By Matthew Stevens

It’s not uncommon for guys to have a quick look inside the medicine cabinets of friends they consider to be well groomed to see what products they’re using. Why? The answer is simple: deep down guys want to have great skin just like our female counterparts.

The problem is we’re either too cheap or too lazy to do the research on our own. The same went for me until Lindsay became a beauty editor & Instagram influencer  and product began flowing through the door. I’ve literally seen and tested over a hundred skin care products and I feel like I have a pretty good grip on the best ones for men.

Us guys don’t necessarily need or want to have a dozen steps to skincare like the ladies, so I’ve narrowed it down to 4 easy steps we can easily take on a daily basis to get the skin we want. If and when I come across products that work better I’ll be sure to update this list.

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4-STEP MEN’S SKINCARE ROUTINE:

1. Wash your face with a cleanser.
2. Apply a (line reducing) serum.
3. Apply facial cream (or sunscreen on vacation).
4. Apply an eye cream.

FACE MASK: I do this maybe once every two weeks.
EXFOLIATING FACE WIPES: Good for on-the-go or travel. I use once a week.

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Face Wash:
BELIF Creamy Cleansing Foam Moist

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Up until five years ago when every quality face wash on the planet began rolling into my apartment I was using Clearasil like almost every other bro out there. I thought Clearasil was doing the trick because I had little to no acne, except for a single “hot spot” right between my eyes near my left eyebrow, where every so often I would get the most annoying pimple. Literally I would pray that this hot spot wouldn’t erupt just prior to a date or any other important event I had going on in life. Clearsil was cheap too—around $7 a tube—which was perfect for my college years when the only money I made went right back to the bar I worked at the next night (shout to Harry’s). I liked the way Clearasil would suds up in my hand, and while it made me feel like I was really getting my face clean, it would dry my skin out like crazy. When I began using higher quality face wash I was able to take care of the drying quickly, but nothing was solving the hot spot issue. Until I found BELIF. That may sound a bit salesy (and this post is not sponsored) but it’s true – this has been the THE only face wash that 1) lathers up the way I like 2) doesn’t over dry my skin and 3) rid my life completely of the hot spot plague. I’ve tried other face washes over the years, mostly on business trips since BELIF does not make travel size, but nothing, I mean nothing, has ever come close.

Honorable mention: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser

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Eye Cream:
It Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream

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We’re guys and can barely remember to tie our shoes let alone shop for an eye cream. But if you’re like me, you’re getting to the age where you’re beginning to notice your eyes looking like your jeans from high school: baggy.  Lindsay can tell you that after discovering the benefits of a good eye cream, it’s the only product I put up a fight for when she’s giving product out to friends as gifts. Most eye creams come in travel sizes (under 3oz) so luckily I’ve been able to try dozens of different eye creams both at home and on the road. The key to a good eye cream is to find one that is not too thick but not too thin, one that can de-puff your eyes if you didn’t get good sleep the night before, and one that will show you long term transformative results. The long and short is that this eye cream by It Cosmetics hit the nail on the head in each prerequisite. Don’t be put off by the $38 price tag, the product will last a long time and you’ll be really happy with the results.

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MORE: 10 Style Essentials Every Man Needs

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Face Cream:
FAB Ultra Repair Cream

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Face cream is another product we see a lot of coming through the door and again I’ve tried out dozens of different options over the years. I find that most face creams are too light weight, absorb into my skin quickly, and have me coming back for more after only a few short hours. One thing I love about FAB Ultra Repair Cream is that you can apply very little to your face and get that perfect mid-weight feel which will last you throughout the day. Not to mention the soft creamy texture is great.

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Face Mask:
Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Mask

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Lindsay has forcefully applied many different masks onto my face over the years. I’m sure many of you have seen some of this go down on her Instagram stories. I was never really into most masks because they either solidified onto my face like plaster or were so goopy I couldn’t wait to get the damn thing off my face. The 24K Gold Mask from Peter Thomas Roth is a lot different. I don’t do face masks that often, maybe twice per month when I get back from a work trip, but what I love about this mask is that it feels like I’m applying a lotion to my face, it rinses off easily, and also blends well into my skin so I don’t look like an alien walking around the apartment. More importantly the product delivers on everything it states on the tub in the picture above – I should really be using it more often. Keep the mask on for 10 minutes or so and you’re golden (no pun intended!) Again don’t be concerned with the price, the product lasts so long and works so well it’s totally #worthit.

Honorable Mention: Jaxon Lane Bro Mask, the least goopy of all masks, fit for a man’s face.

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Sunscreen:
SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair SPF 50

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I don’t know about you, but for me at age 33 the term “GTL” (Gym, Tan, Laundry) doesn’t seem to resonate like it used to. Nowadays it’s more like… “L.” So in an effort to avoid looking like an 80 year old man by the time I’m 40, I started using some serious sun protection on my face. SPF 50 may sound like a lot of protection but really you can never have too much. Our sun is getting stronger (and more harmful) each year and if you plan to travel to countries located near the equator where the sun is the strongest, you’re going to need a lot of help to avoid having a “situation.” I’ve found that with this product I’m able to get good color without burning my skin.

Honorable mention: Clarins Sunscreen Multi-Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 50 

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Exfoliating Pads:
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

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Sometimes your face needs a bit of extra help getting the crap out. With all the pollution we’re pumping into our atmosphere these days, an exfoliant is a must-have in the skincare routine. I use one facial pad on my face and neck every week, focusing particular attention to my forehead, sides of my nose, and I’ll even hit behind and around my ears. It’s like mom always said: “Don’t forget to clean behind your ears!!” These pads are alcohol-free and won’t irritate your skin, just be careful not to rub too hard on the face or for too long. Wait about 5 minutes until your face drys then apply the face cream I told you to buy.

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Anti-Aging Product:
Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate

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Unless you’re getting Brotox, you’re sure to find a few (if not more) lines on your face. Most of us have them on our forehead and some of us have them (or will eventually have them) on the outer edges of our eyes (aka crow’s feet). And they only get worse as we get older. The idea here (and for most skin care products) is to reverse the signs of aging as much as possible now, before it’s too late. This Line-Reducing Concentrate from Kiehl’s is formulated to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and improve skin firmness so that you can delay the inevitable for as long as possible. When applying the product, Lindsay always tells me to use a patting motion rather than a rubbing or swiping motion.

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