5 Must Have Skincare Products for Men and Women

Women know that they have to take care of their skin, but there are just so many options out there! And hey men… guess what? Your skincare routine is just as important as any woman in your life. In fact, if you don’t have amazing genes taking care of your skin will help you stay ruggedly handsome for longer. Now, who doesn’t want that? Follow these steps for a perfect and simple skincare routine to keep yourself as handsome as possible.

Five Must Have Skincare Products: For Women

Age–Defying Serum

Name: VI DERM—Intense Hydration Serum

Price: $40.00

Why You Need It: It doesn’t matter if you’re 18 or 81, Age–Defying Serums carry important ingredients that help skin slow the process of aging while still protecting it. Hydration is key for this product!

Where to buy: www.vipeel.com

Eye Cream

Name: Sephora Collection—Age Defy Cream for Eyes and Lips

Price: $26

Why You Need It: This product goes hand–in–hand with age defying serums. Hydration is easily lost under the eyes, so adding extra hydration day or night can help you look more rested. The skin under our eyes is some of the most sensitive; make sure to take special care of it. It can show signs of aging, dehydration or lack of sleep the fastest.

Where to buy: sephora.com

Masks or Peels

Name: Peter Thomas Roth—Mini Mask Magic Trio

Price: $20

Why You Need It: Taking great care of your skin with a daily skin routine is only the first step. A weekly regime that includes exfoliation, adding extra hydration or cell turnover is important. Peels, like the ones Peter Thomas Roth is well known for, help your skin get the extra attention it needs. Acne prone? Use the Pumpkin Enzyme Peel. Lacking Hydration or Brightness? Use the Rose Stem Cell or Cucumber peels. The entire collection has more than this mini sampling kit and is appropriate for all skin types and needs. Make sure to keep up on your routine—you’ll only see a difference if you use it every week. 

Where to buy: sephora.com

Skin Protectants

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Such as: Vitamin C Serum, Sunscreen and Retinoid Creams

Name: SkinCeuticals—Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30

Price: $40

Why You Need It: A daily sunscreen is one of the most important aspects of daily skincare. Wear it under your makeup or find one in a moisturizer. Makeup with sunscreen is usually a chemical sunscreen and doesn’t fully protect your skin from the sun. A physical sunscreen with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide acts as a physical barrier from the sun. Make sure to look for these ingredients in your facial sunscreen.

Where to buy it: skinceuticals.com

Name: Perricone MD—Vitamin C Ester Serum

Price: $105

Why You Need It: Vitamin C Serums are like antioxidants for your skin. They protect your skin from free radicals, such as air pollutants and can even help your skin look brighter as well. They also have slight sun protection properties. Use day and night!

Where to get it: perriconemd.com

Name: Retinol Creams (best if prescribed from doctor)

Price: Depends on your insurance.

Why You Need It: Retinol is commonly used for acne treatment and prevention. Another use is for wrinkles and the beautiful effect it can have on skin. Retinols should only be used at night and a sunscreen (only during the day) must be worn in conjunction with a Retinoid as it can make skin more sensitive to the sun. Retinol can also help reduce the signs of aging such as age spots, or help skin look brighter and more youthful in appearance. 

Where To Buy: From your Doctor, in order to make sure you are getting a high concentration!

Moisturizer

Name: First Aid Beauty—Ultra Repair Facial Moisturizer

Price: $24

Why You Need It: A good moisturizer is what holds your skincare routine together. Sometimes a great moisturizer can be used for both day and nighttime routines, but it’s important to know what your skin needs. Some people use a heavier moisturizer at night, or a "nightcream," that is usually intensely hydrating (with other additives for each brand). The most important thing is that your skin feels comfortable while wearing it.

Where to buy: sephora.com

Five Must Have Skincare Products: For Men

Face Wash

Name: ClarinsMen—Active Face Wash

Price: $21

Why You Need It: If it isn’t obvious—this washes your face! It’s important to get deep down into your pores, especially since men grow facial hair; you run the risk of acne or clogged pores and ingrown hairs due to the denser hair follicles on your face. Make sure to cleanse your face day and night to wash away any dirt and oil that can build up. (And for you bearded fellows: you have to wash your face too! A beard is no excuse!)

Where to buy: clarinsusa.com

Toner

Name: Kiehls Facial Fuel Energizing Tonic for Men

Price: $18

Why You Need It: A great facial cleanser is just one step. The next step to keeping your face baby soft and touchable is toner. It’ll help the cleanser really do it’s job by wiping away any extra dirt and oil on your face. Different toners can even help prevent extra oil production and keep your skin hydrated. This is ONE product you can skip if you have a thick beard because there isn’t really much place for the product (although it wouldn’t hurt to put it everywhere your beard isn’t).

Where to buy it: kiehls.com

Sunscreen

Name: Anthony Oil Free Facial Lotion Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30

Price: $33

Why You Need It: I’ll talk about moisturizers separately, but most daily moisturizers include sunscreen. This sunscreen/moisturizer might have a high SPF, but it is a chemical sunscreen, which only partially protects your skin from the sun. If you are going to the beach or plan to be out in the sun all day a separate physical sunscreen might be better. However, reapplying this sunscreen every hour to two hours while in the sun can still protect your skin from harsh rays. Just make sure to wear it every day. This may be a given, but don’t put this on at night—it’s a daytime–only moisturizer.

Where to buy it: Sephora.com

Moisturizer

Name: Baxter Of California—Oil Free Moisturizer 

Price: $22

Why You Need it: While you sleep your skin has a great opportunity to soak in the great things you’ve just used on it (face wash and toner)! In order for all those things to work the best they need a way to be sealed into your skin. This moisturizer will help restore your skin overnight. Make sure that you know what kind of skin you have (normal, combination, oily or acne–prone) before purchasing a moisturizer. No matter the kind of skin you have, oil–free moisturizer is a great choice. It can hydrate your skin without adding extra oil that will actually clog your pores more and make all the hard work you just put in go to waste!

Where to buy it: baxterofcalifornia.com

Eye Cream

Name: Clinique for Men Anti–Age Eye Cream 

Price: $30

Why You Need It: One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that although the same might be true for women on a smaller scale, men tend to show their age in their eyes—especially in the skin underneath. Sometimes men in their early thirties tend to look older because the skin under their eyes sags… but you can prevent this! It’s because the skin under our eyes is incredibly sensitive and often the most neglected part of our face. Every night before bed or every morning before you leave the house, make sure to give your under eyes a little love—they’ll thank you for it later. 

Where to buy it: Clinique.com

Shaving and Beard Care

Name: The Art of Shaving—Shaving Cream, Unscented

Price: $24

Why You Need It: All the work you are about to put into making your skin look its best ever might not mean anything if the shaving routine you use is too harsh. Make sure to look for natural and protective shaving bars or creams in order to save your skin from razor burn or any other repercussions that can happen after a bad shave.

Where to buy it: theartofshaving.com

Name: Beardbrand—Beard Oil/Wax

Price: $5.99-$40

Why You Need It: Just like the hair on top of your head, beards and mustaches won’t look or feel great if you don’t tend to them. Beard oil and wax is an important and easy way to take care of your facial hair. It’s up to you to decide which are the most important products to take care of that hair. Beard oil, if used right, can condition your beard and make it smell nice, too! Just don’t over do it; a greasy beard is probably the opposite of what you want. Want to tame your unruly beard or moustache? Use a wax!

Where to buy it: beardbrand.com