How To Get Clear Skin For Men—The Complete Guide

When it comes to tackling blemishes and stubborn acne, many think the battle ends after puberty and adolescence. But the fight for clear-looking skin is a constant push and pull game. From post-shave irritation and subtle wrinkles to dark spots and pimples that seem to reemerge at the most inconvenient of moments, there are a wide range of skin issues everyone can suffer with, including men.

Before you curse your genes, ask yourself whether your skincare routine has been updated lately, and if your daily lifestyle habits are up to par. And by that, we don’t mean gently washing your face in the morning or stealing your girlfriend’s body wash. Clear-looking skin for men is not easy to obtain, but it can be made easier with the right products along with these skincare do’s and don’ts.

Do: Cleanse Your Face Thoroughly

Washing your face in the morning (and at night) does more than wake you up and prepare you for bed. A good cleansing routine helps rid your skin of dirt, impurities, oils, and debris that can clog your pores and lead to subsequent breakouts. Board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com consultant, Dr. Kim Nichols recommends washing your face two times a day with a gentle cleanser.

Need a rec? Try Kiehl’s Energizing Face Wash. The formula cleanses and purifies without over drying the skin. Its unique blend of ingredients helps to refresh and waken the skin, preparing it for moisturizers, shaving, and a start (or end) to a busy day.

Kiehl’s Energizing Face Wash, $22 MSRP 

Don’t: Forget Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

When summer rolls around, sunscreen use is often a higher priority, but it shouldn’t be ignored during the colder months. Harmful UV rays aren’t exclusive to the sweltering days of August, and protection from sun exposure is required year-round. Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen has been shown both to help prevent skin cancer and reduce the risk of premature signs of skin aging.

We recommend La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid because the formula won’t leave your skin feeling sticky. The fragrance-free composition is suited for all skin types, and the formula features Cell-OX Shield XL, an antioxidant technology which protects the skin against free radicals.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid, $29 MSRP

Do: Exfoliate Your Skin Regularly

What is exfoliation? Besides being a vital step in every man’s skincare routine, the act of exfoliating removes dead surface cells to keep skin feeling smooth and looking clear. It can also help hair follicles in your beard from becoming ingrown, which is always a pain to deal with. “Men should exfoliate 2-3 times a week,” Dr. Nichols advises. “There is such a thing as too much exfoliation, so as a general rule, don’t over exfoliate with harsh scrubs or brushes, or by exfoliating every day.” If you exfoliate every day you run the risk of irritating your skin. 

If you can’t figure out which products to use, we rounded up 7 exfoliating facial scrubs for men to use.

Don’t: Touch or Pick at Your Face

Your hands come in contact with so many germs and bacteria on a daily basis. When you touch your face after touching your keyboard, doorknob, subway pole, etc. you run the risk of transferring that bacteria onto your skin where it can wreak havoc. Dr. Nichols suggests you avoid touching your face altogether, and to especially leave pimples alone. Picking at your pimples can cause acne scars to form, some of which could be permanent. Follow these tips to help you to stop popping your pimples. 

Editor’s note: Dealing with an unwanted breakout? We found 5 foundations for men that are perfect for disguising imperfections.

Do: Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated has its benefits for your body, as well as your skin. Water is the main component of cells and tissues and is absolutely vital. In addition to hydrating your skin on the outside with moisturizers and creams, drink the recommended amount of water per day to help keep dryness at bay. Consuming enough fluids, along with the use of skincare products, can help improve the skin’s barrier function and improve the look and feel of dry skin.

Do: Establish a Skincare Routine

Dr. Nichols finds a daily routine to be very important, and we agree! She says, “An effective, custom skincare routine helps to protect, prevent, and correct healthy, youthful-looking skin.” Among your daily products, she suggests including a vitamin C or antioxidant product, a broad-spectrum sunscreen, a gentle cleanser, a retinol, and an eye cream.