These 39 Skincare Favorites for Men Make the Best Gifts (2024)

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According to experts, the best skincare products for men are the streamlined, everyday products you’d likely expect: a gentle cleanser, exfoliator, moisturizer, and broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen.

“My skincare philosophy, and the philosophy my line is based on, is that one size does not fit all,” celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau tells Bazaar. “It’s not about using a complicated skincare routine; it’s about carefully choosing the right ingredients for your skin type. Men most commonly have thicker skin with enlarged pores prone to oiliness and blackheads.” Rouleau adds that products containing ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide, sodium PCA, witch hazel, and panthenol are key for controlling oil production and minimizing overall breakouts.

Along with having generally thicker skin, men who shave regularly are often susceptible to ingrown hair and irritation on their cheeks and around their beard lines. “For men who shave, an exfoliating ingredient to help prevent in-grown hair is very important,” board-certified dermatologist Omer Ibrahim says. “This can be a BHA in a cleanser or an AHA in a leave-on aftershave product.” We understand that sometimes even getting the guys in your life to use moisturizer regularly is a challenge, but it’s easier than ever to help round out their rotation.

Surprising your dad, grandfather, brother, uncle, or partner with a new serum, skincare tool, or weekly treatment in addition to the basics helps take the guesswork out of grooming. Here, we’ve pulled together a short list of what experts and editors consider some of the best skincare products for men. These top-rated essentials from brands like Kiehl's Since 1851, Acqua di Parma, Foreo, and Summer Fridays provide the perfect grooming options for the skincare minimalist and person with a more extensive 16-step routine. Read on for some of our favorites to shop now.

Aloe Shave Gel

If he has sensitive skin and prefers a close shave, Clinique’s aloe-based shaving gel might become his new holy-grail grooming staple. As it’s both fragrance- and oil-free, there is low risk of irritation.

$26.00 at Sephora

énergie The Cream

Just like his daily cup of coffee, he can reach for Neuraé's firming and mood-boosting moisturizer first thing after cleansing and toning. It uses ingredients like red indigo, seaweed extract, and vitamin C to energize and rejuvenate dull skin.

$170.00 at Neiman Marcus

The Bright Set

The Ordinary is one of the buzziest skincare brands around, and for good reason: Its range of complexion essentials, including this set of brightening favorites, offers the perfect balance of product effectiveness and budgetary savvy. Since he’ll find bottles of alpha arbutin and hyaluronic acid serum, glycolic acid, and a caffeine solution in this kit, we recommend gifting it to the man in your life with a more established routine.

$18.09 at The Ordinary

Ginkgo Gua Sha

Show him that skincare can be a self-care experience with this handsome gua sha from the experts at Sisley Paris. It will not only provide him with a nice facial massage when he applies serums and creams, but also lift and sculpt his facial contours at the same time.

$160.00 at Sisley Paris

Luna 4 Men Face-Cleansing Brush for Skin & Beard

He’ll get a mini facelift and deep cleaning experience all in one with this silicone facial brush from the beauty tech experts at Foreo. It uses T-sonic vibrations and a range of touchpoint sizes to not only lift dirt and oil from pores but also give his go-to serums and moisturizers a little extra oomph once he’s done cleansing.

$279.00 at Amazon

Barbiere Shaving Cream

After using Acqui di Parma's luxe shaving cream, which combines pomegranate seed, lemon oil, basil extract, and plumping hyaluronic acid, he might be convinced to book the next flight to Italy.

$95.00 at Bluemercury

Wandermist Hydrating Facial Spray

Here’s a multifunctional facial spray that can help him stay awake through a string of Zoom meetings while keeping his skin refreshed. It uses a blend of rambutan peels, sage, and citrus to rejuvenate his complexion with just a few spritzes.

$16.00 at Amazon

Balancing Toner

Treat his skin to this alcohol-free toner from Grown Alchemist, which contains ginseng, chamomile, and aloe vera to give his complexion a healthy glow.

$23.40 at Amazon

The Cream

For the luxurious man in your life, this super-rich cream from Le Domaine boasts olive oil, shea butter, and the brand’s proprietary complex, which includes antioxidant-rich grapes, and leaves the skin feeling hydrated and plump. Plus, this cream is one of Brad Pitt’s go-to products, so it is bound to impress him.

$242.00 at Bluemercury

Triple Acid Signature Peel

If he knows his way around ingredients like glycolic and lactic acids, surprise him with this top-rated two-step peel set from celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden. In addition to brightening and exfoliating skin, the peel is also ideal for clearing congestion while refining pores.

$125.00 at Sephora

The Balm

With its nourishing blend of ceramides and plumping hyaluronic acid, we’re betting this rejuvenating balm from celebrity aesthetician Joanna Czech will be a mainstay in his daily routine.

$230.00 at Bluemercury

Skincare DRx SpectraLite EyeCare Max Pro Device

It’ll only take him three minutes to depuff his under-eyes and minimize wrinkles after you gift him this high-tech mask from Dr. Dennis Gross. It uses 96 red LED lights to treat the entire eye area, including crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles.

$199.00 at Revolve

Phyto Corrective Essence Mist

Beauty shoppers in the know are raving about SkinCeuticals’ hydrating and redness-reducing Phyto Corrective Essence Mist, which is perfect for the guy whose skin is easily irritated.

$70.00 at Dermstore

Immortelle Divine Eye Balm

This hydrating eye balm won’t feel heavy on his skin and helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while boosting under-eye brightness.

$90.25 at Amazon

Jet Lag Mask + Moisturizer

Over 4,000 Beauty Insiders are raving about Summer Fridays’ viral Jet Lag Mask, and we’re betting your boyfriend will, too. Its fragrance-free formula combines plumping hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and more to improve skin’s texture, tone, and hydration.

$49.00 at Sephora

SOS Skincare Set

The guy in your life with super-sensitive skin will deeply appreciate this soothing, alcohol-free set from Tower 28. It features the brand’s redness-reducing SOS Rescue Spray in full and travel sizes, along with its top-rated serum.

$64.00 at Tower 28

Aftershave Balm

Here’s a soothing aftershave balm from Le Labo to help his face heal after a grooming session. Its cooling formula is entirely plant-based, and features notes of bergamot, lavender, and tonka bean.

$46.00 at Nordstrom

Damascan Rose Facial Treatment

He can apply this rose oil before his moisturizer for supreme hydration in colder months, and by itself as a lightweight moisturizer once the weather warms up.

$90.00 at Aesop

Bro Mask: Korean Face Mask for Men (4-Pack)

It may seem a little on the nose, but gifting your actual brother with this set of four firming and brightening sheet masks with “bro” in the title is almost too thoughtful of a gift.

$22.40 at Amazon

Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash

Help him feel more awake in the morning with this value-size version of Kiehl’s culty and energizing Facial Fuel cleanser.

$29.40 at Kiehl's Since 1851

Darker Skin Tones Discovery Kit

This five-piece skincare set from Dr. Barbara Sturm includes travel-friendly essentials like foam and enzyme cleansers, a hyaluronic acid serum, and more, each formulated especially for melanin-rich skin.

$115.00 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum

Aesthetician Sean Garrette loves incorporating this hyaluronic acid serum into his rotation while his skin is still damp. “I love PCA,” he told Bazaar. “I like this hydrating serum because it has ceramides and niacinamide, so it’s really nourishing and helps strengthen the skin barrier, which is the protective layer of your skin. It just makes my skin super plump—I love this serum.”

$125.00 at Bluemercury

Moon Glow Milky Toning Lotion

This best-selling vegan face lotion uses natural AHAs to exfoliate skin. It also contains ingredients like anti-inflammatory meadowfoam seed oil, oil-regulating niacinamide, and hydrating snow mushroom and ceramides to keep his complexion in balance.

$15.60 at Soko Glam

The Ultimate Soothing Cream

If your dad or partner has sensitive skin, consider gifting him this popular luxe and soothing moisturizer from the experts at Augustinus Bader. And if he happens to be eco-conscious, did we mention it’s also refillable?

$300.00 at Augustinus Bader

Augmented Skin The Cleanser and Makeup Remover

Although he likely won’t use this cleanser from Prada Beauty as a makeup remover, its skin barrier-strengthening formula will keep his face feeling fresh and hydrated.

$95.00 at Nordstrom

Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels (12-Pack)

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton uses these cooling under-eye patches on a regular basis to de-puff and relax. And because they come in a 12-pack, they’re the gift that keeps on giving.

$36.00 at Amazon

UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

No skincare routine is complete without the addition of an effective sunscreen, which is why this dermatologist-recommended pick is one of our everyday go-tos (and beloved by more than 30,000 Amazon customers).

$40.85 at Amazon

Kissu Lip Mask

“I like to finish off with a lip mask,” celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin told Bazaar of his skincare routine. “This one from Tatcha is incredible—it’s the Kissu Lip Mask—and this is like a really hydrating lip jelly that’s made out of peach nectar. I’m obsessed with this product. It doesn’t really taste like anything, but it’s really, really comfortable, and there’s no weight to it.”

$23.20 at Amazon

GloFacial Hydro-Infusion Pore Cleansing and Blue LED Clarifying Tool

Here is a top-rated skincare tool that makes getting rid of blackheads a breeze: While sucking out dirt and oil like a vacuum, the LED device also infuses the complexion with salicylic and hyaluronic acids for plumper, clearer skin.

$199.00 at Ulta

C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream

More than 1,500 Sephora customers love this brightening, vitamin C–based eye cream, which is gentle enough for both daytime and nighttime, and also contains entirely vegan ingredients.

$64.00 at Sephora

Healthy Skin Starter Set

If your friend or family member is a frequent flyer, gift them this thoughtful set of travel-size skincare essentials from Malin and Goetz. It is perfect for the person who is always on the go and new to a complete skincare routine.

$32.00 at Nordstrom

Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40

If he prefers using a physical sunscreen rather than a chemical one, consider picking up a tube of this top-rated sunscreen from Supergoop! Because it’s formulated with a blend of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and leaves behind a matte finish, he won’t have to worry about any excess shine.

$40.00 at Bluemercury

Lip Balm Trio With Reusable Tin

These popular lip balms come in six signature flavor options, including natural mint and shea butter, pineapple mint, and grapefruit and ginger. Plus, they have broad-spectrum SPF 25 for sun protection.

$22.00 at Amazon

Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator

To keep his complexion as smooth as possible, Pharrell Williams uses this gentle exfoliator from his brand Humanrace. It features a blend of chemical and physical ingredients like glycolic acid and rice particles to sweep away dead skin cells.

$46.00 at Bluemercury

Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream

“My skin is more combo to dry, and sometimes it can be a little dehydrated, especially around my eye area,” Garrette says. “So I love eye creams for morning and night now.” To moisturize dry under-eyes, he reaches for this de-puffing cream from Sunday Riley, which feels lightweight on the skin. “You literally need the tiniest bit; I use my ring fingers and bring that all around my eye area.”

$65.00 at Dermstore

Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask

Take his night routine to new heights with this luxe sleep mask from La Prairie, which uses the brand’s cellular complex and natural caviar extract to lift and firm skin overnight.

$445.00 at saksfifthavenue.com

Magic Glow Wand

Not only does this tool from celebrity aesthetician Joanna Vargas feature a range of hot, cold, and massage settings, it is also designed with a titanium head that won’t irritate sensitive skin.

$285.00 at

Boy de Chanel Lip Balm

For a more elevated balm pick, consider this matte option from Chanel that aims to keep his lips moisturized for up to eight hours per wear.

$38.00 at chanel.com

Face + Scalp Invisible Daily SPF 30 Broad Spectrum

For bald (or balding) men, an exposed scalp is another area of the skin to keep protected. This SPF 30 sunscreen is formulated for both the scalp and face, and won’t leave behind a ghostly white cast once it’s rubbed in.

$18.00 at Amazon

Meet the experts

• Renée Rouleau is a celebrity esthetician and the founder of Renée Rouleau Skincare.

• Omer Ibrahim, M.D., F.A.A.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology.

What products are nonnegotiable in men’s skincare?

Any rotation should include the following products:

• A cleanser

• A moisturizer

• A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
  

• A spot treatment for ingrown hairs and breakouts

According to our experts and the Cleveland Clinic, those designated male at birth often have a thicker and tougher dermis layer than those designated female. This skin difference can cause deeper, more furrowed wrinkles from repeated muscle movement, with increased testosterone contributing to oilier skin.

In addition to these factors, it is important for men to determine their overall skin type—dry, oily, combination, or “normal”—to incorporate the right products for their overall skin needs. Keeping up a consistent regimen also plays a key factor in the effectiveness of one’s daily skincare routine.

How can men prevent skin irritation and razor bumps when shaving?

If you struggle with ingrown hairs or razor burn, the esthetician suggests paring down your tool of choice to a razor containing one or two blades at most.

“To help prevent ingrown hairs and keep your skin looking its best, it’s important to think about what you’re shaving with,” Rouleau notes. “Razors seem to be equipped with more and more blades, all promising a ‘closer shave.’ In truth, more blades mean more exfoliation, which increases the risk of irritation and bumps.”

Looking for more Bazaar-approved grooming favorites?

• The Best Men’s Cologne Gift Sets He’ll Love

• The Best Face Moisturizers for Men

• The Best Men's Skincare Sets to Gift This Holiday

• The Best LED Face Masks to Address Wrinkles, Acne, and More

• The Best Long-Lasting Colognes

Why trust Harper’s Bazaar?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, hair care, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

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