When it comes to skincare, a lot of men have gotten by with a bar of soap, a splash of aftershave, and not much else. That’s changing. More than half of U.S. men—52%—now report using facial skincare products, up from 31% in 2022, and that number continues to grow.
Most skincare research and product development, however, have centered on women’s skin. Men are often left with general advice that doesn’t account for biological differences.
Men’s skin is denser and about 20 to 25 percent thicker on average due to higher levels of androgens like testosterone. It also produces more oil and maintains that production longer in life. The combination of thicker skin and higher sebum output makes pores more prone to congestion.
Add daily shaving, which creates microscopic cuts across the surface, and you’re dealing with a compromised skin barrier and, in some cases, dark marks caused by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
With those factors in mind, here’s what to look for at each step of your routine and product recommendations you can shop for at Advanced Skin Therapeutics.
Step 1: Cleanse
Men’s skin produces more sebum and sheds thicker layers of keratinized cells, which means oil and debris build up faster on the surface. That buildup traps bacteria, causing the razor blade to drag and increasing the risk of razor burn.
Choose a cleanser that dissolves excess oil without disturbing the lipid barrier that keeps skin healthy and hydrated.
- Revision Skincare Gentle Foaming Cleanser: An everyday option that lifts away oil and sweat with mild surfactants, while chamomile and arnica calm the skin before shaving.
- CLn Facial Cleanser: For men prone to razor bumps or folliculitis, this dermatologist-developed formula uses sodium hypochlorite to reduce bacterial buildup without over-drying. Especially helpful along the jawline and neck.
- NeoStrata Facial Cleanser PHA 4: PHAs provide mild chemical exfoliation as you cleanse, breaking down the dull surface layer that can contribute to congestion.
How to use
Cleanse once in the morning and once at night with lukewarm water, using gentle circular motions for about 30 seconds, then rinse. In the morning, cleanse your face before shaving to soften facial hair and remove any residue that could dull the blade. Pat dry with a clean towel—avoid rubbing, which can aggravate freshly shaved skin.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Even with consistent cleansing, dead skin cells can accumulate around hair follicles. Chemical exfoliants with alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, or polyhydroxy acids dissolve the bonds between dead cells rather than scrubbing them away, making them much gentler on your skin while still effective.
- NeoStrata Smooth Surface Glycolic Peel: At-home chemical peel with 10% glycolic acid and patented Aminofil® complex to refine skin texture, clarify pores, improve tone, and reduce
When it comes to skincare, a lot of men have gotten by with a bar of soap, a splash of aftershave, and not much else. That’s changing. More than half of U.S. men—52%—now report using facial skincare products, up from 31% in 2022, and that number continues to grow.
Most skincare research and product development, however, have centered on women’s skin. Men are often left with general advice that doesn’t account for biological differences.
Men’s skin is denser and about 20 to 25 percent thicker on average due to higher levels of androgens like testosterone. It also produces more oil and maintains that production longer in life. The combination of thicker skin and higher sebum output makes pores more prone to congestion.
Add daily shaving, which creates microscopic cuts across the surface, and you’re dealing with a compromised skin barrier and, in some cases, dark marks caused by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
With those factors in mind, here’s what to look for at each step of your routine and product recommendations you can shop for at Advanced Skin Therapeutics.
Step 1: Cleanse
Men’s skin produces more sebum and sheds thicker layers of keratinized cells, which means oil and debris build up faster on the surface. That buildup traps bacteria, causing the razor blade to drag and increasing the risk of razor burn.
Choose a cleanser that dissolves excess oil without disturbing the lipid barrier that keeps skin healthy and hydrated.
- Revision Skincare Gentle Foaming Cleanser: An everyday option that lifts away oil and sweat with mild surfactants, while chamomile and arnica calm the skin before shaving.
- CLn Facial Cleanser: For men prone to razor bumps or folliculitis, this dermatologist-developed formula uses sodium hypochlorite to reduce bacterial buildup without over-drying. Especially helpful along the jawline and neck.
- NeoStrata Facial Cleanser PHA 4: PHAs provide mild chemical exfoliation as you cleanse, breaking down the dull surface layer that can contribute to congestion.
How to use
Cleanse once in the morning and once at night with lukewarm water, using gentle circular motions for about 30 seconds, then rinse. In the morning, cleanse your face before shaving to soften facial hair and remove any residue that could dull the blade. Pat dry with a clean towel—avoid rubbing, which can aggravate freshly shaved skin.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Even with consistent cleansing, dead skin cells can accumulate around hair follicles. Chemical exfoliants with alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, or polyhydroxy acids dissolve the bonds between dead cells rather than scrubbing them away, making them much gentler on your skin while still effective.
- NeoStrata Smooth Surface Glycolic Peel: At-home chemical peel with 10% glycolic acid and patented Aminofil® complex to refine skin texture, clarify pores, improve tone, and reduce the signs of aging.
- Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash: Alpha and beta hydroxy acids clear away dull surface cells, while brightening botanicals, including vitamin C, licorice, and lily, help even tone.
- AST 5% Glycolic + 2% Salicylic Pads: These pre-soaked pads decongest areas prone to buildup, such as the beard line or hairline with a controlled blend of glycolic acid for surface smoothing and salicylic acid to penetrate pores and clear oil.
- SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight: An overnight leave-on treatment with 10% glycolic concentration to accelerate turnover while you sleep.
How to use
Begin exfoliating two to three times per week, so your skin has time to build up a tolerance. Always apply chemical exfoliants after cleansing and before moisturizer or shave-care products.
Step 3: Moisturize + Protect
Your skin’s outermost layer relies on a mix of lipids—cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids—to keep water in and external irritants out. However, it’s vulnerable to environmental stressors and daily habits, including shaving. When that barrier is compromised, moisture can escape, leaving your skin feeling dry and irritated. Moisturizer restores balance by replenishing those essential lipids and drawing water back from the atmosphere.
You’ll also need to be mindful to apply sunscreen daily. Using SPF 30+ not only prevents premature aging but also lowers the risk of sun induced skin cancers and melanoma, which is estimated to impact more than 60,000 men in 2025.
- SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2: A replenishing emulsion that delivers 2% pure ceramides 1 and 3, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids in the optimal ratio for barrier repair.
- Obagi Hydrate: Formulated with Hydromanil Technology, this moisturizer reduces transepidermal water loss while gradually releasing moisture-binding compounds, keeping the skin hydrated for up to 8 hours.
- Revision D·E·J Night Face Cream: Pairs 0.25% retinol with bakuchiol to accelerate renewal while minimizing irritation. Antioxidants and prebiotic ingredients help maintain a balanced skin microbiome.
- Revision Intellishade Clear: – A 5-in-1 daily anti-aging tinted moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF 45 that is formulated to correct, protect, conceal, brighten and hydrate skin. Prevents visible signs of aging and enhances skin’s natural moisture barrier, improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and brightens and evens skin tone while reducing the appearance of redness. Also protects skin from UVA/UVB radiation. The sheer mineral tint conceals and restores skin’s youthful appearance.
- EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46: Oil-free mineral sunscreen formulated with 9% transparent zinc oxide to deliver broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, while niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid calm redness and help prevent post-inflammatory discoloration.
- SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50: Lightweight, tinted mineral sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with 100% zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Translucent color spheres create a natural, even finish without shine, while the plankton extract Artemia salina helps increase the skin’s resilience to UV- and heat-induced stress.
How to use
Apply moisturizer morning and night. In the morning, follow with sunscreen as the final step. Reapply SPF every 2 hours when you’re in direct sunlight, or every 4 hours if you’re indoors.
Whether you’re just starting to take skincare seriously or looking to refine a routine that already works, Advanced Skin Therapeutics has the products every man needs to keep his complexion healthy and youthful. You can shop online or stop by in-person to chat with a skincare expert. Our clinicians specialize in matching medical-grade products to your skin’s biology and specific needs.
