Men’s skincare has undergone a shift of seismic proportions over the last decade. No longer are men restricted to 3-in-1 face wash/body wash/dishwashing liquid style products while women seemingly have a different formulation for each elbow. Today, skincare is primarily unisex, with pioneering gender-neutral and men’s skincare brands leading the way in active skincare, offering everything from toners and cleansers to serums and sunscreens.
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To cover all your hydration, exfoliation, brightening, and anti-ageing needs, here are our favourite unisex skincare and dedicated men’s skincare and grooming brands.
1. Paula’s Choice
Known for their high-quality active ingredients and effective formulas at a reasonable price point, Paula’s Choice has long been a favourite in the skincare world. For best results, look further than the dedicated men’s range and instead select from the vast array of unisex cleansers, serums, boosters, exfoliants, and moisturisers. Our favourites here at AR are the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, C15 Super Booster, and 10% Niacinamide Booster.
2. Malin+Gotez
New York-based label Malin+Goetz produces uncomplicated yet effective luxury skincare, haircare, and fragrance that appeals to all genders. Combining modern technology with natural ingredients, their skincare products are formulated with sensitive skin in mind, with the range being easy to navigate; skincare novices can start with a simple cleanser and moisturiser routine, then incorporate targeted masks, serums, and exfoliants to address specific concerns.
3. The Groomed Man Co.
Designed by men for men, Australian brand The Groomed Man Co. creates natural, no-nonsense men’s skincare, haircare, and beard care that doesn’t skimp on performance while being enjoyable to use. The Groomed Man Co. takes an easy to implement cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturise approach to skincare, utilitising nourishing natural ingredients like jojoba oil, pracaxi oil, green tea extract, and activated charcoal to create effective formulas that live up to what they say on the bottle. Doing away with the traditional black-and-white packaging adopted by many dedicated men’s skincare brands, The Groomed Man Co. opts for a fun, colourful approach that makes each product easy to identify while looking slick on your shelf. Highlights include the Fresh Face Kit that comprises a moisturiser, cleanser, and scrub, and the range of aromatic beard oils with unique scents like morning wood and cool cola.
4. Kiehl’s
Apothecary brand Kiehl’s has been a stalwart in the skincare industry since its inception in 1851. While its standard products are suitable for all genders, Kiehl’s also has a dedicated men’s skincare line which aims to leave the skin feeling hydrated, refreshed, and energised, and houses one of our favourite moisturisers; Kiehl’s Facial Fuel. Other cult-favourite products from the standard line include the Crème de Corps body moisturiser and Midnight Recovery Concentrate.
5. Bulldog
Ideal for those looking for sensible men’s skincare at budget prices, British brand Bulldog provides simple, vegan-friendly formulas that get the job done. Designed with ease of use and men’s skin in mind, Bulldog has a range of cleansers, moisturisers, and shaving products that deliver on what they promise.
6. Grown Alchemist
Utilising potent antioxidants as well as active ingredients, Grown Alchemist combines innovative science with natural skincare, resulting in efficacious formulas that target specific skincare concerns as well as work to encourage cellular renewal, and stimulate collagen and elastin production. With their minimalist-chic lab-like packaging, Grown Alchemist caters to everyone.
7. Aesop
Known for their unparalleled olfactory experience and scientific-chic packaging, Australian brand Aesop formulate skincare and haircare products that utilise results-driven botanical and lab-developed ingredients. With an expansive skincare range, Aesop has all your cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising, and treatment needs covered, all with Aesop’s gorgeous signature scent.
8. Charles + Lee
Designed to fill a gap in the market for affordable, effective men’s skincare, Australian skincare label Charles + Lee creates easy-to-use products filled with natural, good-for-you ingredients. Designed to keep men’s skin looking good without the faff, the Charles + Lee range is cost-effective and simple to adopt, with the core range consisting of a cleanser, scrub, moisturiser, and lip balm. Plus, the black-and-white packaging looks great in your bathroom.
9. Hunter Lab
With a simple cleanse, exfoliate, moisturise, treat philosophy, Hunter Lab is perfect for the skincare minimalist. Their pared-back philosophy is reflected in their easy to navigate range as well as their sleek packaging. Free-from synthetic ingredients, their gentle, non-irritating formulas are suitable for all skin types, with a focus on cleansed, hydrated skin.
10. Bro-To
The folks at Bro-To believe that skin is…well, skin. That’s why the Bro-To range is simply the core Go-To formulas packaged in vibrant blue and red, with a figgy, woodsy scent (as opposed to the more floral notes sported by its sister brand). The three-piece strong Bro-To range consists of Go-To’s most beloved formulas; the Properly Clean facial cleanser, Very Useful Face Cream, and our personal favourite, the Bro-To Face Hero, a luxurious face and beard oil.
11. ESK Evidence Skincare
Australian company ESK designs evidence-based skincare products in collaboration with scientists, dermatologists, and doctors. With fragrance-free, efficacious formulas targeting skincare concerns like pigmentation, dull complexion, signs of ageing, and acne, ESK delivers fuss-free scientifically formulated products that produce excellent results.
12. STUFF Skincare
Launched last year, Australian men’s skincare brand STUFF creates no-nonsense, vegan-friendly face and body care products while championing young men’s mental health. Crafted in collaboration with Aesop Global Director of Innovation, Dr Kate Forbes, STUFF uses scientifically proven botanicals and actives to create formulas that are simple yet effective. Highlights include the aptly named STUFF for your head and body with cedar and spice; and STUFF for your face moisturiser with aloe vera, patchouli, and almond oil. The entire range is priced at under $15, with STUFF working in collaboration with the Man Cave, a preventative mental health and emotional intelligence charity, to sponsor Australian boys from lower socioeconomic areas to attend their programs.
13. Youth To The People
Founded by cousins Greg Gonzalez and Joe Cloyes, Californian skincare brand Youth To The People has carved out a strong following since its inception in 2015. Known for its hero products like the Kale + Green Tea Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser and 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum, Youth To The People pairs nutrient-dense superfoods with clinical-grade vegan active ingredients to create safe, efficacious products.
14. Patricks
The brainchild of former luxury male hairdressing salon owner Patrick Kidd, Patricks was created to fill a gap in the market for efficacious skincare and haircare products. Combining innovative formulas with stylish packaging, Patricks harnesses active ingredients like retinoids, peptides, and niacinamide to create skincare products that actually do what they say. And for the follicularly challenged guys among us, there’s a dedicated haircare range targeted towards preserving your strands.
15. Triumph & Disaster
Kiwi brand Triumph & Disaster makes use of its bucolic New Zealand heritage, combining the botanical ingredients of its hometown (think Horopito oil and Ponga fern extract) as well as those from the wider South Pacific region to create natural formulas that don’t skimp on efficacy. Plus, the largely monochromatic packaging has a charming throwback element to it, recalling the barbershop products of yesteryear.
Words by AR Staff
