Skincare for men who think they don't do skincare

If you wash your face, shave or trim your beard, you already have a skincare routine. It's probably just built around whatever was in the shower. A few small swaps make a visible difference, and none of them take longer than brushing your teeth.

Swap the soap

Body soap and bar soap are made for your body. On your face they can leave skin tight and dry, which makes shaving rougher. A gentle face wash, morning and night, is the single easiest upgrade.

Moisturize after you shave

Shaving takes off a layer along with the hair. A light moisturizer right after calms things down and keeps skin from feeling raw. If it stings, look for something without fragrance or alcohol.

• Shave after a warm shower, when hair is softer.
• Use a fresh blade and go with the grain if you get irritation.
• Rinse with cool water, pat dry, then moisturize.

If you have a beard

The skin under it still needs washing and moisture. A few drops of beard oil, worked through to the skin, keeps the beard soft and the skin underneath from flaking.

Wear sunscreen

Every day, SPF 30 or higher, on your face, ears and the back of your neck. It's the one step that pays off over decades. Plenty of sunscreens are made to disappear on skin and work under a beard.

No permission required

Taking care of your skin doesn't make you less of anything. It's the same instinct as a good haircut or a shirt that fits. Do it for yourself.

Razor bumps that don't settle, rashes or anything that worries you are worth a visit to a dermatologist.