A Simple Skincare Routine for Men That You Will Actually Keep

A skincare routine for men that actually sticks has three steps: cleanse, moisturise and, in the morning, protect with SPF. That is it. It takes about two minutes and covers most of what skin needs. Wash with a gentle cleanser rather than soap, apply a moisturiser suited to your skin type, and finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day (a moisturiser with SPF can do both). Once that is a habit, you can add one extra if you have a specific concern, such as exfoliation for ingrown hairs. Most routines fail because they start with too many steps.

Why simple wins

From the barber’s chair we see a lot of men’s skin up close, and we hear a lot about abandoned routines. The pattern is familiar: someone buys a cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream, moisturiser and mask, uses them carefully for ten days, then misses a morning and stops. The skin ends up no better than before.

A routine you do every day for a year beats a perfect one you do for a fortnight. So build the core three steps first, keep the products by the basin where you will see them, and attach the routine to something you already do, such as brushing your teeth.

The core routine

Morning (about 2 minutes)

1. Cleanse or rinse. If your skin is oily, use a gentle cleanser. If it is dry or normal, warm water may be enough in the morning.
2. Moisturise. A pea-to-almond sized amount for the face and neck.
3. Protect. Apply sunscreen, or use a moisturiser with broad-spectrum SPF and good UVA protection. This is the step that does the most long-term good.

Evening (about 1 to 2 minutes)

1. Cleanse. This is the important wash of the day: it clears sweat, pollution, sunscreen and oil.
2. Moisturise. The same moisturiser is fine, or a slightly richer one if your skin is dry.

Choosing the products

Cleanser

Choose a gentle, fragrance-free face wash. Ordinary bar soap is often too alkaline and stripping for the face, which leaves skin tight and can make it produce more oil. Our post on face wash vs bar soap explains why. Gel cleansers suit oily skin, cream cleansers suit dry skin.

Moisturiser

Pick by skin type:

• Oily: a light, oil-free gel or lotion labelled non-comedogenic.
• Dry: a richer cream, ideally with ingredients such as glycerin or ceramides.
• Combination: a light lotion, with a little extra on dry patches.
• Sensitive: fragrance-free and simple. Fewer ingredients means fewer chances of irritation.

Our guide on how to choose a moisturiser goes further into textures and ingredients.

Sunscreen

Many men skip sunscreen in Britain, especially outside summer. UV still reaches your skin on cloudy days, and over years it contributes to sun damage and ageing. The NHS sunscreen and sun safety advice recommends a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 with at least 4-star UVA protection. A light daily moisturiser with SPF built in is the easiest way to make this a habit. Short haircuts leave the ears, neck and hairline exposed too, so do not stop at the face.

A quick checklist to get started

• One gentle cleanser for your skin type
• One moisturiser for your skin type
• One daily SPF 30 or above with 4-star UVA (or a moisturiser that includes it)
• Products kept by the basin, not in a cupboard
• Routine tied to brushing your teeth, morning and night
• Four weeks before judging results or adding anything

Adapting it for shaving

If you shave, your skin takes a bit more wear than most, and the routine should account for it.

• Shave after cleansing, ideally after a shower, when the hair is softer.
• Use a proper shaving cream or gel, not soap or water alone.
• Follow with moisturiser instead of an alcohol-heavy aftershave. A balm or simple moisturiser calms the skin.
• Exfoliate gently once or twice a week if you get ingrown hairs. Do it on non-shaving days to avoid irritation.

If razor bumps are a problem, our post on razor burn has detailed advice. A hot towel shave from a barber is also a useful reset: the heat softens the hair and opens up the skin’s surface for a close, comfortable shave, and the whole thing takes around 20 to 30 minutes.

Adapting it for beards

A beard does not mean you can skip skincare. The skin underneath can get dry, flaky and itchy, especially in winter.

• Wash the beard and the skin under it with a gentle cleanser or beard wash, not hair shampoo, a few times a week.
• Work moisturiser or beard oil down to the skin, not just the hair.
• Keep sunscreen on the exposed areas: cheeks, forehead, nose, and any shaved neckline.

At Highgate Cuts, beard work starts with an assessment, and the barber can point out dry patches or irritation they notice while shaping your beard.

What to add later, if you need it

Only once the core habit is solid, consider one addition at a time:

• Exfoliant: a gentle chemical exfoliant once or twice a week for dullness, rough texture or ingrowns.
• Eye cream: optional. A normal moisturiser often does the same job.
• Targeted treatments: for persistent spots, redness or other concerns, speak to a pharmacist or GP rather than guessing.

Common mistakes

• Scrubbing hard with rough exfoliators, which irritates the skin.
• Washing the face with very hot water.
• Using body wash or shampoo on the face.
• Skipping SPF because it is cloudy.
• Adding five products at once, then not knowing which one caused a reaction.

If something stings, burns or causes a rash, stop using it. Speak to a pharmacist or your GP if the irritation persists.

Questions we get asked

Do men really need a skincare routine?

Not an elaborate one. But a basic cleanse, moisturise and SPF routine helps most skin stay comfortable and protected.

Can I use my partner’s products?

Usually yes. Men’s skin is often a little oilier, but the products themselves are not fundamentally different. Pick by skin type, not packaging.

How long until I notice a difference?

Skin often feels more comfortable within a week or two. Visible changes take a few weeks of consistent use.

Does a barber offer skincare?

Our hot towel shave includes skin preparation and finishing. For the full range of services, see the barber menu or email us.

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