Men have a 3-in-1 solution for skincare - their soap works as a face wash, body wash and shampoo.
But it wasn’t like this decades ago. In every region or country in the era of kings, there are written scriptures and proofs indicating the full procedures of skincare used by the royal households. They used especially medicated oils and scented balms to keep their skin clean and glowing. Perfumes, wigs, and aromatic pastes were used by wealthy men as well.
Grooming for men, in old times, was a status of power, money and dignity. They spent an acceptable amount of time bathing, cleaning, grooming and getting dressed. Nowadays, men take a bath and get ready to rock the day in 10-15 minutes. They shave when necessary and often skip the other grooming practices.
Luckily, the self-care and skincare routines for men still have hope. Many people have started using specific products suited to their skin. Men have now come back to treating skincare as a necessity rather than a hobby that they did in their free time. Let’s dive into what brought this change.
Reasons Why Men Are Taking Skincare Seriously
From basic cleaning of the face with water and soap, the younger generation has now started treating their skin with targeted skincare products. They are taking responsibility for their hygiene and often invest in good skincare products specifically curated for Indian men's skin. But what brought this change?
Breaking Away From The Traditional Masculinity Norms:
The older generation of men often refrained from talking about beauty and skincare for men beyond the basics of hygiene. For them, this talk was exclusively for females. But times have changed. Men are now reforming their perspective by embracing skincare and self-care routines.
This change has come from a proactive approach to not sitting back out of fear of judgment. The younger generation is growing up in more accepting surroundings. Skincare is now looked at as exercising or eating healthy. This makes them more emotionally aware of their physical and mental health.
Social Media And Influencer Culture:
Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook have played a key role in educating and generalising the idea of skincare for men. While Nivea was the first company to introduce a men's skincare range in the 1980’s, currently we have more than 25000 companies globally dedicated to the men’s grooming industry.
Unlike traditional media, videos and reels on social media showed a much simplified process and content that resonated with users. When a man looks at another man using the product, it creates a sense of trust. The idea becomes more approachable and less intimidating. When they look at people with the same issues and their journey to solve those issues, it becomes easier for them to buy it. The rise of male influencers and the short video content game has really turned the picture around.
Mr Vikram Soni is a menswear influencer, traveller, and fitness enthusiast. We asked him about his skincare, and this is what he had to say:
Q. What is the importance of a skincare routine in your life?
Ans. Since I'm constantly travelling and training outdoors, skincare helps protect my skin from pollution, UV rays, and sweat while also helping it recover after workouts. It's about keeping my skin healthy, not just looking good.
Q. Skincare comes at a cost; what would you recommend someone start with?
Ans: You don't need an expensive routine. I'd suggest starting with the basics—a gentle cleanser, moisturiser, and sunscreen. Once you're consistent, you can always build on it.
Q. What product do you carry everywhere, like a complete non-negotiable for you?
Ans: Sunscreen, without a doubt. It's the one product I never leave home without because protecting my skin from UV damage is the best long-term investment I can make.
The Rise Of The Men’s Grooming Industry:
Responding to this culture, the industry delivered. There are so many direct-to-consumer companies that have developed
Anti-ageing creams
Cleansers
Moisturisers
Sunscreens
Beard care products
Anti-acne solutions, tailored for men’s skin.
These products, along with their exact details on how to use them after identifying the skin type, are available in varied price ranges as well. This encourages young users to develop a routine and manage their skin to protect it from everyday damage, which in turn expands the market.
Skincare For Confidence And Appearance:
Students and young individuals often feel confident when they fit in with the crowd and are validated. Having acne, pigmentation and acne marks often makes boys and men underconfident. Grooming and maintaining the beard, having clear skin and taking good care of the body promote confidence.
Going for interviews, attending college, dancing at functions, creating contacts and networking or building content to post online- everything gets better with self-love and care. When they get more comfortable with their looks, it makes them fit in the social setting. It is looked at as a part of professional grooming and a confidence booster.
To delve deeper into this concept, we got in touch with Dr Lokesh Sengar [MBBS | General Physician] and asked for his views. Below is what he had to say:
Q. Why should everyone have a skincare routine?
Ans: A consistent skincare routine helps maintain healthy skin, protects the skin barrier, and prevents issues like acne, pigmentation, and premature ageing.
Q. How to build an effective routine at low cost?
Ans: Keep it simple—a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen are all you need to build an effective routine.
Q. One product that you can’t go a day without?
Ans: Sunscreen. It’s the most important product for protecting the skin from UV damage and maintaining long-term skin health.
Basic Routine Of Skincare For Men
Here is everything you need to know about how to take care of your skin. This basic guide will help you to start, although it is advisable to consult a dermatologist and use products that suit your skin.
Know your skin type - Oily skin typically appears shiny and is prone to clogged pores, while dry skin may feel tight or flaky. Combination skin has both oily and dry areas, while sensitive skin reacts easily to certain products or environmental factors.
A 3-step routine in the morning: Use a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen.
A 3-step routine at night: Use a gentle cleanser, moisturiser and a treatment-specific product.
Along with treatment-specific products, you can also use an exfoliator, serum, eye cream, retinol, face mask, toner, spot treatments, lip balm or beard care products.
The Takeaway
Moving forward over time, men have associated overall wellness with not just being clean and earning money, but with fitness, nutrition, mental health, sleep and skincare. This change has made it an everyday wellness habit from being a luxury. Men are now aware of the harmful exposure to UV rays, the side effects of premature ageing, and the importance of hydration for the skin.
This awareness has made them more conscious of their skin. The growing trends in social media and increased knowledge can be reasons for shifting one’s attitude towards masculinity and skincare. The trends may come and go, but the underlying message remains the same: Taking care of your skin is about confidence, health and comfort in your own skin.
