Skincare for men: simple and effective

Same skin, different habits

Men's skin doesn't need a whole different set of rules. It needs the same three basics as anyone's: cleanse, moisturise and protect. What usually changes is shaving, and the fact that many men want a routine that takes two minutes, not twenty.

So here is the short version. Four steps in the morning, two at night, all of them easy to stick to.

Your morning routine

Cleanse with a proper facial cleanser. Shower gel can leave your face feeling tight. AlumierMD Purifying Gel Cleanser lifts away oil without stripping and suits normal, oily and combination skin.

Then mist. Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier is a hypochlorous spray with no alcohol or fragrance, so it's a calm, comfortable step after cleansing or shaving. Nothing to rinse off.

Moisturise with AlumierMD HydraLight. It's light, non-greasy and has no added fragrance, which suits anyone who dislikes the feel of cream. Finish with Heliocare 360° Gel Oil-Free SPF50, which dries to a soft matte finish with no shine.

Tanisha's tipPut SPF on the tops of your ears, the back of your neck and your scalp if your hair is thinning. They're easy places to forget.

Shaving without the sting

Shave after cleansing, or at the end of a warm shower, when hair is softer. Use a sharp blade and a shaving gel or cream. If your skin is easily irritated, shave in the direction your hair grows. Rinse with cool water and pat dry rather than rubbing.

If you get rough patches or ingrown hairs along the beard line, gentle exfoliation can help keep the surface smooth. ZO Exfoliating Cleanser cleanses and exfoliates in one step, with salicylic acid to help keep pores clear. If your skin feels tender, use it on the days you don't shave. ZO is ordered after a free consultation, which is also a quick way to get a routine built around your skin.

Evenings, and the usual mistakes

At night, cleanse to wash off the day's oil, sweat and SPF, then moisturise. That's it. If you want to do more later, a gentle retinol at night is a good next step. Start slowly, patch-test first and keep wearing SPF every morning.

The mistakes I'd steer you away from: body soap on your face, skipping moisturiser because your skin feels oily, scrubbing hard, blunt razors, and only wearing SPF on holiday.

When to ask a professional

See your GP if ingrown hairs become painful and swollen, as they can get infected. Keep an eye on moles too, especially on your scalp, ears and back. If one changes in size, shape or colour, or bleeds, get it checked.

Shop the article

AlumierMDPurifying Gel Cleanser177 ml (travel size 15 ml)£38

Clinisoothe+Skin Purifier100 ml spray (also 250 ml dropper bottle)From £15.95

AlumierMDHydraLight50 ml£64.50

Heliocare360° Gel Oil-Free SPF5050 ml£31

ZO Skin HealthExfoliating Cleanser200 ml£46With a free 15-min consultation

Your questions

Should I moisturise under my beard?

Yes. The skin under a beard can still get dry and flaky. Work a little moisturiser through to the skin, and wash your beard with your facial cleanser so oil and product don't build up.

Is men's skincare really different?

Mostly in the packaging. What your skin needs depends on whether it's oily, dry or sensitive, not on whether you're a man or a woman. Choose for your skin type and you'll get it right.

Can I just use a moisturiser with SPF in it?

You can, as long as you apply enough to give proper protection, which is more than many people realise. I find a separate SPF easier to get right. If your skin is very oily, Heliocare 360° Gel Oil-Free is light enough that it barely feels like an extra step.