A good skin care routine for men doesn’t need ten steps or a shelf full of bottles. Most men get 90% of the benefit from three products used consistently: a face wash, a moisturiser and sunscreen. Add one or two targeted extras later and you’ve got a routine that fights shine, razor irritation, dark spots and early lines, in about two minutes a day.
This guide gives you a simple men’s face care routine for morning and night, then shows how to adjust it for your skin type, shaving, your beard, the gym and your age. Not sure which wash to start with? Read our guide to the best face wash for men first, or browse our face serum for men and men’s skincare range.
The 2-minute basic routine
This is the basic skin care routine for men that everyone should start with.
Morning (about 1 minute)
- Wash your face with a face wash that suits your skin, using lukewarm water for 30 to 60 seconds. Our guide on how to wash your face shows the technique.
- Moisturise with a light gel or cream. See our guide to the best face cream for men.
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or more, on face, ears and neck. In the UAE, this one step prevents more dark spots and lines than any cream can fix later.
Night (about 1 minute)
- Wash your face to remove sweat, oil, sunscreen and pollution from the day.
- Moisturise.
That’s it. Do this every day for a month before adding anything else.
Level up: adding a serum and treatments
Once the basics are a habit, add one targeted product at a time:
- Morning vitamin C serum (after washing, before moisturiser) for dull skin, dark spots and extra protection against sun damage. See our best vitamin C serum guide.
- Evening niacinamide for shine, redness, large-looking pores and marks. More in niacinamide.
- Evening retinol from your 30s, two or three nights a week at first, for fine lines and texture. See the best anti aging cream guide.
- Once or twice a week: a salicylic acid product or mask for blackheads, or a hydrating sheet mask after sun.
Order to remember: wash, serum, moisturiser, then sunscreen in the morning. Our full skin care routine guide explains the order in detail.
Adjusting for your skin type
- Oily skin (very common in men): gel face wash twice a day, a light gel moisturiser, and niacinamide at night. Blot during the day instead of washing again and again. See oily skin.
- Dry skin: a gentle, low-foam wash, a richer cream, and a water rinse instead of a wash on very dry mornings.
- Combination skin: a balanced gel wash and a light moisturiser, with a little extra on dry cheeks.
- Sensitive or razor-prone skin: fragrance-free products, no alcohol after-shave, and patch-testing anything new.
For a full comparison of washes by skin type, see our best facial cleanser guide.
Your shaving-day routine
- Wash first with warm water to soften hair.
- Use shaving gel or foam and a sharp blade; shave with the grain.
- Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
- Moisturise straight away instead of an alcohol after-shave, to calm redness and razor bumps.
- Skip exfoliating acids and retinol on the same night if your skin stings after shaving.
Beard and skin care
Your beard doesn’t replace skin care; the skin underneath still gets dry, flaky and itchy, especially in air-conditioned rooms. Wash the beard area with your face wash, rinse well so no product sits in the hair, and massage a little moisturiser into the skin under the beard. If you have a long beard, a beard oil can help the hair; the skin still needs moisturiser.
Gym, sport and outdoor work
- Wash your face as soon as you can after a workout; sweat trapped under a cap or helmet can cause breakouts.
- Reapply sunscreen every two to three hours if you work or train outdoors.
- Keep a gentle face wash in your gym bag.
- Don’t forget your neck and the back of your hands; they show sun damage too. Read about sun spots.
Routine by age
- 20s: the basic three steps. Treat breakouts early so they don’t leave marks.
- 30s: add vitamin C in the morning and start retinol slowly at night.
- 40s and up: a richer moisturiser, regular retinol, and serious sun protection for dark spots and lines.
What products do men actually need?
The best skin care products for men are simply the right products for your skin type, not the ones in the darkest packaging. Your essentials:
- A face wash that suits your skin.
- A moisturiser you’ll actually use.
- A sunscreen you don’t mind wearing every day.
Optional: a vitamin C or niacinamide serum, a retinol product from your 30s, and an occasional mask. Skin doesn’t know the label, so products not marketed “for men” work just as well.
Common mistakes
- Washing the face with body soap or shower gel; it’s usually too harsh.
- Skipping sunscreen because “men don’t need it”.
- Using a stinging alcohol after-shave.
- Scrubbing hard to “deep clean” oily skin.
- Starting five new products at once, so you can’t tell what works or what irritates.
- Giving up after a week. Most changes take four to eight weeks to show.
Our picks for men
- Beauty Face Wash: our deep-cleansing face cleanser for men with oily or normal skin who like a strong, fresh clean. Contains sulphates and fragrance, so it’s not for dry or sensitive skin.
- Turmeric Face Wash: a sulphate-free gel with turmeric, tea tree oil and aloe for oily, breakout-prone skin. Patch-test first because of the tea tree oil.
- Day and Night Cream Set: a niacinamide day cream (no added fragrance, no SPF, so add sunscreen) and a lighter night gel-cream with vitamin C and arbutin (contains fragrance).
Common questions
What is a good skin care routine for men?
Wash, moisturise and use sunscreen in the morning; wash and moisturise at night. Add a serum later if you want to work on dark spots, shine or lines.
How many products do men need?
Three to start: face wash, moisturiser and sunscreen. Most men never need more than five.
Should men use serum?
It’s optional but useful. A vitamin C serum in the morning or niacinamide at night are easy first choices.
How long before I see results?
Less shine and razor irritation within two to four weeks; changes in dark spots and texture after two to three months.
Can men use women’s skincare?
Yes. Choose by skin type and ingredients, not by who the packaging is aimed at.
Ready to start? Pick a face wash and moisturiser that suit your skin, add sunscreen, and give it a month. Free delivery to every emirate and cash on delivery available.
Learn more about our men’s skincare.
Face cleanser for men
Turmeric face wash
Day and night cream
