7 Grooming Tips for Guys Over 50

Once upon a time, you may have kept your face and teeth spick and span and sleek. Perhaps it was even your sharp habits that landed you a mate. But over time, men—maybe even you—get more comfortable and lose interest in keeping up a regimen. Older men get set in their ways, after all.

But just because your day-to-day practices ain't broke, in your estimation anyway, that doesn't mean you shouldn't put some effort into keeping your appearance clean and well-kempt. Even beyond just feeling good about yourself, these daily tricks might have some hidden health benefits.

Develop a daily facial routine

Most of your facial skin is constantly exposed to the elements and the sun's UV rays. If you don't take care of it, your face will break down and sag faster than the rest of you.

A serviceable facial routine doesn't have to be an over-complicated project. Merely use a shower soap designed specifically for the face and apply a moisturizer after you shower. You can pick up a good facial soap and moisturizer cream in the health-and-beauty aisle of drugstores and grocery stores, so you have no excuses.

Add a weekly facial scrub

If you can manage one more weekly step to protect your face, your future self will thank you. Men's skin is thicker than women's, and as men age, the natural turnover of their skin cells slows, thickening it even further, which results in rough, lusterless skin, clogged pores, and trapped oil and dirt.

Grabbing a men's facial scrub and adding it to your shower routine once or twice a week will make a big difference.

Wear SPF-30 sunscreen daily

You don't have to be at the beach on a sunny day to damage your skin, especially as you get older. Harmful UV rays penetrate clouds, rain and even glass. Make sure you apply SPF-30 (or higher) sunscreen regularly if you're going to be outside, even just for the commute to work or walking to lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Observe zero tolerance for ear & nose hair

When you were a kid, did you have an older family friend or uncle who had ear or nostril hair you could practically braid? Don't be that guy. While the "silver fox" look may be trending—thank you, George Clooney and Steve Carell—nobody finds ear and nose hair desirable accouterments of the older gentleman.

Safe and easy-to-use trimmers abound, and you can pick one up for less than $20.

Take better care of your teeth

Faithful brushing and flossing are great, but decades of coffee, tea, red wine and just plain living can leave older guys with a smile that's dingy, gray or yellowed.

Even inexpensive, over-the-counter whitening strips can make a huge difference. But if you can swing it, go to your dentist for prescription-level whitening gel and tooth trays molded to fit your choppers. You'll have a Hollywood-brilliant smile in just a few weeks.

Tame the beard

Hey, Grizzly Adams! Yeah, we get it. We all love a good beard. But if yours has been cultivated over a long winter, maybe trim that beast back a bit.

For starters, beards are for the face, not the neck. So no matter what pelt thickness you prefer, start by clearing whiskers off the lower part of your neck. And if you're going with a thicker beard, make sure you pick up some beard oil or beard balm to keep the wildness in check.

Let go of the dream

Guys, those few strands of hair you carefully cultivate on top of your head—or so cleverly cover with a hat—aren't growing any new neighbors. If you're chasing a hairstyle that's missing the key element of actual hair follicles, it's time to accept reality.

Talk to a stylist about short-cut options, or just go full Bruce Willis and shave it off. It's liberating, reduces the stress of trying to keep your bald patch covered, and gives you a rugged, no-nonsense appearance that's plenty attractive.

Being an older guy is great on so many levels, starting with having confidence and knowing who you are. But those inarguably attractive qualities can go unnoticed if your grooming game is not on point. Do yourself and your partners a favor and step it up today.