On this page you find a lot the skincare / beauty products that I use. Short reviews based on my personal (admittedly limited) testing, as a male in my thirties. I’m not as well-versed in skincare as I am in fragrances; I don’t have anything in-depth to say about the results (which I think is largely questionable, given the time skincare needs and the results can depend on many factors). For me, the skincare routine is more about taking a moment for myself, de-rushing and therefore the feel, the ease of application, the scent and the overall user experience of these products is something I value at least as much.
You can find many of the brands below on my Where To Buy? page.
WHAT DO I USE?
Moisturizer
Here’s a selection of moisturizers I’ve been using for day and for night. During the day I prefer to wear moisturizers that are thin and light, that won’t make my skin too oily. For the night, I prefer to actually feel like I’m wearing something, rather than it being dried as fast as possible.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing
My daily go to, because of the price vs. quality balance. Much prefer the lotion over the more watery gel.
Clarins MultI-Active Nuit
Smells amazing and feels refreshing and luxurious. If money was no object, I’d use this every night.
Sunday Riley I.C.E. CERAMIDE
Light, pleasant to wear and versatile. If it was cheaper, I would use this often, I’ll likely repurchase, but less frequently.
Chantecaille Bio Lifting Age Mask [#AD]
One of the thicker overnight creams that I use. Seems great, but would be too expensive to buy myself.
Cerave Moisturizing Cream
The most inexpensive one on the list, especially in big pots. No real drawbacks, but no luxurious smell or feeling.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. BRIGHTENING SERUM
Amazing orange creamsicle scent and feels a bit more substantial. I prefer this over the Glow variant.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Would potentially use this is affordable, everyday use product, but prefer the pump application of the Clinique.
Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight
A little heavier than the Dramatically Different above, but pleasant to sleep with.
Clarins Hydra-Essentiel
A bit too watery (what a surprise) for my taste; not as nice as the Multi-Active line.
Missha Moist Lab Near Skin
Pretty nice light cream, that I use more on my arms & elbows than elsewhere.
Spf
As a heavier-set man, I’ve found that a lot of the SPF that I’ve tried tend to turn white upon sweating. In general, white cast is not a big issue on my skin, but of course, if it occurs less, it’s better.
La Roche-Possay Anthelios
My daily go-to. A bit watery/milky in use, but not sticky, smells good, feels good. Good price. Swear by it.
Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense
Works best on me. Need to rub it in very well, as it is a bit thicker. I have a stash of them, but given the price (and less pleasant smell), I may stick to Anthelios fully in the future.
Clinique City Block Sheer
I have little experience with sheer SPFs and my skin tone doesn’t really need; this one adds a warmer tone.
Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer
Seems to be well-liked, but I didn’t like the thicker application of this one.
Paula’s Choice Defense Essential Glow
Has a lot going on; would not pick it as my SPF, maybe good for people who want more uses out of one product.
REN Clean Screen Mineral
As with many, I get white sweat beads when I sweat after applying this one.
Retinol
I’ve been using retinol (related) products for 2-3 years now. I mostly used retinoids and use them daily now, but occasionally add in some heavier products. Never had any outbreak issues and an occasional pimple aside, I never had notable skin issues in the face.
Sunday Riley Luna
My overall favorite product. I love the application, feel and scent of it. It never caused any outbreaks. Wears oily, but as I mentioned with the moisturizers, for night time, I prefer that.
Niche Beauty Lab Theramid Clinical Vitamin A [#AD]
Well priced, not too heavy retinol/retinal combination. Use this occasionally instead of Luna.
Sunday Riley A+
Perfectly adequate product, arguably with better results, but I prefer my Luna, so this gets used infrequently.
Niche Beauty Lab Theramid A-Retinoate [#AD]
I’ve not worn this much yet; don’t love the feel of it as much as the ones above.
Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol
Seems like a fine product, but I haven’t used it much yet.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2%
The only Ordinary product so far that I don’t love; very thin liquid, that feles too milky for this category for me to enjoy applying.
Skin
Here I grouped some other skin products, like acid treatments and cleansers. Some are moisturizing as well, but some of those I could use under another layer of moisturizer or I wouldn’t use as moisturizer before going out the door.
Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid
One of the products that seem to give some of the best / fastest results. Never tried the Lactic Acid variant unfortunately. Stopped buying it, because of the price, but then bought it again after a while.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Very affordable and lovely thick gel-like product to use. Feels sticky, but that is gone in seconds.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling
Have to be a bit careful with this and it reeks, but it gives instant results (glowing skin) like nothing else.
Clarins Santal Treatment Oil
This is a warm, rich oil that keeps the skin fatty for a long time. I much prefer the Santal scent over the surprisingly strong scented Lotus variant.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA
Seems to be a solid, less pricy alternative for Good Genes. Doesn’t feel as luxurious to use.
Niche Beauty Lab Theramide Ceramide [#AD]
It’s the only ceramide treatment I’ve consciously used, but it seems to add a fatty moisturizing layer well.
Niche Beauty Lab Theramid C-Tetra E.F. [#AD]
A thin and light, refreshing face cream. Used a vial up as frequent moisturizer/addition, so I may purchase another.
Chantecaille Oil-Free Balancing [#AD]
Lovely milky light product with a nice scent. Not quite sure where it would fit in my overall routine.
Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Meltaway Cleanser
I don’t normally use expensive cleansers, but I happen to have and occasionally use this.
Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water
My go-to micellar water, but frankly, I haven’t found the discipline to use micellar water every day; just sparingly.
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water
Perfectly fine option that’s easier to find (supermarket); I like the rose water variant most.
Eyes
I’m still in the market for a great eye cream or potentially serum, that feels and applies nicely, and ideally isn’t too expensive (albeit given how much use you get out of one product, I may go for a more expensive one). Here’s my exploration so far:
Chantecaille Stress Repair Concentrate+ [#AD]
Probably the best (and most expensive) eye cream that I’ve used. Would purchase, but it’s out of my price class.
Clarins Total Eye Revive
Not my favorite style of applicator, but I do enjoy using this cream.
Annemarie Borlind Eye Wrinkle Cream
I’ve just started using this, but in general I’m a fan of the Borlind products (vs. the price).
Clarins Double Serum Eye
Probably the only Clarins product so far that I don’t like. Application is messy, too thin, doesn’t blend well.
Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting & Firming
Similar to the Chantecaille, costs more than I’d want to spend.
Sunday Riley Auto Correct
I felt some slight burning after applying each time so far, so won’t repurchase. First Sunday Riley product that doesn’t work as well for me.
Annemarie Borlind Hyaluric Eye Pads
By far my favorite eye pads/masks that I’ve used. Super thin, stick well, dries up quick after use. Highly recommend these.
Patchology Flash Patch
Only used one set of 5; nothing wrong with them, but I’ll stick with other options.
Lips
I tend to get dry lips easily; rarely to a point where it really shows or starts to hurt, but I definitely feel the need to apply lipbalms multiple times a day to keep them at a their best.
Clinique Moisture Surge Lip
My favorite product for the lips. Great applicator. A little bit thick and glossy (for me as male) at first, but only for half an hour.
Annemarie Borlind For Lips
Feels better than most supermarket options I have here. I prefer For Lips over the Sun Care SPF version.
Blistex MedPlus
Either the pot or the stick are my go-to lip protection products.
Aesop Protective Lip Balm
I’ve not used many Aesop products yet (I hear great things), but I pick up their lip balms when I can.
Shiseido WASO Calmellia lipbalm
I prefer sticks over pots, but this is a nice, subtle scented product.
Burt’s Bees
I don’t love strongly flavored lipbalm, but if I wear it, it’s Burt’s Bees like Pear & Coconut.
Coola Suncare Classic
Absolutely did not like this one; tastes very sweet.
Beard
As a bearded man, I like my beard oils. Mostly just for the scents. I tried many more brands than listed below, but most fell short or were too oily and greasy. I have several beard butters / balms, but end up not using those and stick to the oils.
The Groomed Man Co
Great oils, especially Cool Cola, which is my second favorite beard oil scent. Just wish they had a pipette applicator. Love the matching beard wash and conditioner as well.
Captain Fawcett
I find many of their oils either too sweet or too green. My favorite overall beard oil however, is their Maharajah & I also like the Million Dollar oil. Generally on the pricy side.
Geo F. Trumper
Great value for what you get; their Lime beard oil is perfect for Summer. I just wish they made a beard oil for their Sandalwood Cologne.
Bullfrog
I only have the Secret Potion no. 1; quite unique and mature. Has the best pipette. Will explore their other oils.
Edwin Jagger
This brand is still relatively new to me, but quite affordable and I’m enjoying their Lime & Pomegranate as alternative for the Geo F. Trumper above.
Mr. Bear Family
Only tried a coupe of oils, but here too I found them either too sweet or too green.
L’Oreal Men Expert Barberclub
Entry-level brands like this often get downplayed, but I have no issue recommending these and this line smells awesome.
Acqua Di Parma Barbiere Shaving Gel
Too expensive to repurchase for me, but a great product.
Hair / head
I have a buzz cut haircut, so as far as products, they’re mostly related to the scalp.
Eucerin Dermo Capillaire Calmant
Helps with a dry scalp; I’ve seen excellent results.
Sunday Riley Clean Rinse
I’ve been using this weekly and have a great experience with it.
Zenology Shampoo & Conditioner
Bit more expensive than I like to use in the shower, but on sale, nice. I like their Salvia Sclarea (sweet clary sage). Use this for my beard as well.
Annemarie Borlind Active Shampoo
My go-to anti-dandruff shampoo.
The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA for Scalp
Great pricing on their products as usual, haven’t used it in a while though.
Le Labo
In general Le Labo has some excellent care products, but I find them too expensive to have in steady rotation.
Masks
Foreo
Favorite masks I’ve used so far; in particular the Manuka Honey.
Garnier
For entry-level masks, I find the Hydrabomb or Ultralift Garnier Skinactive fine. The Vitamin C masks smell a bit too pungent.
Missha Embo
I tried two different versions of these and did not like the way they wore.
Miscellaneous
Marvis toothpaste
Fun flavored toothpastes for fragrance lovers; I use the Jasmine currently