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The Simple 4-step Skincare Routine for Men

Discover a simple 4-step skincare routine for men, with further supplementary skincare tips

What’s in this article?

Why should men invest in skincare?

Having a dedicated men’s skincare routine isn’t only about looking good – it's also about feeling confident in your own skin. Sticking to a skincare regimen in both the morning and evening helps to maintain healthy-looking skin so you can feel your best. 


For too long, skincare has been viewed more as a feminine interest, but men's skin requires just as much attention and care. Whether you are battling specific skin concerns or want to achieve a glowing complexion, a tailored skincare routine can be the difference. Beyond the surface-level benefits, committing to a skincare routine is an act of self-care, taking time each day to prioritize looking after yourself.

Why men's skincare is different to women’s ?

While products may specify men's or women's skincare on their labels, gender-based skincare is not always cut and dry. It all comes down to hormone differences, as the skin of people with high levels of testosterone is up to 25% thicker and behaves differently from those with less testosterone. The higher levels of testosterone also lead to denser hair follicles, oilier skin and larger pores which pump out sebum. For best results, choose the type of skincare products appropriate for your skin type and hormone levels. 

What skincare routine steps should be included?

A basic skincare routine should consist of 3 minimum steps each day: cleansing, moisturizing, and SPF. Best practice also includes exfoliating 2-3 times per week for a deeper cleanse, helping to remove excess dirt and unclog pores. 

While skincare routines can become infinitely more complex with targeted treatments for different concerns, hitting these basics is a good place to start to help promote healthy-looking skin. Finding the balance between basic and more advanced steps depends on personal skin goals and type. Someone with dry skin may look to include rich hydrating cream for extra moisture, whereas someone concerned with crow's feet may want to add an eye cream. 

What skincare routine order should you follow?

After cleansing, products in your skincare routine order should be layered from thin to thick. Serums come first, followed by eye cream or any other targeted treatment, with moisturizer applied next and SPF at the end. This is to allow for maximum absorption of each product for the most efficacious results, while layering SPF over the top helps to shield your skin from harmful UV rays. 

Correctly ordering your skincare routine is essential for maximizing the benefits of each product. Afterall, if you have spent time and money investing in the products, you want to see the benefits. 

The simple 4-step men’s skincare routine

1. Cleanse 

Kick off your morning and evening routines by thoroughly cleansing your face. In the morning this helps to refresh and awaken skin while washing away any overnight products and sweat. In the evening, cleansing helps remove any dirt or impurities built up throughout the day. Both cleanses help to prepare the skin to absorb your care products. 

Benefits may include: Cleans, Awakens and refreshes skin, removes excess oil, supports skin’s pH, helps ready the skin for skin care products, maintains pore size. 

Do you need to cleanse?: Cleansing is the essential foundation of any skincare routine, so it is not advised you skip. 

Top Tips: Use a face wash suited to your skin type, go gentle and avoid harsh scrubbing, try to avoid harsh ingredients such as alcohol, pat your skin dry instead of rubbing. Unless following a dermatologist's guidance, do not cleanse more than twice a day as this could lead to dryness. 

View of a person with a smudged Nivea product seen on the left side of their face.
man applying Nivea face moisturise cream

2. Exfoliate 2-3 times a week 

Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells, excess dirt, and sebum to ensure your skin looks bright and smooth. For men who shave, exfoliating may also help reduce the prevalence of annoying ingrown beard hairs. Aim to do so 2-3 times a week as part of your evening skincare routine after washing your face. 

Benefits may include: Remove dead skin, clear pores, improved tone and texture appearance, ready the skin for skin care products 

Do you need to exfoliate?: It’s a good habit to exfoliate at least twice a week for a deeper cleanse, helping to prevent pores from becoming clogged. Men with sensitive skin may want to exfoliate less often, whereas those with oily skin may exfoliate more often. 

Top Tips: Use an exfoliant formulated for your skin needs – whether than is a mechanical scrub or chemical (AHA or BHA) exfoliant, exfoliate after cleansing, go gently and let the product do the work, avoid over-exfoliation as this can cause skin issues. 

3. Moisturize 

Consistently using a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated is especially important for healthy-looking skin. A nourishing face cream helps to replenish lost moisture and helps keep skin feeling supple and looking its best. You should choose a moisturizer that best suits your skin type, whether dry, sensitive, oily, or combination. As mentioned, men tend to produce more sebum naturally so a lighter moisturizer may be best.  

Benefits may include: Locked in hydration, smooth healthy-looking skin, sunscreen (if it contains SPF), skin moisture barrier support, additional benefits (formula dependent), nourishing. 

Do you need to moisturize?: Moisturizing is a cornerstone step in all routines and therefore inadvisable to skip. Only men with particularly oily skin may choose to skip and apply light sunscreen instead. In their case, it is still recommended to find a moisturizer formulated for their skin type that can help with excess oil. 

Top Tips: Choose a moisturizer based on your skin type. Look for one that contains broad spectrum SPF, apply it all over the face and neck and allow it time to absorb, and remember to use as directed. 

Man applying NIVEA moisturizer
Man applying SPF on face

4. SPF 

To maintain youthful-looking skin, broad spectrum SPF sunscreen is essential in any good skincare routine, no matter your skin tone. Sunscreen is the most effective way to help minimize early signs of aging and should be applied daily, as directed. Some moisturizers contain SPF, but you should look to reapply throughout the day and use as directed with other sun protection measures, (hat, sunglasses) for optimal protection. 

Benefits may include: Protection from UV rays, minimize early signs of aging, maintain skin health, and defense against sunburn.  

Do you need SPF?: SPF is essential to skin health, even in minimalist routines. It should be applied whenever skin is going to be exposed to sunlight to help protect it from sunburn. 

Top Tips: Aim for Broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher, apply generously and regularly, use as directed, check sunscreen expiration dates, limit time in the sun, especially during the peak hours of 10am-2pm, wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses.  

ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY SKINCARE STEPS

There are additional steps that you may want to add to this simple 4-step skincare routine. These include: 
man applying Nivea face cream
  • Facial serum 

    There are many types of serums available to you with various ingredients that focus on different skin concerns. Facial serums contain concentrated ingredients (such as Vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid, or Aloe) with fewer additives (thickeners, emulsifiers, or oils). This allows for the quicker absorption of the product to help boost moisture. 

    If you wish to add a face serum to your routine, apply it as the first product after cleansing. 
  • Eye cream 

    The thinner skin under your eyes is subject to high mechanical stress due to blinking, smiling, and all the other facial expressions we make every day. This area tends to lose moisture and volume quicker than elsewhere on the face, meaning it may need more concentrated care. 

    Eye creams can help to target typical under eye concerns such as the look of crow’s feet. NIVEA MEN Active-Age™ Eye Cream contains Hyaluronic Acid and visibly reduces the look of wrinkles, reduces the appearance of eye bags, and visibly firms skin around the eyes for healthy, younger-looking skin. If you wish to add eye cream to your routine, apply it directly before your moisturizer. 
  • Shaving balm 

    Post-shave skin can become sensitive, so giving it an extra boost with an after-shave balm is worthwhile. The NIVEA MEN Sensitive After Shave Balm helps to soothe and moisturize sensitive skin after shaving for visibly healthy-looking results. The formula is lightweight and non-greasy, enriched with Vitamin E and Chamomile extract. It targets 5 signs of shave irritation: dryness, tightness, stubble itch, burning and micro-cuts. 
NIVEA MEN Shaving Products

Morning vs. Nighttime Routine for Men

Broadly speaking, men's morning and nighttime skincare routine can remain very similar, using the same products. In the evening there is less need for SPF as it is highly unlikely you will be venturing out into the sun. Exfoliating should usually happen in the evening routine instead of the morning as it can sometimes make your skin more sensitive to the sun (this depends on the exfoliant you are using though). 

Men may want to look for specific nighttime products if targeting any concerns but using a regular 24hr moisturizer will provide adequate nighttime hydration as well. 

It is important to carry out your skincare routine in both the morning and evening to maintain healthy-looking skin. 

Men’s Skincare Products & Tips for Different Skin Types

The 4-step skincare routine for men remains the same for different skin types, however, it is recommended to find specialized products specific to your skin’s needs. 

As men's skincare products are often stronger to penetrate the thicker skin, they can be too harsh for sensitive skin types. If this is the case, you should try specialized sensitive skincare products for men. Sensitive skincare product ranges can help reduce any irritation or inflammation on the skin while also offering the benefits of regular skincare products. 

man with good skin

NIVEA MEN Sensitive Routine

The NIVEA MEN Sensitive range offers the perfect regimen for men who experience skin sensitivity. From cleansers, to shaving gels, balms and moisturizers, the products were developed for sensitive skin and are enriched with ingredients including Vitamin E, and Chamomile extract. They help moisturize and protect skin from dryness for visibly healthy-looking skin. They further target 5 signs of shave irritation: burning, stubble itch, dryness, tightness, and micro-cuts to help soothe and calm skin. 

Pair the NIVEA MEN Sensitive Face Wash with the NIVEA MEN Sensitive Face Moisturizer with SPF 15 in your daily routine. 

NIVEA MEN Protect & Care Routine

For men whose skin needs that extra bit of moisture, the NIVEA MEN Protect & Care range is the answer. Formulated to protect skin from dryness, the range works to refresh the skin's natural moisture barrier, helping to protect it from drying out for clean, smooth, healthy-looking skin. 

Pairing the NIVEA MEN Protect & Care Refreshing Face Wash with the NIVEA MEN Protect & Care Face Lotion will help to provide skin with extra levels of moisture. 

Use the NIVEA MEN Protect & Care Exfoliating Face Scrub as your mechanical exfoliant as instructed above to deeply cleanse pores without drying skin out. The scrub formula is enriched with soothing Aloe Vera and Provitamin B5 and is suitable for all skin types. Those with oilier skin may consider daily use. 
man smiling

Summary - Skincare Routine for Men

Adopting a skincare routine is the first step to promoting healthier-looking skin. However, like many things in life, there are no miracle shortcuts and results come from consistency over time. Find products suited to your skin and be careful to observe how your skin responds, remember to complete your skincare routine in both the morning and evening. If new products begin irritating skin, it is recommended to stop using them and seek a dermatologist's advice. 

The full range of NIVEA MEN products has been specifically created with the unique needs of men's skin in mind. Browse the full range of NIVEA MEN products to find those that match your needs and kickstart your new routine today. 
NIVEA MEN Products

MENS SKINCARE PRODUCTS


The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to: 

1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin 

2. Improve the appearance of the skin 

3. Achieve healthier-looking skin 

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