BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Whether your skin is oily, dry, or combination, one thing’s for sure – guys do have larger pores, rougher skin texture, and more active sweat glands compared to our female counterparts thanks to our genetic makeup. This means that clogged pores and bumpy skin is a common gripe among us dudes – especially when our giant pores become a breeding ground for bacteria that feed on trapped dirt and grime, resulting in unsightly zits and blackheads which none of us are fond of.

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Add years of laughter from rolling good times with the bros, all the wincing and grimacing from lifting weights in the gym, constant sun exposure from the good old days in National Service (hello hyperpigmentation), and working hours on end in an air-conditioned office (dehydration alert!) to what was mentioned earlier and what you’ll get is skin that has seen better days by the time we approach our ‘30s. Think fine lines and dark spots – which really aren’t good looks on anyone.

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This is why gentle exfoliation and intense hydration is Writer, Syed Zulfadhli's go-to when it comes to facial products. And he has no qualms about dipping his fingers into skincare products targeted for women - they work just fine for men and the best part is that you can share it with your sisters and mother too. Nothing better than sharing the love within the family with skincare, right? Also, if you haven’t already noticed, he's all about the radiant life because the skincare products mentioned above generally contain skin-sloughing and deep-hydrating ingredients like AHAs and hyaluronic acid that all help to clarify the skin and diminish the appearance of blemishes and premature ageing to achieve amazing skin like Aaron Kwok who is his #skingoals. The dude is 52 but looks 30. Tell us how!

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Following a trusted skincare routine with an equally trusted grooming routine is really important too. Treat your crowning glory right with a couple of star hair products – from a lavish shampoo to get your scalp clean to a strong-hold hair spray to maintain a neat coif that will get Gong Yoo's seal of approval (his hair is always on fleek!) – in to your grooming routine and you’re pretty much all set to seize the day in full confidence!

Gentle Cleanser

<b>Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser, Philosophy</b>: This gentle cleanser freshens up the face effectively with its low-lathering but high-quality formula. Infused with a slew of skin-loving botanical extracts this cleanser leaves the skin feeling baby smooth after each wash and keeps pesky zits at bay. Doesn’t hurt that the combination of essential oils in its formulation puts the mind at ease with its relaxing spa-like scent which guys (and girls) will appreciate. Photo: Philosophy

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Deep Cleansing Mask

<b>Turmeric &amp; Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask, Kiehl's</b>: Excess oil, shine, and giant pores affect most guys so this mask is the perfect post-exfoliating product to really draw out impurities with its clay formula. While the cranberry seed bits gently exfoliates to reveal younger skin cells, the turmeric staves off the formation of zits with its anti-inflammatory properties and the cranberry extracts feed the skin with antioxidants that wakes up tired skin. Radiant, silky smooth skin awaits after rinsing. Photo: Kiehl's

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Hydrator

<b>Hydro Softening Lotion, Clé de Peau Beauté</b>:You want to replenish lost moisture after all that deep-cleansing, so this deep-hydrating, moisture binding product is a perfect go-to for that. Golden Silk, Japanese Silk Pearl, and botanical extracts condition my skin, leaving it feeling super soft and fresh after every use. Photo: Clé de Peau Beauté

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Treat (Day Time)

<b>First Care Activating Serum EX, Sulwhasoo</b>: Used a couple of times a week instead of every day, this lightweight ginseng-infused concoction rejuvenates the skin and keeps it energized so it’s perpetually radiant. Extracts of Asian herbs also helps to nourish deeply, helping to stave off early signs of ageing which affects guys in their late 20's and above. Photo: Sulwhasoo

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Moisturiser

<b>Gokujyun Premium Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Skin Lotion, Hada Labo</b>: This viscous hyaluronic acid-packed product is perfect to seal all the goodness of previous steps because it works just like a moisturiser minus all the oils which may break one out. It also imparts a healthy, dewy look while balancing the skin due to its intense hydrating properties. Once hydrated, less oil is produced and the appearance of fine lines and gaping pores (which many guys are prone to) are diminished. Photo: Hada Labo

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Sun Protection

<b>Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Ultra-Light Fluid, La Roche-Posay</b>: Whether you're office-bound or very active, sun protection is a must. Those with darker skin tones (like myself) will appreciate a high-powered lightweight sun screen that doesn’t leave a white cast which this product does. Imparting a healthy glow without the tackiness earns this sunscreen brownie points too. Photo: La Roche-Posay

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

All-Day Mist

<b>Nutritious Vitality8 Radiant Energy Mist, Estée Lauder</b>: Mineral water face mists are all good for afternoon pick-me-ups, but an extra boost is always welcome. Estée Lauder’s Nutritious Vitality8 Radiant Energy Mist is life-changing, with its potent blend of antioxidant-rich fruits like pomegranate, mangosteen and super berries in its formula. All it takes is 2-3 spritzes of this mist to freshen up the skin, leaving it brighter and youthful pronto. Photo: Estée Lauder

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Serum (Night Time)

<b>Advanced Active Radiance Serum, Murad</b>: Evenings are meant for either a more intensive treatment or nothing at all just to let the skin breathe. If anything, an AHA-infused product is great for moments where the skin is feeling congested and dull from accumulated stress. Murad’s Advanced Active Radiance Serum is a definite go-to as a bedtime treatment because the vitamin C recharges fatigued skin and the glycolic acid speeds up cell renewal - perfect for guys who want a quick solution to rough, dull and bumpy skin. Supercharged, decongested, and clarified skin awaits every time you wake up with this one. Photo: Murad

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Treatment (Night Time)

<b>Skin Reviver No.91 Power Greens Ferment, Bobbi Brown</b>: High stress lifestyles and sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on the skin, so treating it while you sleep when the weekend arrives is the perfect solution to get it back in shape. Add this nutrient powerhouse into your night time care for a skincare boost and pat it into my skin before you sleep. A well-nourished, radiant, and baby-soft mien will be looking straight at you when you look in the mirror the morning after. Photo: Bobbi Brown

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

SOS Spot Treatment

<b>Drying Lotion, Mario Badescu</b>: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion saves the day when all efforts to maintain a smooth and spotless complexion fails - especially for guys with oilier skin types and larger pores. This long-time favourite is concocted with salicylic acid, sulfur and calamine that all work in tandem to fight acne-causing bacteria, draw out impurities, and dry out the pimple – all within a short span of 2-3 days. Photo: Sephora

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Lip Polish

<b>Sugar Lip Polish, Fresh</b>: Missing out on lip balm for prolonged periods often result in ashy or even cracked lips for guys with ultra-dry lips. Fresh’s Sugar Lip Polish rids the lips of flaking skin on the lips with its exfoliating brown sugar granules. The jojoba oil in the product also provides temporary moisture and protection up until the first swipe of lip balm.

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Lip Balm

<b>Hydrating Lip Balm, Tom Ford<b>: A deeply hydrating lip balm is a Godsend for anyone who suffers from super dry lips, and this one from Tom Ford is one of them. Made with nourishing vitamins and deeply conditioning natural butters, applying this rich balm makes dry, flaky lips a thing of the past. Photo: Tom Ford

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Lip Mask

<b>Lip Sleeping Mask, Laneige</b>: There’s nothing better than waking up to plumped up lips, and this cult favourite from Laneige is a great way maintain smooth, supple lips when used as a week treatment. Photo: Laneige

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Shampoo

<b>Classic Shampoo, Aesop</b>: All a man wants to do when they get home sometimes is to wash away all of the day’s fatigue away, and one easy way to do that is to shampoo with Aesop’s Classic Shampoo. Fortified with essential oils of rosemary, juniper berry and cedarwood bark, this shampoo imparts a heavenly spa-like scent to calm the senses while keeping the scalp clean. Photo: Aesop

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Conditioner

<b>Urban Antidotes Resurrection Conditioner, Bed Head</b>: Guys with coarser hair will benefit from this conditioner. This miracle worker softens and restores moisture to the tresses especially after having it exposed to dehydrating hair products and harmful environmental damage from the sun and air-conditioned spaces. Photo: Bed Head

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Style

<b>Hero Pomade (Matte), We Need A Hero</b>: Whether your hair is limp and flat or course and unmanageable, this matte pomade from We Need A Hero is highly recommended for its flexible moulding capabilities and strong hold to keep your hair in shape without the excess shine. Photo: We Need A Hero

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Set

<b>Elnett Satin Hair Spray (Extra Strength) Hair Spray, L’Oreal</b>: What grooming routine is complete without the finishing touch of a reliable hair spray? L’Oreal’s Elnett Satin Hair Spray is a classic for a reason – it keeps your hair in place without leaving unsightly residue. Photo: L'Oreal

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Gentle Exfoliant

<b>Glow Better Fresh Jelly Mask, Dior Hydra Life</b>: The ultra-light gel formula is concocted with botanical extracts from blueberries, citrus fruits, sugar cane and sugar maple that are rich in AHAs to gently but effectively slough off skin-congesting dead skin cells off the face. The little apricot kernels also work as a physical exfoliant to thoroughly remove all the gunk off. Though marketed as a mask, this can be used as a gentle chemical exfoliant once or twice a week to decongest the skin and reveal a younger layer of cells for a more luminous mien - perfect for guys who have rough and dull skin. Photo: Dior

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen

Booster

<b>SuperGlow Serum, Glossier</b>: Failure to catch a good night’s rest and poor diet can result in rough, dull skin which most desk-bound guys often face. So what Glossier’s SuperGlow Serum does is boost the radiance-enhancing effects of a hydrating lotion when 3-5 drops of it are added to it. This cheat day product gently sloughs off dead skin cells and provides antioxidant benefits with its vitamin C content, and energizes skin cells with magnesium to keep it looking bright and lively. Photo: Glossier

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BAZAAR Beauty Routines: Hero Products For The Gentlemen