"Men's Skincare Basics: A Simple Daily Routine"

Most guys know they should take care of their skin and have no idea where to start. The shelf at the store is full of bottles, and every one of them promises something different. So the bottles stay in the bag and the face gets a splash of water.

Here are the men's skincare basics, with no 12-step routine. You need three things every day: a cleanser, a moisturizer and sunscreen. The ten steps below show how they fit together, what to add later, and what to skip.

Step 1: Start With Clean Hands and a Rinse

Do this in front of a mirror, like here. Wash your hands first, because your hands touch your face more than anything else does. Then wet your face with lukewarm water. Hot water feels good, but it dries out your skin.

Do it: morning and night.

Skip the rinse if: you're about to shower anyway.

Step 2: Wash With a Gentle Cleanser

A foaming or gel cleanser takes off sweat, oil and the dirt that builds up during the day. Work it into your skin with your fingertips for about 30 seconds. Cover the cheeks, nose, forehead and jaw, and go around the beard line if you have one.

Do it: morning and night.

Go easy: a face wash is not a body wash. Body soap is harsher and can leave your face tight and flaky.

Step 3: Rinse and Pat Dry

Rinse until the foam is gone, then press a clean towel against your face. He uses a small cloth here, and a towel works too. Don't rub. Rubbing pulls at your skin, and it's the easiest habit to fix. Leave your skin a little damp, since moisturizer goes on better that way.

Do it: morning and night.

Tip: keep a separate small towel for your face so it doesn't pick up whatever is on your body towel.

Step 4: Wipe With a Toner Pad (Optional)

Here he's wiping his face with a small white cloth. A cotton pad with a toner works the same way, and it's a nice extra if your face still feels oily after washing. Wipe from the center of your face outward. This is the first step you can drop without any harm.

Do it: once a day is plenty.

Skip it if: your skin feels dry or stings afterwards.

Step 5: Pour Your Product Into Your Palm

Squeeze a small amount into your palm before you put it on your face. This works for a serum, a lotion or a moisturizer. A coin-sized amount covers the whole face, and more than that just sits on top and feels greasy.

Do it: after drying your face.

Tip: if a product is new to you, try it on your jaw for a day or two first.

Step 6: Don't Forget Under Your Eyes

The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of your face. This man has a patch under one eye, which is one way to care for it. You don't need patches. An eye cream or your regular moisturizer, dabbed lightly with a fingertip, does the job.

Do it: a few times a week, or daily with a light eye cream.

Go easy: pat, never drag.

Step 7: Moisturize Your Whole Face

Moisturizer is the one step you shouldn't skip. Put small dots on your forehead, cheeks and chin, then use both hands to spread it upward and outward. Oily skin still needs it. Pick a light gel or lotion and you won't feel it.

Do it: morning and night.

Tip: let the moisturizer sink in for a minute before you add sunscreen.

Step 8: Dab It On and Blend It In

Dotting is the easiest way to be sure you don't miss a spot. Put a small dab on each cheek, the forehead, the nose and the chin, then blend with your fingertips. If you have a beard, work the cream through the hair too, down to the skin underneath.

Do it: at night, when you have a bit more time.

Tip: the neck counts as part of your face. Take whatever is left on your hands down to it.

Step 9: Use a Mask Once a Week

A clay mask is an extra, not a daily step. He's put it on one half of his face, with a mirror in front of him. Leave it for the time on the label, rinse it off, and follow with moisturizer. Once a week is enough.

Do it: once a week, in the evening.

Skip it if: your skin is irritated or very dry. Masks can make that worse.

Step 10: Give Your Skin a Calm Night

This man has his sleep mask pushed up and a bit of cream on his cheek. Finish your routine like that, switch off the light and let the moisturizer sit overnight.

Do it: every night.

Tip: a fresh pillowcase may help if your skin breaks out around your cheeks and jaw.

How to Build Your Routine

Keep it to three products first. A cleanser, a moisturizer and a sunscreen. Use only those for two weeks before you add anything else. If your skin reacts, you'll know which product caused it.

Know your skin type.

Skin feels	Pick
Shiny by lunch	Gel cleanser, light gel moisturizer
Tight after washing	Creamy cleanser, richer moisturizer
Both, oily nose and dry cheeks	Gentle cleanser, light lotion
Red or stings easily	Fragrance-free products, fewer steps

Morning and night are different.

	Morning	Night
Wash	Gentle cleanser	Cleanser, to remove the day
Moisturize	Yes	Yes
Sunscreen	Yes, every day	No
Extras	Eye cream if you want it	Mask once a week

Add one thing at a time. Serums, toners and masks are optional. If you add one, wait two weeks before adding the next.

Shave kindly. Wash first, shave with a sharp razor and moisturize straight after. If you're also sorting out the rest of your grooming, see our list of men's grooming essentials, and for tidy brows there's how to trim your eyebrows.

See a doctor for stubborn problems. Painful acne, a mole that changes or skin that stays red won't be fixed by a new cream. A dermatologist can help.

FAQ

What is the most basic skincare routine for men? Wash your face, moisturize and put on sunscreen in the morning. At night, wash and moisturize. That's the whole routine.

How often should a man wash his face? Twice a day for most guys, once in the morning and once at night. If your skin is dry, a rinse with water in the morning is enough.

Do men need moisturizer if they have oily skin? Yes. Skin that's stripped of moisture can make more oil to make up for it. A light gel moisturizer keeps it balanced without feeling heavy.

Do I really need sunscreen every day? Yes. Sun exposure contributes to early lines and dark spots and raises skin cancer risk. Put it on after your morning moisturizer, even on cloudy days.