Men's Skincare Routine: A Simple Guide for Every Skin Type
Most men use the same bar of soap on their face they use on everything else. It works, but it's not doing your skin any favours. A basic skincare routine — cleanser, moisturiser, and a weekly exfoliant — takes three minutes and makes a noticeable difference to how your skin looks and feels over time.
Here's what you need and what we recommend.
Step 1: Face Wash / Cleanser
A dedicated face wash removes dirt, excess oil and product buildup without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier the way body soap does. Use it morning and night.
Best overall: Beard & Blade Foolproof Face Cleanser 150ml Our own Australian-made formulation and our best-selling cleanser. Combines Kakadu Plum for vitamin C, Jojoba Beads for gentle exfoliation, and Activated Charcoal to reduce oiliness. Works across all skin types and won't leave your face feeling tight or dry after washing.
Best for head and face: Bee Bald CLEAN Head & Face Daily Cleanser 118ml A versatile daily cleanser designed for both the scalp and face. Particularly good for men who shave their head or have oily skin — gentle enough for daily use but thorough enough to cut through product buildup.
Best premium cleanser: Triumph & Disaster Ritual Face Cleanser 150ml A New Zealand-made cleanser using natural ingredients including Manuka Honey and Harakeke Seed Oil. Suits dry or sensitive skin particularly well — hydrating rather than stripping, with a clean scent and a luxurious feel.
Best value: Baxter of California Daily Face Wash 236ml A no-fuss everyday cleanser from one of the most trusted names in men's grooming. Large 236ml size makes it genuinely good value. Suitable for normal to oily skin.
Step 2: Moisturiser
Moisturiser is the most important step in any skincare routine. It hydrates the skin, repairs the moisture barrier, and protects against dryness, redness and premature ageing. Apply after cleansing while the skin is still slightly damp.
Best overall: Beard & Blade Re-Gen Moisturising Balm 90g Our Australian-made moisturising balm formulated with Sweet Almond Oil and tri-peptides. Hydrates deeply without feeling heavy or greasy, and works well under a beard or on a clean-shaven face. A solid everyday moisturiser at a fair price point.
Best seller: HeadBlade HeadLube Matte Moisturising Lotion 148ml Our most popular moisturiser by a considerable margin. A lightweight, matte-finish lotion that absorbs quickly with no greasy residue. Works exceptionally well for men who prefer a non-shiny finish, and the large 148ml size lasts well with daily use.
Best with SPF: Bee Bald SMOOTH PLUS SPF 30 Daily Moisturiser 50ml The only moisturiser in our range with built-in SPF 30 protection. If you're only going to use one product in the morning, make it this one — it hydrates and protects against UV damage simultaneously. Particularly good for men who spend time outdoors.
Best premium option: Triumph & Disaster Gameface Moisturiser Tube 90ml A benchmark men's moisturiser from Triumph & Disaster. Balances hydration with a natural finish that suits most skin types. The tube format makes it easy to dispense the right amount without waste.
Step 3: Exfoliator (Weekly)
Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores and helps other products absorb more effectively. Once or twice a week is enough — over-exfoliating will irritate the skin rather than improve it.
Best overall: Proraso Face Exfoliating Scrub 100ml A classic exfoliating scrub from Italy's most trusted shaving brand. Fine walnut shell particles provide effective exfoliation without being too abrasive. Works particularly well as a pre-shave scrub to lift beard hairs and reduce ingrown.
Best value: Baxter of California Facial Scrub 120ml A reliable everyday scrub from Baxter of California. Medium-grade exfoliation that suits most skin types. Good choice for men who are new to exfoliating and want a straightforward product.
Best for sensitive skin: The Bluebeards Revenge Face Scrub 100ml A gentler exfoliating option from UK brand The Bluebeards Revenge. Suits men with sensitive or reactive skin who find standard scrubs too harsh. Still provides effective exfoliation without the irritation.
The Complete Solution: Beard & Blade Daily Ritual Skincare Kit
If you want to start a proper skincare routine without researching individual products, the Beard & Blade Daily Ritual Skincare Kit gives you everything you need in one box. It includes our Foolproof Face Cleanser, Re-Gen Face Serum, Re-Gen Eye Serum and Re-Gen Moisturising Balm — all Australian made, all working together as a complete routine. The most straightforward way to get started.
How to Build Your Routine
Morning: Cleanse, apply serum if using one, moisturise. If going outdoors, use an SPF moisturiser.
Evening: Cleanse to remove the day's buildup, apply moisturiser. This is the most important application — skin repairs itself overnight and absorbs products more effectively while you sleep.
Weekly: Exfoliate once or twice after cleansing, before moisturising.
That's it. Three products, three minutes, morning and night. Start with a cleanser and moisturiser if you're new to it — add the exfoliator once those two are part of your routine.
Choosing the Right Products for Your Skin Type
Oily skin: Look for matte-finish moisturisers and gel-based cleansers. The HeadBlade HeadLube Matte and Bee Bald CLEAN are good starting points.
Dry skin: Prioritise richer moisturisers and hydrating cleansers. The Triumph & Disaster Ritual Cleanser and Re-Gen Moisturising Balm suit dry skin particularly well.
Sensitive skin: Avoid harsh scrubs and fragranced products where possible. The Bluebeards Revenge Face Scrub and Bee Bald SMOOTH PLUS are both formulated with sensitive skin in mind.
Normal skin: Most products will work well. Start with the Foolproof Face Cleanser and HeadBlade HeadLube and adjust from there.
The Bottom Line
A men's skincare routine doesn't need to be complicated. Cleanser, moisturiser and a weekly exfoliant covers the basics for most men. If you want to keep it simple, start with the Beard & Blade Daily Ritual Skincare Kit — everything you need in one box, all Australian made.
Browse our full range of men's moisturisers, face washes and skincare products at Beard & Blade. Free delivery Australia wide.
Considering all these face skincare products the question arises for me: in what sequence are these products used if one shaves every day?