Like me, you may have come to the realisation that the 9-in-1 body scrub to the face isn’t gonna cut it for your skin anymore.
After encouragement from a very skincare-aware partner, and my first article a year ago venturing into the space, I’m back with a second article and some updated thoughts.
Read: My Easy Skincare Routine For Men That Doesn’t Make my Girlfriend Cringe.
The key features I look for in products haven’t changed: I still have a big preference for affordable and available skincare.
However as I get older I’m also thinking about how my skin is going to change as I enter my 30s and beyond.
I really want to keep my skin as healthy as possible for as long as possible, and so I’ve also been doubling-down on the consistency of my routine, and picking products that make me happy, and are easy to use.
Sunscreens for Men That Don’t Feel Greasy or Smell Weird
As I approach 30, I’m thinking more about how my skin is going to change throughout the rest of my life. I know that especially in Australia, sunscreen is the most-important routine step to reducing the damaging effect of the sun on my skin.
I also know that sunscreen can be hard to be consistent with, especially when my childhood memories of it are really thick, gluggy textures and that super-distinct SPF smell.
Luckily many sunscreens today, such as those mentioned below, are designed to lean away from the things that make sunscreens unpleasant to me, and make it easier to be consistent with wearing it every day.
Cancer Council SPF 50+ Day Wear Face Matte Invisible, $16.00
Shop: Cancer Council SPF 50+ Day Wear Face Matte Invisible, $16.00 from Amazon
Cancer Council continues to be my favourite sunscreen brand, and the SPF 50+ Day Wear Face Matte Invisible also continues to be my favourite sunscreen, especially as summer approaches. It ticks all my boxes. It’s readily available pretty much anywhere you look, including Woolies and Coles.
At less than $20 and regularly on sale, it’s one of the most-affordable daily-wear sunscreens you can find. It also doesn’t “feel like a sunscreen” which I absolutely love.
It’s moisturising, lightweight, and doesn’t have the “sunscreen smell” I’ve been so used to growing up.
Stuff That Matters For the Sun SPF50+, $20.00
Shop: Stuff That Matters For the Sun SPF50+, $20.00 from Priceline
Stuff That Matters sunscreen has been good for me – easy to use, feels good, lightweight, and available in most stores you’d be shopping in.
The truth is that there are several other sunscreens that would also be great options, and this is one I just happened to grab when I needed one. The key thing here is not the sunscreen I picked, but the fact that I have a second one.
It’s super important for me to have a second “just-in-case” sunscreen already in my bag so I don’t need to think about it when heading out.
If I unexpectedly need to spend a long time in the sun when I’m out, or just need to re-apply at some point, it’s really helpful to make that as easy as possible just by having an option already there ready to go.
If you have a regular bag you use when you’re out, I’d recommend just grabbing a sunscreen you like and chucking it in there so you can SPF-up whenever you need.
Moisturisers for Men That Keep Skin Hydrated Without the Shine
Moisturising isn’t something I thought I needed until I started doing it. I don’t think I properly realised how dry and tight my skin really was after showers until I started to use moisturiser.
After that, not moisturising started to feel awful, and it’s been a consistent part of my routine ever since.
Not only does it feel good (which is a really easy way for this step to stay in my routine), it’ll help improve and maintain my skin’s texture and look over time, which is something I’m increasingly thinking about as I get older.
Yours Only COAT Mini Face + Body Moisturiser 100mL, $27.00
Shop: Yours Only COAT Mini Face + Body Moisturiser 100ml, $27.00 from Priceline
The Yours Only COAT Face + Body Moisturiser is really leaning into two things I’ve been loving: a huge bottle, and a great feel.
The huge bottle (500ml!) is great because I don’t feel bad using a lot of it, which is great for a moisturiser, and I only need to think about re-stocking it every few months.
For me, the texture is a perfect balance between not feeling like I’m slathering on a giant layer of product on my face, and feeling my skin become super re-hydrated. I’m still finishing up my first bottle of this, and I will be repurchasing when I finally get through it all.
Available in two sizes:
- Yours Only COAT Mini Face + Body Moisturiser 100ml, $27.00 from Priceline
- Yours Only COAT Face + Body Moisturiser 500ml, $42.00 from Priceline
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 50, $25.99
Shop: CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 50, $25.99 from Amazon
Continuing the theme of seconds, CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 50 is such a great second moisturiser. The key of this product for me is the SPF 50.
The combination of moisturiser and SPF means when I’m in a rush to get out, I can just use this and feel confident that I’m protected from the sun.
It’s a slightly smaller container, but still decently affordable, available in most places you’d look, and is a great addition to my collection.
Cleansers for Men That Actually Clean Without Drying
As I’ve been upping my understanding of what having a cleanser is good for, I’ve also been slowly upping my cleansing game to match.
Your face skin is distinctly different to the rest of the skin on your body, and so using something other than the 9-in-1 scrub I mentioned earlier on your face isn’t doing it any favours.
My more-recent level-up is cleansing in both the morning and night. In the morning to clear out any oil, dead skin, etc. during my sleep, and at night to clear it all from a day of being out.
Some people also suggest cleansing separately from showering, but I combine them just because it makes it easier for me to be consistent.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser, $17.49
Shop: CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser, $17.49
The CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser is a winner cleanser for me yet again.
I talked about this in my last article as well: affordable, available (just don’t confuse it for the non-cream-to-foam version), and I think it feels really nice. When this cleanser foams up it feels like it’s really working overtime to clean, and doesn’t feel too intense after I’ve used it. 5 stars from me.
Thirsty Turtl Forest Therapy Balancing Cream Foam Cleanser, $45.00
Shop: Thirsty Turtl Forest Therapy Balancing Cream Foam Cleanser, $45.00
I’ve also been trying this Thirsty Turtl cleanser as a second cleanser. The main use case for me is making my routine as easy-peasy as possible: one cleanser in the shower, one next to the bathroom sink.
It’s a very small optimisation, but it’s just another reminder for me to actually do this step, and make it as easy as possible.
The Thirsty Turtl Forest Therapy Balancing Cream Foam Cleanser is also a great cream-to-foam cleanser.
It’s soothing, doesn’t feel too intense, and foams up nicely so I feel like it’s really doing the job. Thirsty Turtl itself is recently-launched Indigenous owned company, and while there’s many other cleansers that may do well here, it’s nice to support this small business
Read more about their range here: My Honest Thoughts on Thirsty Turtl’s Full Range.
Bonus: Silicone Body Scrubber Set, $22.99 from Amazon
Shop: Silicone Body Scrubber Set, $22.99 from Amazon
The Silicone Body Scrubber is a cheeky add, but it’s definitely upped my game for how clean I feel (and am honestly), so I thought I’d share it.
I haven’t done a wide survey of how people apply body wash to themselves in the shower, but I imagine a lot of the time it’s just using their hands (including me pre-this).
There’s a few problems with this. Using your hands doesn’t agitate the soap well, so it doesn’t foam up and activate as well as it could.
It doesn’t scrub so your body isn’t actually getting that clean when you shower. And finally using your hands will damage them unnecessarily.
Read: ‘My Loofah was Giving me Body Acne. I Started Using This Silicone Scrubber And Never Looked Back’
The Silicone Body Scrubber addresses all these issues. It has hundreds of soft bristles which foam up any body wash instantly – so much so you’ll be surprised.
That foaming and the soft bristles ensure your body is scrubbed, gently exfoliated, and left feeling super clean.
The scrubber also has a comfy handle so you don’t have to damage your hands with soap. On top of all this, it’s very affordable, and I didn’t have to think twice about just chucking it in my Amazon cart.
A Reminder
While I’ve been loving these products and totally recommend them, the most-important thing with skincare is that you choose products that work, and use them consistently.
A sunscreen you use daily is going to stop a lot of the damage being out in the Australian sun will cause.
A moisturiser will keep your skin nice and healthy. Cleansing will keep your skin clear from oils, dirt, etc. And products you love will keep you in the habit of doing all these essential steps.
Important you know: Some of the links in this article provide White Rabbit Social a small commission, which goes directly towards our community and talented writers.
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