Updated:
Readtime: 10 min
Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here.
Forget the exhaustive 10-step skincare routines dominating social feeds. The modern approach to grooming is built on a far simpler, more effective principle: skinimalism. By stripping away redundant steps and focusing on a daily baseline of a quality cleanser, moisturiser, and SPF, men are achieving better results with far less effort.
Data from Pinterest shows searches for “sunscreen for men” rising by 108 per cent, mirroring a broader cultural shift. From viral TikTok trends to streamlined celebrity regimens, men are trading complex product stacks for consistency.
According to plastic surgeon Dr Brandon Richland, the rationale comes down to execution over complexity.
“An easy three-step routine done consistently beats a complicated one,” says Dr Richland. “Three steps that include a cleanser, moisturiser, and SPF done every single day will outperform ten steps done three days a week almost every time.”
Overloading the skin with multiple active ingredients often triggers irritation, particularly when combined with daily shaving. Dermatologist Dr Debra Jaliman notes that a pared-back setup targets the fundamental mechanics of skin health.
“Cleansing removes oil, sweat, and bacteria. Moisturiser supports hydration and the skin barrier, while sunscreen protects against UV damage, premature ageing, and skin cancer,” she explains.
Unless you are treating specific clinical concerns like persistent acne or severe photoageing, three purposeful products are all you need to keep your skin performing at its best.
What is Skinimalism? Benefits of a Simple Men’s Skincare Routine
For busy men who don’t have the time to spend ages on their skincare, ‘skiniminalism’ takes away the need to rush your routine too. For example, Basil Russo, who owns the medical skin clinic Bar Beauty says his job is so full on, he doesn’t want to spend 20 minutes in the bathroom applying a variety of face creams, serums and toners to his face. And I’m sure this is the case for most busy professionals.
“If a routine has ten steps I’m not doing it – and I own a skin clinic, so what chance does anybody else have,” he says.
“In my clinic most of the guys who come in with a skin problem are doing too much to their face, not too little. Someone’s got six things going, three of them actives, and they’re annoyed their face is red and peeling. We take it all away for two weeks. Nine times out of ten it settles on its own and then we put things back one at a time so you can actually tell what’s doing what.
“One thing nobody says to men and I don’t know why: if you shave, you are already exfoliating. Two, three, four times a week depending on you. So when a routine tells you to add a scrub, or an acid toner, you’re doubling up and then wondering why your skin is irritated. A lot of the men’s routines online are women’s routines with the packaging changed and they don’t account for the razor at all.”
How to Build a 3-Step Men’s Skincare Routine
Building an effective skinimalist routine requires minimal effort, but execution order matters. Here is how to structure your daily regimen for optimal results.
Morning Routine
- Cleanse: Massage a coin-sized amount onto damp skin to wash away overnight oil, sweat, and build-up. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
- Moisturise: Apply a light layer to damp skin to lock in hydration and reinforce your skin’s protective moisture barrier.
- Protect (SPF): Finish with at least one teaspoon of broad-spectrum SPF 50+ across your face, neck, and ears to shield against UV rays, premature ageing, and hyperpigmentation.
Night Routine
- Cleanse: Wash thoroughly to remove grime, excess sebum, and residual sunscreen accumulated throughout the day.
- Moisturise: Apply your moisturiser to nourish and repair the skin barrier overnight while you sleep.
12 Best Cleansers, Moisturisers and SPF For Men
Cleansers
1. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Supramolecular Face Jelly Cleanser
Price: $30-35
There’s everything to love about this product, in particular because it has two of the best superstar skin ingredients in it; salicylic acid and niacinamide which work together to clean pores and support the skin barrier.
As for the jelly texture, this feels like a soft and bouncy gel-like feel on the skin and works well in removing dirt, sweat and oil from the face.
2. Vita Vitae gentle cleanser
Price: AUD $30
As its name suggests, this is a good product to start off with if you’re new to cleansers. It feels very gentle on the face and the creamy texture makes skin feel super soft and smooth. With ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid, which hydrates and plumps skin and makes it feel less tight, it is the perfect base to add your moisturiser on top.
3. MediK8 Total Moisture Daily Cleansing Gel
Price: AUD $60-65
Skin is so clean after using this and you may notice a silky texture to it, which feels very nice. It is a gel to foam base which means it comes out as a gel formula, but when you add water and massage it in, it turns into a light foam. It also has no fragrance which is good if you don’t like products with a scent.
Moisturisers
4. Clinique for Men™ Maximum Hydrator 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Price: $60-65
If you’ve got really dry skin, this is a good product to use as it gives you intense moisture; as it says on the product it provides up to 72 hours of hydration! It is an oil-free gel-cream which means it combines the light, fresh feel of a gel with the softness and comfort of a cream.
5. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Meltdown Recovery Cream
Price: AUD $79
I’ve included two Kiehl’s products in my guide as I think the brand is excellent for men’s skincare. This lightweight face cream is the perfect moisturiser if your skin is in need of some TLC. It melts seamlessly into the skin, reducing any redness or sore patches you may be experiencing, and provides lasting hydration all day. An excellent product if you are someone who suffers with post shave irritation or have eczema prone skin.
6. Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Daily Invigorating Moisture Treatment for Men
Price: AUD $90-95
An invigorating, non-greasy moisturiser for men, this is formulated to awaken dull, fatigued skin. Enriched with vitamin C, vitamin E and caffeine, which work together to plump and brighten skin, as well as hydrate it, you are left with a very refreshed appearance.
7. Dr. Dennis Gross DermInfusions Blur + Repair Cream
Price: AUD $130
If you’ve not heard of Dr Dennis Gross, he is a US board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon and his brand line delivers the best in skincare. This cream is ultra-hydrating and works to moisturise the skin, as well as help plump the area so fine lines and wrinkles are minimized over time.
8. Revision Skincare Intellishade
Price: AUD $105
This is a moisturiser with a built-in SPF of 45 so if you are time poor, this combines two steps in one, (although it may not offer the full protection required from the Australian sun). It gives skin a touch of colour so if you want to add a glow to your face, (don’t worry it doesn’t look like fake tan!) this makes skin look nice and healthy.
9. L’Oréal Paris Men Expert Hydra Energetic Anti-Fatigue Men’s Facial Moisturiser with Vitamin C and SPF15
Price: AUD $19.99
This is a nice and cheap moisturiser that is non-greasy and provides a cooling sensation to the skin so it helps perk it up (hence the anti-fatigue) description. It is very lightweight so if you don’t like the feeling of a heavy product on the skin, you hardly notice this at all. It also has a low SPF in it and Vitamin C that helps brighten the complexion and protect against environmental factors like pollution.
SPF Picks
Daily sun protection is non-negotiable in Australia. Severe UV levels mean a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ is your most effective defence against premature photoageing, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancer. The secret to maintaining the habit is choosing a lightweight, non-greasy formula suited to your skin type.
10. Cancer Council Invisible Fluid SPF50+
Price: AUD $19.95
An ideal everyday option for most men, this Australian-made, ultra-light fluid absorbs rapidly without leaving a greasy residue or white cast. Formulated with silica and tapioca starch to keep shine in check, it offers high-level broad-spectrum protection that is fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin.
11. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF50+
Price: AUD $39.95
Engineered specifically for sensitive skin, this dermatologically tested fluid delivers robust UVA/UVB protection in a weightless formula. It dries down invisibly without stinging the eyes or clogging pores, making it a reliable pick for daily use during workouts or long hours outdoors.
12. Avène Sunsitive Oil Control Sunscreen Fluid SPF50+
Price: AUD $38.99
Formulated for oily and acne-prone skin, this Australian-made formula combines monolaurin and silica to actively absorb excess sebum and control shine throughout the day. It provides a dry-touch, matte finish that feels entirely clean on skin prone to breakouts.
A cleanser should remove sweat, excess oil and the day’s sunscreen without leaving your face feeling tight. Choose a gentle formula, ideally without fragrance if your skin is sensitive. A creamy cleanser often suits dry skin, while a gentle foaming wash may feel better on oily skin.
Moisturiser helps the skin hold on to water and keeps it comfortable, including after shaving. Look for ingredients such as glycerin and ceramides, which help with hydration and the skin’s protective barrier.
With extreme UV levels driving roughly 80 percent of visible facial ageing and Australian men facing a 73 percent lifetime skin cancer risk, daily broad-spectrum SPF 50+ is non-negotiable. Apply at least one teaspoon of a matte, water-resistant formula across your face, neck, and ears as your final morning step, reapplying every two hours outdoors. “Treating skin cancer on the face often requires surgery,” warns cosmetic dermatologist Dr Michael Lipp. “Three well-chosen steps done consistently will serve your skin far better over the years than an elaborate regimen that never becomes a habit.”
Comments
We love hearing from you. or to leave a comment.