Gone are the days when grooming was only for women. A modern man is more open to the idea of self-hygiene and skin and hair care. It is as important for a man to look fresh and clean as it is for a woman. You may not be a product fanatic but certain grooming products are essential for every man’s daily self-care regime.
Here is a list of products, appliances, and home remedies that you can use to attain swoon-worthy skin and hair. Other than skincare and haircare, we also tell you about the products that you can use for general hygiene and grooming.
SKIN CARE
1. Facial Cleanser: Cleansing your face twice a day, using a mild facial cleanser, is important. The skin on your face is more sensitive than rest of your body, so avoid products that contain alcohol or any other chemicals as they may rip the natural oils off of your skin.
2. Face Scrub: Exfoliating is important as it removes dead skin and unclogs the pores. To let your skin breathe, exfoliation is necessary. In fact, scrubbing beforehand will make shaving more comfortable and prevent razor burn.
3. Toner: A toner should ideally be used after cleansing the face. It removes excess oil and helps in controlling blemishes. A toner can also be used instead of after-shave lotion, which often contains alcohol that damages the skin. On the other hand, toners contain substances like aloe, which soothe the skin.
4. Moisturiser: Beard or no beard, moisturising is important to keep the skin hydrated and soft. Choose a moisturiser with SPF for the day and a moisturiser with retinol for the night.
5. Sunscreen For The Body: Just like your face, the skin on your body needs a shield from the sun too. Sunscreen keeps your skin tone even, while preventing sunburn and discoloration. It also reduces the risk of skin cancer and keeps your skin looking young.
6. Eye Cream: The area around the eyes is the most sensitive part of the face. The skin in this area is fragile and more prone to dryness and wrinkles. And if you live a high-stress lifestyle, dark circles and puffiness can be common. a good eye cream will smoothen and moisturize the area and keep you looking fresh all day.
7. Blemish Gel: We all wish for clear skin, don’t we? A clindamycin phosphate gel helps you get rid of blemishes and acne marks. These gels are easily available at any medical store.
8. Hand Cream/Lotion: The hands are more prone to dryness than the rest of the body. Their lack of sebaceous glands makes them crack and peel after exposure to water and weather. Using a hand cream curbs dryness and chapping of hands.
9. Lip Balm: Even the most vigilant men tend to be ignorant about keeping their lips moisturised, perhaps because it isn’t a very masculine thing to do. But men need lip balm just as much as a woman does. It’s not a vanity but a necessity. Soft and supple lips are a sign of the well-groomed man.
10. Face Mask: Ignoring a face mask is like turning your back on a skin-improver. Face masks make your skin tighter and pull out toxins from the pores. Plus, they give you healthy, moisturised, and glowing skin. Make sure you choose a face mask according to your skin type.
11. Peel-off Mask: Peel-off masks give an instant glow to your skin. It gives you the satisfaction of peeling off dead skin and impurities, while unclogging pores and hydrating your face.
12. Ubtan: Grandmother’s age-old formula for flawless skin still works like a dream. Whip up some besan or gram flour with curd and lemon juice, and apply it on your face for 15-20 minutes. Wash it off and voila! A younger, fresher-looking you!
13. Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel works like magic on your skin. Use it fight sunburns, rashes, or any kinds of inflammation. You can either use fresh aloe vera gel or buy a jar of aloe vera gel and use it directly on the affected area.
HAIR CARE
1. Shampoo: Shampoo is the basic product for a serious hair care regime. Use a mild shampoo to wash dirt and other build-up off your scalp. A dirty scalp leads to itchiness and bad odour. Make sure you clean your scalp every alternate day.
2. Conditioner: A conditioner treats damaged hair and strengthens your hair from root to tip. Choose a conditioner that suits best for your hair type and use it after every head wash.
3. Hair Oil: Hair oils nourish and strengthen your hair from the root and give them the hydration that they need. There is a wide range of hair oils available to choose from, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, olive oil, almond oil, etc.
4. Hair Serum: Hair serums make your hair look fuller and glossier. Remember to pick up a serum that offers UV protection to shield your hair from the harsh effects of the sun.
5. Hair Masks: Hair masks are an excellent way to fight dandruff and moisturise your hair. You can either buy a jar of hair mask or take the DIY approach and make one yourself.
PERSONAL HYGIENE
1. Nail Clipper: Long and dirty nails can be a major put-off. Keeping your nails trimmed and clean is vital for personal hygiene. Every man should own nail clippers.
2. Toothpaste: Use a toothpaste that not only fights bad breath but also gives you shiny white teeth. You can also use baking soda to whiten your teeth.
3. Toothbrush: Choose a toothbrush that is gentle on your gums and yet cleans your mouth thoroughly.
4. Dental Floss: For the areas where a toothbrush’s bristles can’t reach, use dental floss to remove plaque and surface stains on teeth.
5. Mouthwash: Apart from killing germs and fighting bad breath, mouthwash also keeps your teeth shining. Use it after your meals to keep the freshness intact.
6. Shower Gel: Energise yourself every day with a refreshing bathing experience. Use a body wash that makes you feel fresh and smoothens the skin.
7. Loofah: Use a loofah or a body sponge to scrub your body evenly. It distributes the body wash uniformly and removes dead skin. Using a loofah makes your skin soft and supple.
8. Antiperspirant: These antibacterial deodorants stop sweat production. They help you smell better throughout the day and last longer than spray deodorants. They are available in the form of solid roll-ons or liquid roll-ons.
9. Tweezer: Tweezers are a hair removing tool, and they’re not just for women. Men can use tweezers to pluck out unwanted ear and nose hair, and also to keep their eyebrows well-groomed.
10. Intimate Wash: Accumulation of sweat, dirt and bacteria in your intimate areas could lead to bacterial or fungal infection. An intimate wash gently cleans and removes bad odour.
PERSONAL GROOMING
1. Trimmer: Every guy should have a trimmer in his grooming cabinet. It’s the quickest, most versatile way to deal with both facial and body hair.
2. Shaving Foam/Cream/Gel: Choose a shaving cream that is enriched with natural oils, for a richer shaving experience and a smooth, supple skin.
3. Shaving Brush: Buy a shaving brush that has soft bristles and is gentle on your skin. An ideal shaving brush is the one that can work up a thick lather easily.
4. Razor: Go for a razor that delivers a cut-free shaving experience. The razor should work efficiently to remove hair from tough-to-reach areas and give you a smoother shave.
5. Aftershave: An aftershave is a must to avoid razor bumps and burns, soothe irritated skin, and hydrate your skin for a soft finish.
6. Beard Wash: To keep your beard clean, soft, and smooth you must use a beard wash as normal shampoo doesn’t work that well on facial hair.
7. Beard Oil: A beard oil is enriched with necessary natural oils that help keep your beard healthy. It conditions and moisturises your beard and keeps it soft.
8. Beard Wax: Groom your beard and keep it in place with beard wax. It helps you sculpt your beard and leaves no room for stray, out-of-place hairs.
9. Beard Comb: A beard comb helps you keep your beard well-groomed, always. It detangles your beard, removes dust and ensures that the blood circulation is steady.
10. Hair Comb: Iit is best to use a set of different types of combs for different times. If your hair is wet, you should use a wide-tooth comb to get out knots. Use a fine-tooth comb to style your hair.
11. Hair Styling Products: Hair gel. Hair wax, hairsprays, mousse, styling creams, and the list is never-ending. Choose a product that goes well with your styling technique and the texture of your hair.
12. Perfume or Cologne: A good smelling man automatically becomes attractive and seems confident. A signature cologne is by far the most important part of a man’s grooming kit.
