Just as you’d commit to a gym membership to stay in shape or build your wardrobe with confidence-boosting pieces that make you feel good, investing in your skin benefits both your health and self-esteem. A consistent men's skincare routine isn’t a luxury – it’s a basic essential.
And the shift is already happening. From the hundreds of millions of TikTok posts under “men’s skincare” to a new wave of grooming brands – like Paris-based Horace with its accessible expertise, or Sydney’s Patrick’s which focuses on luxurious high-performance formulas – it’s clear that more men are recognising the value of taking care of their skin.
Vogue’s pick of the best men’s skincare at a glance:
In fact, according to a 2025 spend report by Barclays, a quarter of men in the UK have now incorporated skincare into their daily routine, while three in five have noticed men’s beauty and grooming products becoming more mainstream – and 19 per cent say they care more about beauty than they did 10 years ago.
The only downside? For any beauty newbies, it can be fairly overwhelming: the sheer number of products makes it difficult to know what’s best for you, especially amidst the countless GRWM hacks, hyped-up hero ingredients and misinformation on social media. So, to cut through the noise, we’ve broken the ideal men’s skincare routine down into a few simple steps with the help of some top-tier facialists, expert dermatologists and celebrity groomers.
- Meet the experts
- What is the ideal men’s skincare routine for healthy skin?
- Step 1. Cleanse
- Step 2. Serum
- Step 3: Moisturise
- Step 4: SPF
- Additional steps
- At what age should men start focusing on skincare?
- What are the best skincare ingredients for men?
- Do men really need different skincare products from women?
Meet the experts
- Sarah Chapman is a celebrity facialist and the founder of skincare label Sarah Chapman
- Dr David Jack is a renowned London-based aesthetic doctor and the founder of skincare label Dr David Jack
- Josh Knight is a celebrity groomer who has worked with Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn and Ed McVey
- Josh Rosebrook is the founder and CEO of the eponymous skincare brand Josh Rosebrook
What is the ideal men’s skincare routine for healthy skin?
If skincare is new for you, it’s best to start with minimal steps and a routine you can keep consistent every day. “Follow our cleanse, serum, moisturise and protect philosophy,” says celebrity facialist Sarah Chapman. “Cleanse thoroughly, follow with a targeted serum to address concerns such as texture, then moisturise to support the skin barrier – and finally, a daily SPF.”
And, according to Josh Rosebrook, founder and CEO of eponymous skincare brand Josh Rosebrook, you should take it one step at a time: “Avoid getting caught up in trends and don’t complicate your routine or get overwhelmed. Incorporate one new product at a time and see how it performs before deciding if your skin needs something else.”
Step 1: Cleanse
What additional skincare steps should men add for better skin?
“Once the core routine is established, additional steps can enhance outcomes,” says London-based aesthetic doctor Dr. David Jack. “Intermittently using stronger retinoids is the most valuable addition, supporting collagen production and improving overall skin texture and tone.”
Chapman has some other suggestions: “Targeted treatments such as a weekly face mask – like our Spicule Collagen Infusion mask – can make a noticeable difference in tightening, moisturising and smoothing,” she tells Vogue. “And regular facials are equally important, particularly for managing congestion, ingrown hairs and post-shave sensitivity – they strengthen the skin over time in a way at-home skincare can’t.”
“Red light therapy is an area of growing interest, too” adds Jack on the popularity of LED masks. “There’s emerging evidence supporting its role in mitochondrial regeneration and in turn collagen stimulation and inflammation reduction, when used consistently.”
Exfoliate: 2-3 times a week after cleansing
Retinoids: Twice a week before bed
LED masks: 3-5 times a week
Buff
LED Light Therapy Face Mask
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
Buff’s LED mask is designed specifically for men. While there’s no difference when it comes to the light therapy itself, it’s a large, wrap-around silicone style that caters for larger faces. It has six modes to choose from – repairing, rejuvenation, anti-ageing, anti-acne, morning and bedtime – which use yellow light, red light, near-infrared light and blue light in different combinations to achieve the specific goal.
Key specs:
- Light Modes: 122 LEDs – red, near-infrared, blue and yellow light
- Mask Type: Flexible
- Treatment Time: 10 minutes per mode
- Wireless: No
- Device type: Face mask
- Target area: Face
- Best for: Designed specifically for men, it has near-infrared light, which helps to penetrate men's thicker skin, and it also covers a larger surface area than most models
Omnilux
Men LED Mask
Why it’s Vogue-approved:
The Omnulix Men LED Mask is designed specifically for men’s thicker skin. I’ve been using mine consistently for the past year and have noticed a brighter, more even skin tone. My fine lines are less visible, but the biggest change is how healthy and glowy my skin looks. There’s also a real self-care benefit that comes with using an LED mask.
Key specs:
- Light Modes: 132 LEDs – red (633nm), near-infrared (830nm, 1072nm) and deep-infrared (830nm)
- Mask Type: Flexible silicone
- Treatment Time: 10 minutes
- Wireless: Yes
- Device type: Face mask
- Target area: Face
- Best for: Targeting stubborn wrinkles
Face masks (twice a week)
How can men get glowing skin before an event?
Celebrity groomer, Josh Knight, who’s responsible for the internet’s incumbent boyfriend Paul Mescal’s glow, has some tips. “For a special event, taking more time with your skincare will give you a healthy glow,” Knight tells Vogue. “I like to cleanse the skin using a warm towel, before applying a serum and allowing it to absorb, followed by a moisturiser, an eye mask, some glow drops or a tinted serum and concealer. If needed, I’ll finish with a light powder or blotting paper to mattify.”
Eye masks
Light make-up
FAQs
What is the correct order to apply men’s skincare products?
When it comes to your daily regimen, the key is to go from thinnest to thickest consistency. Always start with cleansing. If you’re exfoliating, that comes next, before applying serums, then oils, then moisturisers and always finish with SPF.
At what age should men start focusing on skincare?
“In truth, the ideal time to start is earlier than most expect,” says Jack. “From the mid-twenties onwards, collagen production begins a gradual decline, and cumulative sun exposure starts to manifest more visibly, so establishing good habits at this stage allows you to preserve skin quality rather than having to try to recover it later.”
What are the best skincare ingredients for men?
Since each individual has different skin concerns, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. What differentiates each person is individual skin goals,” says Josh Rosebrook, founder and CEO of eponymous skincare brand Josh Rosebrook. “If you want to minimise signs of ageing or repair damage, consider adding a retinol. Or, if you’re in the market for brightening, try a formula enriched with vitamin C.”
According to Jack, you should listen to your skin type. “Lighter, formulas tend to suit oilier skin, with ingredients such as niacinamide helping to regulate sebum and calm inflammation, while drier or more mature skin benefits from formulations that reinforce the barrier, including ceramides and humectants that maintain hydration and barrier integrity.”
Dry skin would also benefit from ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalene, vitamin E or plant-based oils. And if you’re blemish-prone, exfoliating salicylic acid should be on your wishlist. “If you don’t know your skin type or condition, visit an esthetician or dermatologist to understand what needs to be addressed, any concerns and what products you should invest in,” concludes Rosebrook.
Do men really need different skincare products to women?
“Fundamentally, the skin functions in the same way,” says Chapman. “However, men’s skin is typically thicker, oilier and affected by shaving, which can compromise the barrier. The focus shouldn’t be on entirely different products, but formulations that address these nuances – so it’s less about gender, and more about choosing what works for your skin.”