Women's skincare routines often begin early in life, shaped by endless beauty advice, viral 'Get Ready with Me' videos, and makeover shows.
Recent reports even suggest children as young as eight are starting to use skincare products. By comparison, the conversation around men's skincare and grooming has traditionally been far more limited, leaving many men wondering where to start when it comes to building a morning and evening routine.
Celebrity men's hairdresser and groomer Joe Mills believes simplicity is the foundation of any good grooming regime. "A simple routine with a handful of products used consistently will always outperform a bathroom cabinet full of products that never get used," he says, adding that the philosophy should be "looking like the best version of yourself – not like you've spent an hour getting ready."
Adam Reed, founder of Arkive by Adam Reed and Arkive Headcare, agrees. "I've always believed that a great grooming routine doesn't need to be complicated," he says. And the best place to start? A ruthless clear-out.
“That travel-size shampoo from a hotel two vacations ago is not 'saving for later'; it's a fossil," says Tom Harrigan, head barber at The Ned. "If you haven't used it since you bought it, it's not an essential, it's clutter cosplaying as one."
We asked the experts to share the products every man should keep in his vanity cabinet, from the everyday essentials to the finishing touches that will help you look – and feel –your best.
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The best men’s grooming products
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iS Clinical Cleansing Complex
To start, Harrigan recommends investing in a quality cleanser. "It'll last ages, and actually make your skin feel like skin again," he says.
His pick is the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex, a gentle clarifying gel suitable for sensitive complexions. Formulated with bionutrients, antioxidants, and mild resurfacing ingredients, it deeply cleans and cleanses without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.
Price
$49
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Le Labo Basil Face Scrub
For an invigorating face scrub, Harrigan recommends Le Labo's Face Scrub as his current favourite. "It's a huge 125ml tub, and you only need a pea-sized amount, so it lasts an age," he says.
The vegan formula buffs away dead skin cells while leaving the complexion smooth and subtly fragranced, with fresh notes of verbena and basil.
Price
$65
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Kiehl’s Facial Fuel SPF 20 Moisturizer
Harrigan describes moisturizer as the "daily foundation" of any grooming routine and recommends choosing one with SPF. His go-to is Kiehl's Facial Fuel, which he describes as a "light, fresh option".
Formulated with caffeine and vitamins C and E, the lightweight moisturizer is designed to revive tired, dull-looking skin, delivering lasting hydration without leaving a greasy finish.
Price
$52
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Wildsmith Hydrating Light Cream
Another favourite is the lightweight moisturizer from English skincare and wellbeing brand Wildsmith, born out of The Bothy at Heckfield Estate in Hampshire. “It’s lightweight, absorbs beautifully, and keeps my skin feeling comfortable throughout the day,” says Reed.
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Price
$136
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La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Fluid Facial Sunscreen SPF 60
While SPF has become a staple of many skincare routines, it is still one product men often overlook. If your daily moisturizer doesn't already include sun protection, it's worth adding a dedicated sunscreen to your morning routine.
"If I could convince every man to use just one product consistently, it would be a daily SPF," says Mills, who recommends La Roche-Posay's lightweight formula. "It protects against premature ageing, pigmentation, and long-term sun damage. Modern formulas are lightweight enough that there's really no excuse not to wear them."
Price
$35.99
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Clinique For Men Super Energizer Anti-Fatigue Depuffing Eye Gel
Wellbeing journalist Harry Jameson describes a good under-eye gel as "non-negotiable", particularly for frequent travellers. "Long-haul flights, early starts, and late nights can all take their toll, and it's a simple way to look and feel fresher," he says.
Clinique's cooling gel is formulated with hyaluronic acid to help lock in moisture and caffeine to refresh tired-looking eyes, leaving the under-eye area brighter and more awake.
Price
$40
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Evo Cassius Styling Clay
For hair, Mills recommends looking for products that "enhance rather than overpower", adding that the best styling products are the ones "nobody notices".
He reaches for Evo's Styling Clay. "It gives texture and control with a natural matte finish, so hair still looks like hair," he says.
Price
$40
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Santa Maria Novella’s Crema da Barba
For shaving cream, Harrigan favours Santa Maria Novella's Shaving Cream, a longstanding barbershop favourite. "It's a must-have that lives in my bathroom permanently," he says.
Enriched with coconut oil, menthol, and eucalyptus, the cream softens facial hair and conditions the skin to help achieve a close, comfortable shave. It is finished with the warm, aromatic scent of Tobacco Toscano.
Price
$71
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Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving Serum
Aesop's skin, hair, and body care products are known for their distinctive botanical fragrances, and its shaving serum is no exception.
Formulated with a blend of hydrating botanicals, the lightweight serum provides a smooth glide for a close shave while helping to calm and soften the skin. Harrigan particularly recommends it for precision work around the beard and neckline, describing it as "silky and precise".
Price
$43
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Acqua di Parma Colonia Il Profumo Millesimato
Every man’s grooming collection deserves a signature scent, and Acqua di Parma has no shortage of classics. Colonia Il Profumo Millesimato, released to mark the 110th anniversary of the brand’s iconic Colonia fragrance, offers what Harrigan describes as “a richer, more nectarous take on the original”.
More floral than the house’s other fragrances, it centres on Madagascan ylang-ylang, balanced with the bright citrus notes that have long defined Colonia. The result is a fresh, sun-soaked parfum that feels particularly well suited to summer.
Price
$370
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Loewe 7 Eau de Toilette
For something richer and more distinctive, Reed recommends Loewe 7, a fragrance he returns to "time and time again". Its warm, smoky composition blends seven key notes, including incense, red pepper berries, and red apple.
The scent is presented in a striking semi-opaque cobalt-blue glass bottle finished with a wooden cap – smart enough to earn a permanent place in any vanity cabinet.
Price
$135
How we chose the best men's grooming products
Each item featured is independently selected by Elite Traveler’s editors and contributors, informed by first-hand reviews where possible and in-depth research where not. Our curation spans the world’s most luxurious brands, chosen for their uncompromising quality, size inclusions, and exceptional craftsmanship.
