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Up Your Grooming Game with Enhanced Skin and Hair Care Products
Even men who are product minimalists will find these new formulations and invigorating scents irresistible
(From left) Grab a few select products that will make you feel good and look even better, including: BLD BRO Daily 50; Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer; Native Ocean Timber Moisturizing Shampoo; Oars + Alps Face Moisturizer & Eye Cream; and NIVEA MEN Maximum Hydration Face Wash.
AARP (Shutterstock, BLD BRO, Nordstrom, Target, Macy’s, CVS)
“Men’s grooming is finally having its glow-up,” the U.S. Chamber of Commerce boasted in December, as global product sales are growing 8 percent a year and expected to hit $276 billion in 2030. More than half the men in the country use grooming products as part of their wellness routine, to look good and as a confidence booster. So there’s no reason to slack off as there are more potions and lotions than ever aimed men’s way. Here’s a select guide to some of the notable contenders, from your head to your toes.
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(From left) Pete & Pedro BOLD Bourbon Shampoo and Cowboy Creme Conditioner; Suave Professionals Men 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner, Moisturizing, Ocean Charge; Native Ocean Timber Moisturizing Shampoo
AARP (Nordstrom, 2; Target, 2)
Get a head start
The calming scents of lavender and cedarwood in Suave Men’s Stress Relief line are designed to help you calmly gear up for the day or wind down after hours. The 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner ($6, walmart.com) handily combines two hair-care steps into one nourishing formula. As seen on Shark Tank, the brand Pete & Pedro offers a richer, warmer scent with Bold Bourbon Shampoo, which pairs well with its Cowboy Creme Conditioner ($16 each, nordstrom.com). Don’t be fooled by the name; the shampoo skips alcohol in its nourishing list of ingredients in favor of botanicals for conditioning, rice protein said to help strengthen weak follicles and burdock root to soothe the scalp. Another option is Native Ocean Timber Moisturizing Shampoo ($12, target.com), which carries the invigorating aroma of a sea breeze and is free from artificial sulfates and parabens, offering gentle yet thorough cleansing powered by plant-based oils.
(From left) HeadLube Matte Moisturizing Lotion; Dare 2B Bald Shave Cream; BLD BRO Daily 50
AARP (HeadBlade, CVS, BLD BRO)
Balder truths
Whether a natural effect of aging or razored smooth, a clean pate has become a power move; just look at the likes of actors Samuel L. Jackson and Stanley Tucci and sports icon Michael Jordan. It’s also a convenient grooming flex, and several products will keep baldies looking their best.
HeadLube Matte Moisturizing Lotion ($13, headblade.com) is a noncomedogenic (meaning it won’t clog your pores) formula that’s antioxidant-enriched and tames the “shiny dome” effect, leaving a naturally energizing peppermint scent behind. BLD BRO Daily 50 ($45, bldbro.com) is a lightweight, water-resistant moisturizing gel that delivers maximum UV protection while withstanding sweat, swimming pools and extended outdoor activities without irritating sensitive skin and eyes. Dare 2B Bald Shave Cream ($6, cvs.com) lubricates the scalp to reduce razor drag, ensuring a close, smooth shave while minimizing razor bumps and irritation with a moisturizing blend of natural butters, oils and conditioners.
(From left) NIVEA MEN Maximum Hydration Face Wash; La Roche Posay Toleriane Purifying Facial Cleanser; Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash
AARP (CVS, Target, Macy’s)
Hit a foam run
Ditch that old bar of soap at nighttime for the new breed of men’s face washes that gently foam while bringing deep-cleaning action to remove excess dirt and oils. Moisturizers in these formulas also protect the skin from drying out or feeling tight. Nivea Men Maximum Hydration Face Wash ($8, cvs.com) is a moisturizing facial cleanser specifically designed for men to soothe and nourish the skin. It’s formulated with aloe vera, provitamin B5 and other moisturizers to replenish the skin. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Facial Cleanser ($16, target.com) is a foaming gel that routinely cleanses oily-to-normal skin of dirt and impurities while maintaining the skin’s natural moisture barrier and pH in an alcohol- and chemical-free preparation. Made for all men’s skin types, Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash ($15, macys.com) removes debris, dirt and oil with a non-drying cleanse. An energizing wake-up call for the face, the gel formula with caffeine, menthol and vitamin E also preps for a comfortable shave.
The eyes have it
It’s no secret that the eyes are one of the first places men start to show their age. While those crinkles can add character, dedicated eye creams are now a standard feature in many men’s skin care lines. And for good reason — they’re effective in terms of hydrating the skin and maintaining essential collagen to minimize the appearance of these furrows and lines.
If you’re a maintenance minimalist, Oars + Alps Face Moisturizer & Eye Cream ($22, macys.com) is an all-around player that both moisturizes skin and fights free radicals (a main component of aging). Fortified with aloe leaf juice and vitamin E, the nongreasy, fast-absorbing mixture is alcohol-free, so it will not irritate the skin after you shave. If you’re looking for quick results as well as long-term benefits, Harry’s Brightening Eye Cream for Men ($12, target.com) helps reduce the appearance of dark under-eye circles instantly and looks natural on a range of skin tones. Fragrance-free and ophthalmologist-tested, the elixir pairs brown seaweed extract with algae extract to help reduce the appearance of dark circles in the long term.
From Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s skin care lineup comes a quick fix to give those peepers some pop. Papatui’s Ageless Action Undereye Patches ($13, target.com) are stocked with a high-performance blend of peptides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. These patches are said to visibly reduce puffiness, dark circles and fine lines just 10 minutes after application, thanks to their dermatologist-tested, lightweight, nongreasy formula.
(From left) Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer; Dionis Goat Milk Hand & Body Cream - Men's Fresh; NIVEA MEN Creme, Face Hand and Body Cream
AARP (Nordstrom, Kohl’s, Walmart)
Gotta hand it to you
Hands are often the first thing people notice about you, and yet a good hand cream is one of the most underrated grooming products for men. Everything from the extremes of winter weather and sun exposure wreaks havoc, not to mention a battering from rugged hobbies, a weight-lifting routine or drying soaps.
Hand creams are often thicker for better skin protection and, hands down, more beneficial when used every day for continuous relief from dryness and chapping. Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer ($16, nordstrom.com) is a go-to for men who wash their hands often or spend time outdoors in extreme temperatures. The nongreasy cream contains vitamins A and E to help heal and soothe dry, chapped, cracked hands. No bleats about it, Dionis Goat Milk Hand & Body Cream – Men’s Fresh ($12, kohls.com) contains goat milk, which is loaded with protein, fat, iron and a slew of vitamins to soothe your dry paws. The nongreasy salve is dermatologist-tested and safe for sensitive skin. Good for travel or to stow in a gym bag, Nivea Men Creme, Face, Hand and Body Cream ($11, walmart.com) is a multipurpose tub of concentrated cream designed to moisturize and protect a man’s face, body and hands with quick-absorbing action and nongreasy practicality.
Aveda’s Foot Relief Foot Cream
AARP (Nordstrom)
No mean feet
Defunkifying your feet is another grooming challenge that’s getting more attention these days. Those trotters need some dedicated tending to avoid an unsightly appearance, lingering odors and that general tuckered-out feeling. Aveda’s Foot Relief Foot Cream ($28, nordstrom.com) moisturizes with a blend of exfoliating fruit acids and plant-derived oils like jojoba and castor. Peppermint oil and tea tree oil leave a cool and invigorated result at the end of the day. Safe for all skin types, Dry Goods Original Athletic Spray Powder ($20, walmart.com) helps keep feet dry, fresh and fungus-free with a cooling effect that alleviates heat and irritation, leaving you feeling refreshed. Lather Eucalyptus Foaming Foot Scrub with Pumice ($20, lather.com) utilizes pumice and quartz to gently slough away dead skin, while glycerin nourishes the heels. Its soothing blend of essential oils helps stimulate and refresh tired, achy feet and toes.
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