Face it: It's time to build a winning men's skincare routine

Maybe you just couldn’t be bothered starting and committing to a men's skincare routine. Or maybe, like poetry and that movie Inception, you just think you'll never understand WTF goes into taking care of your face. Hell, you might even think worrying about face care is just not for you.

Wrong, wrong and way wrong. 

It's time to grow up and start caring about your skin. But before you go and get all stressed and overwhelmed about it, just chill the eff out – we've got your back. Here are the key steps for taking care of your skin, as well as some of our favourite tools for getting the job done.

Start with a clean slate

Wiping away the grit and grime of the day with a high-quality men's face wash is a vital first chapter of the self-care story. The skin on your face is way more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body. This is why you can’t wash your face with the same stuff you use to wash your body. You want to make sure you have a men's cleanser that's tough enough to battle through any dirt, debris and sweat you might pick up, but won't totally destroy your skin’s outer layer along the way. This not only starts the cleaning process but also prepares your skin to better handle the rest of the facial care goodness coming up next. 

It's an easy start too, as you just wet your face with some warm (NOT hot) water, pour the cleanser on your hands and rub it gently onto your skin in circular motions before rinsing it off. It's something you can easily add to your everyday shower routine.

Some of our fave men's face wash options: Natio For Men Daily Face Wash, Thalgo Men Cleansing Gel, Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse  

A bit of tough stuff

The best men's exfoliators are ones that can really get in there nice and deep to do some serious cleaning. Exfoliators tend to go a bit further than cleansers, so you need to remember to use them in moderation. But they're definitely worth it, as they remove dead skin cells and other nasty stuff that can clog up your pores, which leads to breakouts like your some sort of nervy teenager again. Like cleansers, exfoliators also make it easier for other products we'll meet in a second, to work their magic below the surface of the skin.

Now, as we said before, you want to be careful with how you deploy these bad boys. While men's face wash is generally OK for everyday use, you usually only want to use an exfoliator 2-3 times a week. In addition to liquid exfoliants, you can use men's skincare tools like scrubbers that balance strong and sensitive skincare and help clean out your pores. 

Some strong men's exfoliators to try: Anthony Facial Scrub, Hunter Lab Cleansing Facial Scrub, Lumin Face Scrubber

Only for the oily…

Now, if you have oily skin, this is the part of the routine where you'll want to chuck on some men's toner. It can help balance out your oil levels, which makes it easier for the next step to have more impact. However, don't overdo it (or feel the need to use toner if you have relatively balanced skin), as too much can tip the scales in the wrong, dry direction.

Just rub some in, gently, after you cleanse and exfoliate in the morning but before you moisturise.

Put your trust in some of these toners: Black Chicken Remedies Hydrate My Face Hydrating Mist, MenScience Advanced Face Tonic, Baxter of California Herbal Mint Toner   

The sensation of hydration 

Remember what we talked about earlier? It's time to grow up. Moist. Moist. Moist. It's nothing to be afraid of, mate, especially when it comes to taking care of your moneymaker. Men's moisturisers deliver one of the most important aspects of any skincare that's worth a damn: hydration. Natural environmental factors, as well as the aforementioned cleansers and exfoliators, can dry out your skin. Knowing how and when to use men's face cream can help you add moisture back when it's stripped out, so you can get all the benefits of a great skincare routine without the annoying dry, itchy, flaky skin that can come with it if you're not careful.

But there's an added bonus, as some of the best men's face moisturisers will have SPF in them. Why is this such a big deal? Well, because the sun can absolutely torch your face if you're not careful. SPF face moisturiser is a great way to make sure you're protected from the UV rays that can dry out your skin and cause that haggard, premature aging look. 

For the best results, you probably want to use your moisturiser twice a day – once in the morning and once at night. Make it the last step in your morning routine, so it can help replenish your skin after you've applied your cleansers and exfoliators and also ensure you get that sweet SPF action before you head out the door. It's also a great move at night because it'll keep your skin nice and hydrated while you snooze. 

Make room for these moisturisers: Tucker Browne Daily Face Moisturiser with SPF, Natio For Men SPF 50+ Face Moisturiser, Salt & Stone Hydrating Facial Lotion

Hate making decisions? We got you. Men's skincare kits are the skincare saviours that can put you on the safe and righteous path to skincare success. Find them, as well as skincare products for men that can help you start – and stick with – a routine that fits your lifestyle today at Above the Collar. And if you're really ready to level up your overall self-care regimen, check out our 15 grooming tips every man should know and thank us later.