Guys, we feel you. You want to look good, but want to keep things as simple when it comes to finding grooming products. Ideally, you’d choose one and not worry about it slowly killing you with harsh chemicals. At the same time, it would be nice if you did not have to spend one-third of your paycheck on organic serums.
Well, that’s why we’re here. Let’s talk about what “best men’s grooming products” even means, and how you can choose the right ones for you.
Things to avoid in grooming products
When it comes to selecting the tools and product that you choose to make yourself look good, you need to check what’s inside. The majority of hair products, colognes and creams have harmful chemicals that can do some serious damage without you knowing. They might feel great at first, but over time irritation can set it, and you will not be a happy camper.
It seems like some companies make their ingredients super complicated on purpose. Whether or not this is true, here’s a quick reference list of things that your grooming products should not contain:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Acetylated Lanolin
- Butyl Stearate
- Octyl Palmitate
- Cyclomethicone
- Dimethicone
- Propylene Glycol (PG)
- Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
- Ethylene Glycol (EG)
- Diethanolmine (DEA)
- Triethanolamine (TEA)
Take the time to read the ingredients on that bottle before you buy it. Better spending an extra minute or two at the store than shredding your face with nasty chemicals.
The essentials
You want to keep this as simple as possible. You’re not in the business of deciding between fragrances and testing different creams on your skin. You just want to get in, out, and back to the good stuff.
We’re not going to tell you exactly what products to choose, but here are some must-haves, and a few key points that can help you make a decision.
Body Wash
You just need a wash with a moisturizing element. It may or may not contain some essential oils for extra skin healing benefits, but you really just need to make sure that it’s keeping your skin hydrated. If you prefer going old school with the bar soap, try to avoid those old blocks of Irish Spring and Zest. They can strip your skin of the nutrients it needs to stay smooth and healthy.
Face
There should not be a complicated ritual when it comes to cleaning your face. You wash it, shave it, and moisturize it. That’s pretty much it. What you need to avoid is clogging it. Keeping your moisturizer light and without too many extra fragrances will help you avoid that greasy feeling.
Also, we don’t say this in too many situations, but avoid the alcohol. You may like that sting from traditional after shaves that let you know “it’s working,” but that feeling is actually your skin drying out thanks to harsh chemicals.
Hair
It’s usually “less is more” when it comes to hair products. You need a simple shampoo without any of the chemicals that we listed above, and a moisturizing conditioner that feeds your hair with nutrients and hair-healthy vitamins like biotin, vitamin E, and fatty acids. For styling and maintenance, you have a whole lot of choices. Instead of going into them all here, take a look at one of the many articles written on the best pomades, waxes, and clays that will keep you looking sharp all day.
Shaving
You’re probably aware of the great battle going on between safety razors and cartridge razors. The ultimate hispter and laymen showdown, am I right? They both have their well-documented advantages and disadvantages, so we won’t get into that here. What we will say is that a bleeding cut from shaving is never cool, no matter how you got it. We recommend adding a vasoconstrictor like Glyder to your arsenal. It will stop any bleeding from minor nicks or cuts so you can shave with confidence, and not look like a high-schooler. You’ll thank us later.
The best products usually make the most sense
Try not to get too caught up in the marketing hype when you’re about to go shopping for grooming products. Regardless of how cool the commercial was or the promises they make, it’s up to you to do your research. Whatever you buy will last you for at least a month, so make sure it’s something that helps in your pursuit of being a healthy and well-groomed man (not troll).