The men's skin care market is growing faster
then most other personal care product categories for a reason: We care about our appearances.
Our guide to men's skincare is meant to be interactive, not preachy. If you have a product to suggest or a men's skin care tip, please feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of the page.
Oh, and don't expect us to pointlessly discuss the so-called "metrosexual" in this guide.
This stereotype is tired because the interest in better skin is now a widespread phenomenon. We get it - when our skin looks healthy and unblemished we feel good, more confident, and often happier.
Why have men done a bad job caring for our skin? We've been ignored and abandoned
Men represent the single most underserved market for personal care products. That's a fact, not an opinion. For reasons that only a marketer could answer, skin care companies felt men were somehow carefree about their skin appearance other than getting a clean shave.
This concentration on men's facial hair is captured by one of the most famous ad campaigns in the 1920's. Burma Shave posted billboards along the highway, each line representing a sign:
- If you think
- She likes
- Your bristles
- Walk bare-footed
- Through some thistles
- Burma-Shave
Shaving products: the gateway drug to better grooming
You've heard that marijuana is the gateway drug to all sorts of heavy drugs like coke and heroin. In terms of men's skin care, shaving products are our gateway to better and healthier grooming. Shaving has proven to be the activitiy where most men get introduced to personalized skin care benefits that go far beyond simplistic skin types like "oily skin" or "dry skin".
Keep reading and commenting!
The skin care market for men is growing so fast we plan to add onto this main guide with subsections linked below. As always, we want your comments, feedback and product suggestions...so please leave your thoughts at the bottom of each section.
unregistered guest
9 Sep 2006
I discovered Jack Black skin care products (read about it in Men's Health). I was just like your describe...a guy using his wife's skin products. I really didn't give it much thought, but now I notice a big difference because Jack Black takes into account I have sensitive skin from the daily shaving. I went to the website to grab the description of my favorite product: ---> 3-in-1 Clear Complexion Solution Razor Bump and Acne Treatment with 2% Salicylic Acid and Green Tea, a multi-tasking, problem-solving solution for ingrown hairs (also know as razor bumps). http://www.getjackblack.com/
unregistered guest
12 Sep 2006
Self tanners for women simply don't cut it for me. I bought on recommendation of my partner a product called Shiseido self tanning moisturizer. Paid $26 for it--which was a lot in my opinion. But it's giving my face and arms a really natural healthy bronze color. Can buy it straight from Shisheido: http://www.sca.shiseido.com/catalog/index.cfm?brand=24
unregistered guest
13 Feb 2007
The breakdown b/w what's wanted and what's not in a men's skin care line seems about right. It's every man's desire to find something that isn't too pricey or girly so to speak, and simply gets the job done. It's to every man's benefit to seek out products that are natural, containing vitamins and nutrients that will protect and soothe the skin.
unregistered guest
10 Sep 2007
I recently discovered Task Essential Skincare products at Bloomingdales. I too had dabbled with some of my wife's products and had tried almost every product marketed to men, but was never satisfied with the results. What a difference these Task Essential products have made on my skin. I highly recommend the Face cleanser, skin feed and their eye serum is unbelievable. This weekend I went back to get the shave foam and after shave balm. Would recommend these products over any of the others I have tried. Simple, not alot of fussing around but highly effective.
unregistered guest
22 May 2009
Definitely check out Bryce Organics. All their products are made from organic whole fruit. I swear by the meyer lemon exfoliator. Blemishes are gone! The pomegranate exfoliator is also amazing and I love the feel of the seeds on my face plus it's really helped with wrinkles. Sometime I take a taste, since it's edible.