Men Skin and Hair Care: a Simple Routine
- Jul 21, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 8
Written by Clémence Rubiella | Published on 15 July 2023 | Updated on 8 February 2026 | Skincare | Haircare
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Dear Messieurs,
Should you find yourself newly arrived in the vast and occasionally bewildering world of skincare—or simply seeking to improve your complexion without turning your daily routine into a scholarly pursuit—then this letter is written especially for you. Take heart: skincare and haircare need not be elaborate affairs filled with twenty mysterious potions. In fact, more often than not, simplicity proves most effective.
I have witnessed many of my male acquaintances retreat in quiet panic at the mere sight of the skincare aisle, daunted by endless shelves and promises whispered from every bottle. And truly, who could blame them? The industry can feel rather like a ballroom where one does not know the steps.
In full honesty, every product I recommend elsewhere may be used by anyone with skin and good sense.
However, should you prefer not to wander through countless articles in search of guidance, I present below a routine that is simple, direct, and mercifully uncomplicated.
And let it be known—though addressed to Messieurs—this routine remains perfectly suitable for anyone who values efficiency, clarity, and a complexion that behaves itself.
Simple Skincare Routine Picks:
Cleanser: Etude House Soon Jung PH 6.5 Whip Cleanser ($14)
Best Moisturizer: Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb ($38) Best Gel Moisturizer: Dr.G Red Blemish ($17) Best Tube Moisturizer: Etude House Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream ($11)
Sunscreen: RoundLab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream ($20)
Simple Haircare Routine Picks:
4. Shampoo: Aromatica Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo ($34)
5. Hair Gel: Grafen Pomande Sea Water ($21)
1. Cleanser: Etude House Soon Jung PH 6.5 Whip Cleanser
Rating: 5 / 5
Product quantity: 150ml
Highlights:
Non-drying
Not irritating
Gentle on the skin
Fragrance-free
What we don’t like:
Nothing to report (a rare and delightful occurence)
Washing one’s face with a classic bar soap may indeed appear delightfully convenient—quick, familiar, and requiring little thought. However, I regret to inform you it is not the most favourable companion for your complexion, and for several rather compelling reasons. Firstly, such soaps are seldom generous in the matter of hydration and may leave the skin feeling uncomfortably tight, like gloves one size too small—hardly ideal, and occasionally irritating. Secondly, they have a tendency to strip away your skin’s natural oils with the enthusiasm of an overzealous housekeeper. This, in turn, may disturb your skin’s delicate pH balance and compromise its protective barrier—an outcome we most certainly wish to avoid. Thirdly, should dyes be present, they may provoke unwanted reactions in more sensitive complexions. And truly, no one desires their skincare routine to end in scandal.
But do not despair, dear readers. The Korean beauty world, ever thoughtful, offers cleansers that are both practical and most reasonably priced. It was some years ago that I first encountered the Soon Jung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser by Etude House, and I must say—it made quite the impression. Its charm lies in its simplicity. Rather than emerging as a gel or liquid, it arrives as a soft, airy foam, like delicate clouds prepared solely for your face. No additional water required. Efficient and elegant—how refreshing.
Upon the skin, it feels impossibly gentle, as though it scarcely wishes to disturb you at all. Its hypoallergenic formula behaves most politely, rarely causing breakouts, while its lightweight nature allows it to cleanse without burdening the complexion. Its low pH level (6.5) works quietly to soothe and maintain balance—never dramatic, always dependable. Free from parabens and fragrance, it instead offers the restorative virtues of madecassoside, derived from centella asiatica, known for helping repair and comfort stressed skin.
In short, dear readers, should you wish to part ways with your bar soap without regret, this would be a most respectable—and mercifully simple—place to begin.
2. Best Moisturizer: Belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb
Rating: 5 / 5
Product quantity: 75ml
Highlights:
Comforting and soothing on the skin
Deep and long-lasting hydration
Fragrance-free
What we don’t like:
The price ( a touch indulgent, perhaps)
The second step, dear readers, is moisturizing the skin—an essential courtesy one must never neglect. There is, of course, nothing scandalous about using classic Nivea creams (Nivea Creme or Refreshing Soft Moisturizing Creme). However… one can aim a touch higher.
Enter the Belif True Cream Moisturizing Bomb—quite simply, the “better” your skin has been quietly hoping for. Wonderfully versatile, it performs beautifully in both winter’s chill and summer’s warmth.
Its formula is an absolute delight. Upon application, you can feel deep hydration melt effortlessly into the skin, soothing and reviving tired complexions. A modest amount suffices admirably, meaning one jar lasts a most respectable length of time.
Though rich and whipped in texture, it feels surprisingly light upon the skin—no heaviness, no unwanted shine, and most importantly, not the slightest hint of stickiness. Quite the well-mannered moisturizer, indeed.
Best Gel Moisturizer: Dr.G Red Blemish
Rating: 5 / 5 Awards: Glowpick 2023, OliveYoung 2021/2022
Product quantity: 50ml
Highlights:
Fragrance-free
Non-sticky
Soothing
Brightening
Gel-like texture
What we don’t like:
The quantity is rather modest, and may disappear sooner than one would wish
The Dr. G Perfect Cream, dear readers, is precisely the sort of loyal companion one reaches for when one wishes to apply nothing else at all upon the face. Fragrance-free and most well-mannered, it delivers just the right measure of hydration—never sticky, never overbearing, always composed.
Its quick-absorbing, gel-like texture melts into the skin with remarkable ease, while its soothing virtues—thanks to madecassoside and centella asiatica extract—work quietly to calm even the most temperamental complexions.
In truth, there is little scandal to report about this exceptional cream, save for one delightful detail: it grants the skin that extra touch of brightness one so appreciates, both in the light of day and by candlelight.
Best Tube Moisturizer: Etude House Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream
Rating: 5 / 5
Product quantity: 60ml
Highlights:
Delightfully travel-friendly, ready for any carriage or suitcase
Non-sticky
Fragrance-free
Long-lasting with intense hydration
Fortifies and improves the skin natural barrier
What we don’t like:
The pump has a tendency to gather a little untidiness over time
Another most admirable option is the Etude House Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream, particularly in its charming tube version. This has won the undying favour of my dear father, a gentleman who once regarded skincare as an entirely foreign notion and relied solely upon Nivea creams.
Its compact size makes it an exceptionally convenient companion for travel, far more manageable than the previously mentioned creams. The experience of applying it is nothing short of delightful—the creamy formula sinks instantly into the skin, soothing and comforting with quiet grace.
It bestows long-lasting hydration while restoring the delicate balance of oils and moisture, proving itself a most reliable ally for any complexion. Truly, a choice both practical and refined.
3. Sunscreen: RoundLab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream
Rating: 5 / 5 Awards: Glowpick 2023, OliveYoung 2021/2022
Product quantity: 50ml
Highlights:
Non-scented
Non-sticky
No white trace
Lightweight formula
What we don’t like:
Small quantity (vanishing all too quickly)
It took quite some time before I was able to procure one of these coveted tubes, for they are perpetually sold out across Korea. Yet, dear readers, the wait was nothing short of worthwhile. For a good while, I remained faithful to the Huxley Sun Cream; Stay Sun Safe—a most admirable sunscreen—yet I had never quite ventured beyond my well-trodden comfort zone.
Alas, the advertisements for the RoundLab Sun Cream at Olive Young proved impossible to ignore, and so I resolved to indulge my curiosity. I must confess, the lightweight, liquid texture took me pleasantly by surprise, for most sunscreens tend toward the heavy and sticky. This formulation, however, feels more akin to a luminous serum, sinking swiftly into the skin with nary a white cast.
And, of course, with SPF50+ PA++++, one may stroll—or promenade—under the sun with the utmost confidence, knowing the skin is elegantly and effectively protected from harmful rays.
4. Shampoo: Aromatica Rosemary Scalp Scaling Shampoo
Rating: 5 / 5 Awards: OliveYoung 2021
Product quantity: 400ml
Highlights:
Free from sulphates and silicone
Gently exfoliates and nourishes the scalp
Delightfully fragrant
Packaged in recyclable materials
What we don’t like:
Absolutely nothing—a rare and perfect triumph
Free of silicone and sulfate, this shampoo is, quite frankly, one of the finest I have ever encountered—and believe me, I have sampled my fair share. I possess naturally very thin hair, prone to greasing with alarming swiftness—a plight most trying, as any gentleman or lady with a sensitive coiffure will understand. Until now, no Western shampoo, however highly praised, has been able to stop this unfortunate greasiness. The few worthy contenders are either extravagantly priced or offered in quantities most miserly.
Enter Aromatica Shampoo, a revelation that failed in no regard. Free from both sulphates and silicone, it strengthens while delicately exfoliating the scalp, delivering a veritable banquet of nutrients straight to the hair’s roots. Truly, one scarcely needs further persuasion—this shampoo is a most sensible choice, elegant, effective, and utterly without fuss.
5. Hair wax: Grafen Pomande Sea Water
Rating: 5 / 5
Product quantity: 100g
Highlights:
Refreshing ocean-inspired scent
Removes with ease, no fuss
Leaves a glossy, polished finish
Offers a reliably strong hold
What we don’t like:
Nothing at all—truly impeccable
Finally, dear readers, should you be in search of a wax that will keep your coiffure perfectly in place from morning promenade to evening soirée, the Grafen Pomade Sea Water is precisely what you require. This oil-free, water-based delight is suitable for all hair types, even the thickest and most unruly tresses.
The formula is delightfully non-sticky, ensuring your hairstyle remains sleek and composed for hours on end. A soft oceanic scent, courtesy of Jeju seawater, adds a touch of freshness while keeping your hair’s natural texture alive and lively. The finish is a refined, gentle gloss—and fear not the removal, for a single wash is all that is required to restore your locks to their natural elegance.
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