As the heat turns up and the sun gets harsher, it’s more than a good reason to take care of your skin. Unfortunately, most guys don’t know where to start in terms of navigating all the different products. Luckily, we’ve put together a mini guide to the essentials you’ll need this summer.
Let’s start with your cleanser. Depending on your skin type, you’ll want to choose one that’s built to handle your needs and the added conditions that come with the season.
First is the mild gel face wash from Clinique For Men, available in Regular and Oil Control varieties. This cleanser lathers up nicely and washes away easily, leaving skin dirt-free and ready for shaving.
Alternatively, there’s FANCL’s Men Face Wash, which comes in a bottle with a convenient pump top. This one helps to retain moisture and smooth out rough skin, and even doubles as a shaving cream!
Finally, CHA LING’s Cleansing Foam is made with dried Pu’Er tea leaves for antioxidant properties that help fight aging.
Next up is keeping your skin nicely hydrated throughout the day while fighting the signs of aging.
JOYCE Beauty has three options that fit the bill. First, its Wildsmith Skin Active Repair Copper Peptide Serum boosts cell metabolism, which helps produce collagen and elastin fibres that keep our skin from sagging. The other is 111SKIN Y Theorem Repair Serum, the one that started the iconic 111SKIN line. It likewise boosts collagen production, and improves the elasticity of the skin and is especially good for quick hydration and reducing fine lines.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Men is designed to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day while countering stressors like the inflammation you’d get from razor burn and other kinds of irritation.
Another option is Tom Ford For Men Oil-Free Daily Moisturizer. This one absorbs fast and has a matte (non-shiny) finish that keeps your skin hydrated and energized.
Get the first two steps done and you’ll be golden. That said, you might have an existing routine you’d like to upgrade a bit with exfoliants and masks.
Kiehl’s has a few options for scrubbing away dead skin cells and keeping your skin even. Depending on your needs, you might opt for their Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub, Oil Eliminator Deep Cleansing Exfoliating Face Wash for Men or Age Defender Dual-Action Exfoliating Cleanser
ACQUA DI PARMA offers a Pumice Facial Scrub to gently smooth out your skin while its Clay Face Mask finishes off the routine by restoring compactness. Leave it on for just 10 minutes then wash it off.
From APIVITA, the Express Beauty Tissue Face Mask Carob Detox contains activated charcoal, which helps pick up any excess oil and grease, that’s good for downplaying larger pores. Their Black Detox Cleansing Jelly also has activated charcoal and also propolis, which gives a layer of protection against bacteria that could cause acne.
Of course, we haven’t forgotten about you guys with facial hair.
Heritage Italian brand ACCA KAPPA offers a White Moss Shave Foam as well as a Vintage Collection Shaving Set that comes with a brush made with ultra soft badger hair and a razor. And in case you wanted something that does double duty, the Dear Homme Perfect Toner from su:m37° works to hydrate and moisturize skin after cleansing, but it can also be used as a soothing after-shave lotion.
For those with beards, consider a wash, serum or styling cream from ACQUA DI PARMA’s dedicated line of beard care products. And if you decide you want to trim a bit or go completely clean shaven, their Shaving Oil & Refreshing After Shave Emulsion will help to make the experience as smooth and irritation free like your skin.
It’s never too late to start a basic skincare routine with a few essentials. With Hong Kong summers being what they are and combined with the added time wearing a mask, taking care of your face becomes as important for hygiene as it does for looking fresh.
