The 20 Best Skincare Products for Men That Make Excellent Holiday Gifts
He'll thank you later.
Any well-rounded skin care routine consists of a few key steps: cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising, and, last but not least, a broad-spectrum sunscreen featuring SPF 30. To surprise your dad, grandfather, brother, uncle, or partner with a holiday treat to take their routines to the next level, gifting some of the best skincare gifts for men—from serums and toners, to weekly treatments, and more—is an easy way to help enhance their basics. But with so many options on the market, it can sometimes be tricky to determine what's really worth the buy—which is why we've pulled together a short list of some of our favourite picks he's sure to love.
These top-rated essentials from popular brands like Le Labo, Kiehl's Since 1851, Aesop, and others come highly recommended from editors, skinfluencers, and beauty enthusiasts alike (with some pulled directly from men's routines in our Go to Bed with Me series). And now, that the holidays are here, many of these products are eligible for quick delivery with expedited shipping or purchase on Amazon, and happen to make great gifts for both the dad with a 16-step routine and the skincare minimalist. Here, are the very best skincare products for men to shop now.
After Shave Balm, around $54, Le Labo
Here's a soothing after shave balm from Le Labo to help his face heal after a shaving session. Its cooling formula is entirely plant-based, and features notes of bergamot, lavender, and tonka bean.
Order by 5 p.m. PT on December 17 for timely holiday delivery. Nordstrom Card members are eligible for three-day or next-day delivery to local store locations until 12 p.m. PT on December 18.
Damascan Rose Facial Treatment, $101, Aesop
He can apply this rose oil before his moisturizer for supreme hydration in colder months, and by itself as a lightweight moisturizer once the weather warms up.
Order Aesop favorites by December 15 at 12 p.m. for free complimentary shipping and Christmas Eve arrival.
Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash, $38, Kiehl's Since 1851
Help him feel more awake in the morning with this value-size version of Kiehl's culty and energizing Facial Fuel cleanser (which nicely happens to be 25 percent off right now).
Kiehl's offers its customers two-business day shipping for an added fee of $15, and next-business day shipping for an added fee of $20.
Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum, $164.82, PCA Skin
Aesthetician Sean Garrette loves incorporating this hyaluronic acid serum into his rotation while his skin is still damp. "I love PCA," he previously told BAZAAR.com. "I like this hydrating serum because it has ceramides and niacinamide, so it's really nourishing and helps strengthen the skin barrier, which is the protective layer of your skin. It just makes my skin super plump—I love this serum."
Amazon Prime members receive free one- or two-day shipping, or free same-day shipping on orders over $25 in certain cities, or for an added fee of $2.99. Non-Prime members can track an item's optimal ordering time through its information window.
Moon Glow Milky Toning Lotion, around $30, Good Light
This best-selling vegan face lotion uses natural AHAs to exfoliate skin. It also contains ingredients like anti-inflammatory meadowfoam seed oil, oil-regulating niacinamide, plus hydrating snow mushroom and ceramides to keep his complexion in balance.
Order by December 13 for timely holiday delivery.
The Ultimate Soothing Cream, around $379, Augustinus Bader
If your dad or partner has sensitive skin, consider gifting him this popular luxe and soothing moisturizer from the experts at Augustinus Bader.
For Christmas Eve arrival, those living on the West Coast should place their Augustinus Bader orders by December 16, while those on the East should order by December 19.
Related article: BAZAAR Beauty Awards 2022: Level Up Your Skincare Routine With These Beauty Devices and Supplements
Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels (8-Pack), $64.81, Skyn Iceland
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton uses these cooling under-eye patches on a regular basis to de-puff and relax. Because they come in an eight-pack, they're the gift that keeps on giving.
Amazon Prime members receive free one- or two-day shipping, or free same-day shipping on orders over $25 in certain cities, or for an added fee of $2.99. Non-Prime members can track an item's optimal ordering time through its information window.
Clean Bee Facial Cleanser, $45, Farmacy Beauty
For those with sensitive skin, this gentle cleanser uses naturally derived ingredients like coconut and sugar to remove dirt and oil, plus chamomile, calendula, and aloe to soothe irritation.
Order by December 22 at 6 a.m. ET for Christmas Eve arrival.
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $53.57, EltaMD
No skin care routine is complete without the addition of an effective sunscreen, which is why this dermatologist-recommended pick is one of our everyday go-tos (and beloved by more than 30,000 Amazon customers).
Amazon Prime members receive free one- or two-day shipping, or free same-day shipping on orders over $25 in certain cities, or for an added fee of $2.99. Non-Prime members can track an item's optimal ordering time through its information window.
Kissu Lip Mask, $42, Tatcha
"I like to finish off with a lip mask," celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin previously told BAZAAR.com of his skin care routine. "This one from Tatcha is incredible, it's the Kissu Lip Mask, and this is like a really hydrating lip jelly that's made out of peach nectar—I'm obsessed with this product. It doesn't really taste like anything, but it's really, really comfortable, and there's no weight to it."
Amazon Prime members receive free one- or two-day shipping, or free same-day shipping on orders over $25 in certain cities, or for an added fee of $2.99. Non-Prime members can track an item's optimal ordering time through its information window.
C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream, $88.30, Drunk Elephant
More than 700 Ulta shoppers are raving about this brightening, vitamin C-based eye cream, which is gentle enough for both day- and nighttime, and also contains entirely vegan ingredients.
Ulta shoppers can take advantage of premium two- to three-day shipping for an added $19.95 fee.
Healthy Skin Starter Set, $46.06, Malin +Goetz
If your friend or family member is a frequent flyer, gift them this thoughtful set of travel-sized skincare essentials from Malin and Goetz. It's perfect for the person who's always on-the-go and new to a complete skincare routine.
Order by 5 p.m. PT on December 17 for timely holiday delivery. Nordstrom Card members are eligible for three-day or next-day delivery to local store locations until 12 p.m. PT on December 18.
Related article: BAZAAR Beauty Awards 2022: The Best Sunscreens For Singapore’s Weather
Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture, $182.78, Murad
YouTube’s favorite doctor, Dr. Mike Varshavski, swears by this non-greasy, featherweight moisturizer from Murad for his nightly routine. It contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and coconut extract to moisturize without being too heavy.
Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25, $61.26, Jack Black
This popular lip balm comes in six signature flavor options, including natural mint and shea butter, pineapple mint, and grapefruit and ginger. Plus, it has broad-spectrum SPF 25 for sun protection.
Amazon Prime members receive free one- or two-day shipping, or free same-day shipping on orders over $25 in certain cities, or for an added fee of $2.99. Non-Prime members can track an item's optimal ordering time through its information window.
Mineral Mattescreen SPF 40, $63, Supergoop!
If he prefers using a physical sunscreen rather than a chemical one, consider picking up a tube of this top-rated sunscreen from Supergoop! Because it's formulated with a blend of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and leaves behind a matte finish, he won't have to worry about any excess shine.
Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream, $104, Sunday Riley
"My skin is more combo to dry, and sometimes it can be a little dehydrated, especially around my eye area," Garrette says. "So I love eye creams for morning and night now." To moisturize dry under-eyes, he reaches for this de-puffing cream from Sunday Riley, which feels lightweight on the skin. "You literally need the tiniest bit; I use my ring fingers and bring that all around my eye area," he adds.
Choose between expedited two- to three-business day shipping for an added fee of $10.95 at Dermstore, or overnight one-business day shipping for an extra $29.95 for a timely delivery.
Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm, $46, Paula's Choice
Garrette is also a fan of using this Paula's Choice balm to double cleanse, which he says is ideal to combat uneven texture and hyperpigmentation.
Amazon Prime members receive free one- or two-day shipping, or free same-day shipping on orders over $25 in certain cities, or for an added fee of $2.99. Non-Prime members can track an item's optimal ordering time through its information window.
Vitamin C Glow Moisturizer, $78, Fresh
Here's a vitamin-enriched moisturizer from Fresh that won't weigh his skin down and is ideal to even skin tone and texture while brightening dark spots.
Order by December 22 at 6 a.m. ET for Christmas Eve arrival.
Related article: BAZAAR Beauty Awards 2022: The Best Eye Creams That Target Fine Lines, Dark Circles and Puffiness
Boy de Chanel Lip Balm, $55, Chanel
For a more elevated balm pick, consider this matte option from Chanel that aims to keep his lips moisturized for up to eight hours per wear.
Chanel orders placed by 3 p.m. EST on a business day will be processed and shipped the same day, and delivered the following business day for an added $20 fee.
Face + Scalp Invisible Daily SPF 30 Broad Spectrum, $122.49, MANTL
For bald (or balding) men, an exposed scalp is another area of the skin to keep protected. This SPF 30 sunscreen is formulated for both the scalp and face, and won't leave behind a ghostly white cast once it's rubbed in.
Amazon Prime members receive free one- or two-day shipping, or free same-day shipping on orders over $25 in certain cities, or for an added fee of $2.99. Non-Prime members can track an item's optimal ordering time through its information window.
What to Look For in Men's Skincare
According to the Cleveland Clinic, those designated male at birth often have a thicker and tougher dermis layer than those designated female. This skin difference often causes deeper, more furrowed wrinkles from repeated muscle movement, with increased testosterone contributing to oilier skin.
In addition to these factors, it's important for men to determine their overall skin type—dry, oily, combination, or "normal"—to incorporate the right products for their overall skin needs. Keeping up a consistent regimen also plays a key factor in the effectiveness of one's daily skin care routine.
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.