Skin Care Routine for Men: 5 Essential Steps for Morning and Night

Somewhere along the way, “skin care routine” became shorthand for an elaborate, 15-step ceremony involving a dozen products and enough time in the bathroom to miss your morning meeting. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Your boss will appreciate a simpler routine — and your skin will, too.

In fact, a good skin care routine for men can be surprisingly straightforward. Cleanse away buildup, moisturize your skin, and protect it from the sun’s harmful UV rays. That’s it. Shaving and facial hair throw a couple of extra variables into the mix, and you can add steps like exfoliation or serum when you need to. 

This guide breaks down the essential steps in a man’s skin care routine and how to adjust it between morning and night.

Why Men Need a Skin Care Routine

Men don’t need an entirely different rulebook for skin care, but a few biological and grooming differences can change what your face needs on a daily basis:

• You have oilier skin and larger pores: Men often produce more facial oil, called sebum, which can make pores more noticeable. A consistent skin care routine manages all that excess oil by removing buildup without stripping the skin.

• Shaving causes skin irritation: Every close shave brings a blade into direct contact with your skin. This causes repeated friction and can contribute to moisture loss and razor burn — especially if there’s too much pressure or you’re using a dull razor. Good pre and post-shave care gives freshly shaved skin a little backup so you aren’t screaming like Kevin in Home Alone while applying aftershave.

• Facial hair needs extra care: Growing a beard doesn’t make the skin underneath disappear into witness protection. Cleaning needs to reach the skin beneath the hair, too, while moisturizing can keep both your skin and facial hair feeling softer and more comfortable.

Consequences of Not Having a Skin Care Routine as a Man

Skipping skin care won’t make your face self-destruct overnight, but little problems can stack up when the basics steer off schedule:

• Dull, oily-looking skin: Excess oil and sweat can leave your skin looking greasy. Regularly cleansing clears up that daily buildup without stripping the skin of its natural oils.

• Clogged pores and breakouts: Oil and dead skin cells can collect inside pores, which create the perfect conditions for breakouts to get cozy.

• Redness, dryness, and irritation: Skipping moisturizer or cleansing too aggressively can cause your skin to lose water and its protective barrier, leaving your skin feeling dry.

• Early signs of aging: This is mainly down to sun protection factor (SPF), which is the rating that indicates how well sunscreen protects skin from the sun’s UVB rays. Spending a lot of time in the sun can contribute to early skin aging, including signs of wrinkling. But using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher can help decrease that risk.

The 5 Essential Steps of a Man’s Facial Routine

So, what should a man’s skin care routine include? Start with these five steps, and adjust them to your skin type.

1. Cleanse With a Proper Face Wash

Wash your face with lukewarm water, gently massage in a gentle facial cleanser or face wash using your fingers, and rinse it off before pat-drying. Cleansing removes oil and buildup, giving the products that follow a clean slate to work with.

Dr. Squatch’s Face Wash collection is made with naturally derived ingredients. Pick your favorite, and use it daily. One of our top choices is the Pine Tar Exfoliating Face Wash, which has green coffee bean powder, charcoal, and aloe vera to exfoliate and soothe the skin all in one go.

2. Exfoliate To Remove Dead Skin

Exfoliation removes dead cells from the skin’s outer layer, which can smooth out that rough-looking texture. 

Choose an exfoliant that suits your skin type, follow the directions on the label, and start conservatively rather than scrubbing like you’re sanding a deck. Over-exfoliating can bother your skin barrier.

3. Add Serum for Targeted Skin Concerns

Serums have formulas for hydration, uneven skin tones, or texture. But that doesn’t mean you need to collect bottles like Infinity Stones, so choose one based on what you want to address. Apply a small amount after cleaning, and gently spread it over your face and let it absorb before applying moisturizer.

4. Moisturize To Lock in Hydration

Put on a facial moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp. Moisturizers can attract water to the skin and reduce moisture loss, which supports the skin barrier and keeps your face feeling soft and comfortable after cleansing. Check which formula works best for your skin type. Lighter textures suit oilier skin, while drier skin might need a richer cream.

5. Protect With Daily SPF

Finish your morning routine with sunscreen. Apply it generously with SPF 30 or higher to all exposed skin about 10–15 minutes before heading outside, using enough to cover your face, ears, neck, and any other uncovered areas. Reapply every two hours.

Dr. Squatch’s Spray Sunscreens are SPF 30, making them the perfect final step in your morning routine.

Morning vs. Nighttime Routine for Men

Your morning and nighttime routines have the same foundation (literally), with a couple of small changes.

Cleanse and moisturize twice a day to remove buildup and replenish moisture. Save exfoliation for evenings because some exfoliants can make skin more sun-sensitive. Meanwhile, sunscreen belongs in your daytime routine, so apply SPF 30 or above and reapply when needed. Once the sun clocks out, your sunscreen can, too.

Round Out Your Skin Care Routine With Dr. Squatch

Now that you have the blueprint, you can build a skin care routine that you’ll still be following next month. All you have to do is keep the essentials consistent and adjust as your skin needs change.

Dr. Squatch’s Face Care collection is an easy place to explore the basics. We have face wash and sunscreen for your facial routine and lotion for body care. You can also find a signature deodorant and matching cologne for your post-shower routine.

Start simple and build a skin care routine you can stick to with Dr. Squatch.

FAQ

Can You Use Body Wash or Bar Soap on Your Face?

It’s fine in a pinch but shouldn’t be part of your regular routine. Facial skin tends to be more delicate than body skin, so a dedicated facial cleanser is the right choice.

What Extra Skin Care Steps Should Men Take When Shaving or Growing a Beard?

Use shaving cream to reduce friction on your skin and moisturize afterward. If you have a beard, work a gentle cleanser through the hair so it reaches the skin underneath.

Should Men Use Retinol?

Retinol is optional. It can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but it’s not for all skin types. Patch test, start slowly, and check whether it works for you. A dermatologist can tell you if retinol would be a good addition to your routine.