Somewhere between metrosexuals and lumbersexuals, we all learned a lesson—men’s skincare matters. Whether you’re bearded or clean-shaven, taking care of your skin and/or beard should be priority number one. Sure, you may not have a 17-step skincare regimen, but you can definitely treat your skin right using natural, locally made products. Cleanse and moisturize, fellas, and don’t forget the sunscreen. Skin cancer is no man’s friend.
Best Face Forward
Start with a clean slate. No, not every facial cleanser comes in a bottle. Kalin Callewaert’s Stone and Spruce Supply company line has many great options for cleansing. We like the Aloe and Oatmeal Exfoliating bar. With a bit of grit from the ground oatmeal, and moisture from aloe, coconut oil, and olive oil, it strikes the balance between scrub and soothing, all with the scent of peppermint, rosemary, and bergamot. Stone and Spruce Aloe+Oatmeal Exfoliating Bar, $6.50
Breathe Deep
Not a bath guy? No need to skip the pampering just because you want to stand up to bathe. Try a shower steamer, which releases aromas similar to a bath bomb but doesn’t require you to soak in your own dirt. Place one of the three fragrance blends—Be Happy, Breathe, or Wake Up just outside the spray of the water and activate with a splash or two. Bear Soap Co. Shower Steamer, $5, bearsoapcompany.com, or at the Soap Bar (Westport).
Tend Your Whiskers
If your beard tends to get a bit dry, give it the TLC it deserves. Messner Bee Farm uses the magic of beeswax, propolis (another bee byproduct), and lanolin to make a beard oil with a bit more viscosity so it clings to beard hair to give long-lasting moisture and soften both hair and skin. Messner Bee Farm Beard Oil, $12