Discover the essential grooming sets for stylish men

Have you ever wondered what products style-conscious men use for their daily skin care And to polish routines? The market is oversaturated and choosing the right product can be overwhelming — so we’re here to get a little voyeuristic and give you some answers.

HuffPost spoke with five men, all of whom have large social media followings and extensive beauty regimens, to find out which products they love best and how they incorporate them into their daily routines.

If you prefer a more simplified approach, also check out our story on the ideal skincare routine for men who want to do the bare minimum.

Matthew Zorpas is an entrepreneur with over 170,000 Instagram followers. He is known for his sleek and clean looks, street style and photos of unique travel destinations.

Zorpas told HuffPost that he’s simplified his skin-care routine over the years. He started getting into skin care in his early 20s, when there was a boom in products and information.

“The rise of barbershops and men’s treatments, especially in metropolitan areas, made it necessary to adopt a skin care routine. Living in such environments, it became essential to protect my skin from pollution, bacteria and the stress of a demanding lifestyle,” Zorpas said.

“A consistent routine helps my skin stay resilient to these external factors, keeping it healthy and balanced,” he added.

At 37, he said his skin had become more sensitive and reactive. “In my early years, I experimented with every treatment, serum and moisturizer under the sun, culminating in an elaborate 10-step ritual,” he said. “But now I avoid harsh ingredients and limit myself to only the essential products. My current routine consists of four key products: a water-based cleanser, a serum, a moisturizer and SPF.”

“Every morning I start by cleansing my face to create a clean base,” says Zorpas. “I then apply a morning serum to fortify my skin, followed by a moisturizer to lock in hydration. Before leaving the house, I apply an SPF 50 sunscreen to protect my skin from UV damage. In the evening, I use the cleanser again and follow up with a night cream to nourish my skin overnight. I have been consistent with this routine for the past five years. I also use a hydrating face mask once a week to rejuvenate my complexion, especially after traveling.”

“I’ve had a healthy, full beard for the past 20 years and my grooming routine is focused on keeping it looking neat,” says Zorpas. “Every day I use a beard trimmer to trim my cheeks and neckline to keep my look fresh. To keep my beard conditioned and smooth, I apply beard oil.

“As for my hair, my style changes with the seasons. I’m currently in my ‘wet look’ phase, where I pull my hair back and use a shaping cream to hold the style, rinsing it out every night. I finish my routine with my signature scent, opting for spicy scents in the winter and lighter, citrusy notes in the summer.”

For Zorpas, it is important to maintain this routine. “It is crucial for several reasons: prevention, maintenance, regulation and improvement of skin health,” he said.

Ryan Clark is a content creator based in New York City, with over 190,000 Instagram followers. His style is elegant, with a touch of colorful design, and he is a big fan of tailoring with a modern twist.

Clark said his skin-care routine was more basic and focused on blemishes when he was a teenager, but that it slowly grew into a full routine as he learned more about his skin’s needs. Finding a good dermatologist is also important, Clark noted.

“I shower with a soothing and cleansing body soap,” Clark said. “I shave with products designed to prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs, and use a soothing and moisturizing aftershave. I apply a styling cream that hydrates and defines curls, and then I do my skin care.”

For Clark, maintaining this routine is important for several reasons. “A good routine keeps my skin healthy, boosts my confidence, and addresses specific concerns like hyperpigmentation and ingrown hairs, which are common skin concerns for men of color,” he said. “It’s a preventative measure for the future.”

Leo Chan is an actor and fashion and lifestyle influencer based between New York City and Los Angeles, with over 100,000 Instagram followers. On his page, he showcases red carpet moments, his personal style, and his travels.

Chan started in skin care and personal care after his studies, but first worked in the corporate world.

“Over the past five years, I’ve really prioritized a skin-care routine to take care of my face as I get older,” Chan said. “I always look to my partner, Alicia, to help me evolve and update my routine to keep my skin healthy.”

“I try to take good care of my skin with a consistent daily morning and evening skincare routine. I try to keep it as simple and easy as possible with the basic steps of cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. During the day, I never skip sunscreen, Chan noted. “In the summer months, I try to wear hats more often to protect my face on sunnier afternoons.”

Morning

““Every day I make sure I smell good and wear deodorant and a scent that goes with my outfit and the occasion,” Chan said. “I usually get my hair cut every four weeks and groom my facial hair about once a week.”

For Chan, skincare and grooming routines are forms of self-care. “By investing in myself now, I’m investing in my future,” he said. “A good skincare routine can help me look and feel younger for longer, and a solid grooming routine will always make me feel confident and well-presented.”

Alex Costa is an entrepreneur and social media influencer with over 7 million followers across platforms, showcasing his everyday fashion and luxury lifestyle.

When it comes to his skincare routine, he started with the basics and has since added more targeted treatment products, like retinol.

Nowadays, it’s relatively easy to have a full routine, but that wasn’t always the case for Costa. “When I was younger, men’s grooming wasn’t really part of the conversation, so I started doing it quite late in my 20s,” he said. “I wish I had started earlier.”

He recommended starting a good skin and care routine now if you haven’t already. Remember, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

“I started with the basics: cleanser, moisturizer and exfoliant,” Costa says. “But over the years, I’ve improved my routine and added a few key steps: sunscreen with at least SPF 30, eye serum, and retinol at night. I do my best to avoid being in the sun for too long and keep my diet clean, which is an important part of my overall routine.”

“My hair is my favorite part of my daily care routine and to style it I use an oil that has completely changed the health of my hair,” says Costa. “It was really boring before I started using that oil daily. I set my signature hairstyle with clay. For my beard, I keep it simple and trim it evenly around 7 millimeters.”

It is important for Costa to maintain this daily routine. “Your image says a lot about who you are, what your habits are and whether you are disciplined, so I always do my best to look good and present myself well,” he said. “Research shows that people treat you differently if you present yourself well, so for me this is a no-brainer.”

Marcel Floruss is a New York-based creator who is on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list and has over 1.5 million followers across platforms.

Floruss has a relatively simple and straightforward routine that covers all the basic needs for his skin, from cleansing to moisturizing and sunscreen. He has been consistent with this skincare routine since he turned 30.

““My skin care routine is pretty minimal and consists of washing and moisturizing my face twice a day, using zinc sunscreen, a tinted moisturizer, and exfoliating my skin two to three times a week,” says Floruss. “Sometimes I give my skin extra care with hydrating masks, serums and creams.”

For photo shoots and events, Floruss uses a tinted cream from a men’s makeup brand to even out blemishes on the skin.

“Grooming has always been an important part of my personal style, something I started enjoying around the age of 13,” says Floruss. “I trim my beard twice a week and get my hair cut twice a month. I also use Rogaine to control my receding hairline!”

“Aesthetics are important to me and as a style content creator, I put a lot of effort into looking my best so I can feel my best. The same goes for skin care,” Floruss told HuffPost. “I want to make sure I continue to feel confident and healthy even as I get older, and taking care of your skin and protecting it from sun damage plays a big part in that.”