6 Signs It's Time to Upgrade Your Men's Grooming Products

Key Points

• Some men don't concern themselves—or don't concern themselves enough—with their grooming routine.
• Maintaining healthy hair and skin is important, now and for the future (and for your partner).
• Here are some signs it's time to move on from those outdated grooming products and start taking better care of your hair and skin.

Some guys just don't know the ins and outs of men's grooming. They don't know when it's time to upgrade their hair and skincare products. They might even be using items with harmful ingredients. Does that sound like you?

Men, here are six signs you shouldn't ignore that scream it's time to upgrade your grooming routine.

Skin irritation

If you find your skin is getting irritated more frequently after washing your face, shaving or showering, it could be a sign you've outgrown your grooming products, said Sarah Roberts, the founder of A Beauty Edit in Kingston, Pennsylvania.

The following indicators are signs your grooming products aren't helping the condition of your skin.

Dry, red or flaking skin

Skin that feels dry or appears red is a sign of skin irritation and could mean you're using the wrong products, Roberts said. Sometimes, your skin can get so dry it starts to flake.

"Flaking skin might be a sign that you either need to exfoliate dead skin away or that the skin is dry and is in need of a more emollient moisturizer," said Merry Thornton, P.A.-C., a physician's assistant and the founder of Element Medical Aesthetics in New Canaan, Connecticut.

There are things you can do to help soothe your troubled skin.

"If your skin is flaky, add in a gentle exfoliant, such as a glycolic acid cleanser or glycolic acid pads. If your skin is dry, switch to a moisturizer that has ceramides," Thornton said.

Ingrown hairs

Developing ingrown hairs after shaving could be a sign your shaving products or razors need an upgrade, according to Thornton. Ingrown hairs are often caused by dull razors. You should replace your razor blade every five to 10 shaves, according to the English Shaving Co.

"I've seen men do all sorts of things, from using a woman's razor to using their shampoo as shaving cream or ignoring their ingrown hair so badly that they have huge cysts with 3-inch hairs in them," said Rachel Lee Lozina, a licensed esthetician and the owner of Blue Water Spa in Oyster Bay, New York.

Acne and breakouts

If you notice your current products aren't effec­tively addressing specific skin concerns, such as acne or excessive oiliness, it's time to consider upgra­ding, Roberts said.

Your skin changes over time. Your skincare products should, too.

"As a teenager, males can develop hormonal acne, which can easily be treated with facials to maintain proper skin health and prevent grade 2 acne from forming," Lozina said. "Acne is like weeds. If left unattended, it gets worse and worse."

Swap out those products or start using products that gently deal with acne.

Premature signs of aging

Wrinkles are not only a sign of aging, they're an indication you should probably add a product with retinol or peptides, according to Thornton.

"As you grow older, your skin naturally undergoes changes like decreased collagen production and cell turnover, which make it more vulne­rable to damage. Hence, establishing a consistent skincare regimen early on helps preserve youthful and radiant skin over time," Roberts said.

Premature aging can be caused by sun exposure, too, Lozina said.

"If you are noticing dark spots, it could be from lack of adequate sun protection," Thornton said. "If you are not using SPF every day, now is the time to start. If you are already using SPF but are still noticing dark spots and wrinkles, consider switching to a mineral SPF…which contains tranexamic acid to help with pigmentation."

You're still using the same products you used as a teenager

Speaking of aging, there's a good chance you're growing out of some of the products you've been using forever. We're talking about those combination shower products, too.

"It's important to recognize when your current grooming products no longer meet your needs. If you're still using the same products from your teenage years or early 20s, it may be time for a change," Roberts said.

Men spend an average of $592 per year on their appearance. Most of this money is spent on haircuts, supplements, protein powders and gym memberships. Women spend an average of $877 a year on their appearance. Their number-one beauty expense is skincare, a 2022 survey suggested.

Guys, isn't it time you start investing in your skin as well? Signs it's time to upgrade your skincare products include the following:

• Persistent breakouts
• Stubborn dryness
• Lack of improvement in your skin's texture
• Skincare is no longer meeting your changing needs
• Products have become ineffective

You're out of college

Getting serious about a skincare and grooming routine should ideally begin in your early 20s, but it's never too late. This establishes the groundwork for healthier skin in the future. If you're past your early 20s and still don't have a productive grooming routine, you'll want to prioritize one as soon as possible, according to Roberts.

"Most of the damage to our skin occurs from the sun and free radicals, and the damage happens cumulatively over time, starting in childhood," Thornton said. "The earlier you start prioritizing your skin, the better off you'll be. It is always easier to be preventative than corrective."

Recommended

• 4 Reasons to Consider Manscaping: More men are discovering that their partners prefer some grooming below the belt.
• Grooming for Men: Myths & Misconceptions: Sorry, guys, but male grooming is a bit more complicated than a biweekly shower and toothbrushing.
• 7 Grooming Tips for Guys Over 50: Glowing skin, pearly whites and manicured hair don't have to be relics of the past. Stay kempt, men.

Your products don't have the best ingredients

When you buy new products or decide which of your current products to keep, you want to avoid any items with harsh ingredients. Switch to gentler alternatives that nourish and protect your skin.

"By priori­tizing these products and ingre­dients, you can maintain healthy and youthful-looking skin well into your 30s and beyond," Roberts said.

Ingredients and products to avoid include the following:

• Beard grooming products with silicone, which can clog pores
• Beard grooming products with phthalates, known endocrine disruptors
• Parabens, which can irritate the skin and accelerate aging
• Artificial fragrances
• Alcohol
• Nanoparticles
• Chemical SPF containing avobenzone, homosalate or oxybenzone
• Sulfates that can be irritating
• Retinol if you have sensitive skin

On the other hand, skincare ingredients you might want to look for in your products include the following:

• Vitamin C and E to combat free radicals
• Hyaluronic acid for hydra­tion
• Peptides for collagen production

What are good men's grooming products for a guy over 30?

The global male grooming market is estimated to be worth about $115 billion by 2028, up from nearly $80 billion in 2022, according to a 2022 report. With seemingly endless options when it comes to grooming products, how do you know which are best?

Men over 30 should be sure they have the following items, Roberts said:

• High-quality cleanser
• Moisturizer with SPF
• Anti-aging serum
• Eye cream
• Quality razor

These items will specif­ically cater to the needs of mature skin by ensuring cleanl­iness, hydra­tion, prote­ction from UV rays and preve­ntion of wrinkles, Roberts said. In addition, it will provide a smooth shaving experience.

High-q­uality cleanser

Look for a cleanser with glycolic or lactic acid that provides gentle exfoliation without over-stripping the skin, Thornton said. If your skin shows signs of redness or irritation, try a cleanser made for sensitive skin instead.

A moist­urizer with SPF

Try to find a mineral SPF that contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, Thornton said. If you are mostly indoors, SPF 15 is fine. For outdoorsy types, aim for SPF 30 and higher.

Anti-aging serum

Look for serums that contain growth factors and peptides to help improve the tone and texture of skin while preventing wrinkles, Thornton said. These can help give your complexion a boost.

The bottom line

If you find your grooming products haven't been addressing your needs or you've been using the same items since you were a teenager, it's time for an upgrade. It's never too late to start prioritizing your hair and skin.

Check the labels to avoid harsh chemicals, and start your new personal care routine now. Your future self will thank you.