The best beauty brands for the men in your life

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Just like how you should switch up your skincare products to meet your skin needs every day – an extra dose of hydrating serum when your skin is feeling tight or dry, or a brightening moisturiser when you’ve had a later-than-usual night – men should use skincare products tailored for them because studies have shown that their skin is different from women’s. For example, their skin is thicker, they generally have more sebum (which is influenced by hormones), and they are more prone to facial wrinkles. That’s why they need more dedicated skincare rather than just swiping a few dollops of your moisturiser. This Father’s Day, pamper your Dad or husband by getting him something from any of these 12 beauty brands, which have specially curated ranges for men.

1. Clinique For Men

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A post shared by Clinique (@clinique) on Jun 2, 2019 at 12:10pm PDT

American beauty brand Clinique introduced a skincare line for men in 1976, just eight years after it was founded, making it one of the frontrunners in men’s skincare products. Its paraben-, phthalate- and fragrance-free formulas make it generally suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Besides face scrub, cleansers, mattifying moisturisers and lotions, the range also includes an aftershave lotion to soothe skin since shaving can cause skin irritation.

2. Boy de Chanel

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Makeup has always been marketed to women or as gender neutral (like what makeup brands such as Make Up For Ever and M.A.C Cosmetics have done), so it was refreshing to see a global brand like Chanel come up with a makeup line specially targeted at men, telling them that it’s OK to dab a bit of foundation to even out skin tone, or a bit of lip balm to get more kissable lips, or to groom their brows to look even more presentable. And that’s just it. Three products for the most minimalist (and makeup-squeamish) man.

3. House 99

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A post shared by HOUSE 99 BY DAVID BECKHAM (@house99) on Feb 17, 2019 at 11:41am PST

Just to make sure you’re aware – yes, it takes time and effort to look as (ironically) effortlessly polished as David Beckham. That’s why his beauty brand, created in partnership with beauty giant L’Oreal, also has a moisturising cream made specifically for tattoos – on top of having the usual skincare and hair products. The Bold Statement Tattoo Body Moisturising Cream has SPF 50 to preserve the original colours of your man’s tattoo ink from damaging UV rays. Its formula is lightweight, water-resistant, enriched with Vitamin E, fragrance- and paraben-free, non-comedogenic, and safe for sensitive and tattooed skin. So think again when you think a woman’s skincare routine is high-maintenance, okay?

4. Laneige Homme

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A post shared by 라네즈 l Luminous Beauty (@laneige_kr) on Jun 7, 2018 at 5:59am PDT

The pioneer in sleeping masks, South Korean cosmetics brand Laneige also has a men’s skincare line. The collection is pared down and minimalist, with two anti-ageing products, four hydrating ones, and two oil-controlling products. Perfect for men who are looking to start a skincare routine, and the fuss-free ones who have no patience to layer on 10 products after getting out from the shower.

5. Dior Homme Dermo System

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A post shared by Dior Butik Warszawa (@diorbutikwarszawa) on Apr 18, 2019 at 6:23am PDT

We bet when French brand Dior Homme comes to mind, you’re picturing impeccably made suits and models with jawlines that could cut glass, and not so much a preventive- and anti-ageing skincare line. But that’s what the Dior Homme Dermo System range is, packaged into rectangular, futuristic-looking bottles. With a cleanser, aftershave lotion, two emulsions for different skin needs, and an eye serum, this is the skincare line for tastemakers.

6. SK-II Men

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Of course Japanese brand SK-II, known globally for its Facial Treatment Essence aka Miracle Water, would have a version of its best-seller for men. The difference is the addition of a skin-conditioning ingredient, which we suppose helps increase the softening and smoothing effect of the product. The other product in the line is a face cleanser, which is again, another example of how minimalist skincare for men can be.

7. Lab Series

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A post shared by LAB SERIES Singapore (@labseries_sg) on Nov 15, 2018 at 8:34pm PST

Lab Series is a mens-only skincare brand that was established by beauty giant Estee Lauder in 1987. Its no-frills design and direct messaging are probably reasons why it’s one of the most well-known and popular brands among men in Singapore. And its wide range of products target different skin concerns, from anti-ageing to oil-control, and it has a shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and deodorant too.

8. Innisfree Forest for Men

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Korean naturalist beauty brand Innisfree, who used to have actor Lee Min-Ho as its ambassador, has a range of men’s skincare called Forest for Men. There is a variety of cleansers (some of them even double as shaving foam), a body wash, and moisturisers and emulsions for different skin concerns such as oil-control and hydration.

9. The Face Shop

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A post shared by THEFACESHOP Singapore (@thefaceshop_sg) on Jun 17, 2016 at 2:19am PDT

The men’s section of Korean beauty brand The Face Shop has a wide range of products for different skin concerns, from anti-ageing to hydrating skincare. The brand even has a multipurpose three-in-one (toner, essence and lotion) called the Neo Classi Homme Black Essential 80 All in One Treatment and a BB cream called The Fresh For Men BB Cream with an SPF of 40 that’s perfect for men who prefer to spend minimal time on skincare routines.

10. Mamonde Men Recharging Line

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A post shared by Mamonde Singapore (@mamondesingapore) on Feb 13, 2019 at 2:10am PST

Your man might be squeamish about using skincare products from a Korean beauty brand that prides itself on creating skincare products inspired by flowers, but the dark (and broody) look of the packaging for Mamonde’s Men Recharging Line might change his mind. Inspired by dandelion flowers, the range also has caffeine and vitamin C to target wrinkles and dull skin. Plus, Korea and Singapore are the only countries to carry this range, which goes to show the brand’s confidence in Singapore men’s grooming capabilities (or so we say).

11. Jack Black

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A post shared by Jack Black Men's Skincare (@getjackblack) on Apr 23, 2019 at 10:00am PDT

Jack Black (no, not the actor) is a luxury skincare line for men that’s the No. 1 best-selling men’s skincare brand in the US. It’s brought in by multi-label store Escentials, and there are products from a volumising shampoo to three different variants of lip balms. There’s also a product called the Beard Lube that functions as a pre-shave oil, shave cream, and an after-shave conditioner to soften facial hair for a smooth shave and to nourish skin too.

12. Kiehl’s

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A post shared by Kiehl's Since 1851 (@kiehls) on Mar 18, 2019 at 7:56am PDT

American apothecary brand Kiehl’s also has a wide range of skincare for men. Besides cleansers and moisturisers, the brand also carries shaving cream, a post-shave gel, and anti-perspirants and deodorants specially for men. But if you know Kiehl’s, you would know that the rest of its products, like the best-selling moisturiser Ultra Facial Cream and its oil-controlling mask Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque do not specifically target either gender and can be used by men too.

ALSO READ: MEN IN BEAUTY: FROM KNOWING NOTHING ABOUT SKINCARE TO MAKING HUXLEY A CULT-FAVOURITE LUXURY K-BEAUTY BRAND