Expert consulted: The shelves of the men’s grooming aisles have never been better stocked, with more lotions, balms and gadgets than you can shake a stick of concealer at. Men’s Health’s editors have done the grunt work and separated bathroom cabinet treasures from the sink-side space-wasters, so you can just focus on looking your best. You're welcome, you handsome devil.
Skincare
It’s one of your most valuable assets. Look like a leading man with these rejuvenating unguents and problem-solving treatments.
Rich in vitamin C to combat environmental pollution, this nourishes thirsty skin without leaving greasy residue. It also has an SPF30 rating to shield you from UVA and UVB nasties.
Your unconscious hours aren’t just dead time. This cream contains moisturising ceramides, saskatoon berry and dragon-fruit extract to recharge your face as you recharge your batteries.
Viscous masks are great for purging detritus from your skin, but waiting for one to work is a faff. Heath’s shower mask is simpler – just slap it on in the shower, finish your ablutions and wash it off.
We all know eating oranges will ward off scurvy, but vitamin C is a great topical treatment, too, helping to smooth over imperfections. A few drops of this serum daily will make your mug glow.
This moisturiser from Seoul-based Laneige is full of hyaluronic acid, to make even the thirstiest skin glow like a K-popper’s.
Wearing SPF even on cloudy days is wise, but slathering it on daily can feel a bit heavy. For something lighter, try Haeckel’s SPF50+, made from seaweed harvested on the Kent coastline.
Lesse’s formula contains green tea leaf extract, silk tree bark and prickly pear seed for a triple-pronged solution to fine lines, circles and dehydration. It’ll revive tired peepers in a blink.
Hyaluronic acid is a key molecule involved in moisture retention and skin ageing. It’s used to good effect in this multi-action serum, which helps to iron out fine lines with fast results.
111Skin’s products are inspired by Harley Street treatments; these patches use ‘microcones’ for absorption of the retinol- and peptide-rich formula, to iron out creases as you sleep.
Everyone’s skin rebels from time to time. Murad’s potion harnesses salicylic acid, amino acid and ginger root extract to soothe skin and eliminate bacteria to prevent future breakouts.
Developed especially for men, this undetectable tinted skin booster will discreetly hide facial flaws and moisturise at the same time. The architectural aluminium case is refillable and looks more like an objet d’art.
Shaving
Battling to tame the fuzz? This kit will add finesse to even the most unruly facial shrubbery.
Swedes have a knack for design and it shows in Estrid’s razor. An easy-grip ergonomic handle, five diamond-coated blades and vitamin E-infused hydration strips make for a close yet gentle shave. A wall mount keeps your sink clutter-free.
From a brand that has made shaving its business, this conditioning spray contains grapeseed and jojoba oils to soften and tame your prize topiary without oiliness, while fruit acids help slough off dead skin cells beneath. Just spritz, shape and go.
Braun’s Series 9 Pro shaver is the most cutting edge in its line-up. Using Sonic Technology to speed up shaving, this German-made workhorse lasts up to six weeks on a single charge, is waterproof and comes with a nifty portable charging case.
Pesky ingrowing hairs are a common side effect of a close shave, but this unguent from Anthony will work wonders on those bumps. The glycolic-acid formula sloughs off dead skin cells to get hairs growing the right way again.
If you often find you’ve missed a few strays, this might be your solution. This transparent emollient offers a clear view for precise razoring and contains witch hazel, aloe vera and orange extract to ward off blemishes and soothe your skin.
Body Care
It’s not all about the abs, you know. These bathroom-cabinet heroes will have you scrubbed up and buff in no time.
Utilising the botanicals native to the Irish coastline, this exfoliating body scrub contains a blend of seven seaweed extracts, as well as spearmint, peppermint, menthol and plant-based cellulose fibres to slough off dead skin cells and detoxify.
Less cough-inducing than an aerosol and more hygienic than a roll-on, this tube-dispensed invisible dry powder has a proprietary ‘barrier complex’ to keep you fresh and dry no matter how hot under the collar you get.
Italy is a land of olfactory delights and this vitamin E-rich body wash bottles the scent of la dolce vita. Italian lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, fig nectar, pink pepper and cedar wood make your morning ablution feel like a weekend in Positano. Well, almost.
If you have trouble nodding off, a cup of camomile can help. This sensory point oil from Anatomē takes it a step further – it uses 16 essential oils, dominated by blue camomile, to calm your busy min
If you’ve been hitting it a bit hard in training, this lotion will help stave off the aches. It’s formulated with magnesium and arnica montana flower to relieve tension and tightness, while cocoa and shea butter condition taxed skin.
Dental Care
You only have one set of gnashers, so invest in them – if only to avoid another session at the dentist.
With this dentist-approved powder, a glossy white smile has never been easier to achieve. Sprinkle on top of your toothpaste.
Electric toothbrushes aren’t kind to the environment, but SURI’s is different: heads are made from cornstarch, it last for 40 days on a single charge and all components are repairable and recyclable.
This set, designed for morning and evening, uses citrus and mint to pep you up in the morning, and camomile and valerian to help you wind down before you hit the hay.
This sonic water flosser uses 2,000 pulses a minute to blast detritus from all the nooks and crannies between your teeth and along your gum line. It also has the largest water tank on the market and antimicrobial technology, making it both practical and squeaky-clean.
Fragrance
No one wants to just smell like ‘person’. These fresh colognes will help you leave your mark in the right way.
Given that Channing Tatum is this scent’s poster boy, it’s not surprising that it packs a punch. A heady Mediterranean mix of blood orange, grapefruit, Sicilian bergamot, white amber, pink pepper and oak moss, it’s juicy and invigorating.
Made by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, this latest addition to the Sauvage line has an alcohol-free, water-based formula so it’s kind to skin. Combining blanched lavender, elemi resin and musky notes, it’s a crisp and light daily wearer.
Designed to scent and hydrate together, this post-workout shower pick-me-up combines Japanese green citrus with tonka bean, white musk, mandarin and cedar. It will be the best smelling thing to come out of your gym bag.
Anyone for a cuppa? Akro’s latest artisanal launch uses bergamot, freesia and vetiver to affect the toasted herbal bitterness of Chinese oolong tea. This might just be your perfect brew.
Is there anything more comforting in winter than sipping a smoky dram by a fire? Kilian’s scent takes its notes from an 18-year-old whisky, but it won’t leave you smelling like an old soak.
From the oldest apothecary in the world, this warm, woody scent is distinguished by Tuscan tobacco leaves, with sandalwood, vanilla and birch wood as support notes.
This woody scent, blending amber, ginger and citrus, comes in a pocket-sized roll-on dispenser, so you can smell great on the go.
Hair Care
Your hair is one of the easiest ways to switch up your look, and how you wear it speaks volumes. We’ve found the right kit to tame, define and bolster.
As its name suggests, this cream is the ultimate multitasker. Containing simmondsia chinensis seed oil and hydrolysed wheat protein to hydrate and plump, it conditions, combats frizz, and adds texture and shine, all while whipping your barnet into shape.
Cantu is the go-to for wavy-haired folk and this clever gel does exactly what it says on the tin. Made with shea butter, flaxseed and olive oil, it locks in moisture to combat frizz, while the flexible hold offers great styling benefits without any crunch.
Shampoo in a bottle is as passé as frosted tips. Bars go a long way and eliminate packaging, helping Mother Earth. This uses cedarwood and bergamot to promote growth, and jojoba and coconut oil to hydrate, so you can skip the conditioner.
Most men need to face thinning locks at some point, but this tonic will help plump up your thatch. The leave-in spray contains niacinamide, globulus leaf oil, eucalyptus and caffeine to expand hair fibres while invigorating your scalp.
Saw palmetto can help keep prostate issues in check, but it’s also good for your tresses. Made from the plant’s berries, these one-a-day capsules will support a healthy head of hair.
These heavy-duty clippers will probably outlast your hairline. The lithium-ion battery holds 90 minutes of juice, while the four attachment combs can handle any job – long or short.
Lacking the SPF of a full head of hair? Slap on this moisturising sun shield, which is fast-absorbing and gives a shine-free finish.
Tech and Tools
Ready for an upgrade? There’s a host of gear out there to help you achieve peak handsome.
Armed with 272 medical-grade laser diodes, the PowerFlex Cap is a mighty tool to wake up sleepy follicles without the mess of topical treatments. Clinical trials have shown an 81% increase in hair growth in test subjects. Switch on the power bank and wear it for seven minutes every other day while you go about your business.
This rechargeable LED face mask uses red- and blue-light therapy to stimulate collagen production to combat wrinkles and imperfections, and eliminate bacteria. You won’t want to answer the door in it, but treatment time is just three minutes per day.
Known for its bulletproof Swiss army knives, Victorinox also makes a range of equally practical personal care tools. This nail-care card case has everything you need to keep your talons tamed, from scissors to a glass file, tweezers and a handy magnifying loupe.
Pulsio Air Massage Gun
Don’t let this massage gun’s pint-size proportions fool you: it’s small but very mighty. Made from aerospace-grade aluminium, the lightweight device is 50% more powerful than others on the market and packs in 12 hours of juice.
