A good men’s skincare routine needs three steps: wash your face with a gentle cleanser, apply a moisturiser, and finish with sunscreen in the morning. That covers most of what skin needs. If you want more, add a serum or eye gel as a fourth step, and a clay face mask once or twice a week as a fifth. Keep it consistent rather than complicated.
In short
- The core routine is cleanse, moisturise, SPF. Everything else is optional.
- Apply products thinnest to thickest: cleanser, serum, eye gel, moisturiser, then sunscreen in the morning.
- Use lukewarm water and a mild facial cleanser, not bar soap.
- A clay mask once or twice a week is plenty. More often can leave skin feeling tight.
- Patch test anything new, especially products containing retinol.
What is a basic skincare routine for men?
A skincare routine is simply the order in which you wash, treat and protect your face each day. For most men, the gap between “nothing” and “enough” is three products and about two minutes.
The American Academy of Dermatology’s skincare tips for men cover the same ground: wash your face daily and after exercise with a mild cleanser and lukewarm water, moisturise while skin is still damp, and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin.
That is the foundation. Here is how it scales.
The 3, 4 and 5-step routines at a glance
| Routine | Morning | Evening | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-step (the essentials) | Cleanse, moisturise, SPF | Cleanse, moisturise | — |
| 4-step (add a targeted step) | Cleanse, serum, moisturise, SPF | Cleanse, serum or eye gel, moisturise | — |
| 5-step (add a weekly mask) | Cleanse, serum, moisturise, SPF | Cleanse, serum, eye gel, moisturise | Clay mask once or twice a week, in the evening, after cleansing |
If you are starting from zero, start with three. Add a step only when the first three are a habit.
What order should you apply skincare in?
The general rule is thinnest to thickest. Watery, light products go on first so they are not blocked by heavier creams. Sunscreen goes last in the morning because it needs to sit on top.
- Cleanse. Wet your face with lukewarm water, massage in a small amount of cleanser for 30 seconds or so, rinse and pat dry. Leave skin slightly damp.
- Serum (optional). A few drops pressed into the face and neck. Serums are lighter than moisturisers and designed to be layered underneath.
- Eye gel (optional, evening). A small amount tapped gently around the eye area with your ring finger. Do not drag the skin.
- Moisturise. A thin, even layer across the face and neck while skin is still a little damp.
- SPF (morning). Apply sunscreen last, before you go outside.
On mask days, use the mask after cleansing and before serum and moisturiser, then carry on with the rest of your evening routine.
Which face wash should men use?
A face wash, or facial cleanser, is a gentle wash designed for facial skin. It removes oil, sweat and the day’s grime without the tight, squeaky feeling that ordinary soap can leave. The AAD advises men to choose a mild facial cleanser over regular bar soap, which can be too harsh.
Look for something that feels comfortable rather than stripping. If your face feels tight straight after rinsing, the cleanser is probably too strong for you.
Our Facial Cleanser is made with organic aloe vera, eucalyptus and pomegranate extract, and is designed for all skin types. Use it morning and evening, or just in the evening if your skin is on the dry side and a splash of water does the job in the morning.
Should you wash your face in the shower?
You can, as long as the water is not hot. Hot water can leave skin feeling dry. Lukewarm is the sweet spot, and the same goes for rinsing after shaving.
Do men really need a moisturiser?
Yes, including oily skin. Moisturiser helps keep skin feeling comfortable and soft, and the AAD notes that it works by trapping water in the skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines. Apply it straight after washing, while skin is still damp.
Texture matters more than most men think. A heavy cream on oily skin feels greasy by lunchtime; a thin lotion on dry skin disappears in minutes. A lightweight daily moisturiser suits most people.
The Hydrating Facial Cream is a lightweight daily moisturiser with marine plant extract, jojoba oil and hyaluronic acid. It is the last step before SPF in the morning and the last step full stop at night.
Do you need sunscreen every day?
If your routine has room for only one extra product, make it sunscreen. Hollo does not make an SPF, so use any broad-spectrum sunscreen you like and will actually wear.
The NHS guidance on sunscreen and sun safety recommends a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and at least 4-star UVA protection. It also advises reapplying every two hours, and straight after being in water, towel drying or sweating.
In practice, for an average working day, that means:
- Sunscreen applied last in your morning routine, over moisturiser.
- Do not forget the ears, neck and, if your hair is thin or short, your scalp.
- Reapply if you are spending time outdoors.
Some moisturisers include SPF. If yours does not, layer a separate sunscreen over the top.
Is serum worth it for men?
A serum is a light, concentrated product that sits between cleanser and moisturiser. It is the optional fourth step for men who want a little more than the basics, often because they have started to notice fine lines or larger-looking pores.
It is not essential. But if you enjoy the routine and want one product that does a bit more, a serum is the natural next step.
Our Anti-Ageing Daily Serum is made with rose hip oil and jojoba seed oil. It is lighter than a moisturiser and helps the look of fine lines and pores. Use a few drops after cleansing, morning or evening, then moisturise.
Do men need an eye cream?
The skin around the eyes is thinner than the rest of the face, which is why tiredness tends to show there first. An eye cream or eye gel is a lighter product made for this area.
The Elixir Eye Repair Gel is a lightweight eye-area gel with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, vitamin C and vitamin A (retinol).
A note on retinol
Retinol is a form of vitamin A, and products that contain it need a little care. The AAD’s guidance on retinoids and retinol is to use them at night only, introduce them gradually (every other night to start), and always protect your skin from the sun during the day. That is good general practice for any retinol product, including an eye gel:
- Use it in your evening routine.
- Start slowly if your skin is sensitive, and build up.
- Wear sunscreen the next morning.
- Keep it out of the eyes themselves.
How often should you use a face mask?
Once or twice a week is plenty for a clay mask. Clay masks are designed to absorb excess oil and give skin a deep clean, so using one every day can leave skin feeling tight or dry.
A good evening slot works best:
- Cleanse as normal and pat dry.
- Apply an even layer, avoiding the eye area and lips.
- Leave it on for the time stated on the pack.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
- Follow with serum and moisturiser.
Our Charcoal Face Mask is a once-or-twice-a-week deep-cleansing clay mask with charcoal, coffee seed extract and Moroccan red clay. If your skin is dry, once a week is enough.
How should you adjust your routine for your skin type?
The AAD describes skin types simply: oily skin looks shiny and greasy, dry skin feels rough or flaky, combination skin is oily in some areas and dry in others, and sensitive skin may sting or burn after using a product. Most men can tell which they are by how their face feels by mid-afternoon.
| Skin type | How it tends to feel | What to adjust |
|---|---|---|
| Oily | Shiny by midday, especially the forehead and nose | Cleanse morning and evening. Keep moisturiser light. A clay mask twice a week can help skin feel less greasy. |
| Dry | Tight after washing, sometimes rough or flaky | Cleanse once a day if water feels enough in the morning. Moisturise on damp skin. Mask once a week at most. |
| Combination | Oily T-zone, drier cheeks | Light moisturiser all over. Apply a clay mask to the T-zone only. |
| Sensitive | Stings or feels warm after some products | Keep the routine short. Introduce one new product at a time and patch test first. |
Shaving counts as part of your routine too. If your skin feels sore after shaving, our guide on how to shave without razor burn covers prep, technique and aftercare, and pre-shave oil explains whether an extra prep step is worth it.
Should you patch test new skincare?
Yes, particularly if your skin is sensitive or a product contains retinol. The AAD’s guide to testing skin care products recommends:
- Apply the product twice daily to a small, quarter-sized spot where it will not be rubbed or washed away, such as the inside of your arm or the bend of your elbow.
- Leave it on for as long as you normally would. For wash-off products like cleansers, leave it for about five minutes or as directed.
- Repeat for seven to 10 days.
- If there is no redness, itching or swelling, go ahead and use it.
If you do react, wash the product off gently and stop using it. If irritation is severe or does not settle, speak to a pharmacist or GP.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct order for a men’s skincare routine?
Cleanser first, then serum, then eye gel, then moisturiser, then sunscreen in the morning. The rule is thinnest to thickest, with SPF always last. If you only use three products, it is simply cleanse, moisturise, SPF.
Should men wash their face twice a day?
Most men benefit from washing their face morning and evening, and after exercise. If your skin is dry, a splash of lukewarm water in the morning and a proper cleanse at night can feel more comfortable.
Can I use body wash or soap on my face?
It is best not to. Bar soap and many body washes can be too harsh for facial skin, and the AAD recommends a mild facial cleanser instead.
Is a 3-step routine enough?
For most men, yes. Cleanse, moisturise and protect covers the essentials. Add a serum, an eye gel or a weekly mask only if you want to, and add them one at a time.
When should I use a face mask, morning or night?
Evening tends to work best, after cleansing and before your serum and moisturiser. It gives you time to rinse properly and lets skin settle overnight.
Everything you need for the routine above, from cleanser to clay mask, is in our face collection.