What is a simple skincare routine for men?

A simple routine has two fixed steps: washing your face and a day cream with SPF. A night cream is the third step if you want more, not an obligation. You do not need more than three steps.

What your routine does

Three steps, the same every day. One: cleanse, morning and evening with the Daily Face Wash. Two: protect, the Day Cream SPF 30 during the day. Three: moisturise, the Night Cream in the evening. If you are just starting, begin with steps one and two.

What you notice

You do want to do something about your skin, but the shop is full of rows of tubs. Online you find routines of five steps and more.

And you wonder whether a night cream is really necessary, or whether water would do. That doubt is justified. Many of the products you are recommended, you do not need.

Where it can come from

What determines what you need:

  • Your skin. Does it shine, does it feel tight, or is it red after shaving? Your choice depends on that, more than on the number of steps.
  • The sun. There is solid research on daily sun protection (Hughes 2013). Dermatologists do differ on how often it is needed; see the page about daily SPF.
  • Shaving. A blade takes off a layer of skin cells along with the hair (Frontiers in Medicine 2023). If you shave every day, read the page about skin after shaving as well.
  • What you keep up. A routine you actually do every day is worth more than an elaborate one sitting in the cupboard.

The routine is the same for everyone; we do not tailor it to skin type and have not tested it for that.

The routine

Essentials Kit The whole routine in 30 ml: cleanser, day cream and night cream, to try.
View the Essentials KitAnswer 3 questions

Bronnen

  • Thuisarts: I have pimples (acne) — Dutch-language source (source)
  • Thuisarts: I have rosacea — Dutch-language source (source)
  • Thuisarts: A spot on your skin — Dutch-language source(source)
  • Thuisarts: I have dry skin — Dutch-language source (source)
  • Frontiers in Medicine 2023: shaving and water loss from the skin (source)
  • Hughes et al., Ann Intern Med 2013: sunscreen and skin ageing (source)

Other questions

Another question about your skin?

Weet je het niet? Beantwoord 3 vragen
My skin feels tight after washing I want to keep it simple I see the first fine lines Red skin after shaving I look tired My skin gets shiny quickly