs to include ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, glycerin, as well as rich cream moisturisers that can promote moisture and skin elasticity. You can even exfoliate with AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) once or twice a week to get rid of any dead skin cell buildup.

Simple Booster Serum with Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin B5

Giving you the best of both worlds, this type of skin happens when the cheeks are flaky and dry, while the T-zone, aka your central area — forehead, nose, and chin — is oily. "This makes caring for the skin slightly difficult," warns the expert.

A skincare routine for men with combination skin needs to use multitasking products that help combat dryness and tackle the excess oil in specific areas. The expert recommends applying a balance toner and a light moisturiser, as well as alternating a 0. 5% retinol with AHAs and BHAs every night to help exfoliate the skin and speed up renewal.

"People with flushed skin, rosacea, itchiness, rashes, or skin reactions to products fall in this category," says Dr Mittal Gupta. "As the name suggests, this type of skin is more susceptible to problems, demanding extra love and pampering."

Those with sensitive skin should steer clear of fragrance-heavy skincare products. The best skincare routine for men with sensitive skin needs to include a gentle moisturiser and soothing botanicals like aloe vera, which will help calm and protect the skin. Avoid harsh exfoliants.

Skincare aside, several other factors also play an important role in your overall skin health. Along with skincare tips for men, here are some everyday pointers that'll complement your routine, leaving you with the best skin ever.

1. Drink an ample amount of water throughout the day to keep skin hydrated from the inside out.
2. Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
3. Get adequate sleep of 7-8 hours every night to help skin repair and regenerate.
4. Consult a dermatologist in case of any skin problem or for personalised recommendations.
5. Always opt for lukewarm water over hot water to avoid stripping the skin of its natural oils, causing dryness and irritation.
6. When in doubt, test it out! Got a new product? Make sure to do a patch test on a small area of your skin before applying it to the rest of your face.

Evidently, skincare isn't just reserved for the ladies; it's for the men out there, too. Taking care of your skin is essential, and while it may seem daunting at first, a solid routine doesn't require too much time or effort, but it does require you to be consistent and follow a skincare routine for men that's tailored to you. The result? Happier, healthier skin that sees fewer breakouts, doesn't get dull at the drop of a hat, and looks youthful.

Yes, men's skin is different from women's skin. It has more collagen, is thicker, and tends to be oilier than women's skin. Therefore, it requires certain products and ingredients that can help tackle common skin concerns like clogged pores, acne, or irritation caused by shaving.

The basic steps in a men's skincare routine depend on the skin type. However, most skincare routines for men comprise cleansing, treating, and moisturising both morning and evening, and sun protection in the daytime. You can also include exfoliation at least two to three times a week.

No, you cannot use the same body soap on your face. This because your body soap can be a little harsh for the skin on your face and can strip it of natural oils, leading to excessive dryness. It's best to use skincare products formulated for your face, as your facial skin is a little more sensitive.

In order to know your skin type, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry. Wait approximately 30 minutes to an hour. If your skin feels tight and dry, you have dry skin. If your skin looks greasy and shiny across your face, you have oily skin. If your skin feels oily in parts, you've got combination skin. If you tend to react easily or turn red after washing your face, then you've got sensitive skin.

Yes, shaving can irritate the skin and result in bumps and ingrown hair. It is always recommended to use shaving cream when doing so, and always follow up with a moisturiser post-wash.

If you have acne or pimples, always look for non-comedogenic products, as they won't clog your pores. Choose formulas that contain ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or other AHAs and BHAs to gently exfoliate the skin and help treat active breakouts.