8 Essential Grooming Products for the Outdoor Athlete

The outdoor athlete is defined by that modifier — outdoor — because his or her sport pits athlete against the elements. Which means that winter, spring, summer or fall, the outdoor athlete braves rain, heat, sun, wind and cold in order to practice or compete.

When you’re up against the elements, comfort is essential. You can’t let things like sunburn or chafing or excessive sweat slow you down. Heck, even body odor is of concern — can you imagine being on mile 6 of a marathon and smelling like last night’s garlic fries?

Here are 8 grooming products that keep the outdoor athlete’s comfort top of mind — and preserve peace of mind meanwhile. You’ve got bigger things to worry about, like setting a new PR.

Happy Nuts Comfort Cream

Whether you’re preventing thigh rub and swamp crotch or recovering from painful chafing, Happy Nuts is a miracle worker on more than just your junk. It dissolves from cream to powder on the skin, creating a barrier that keeps skin dry in the right ways — that is, it preserves the skin’s natural moisture but creates a thin barrier atop the skin, in order to halt everything else. It keeps the area fresh (and fresh-smelling) and is made using aloe and coconut oil to help soothe and calm the skin down there.

Art of Sport Pain Recovery Cream

Indoors or outdoors, if you’re prone to soreness after a workout, then keep an arnica-infused topical lotion ready. When applied over sore muscles and joints, it helps neutralize the agony. Art of Sport’s ultimate-strength recovery cream also adds eucalyptus to the equation, which soothes and refreshes the skin. Not only do you get relief from pain, but you get to feel refreshed in the process.

Doctor Rogers RESTORE Healing Balm

If you suffer any scrapes or your skin starts cracking and chafing from cold or dry air, then use Doctor Rogers Restore to form a natural, nourishing barrier over top the skin. It’s made with castor seed oil instead of harmful petroleums, like similar products we commonly relied on up while growing up. This means it helps the skin stay hydrated, and also expedites safe healing. Restore is also good to apply over tattoos (after applying sunscreen) to slow their fading from the sun.

Bare Republic Mineral SPF50 Sport Sunscreen

Obviously, you need an SPF if you’re exercising outdoors. But you specifically need a lightweight sport SPF. It’s got to absorb quickly and invisibly, and it needs to withstand the sweating you’re doing while wearing it. Good mineral SPFs check all these boxes, and they also don’t leave chalky residues like many other sunblocks in the industry. Bare Republic is one such option, and its SPF 50 ensures that you resist sweat and water for up to 80 minutes before you need to reapply.

Coola Fragrance-Free Face Sunscreen SPF50

You also want an SPF-packed moisturizer, specifically engineered for the face. Face and body sunscreens are often categorized separately since body SPFs might be comedogenic. (Meaning, they use pore-clogging ingredients.) Secondly, they aren’t always loaded with nourishing, moisture-preserving ingredients like moisturizers. Coola’s face sunscreen uses SPF50 and it checks all the other boxes: It wears light, nourishes the skin, won’t clog pores and shields you thoroughly from the sun’s photo-aging effects.

Duke Cannon Dry Ice Body Powder Spray

If you want to prevent moisture, discomfort and smelling rank, then a body spray is another way to do this. Duke Cannon’s dry spray creates a powder-like layer over the skin like a powder or powder-cream. Point it at your feet, your chest, your back, if you want to feel and smell fresh all day. It neutralizes moisture with the help of talc and deodorizes thanks to the inclusion of activated charcoal.

Schmidt’s Charcoal and Magnesium Natural Deodorant

Speaking of charcoal, Schmidt’s natural deodorant uses the ingredient (along with magnesium) to keep you smelling fresh. It’s a great alternative to aluminum-packed anti-perspirants. Besides,this is one instance where you probably don’t need an antiperspirant, seeing as you’re going to be showering after your workout and not worrying about perspiring in the meantime. Just focus on your workout, and also on not smelling like an onion.

Jack Black Intense Lip Therapy SPF25 Lip Balm

Don’t neglect to apply a little SPF to your lips either, winter or summer. I speak firsthand as someone who has lathered sunscreen on every square centimeter, only to forget the lips — and they burn fast! Not to mention, you need to use them for eating, talking, kissing, etc. So get a lip balm with SPF, like Jack Black’s; it’s equally useful for healing chapped, cracked lips. (As is Doctor Rogers’ Restore balm, above.)

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

This Product Saved My Hair Style This Summer

I dread summer. Capital-D Dread. Not only do I sweat like a wrung-out sponge for months on end, but it’s also near impossible to have a decent hair day. I can’t trust that whatever styling I do in the morning will survive past lunch. By evening, I look like Toadstool after getting eighth place in the Star Cup.

This summer, however, the tides started to turn. We’ve had a few heatwaves, and while my sweating has been worse than usual, my hair days have been remarkably better. And I owe that to one type of product in particular: heat-shielding, humidity-resistant hair sprays. They are, without embellishment, lifesavers.

Here’s how they work: Tiny silicone molecules wrap themselves around your hair shafts, which shield the hair from moisture loss and fraying (a side effect of blow dryers or the hot sun). Secondly, any heat protectant that is doubly designated as an anti-humidity agent will also prevent the hair from curling, frizzing or poofing, by preventing additional hydrogen in the air from bonding with the atoms in your hair. So, simply put, these sprays ensure that you get the style you intended and that no force of nature (or technology) will stand in your way.

Guys with short hair probably won’t get much benefit from these products; they’re going to help people with longer hair, the type that is grown-out enough to be affected by the weather. (Inch-long hair isn’t going to curl or frizz.) These sprays work well in all textures of hair, too. And it should be noted that not all heat protectants are sprays. Some are lotions, and some are oils — the later of which is essential if you’re using a hair-straightening wand. They all work the same way, while some of the hand-applied ones double as hybrid stylers, too.

These sprays are less of a styler and more of a style preserver. You can apply them prior to your standard hair product, or even as the last step in your styling routine. But it’s imperative to apply them prior to blow-drying your hair — if that’s a part of your routine — to best protect your hair. I usually apply mine first if my hair is already clean and dry, in that it’s already an ideal canvas for styling. This gives it a coat of armor but allows the styling product itself to do most of the directional work. Otherwise, I apply the spray at the end of my regimen if I am applying my styling product to wet hair. This gives it some texture, grit and a little shine — kind of like a hair spray.

Now that you’re well-acquainted with heat-protectants, here are three of my favorites — the ones that have made this heat-blasted summer a lot less insufferable.

Imperméable Anti-Humidity Spray by Oribe $42

No-Frizz Humidity Shield by Living Proof $23

Discipline Anti Frizz Smoothing Spray by Kérastase $37

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

How to Recover from Razor Burn

Even the best shavers have stumbled: Every so often, after what seems like a routine stubble shave, your skin breaks out into a painful, red rash. Maybe there are bumps, maybe just irritated skin. Either way, it’s unsightly, and no more enjoyable to wear.

So what comes next? You need to recover from this razor burn, and fast. And how can it be treated immediately, as to minimize agony over the next few days? For this intel, we sought the expertise of Jason Bauers, barber at Blind Barber in NYC. Here is Bauers’ advice on how to treat, calm and even prevent razor burn.

Recovery

First and foremost, if you are recovering from razor burn, you need to avoid shaving the area again, until the skin has fully recovered. It might seem obvious to avoid, but Bauers still sees it done. You need to also avoid harsh ingredients in skin care products and soaps, opting for natural, gentle cleansers and soothing moisturizers. (Aloe and chamomile are good pals of yours for the next few days.)

You should also avoid picking at it, or itching it. And, when picking the products for your recovery plan, the most important thing to note is your skin type, says Bauers. “For example, witch hazel is a great natural astringent and anti-inflammatory if you have excessively oily skin,” he notes. “But may not be as effective if your skin is already dry or flaky. Dry skin calls for a product that moisturizes and hydrates, not one that removes oils.”

Gentle Products for Dry, Irritated Skin

Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser by LaRoche-Posay $15

Camellia Nut Hydrating Cream by Aesop $50

Gentle Products for Oily, Irritated Skin

Redness Relief Cleanser by Paula’s Choice $18

Moisture Cream by Pyunkang Yul $32

While you incorporate the appropriate products into your daily cleansing and hydrating regimen, you should also add a step to your post-shower regimen each day of recovery. “Regularly apply some kind of aftershave lotion or balm after a hot shower,” says Bauers. “The heat will open your pores, which maximizes the effectiveness of the product and helps you heal.”

And there’s one general rule of thumb for picking a balm: It needs to be alcohol-free. “These will feel the most comfortable on your skin as it heals, as it avoids the burning sensation that is often associated with aftershave products,” Bauers says.

After Shave Balm by Proraso $16

Prevention

If you’re wondering what went wrong and why you got razor burn, it could be because you shaved against the grain, or you simply shaved your entire face in one uniform direction. Next time you shave, pay closer attention to the direction your hairs grow—and they often change direction from one part of your face to the next. “Shaving against the grain will get the closest shave, but is also the most irritating, and can lead to ingrown hairs and inflammation if not done carefully,” says Bauers. “Shaving with the grain won’t get quite as close of a shave, but is far less irritating and much easier on your skin.”

Bauers also stresses that you invest in a good razor, and consider even switching to a single-blade safety razor: “They give you the most control as far as following the grain of your facial hair,” he says. “And they have a much more forgiving learning curve than a straight razor (although those can be great too if you are willing to put in some practice).”

6S Adjustable Stainless Steel Safety Razor by Rockwell Razors $100

He also says to keep warming your face prior to a shave, so as to open the pores and relax both skin and whiskers. And keep applying aftershave lotion or balm once you finish.

Additionally, he says that a pre-shave oil can also make shaving more comfortable and minimize irritation.

Ultra Gliding Shave Oil by American Crew $13

His last advice: Keep your barber close, but your dermatologist closer: “If there is a persistent problem with your skin, it could be something more than a just a result of poor shaving habits, and should be checked out by a dermatologist.”

8 Lightweight Gym Bag Grooming Essentials

Since you go to the gym often (or you have the best intentions of doing so), you need a thoughtfully and efficiently packed Dopp kit — one that caters to cleaning and freshening up. With these products, you can transition from morning or midday workout without having to tote your entire shower caddy, or without needing to compromise on a well-coiffed style.

So, start with a durable Dopp kit, since you’re going to get lots of miles out of it. Then stock it with the following products, most of which are also travel-friendly. You can swap out one or two based on your own grooming needs, but this list should round the bases by cleaning and hydrating everything, and it should keep the entire load light enough for daily toting (or every other day, if you aren’t exactly true to your best intentions).

The North Face Base Camp Travel Canister

Tote It: Even though you’re not hiking the Rockies or setting up a basecamp, this durable Dopp is a great holster for your gym essentials, seeing as you’re going to be toting it to and from the gym frequently. It has a hook inside so that you can hang it in your locker or even the shower, and it comes with a lifetime warranty so that you never have to purchase another kit. It’s also the Dopp that can transition between different types of events, whereas you’ll otherwise need more than one to cover the gym, vacations, outdoor activities, and the likes.

Assuming you pick and choose your essentials from this list and pack efficiently, everything should fit into the 3.5-L volume. (Otherwise you can opt for the larger 5.75-L option.) It also comes with a mirror that you can velcro to the canister, should you be away from the bathroom vanity.

Native Charcoal Deodorant Stick

Stay Fresh: While harnessing the ultra absorbent and detoxifying powers of charcoal, Native’s aluminum-free deodorant stick neutralizes odors and delivers a light, crisp citrus-and-mineral scent to mask any lingering musk. Native’s entire assortment uses clean, never-perplexing ingredients that nourish and protect the skin while fighting odor; this includes probiotics, coconut oil, shea butter, tapioca starch, and milk of magnesia.

Blind Barber Shampoo and Body wash

Scrub Down: Since lightweight is the aim here, you’ve got to consolidate some products. A 2-in-1 shampoo-body wash is one obvious opportunity. (And, it’s far superior to a 2-in-1 shampoo-conditioner, which you should never use. We digress, but opt instead for a hydrating shampoo and follow it with a conditioner. Read on.)

Blind Barber’s shampoo-body wash is sulfate-free and combats dandruff with the help of hops — cheers to that — while coconut oil nourishes skin and hair. It’s got a refreshing lemongrass tea scent to lift your spirits and comes in this travel-size container so that it fits easily in your gym bag.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Styling Treatment

Style and Condition: Another opportunity for consolidation is your hair product. Forego packing a conditioner, and instead pick a styler that doubles as a leave-in conditioner. That’s the case with Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day assortment, and this travel-size treatment gives you protection against heat and UV rays, nourishes each strand, and adds healthy shine, all while giving you smooth, touchable style — as if you styled it with a standard hair cream.

Mr. Natty Beard Oil

Prepare for a Shave: If you’re going to shave after you work out, then do so economically by packing a shave oil in place of a larger shave cream canister. Mr. Natty’s beard oil doubles as a pre-shave and a shaving agent; just leave-in on warmed skin for a minute before introducing the razor. It’ll soften and prepare both skin and hair for a smooth, nick-free shave.

Harry’s Winston Razor

Shave Face: Stay subscribed to a razor replenishment service, like Harry’s, which will ensure you swap out your blades at healthy, hygienic intervals. Their engravable Winston razor is heavy enough with its zinc body that you get a thorough, close shave, but it’s still light enough that it glides smoothly down your jawline. Get a travel blade cover as well, to shield your razor from bacteria while still allowing it to dry. (Speaking from experience, it also shields you from hazardous accidents when reaching into your Dopp kit. So stock up, because these razors are sharp!)

Marlowe Face Moisturizer

Hydrate Skin: While we’d normally advise a separate lotion for face and body, there’s no real reason you can’t apply your facial moisturizer to your hands or any other dry patches. That’s why you should tote this lightweight (on skin, that is) moisturizer from Marlowe. They use extracts of passionflower, green tea, algae and willow bark, which work together to boost moisture, stimulate cellular repair and soothe irritation. It’s an effective aftershave agent for that same reason.

Beardbrand Utility Balm

Nourish Beard and Dry Skin: If you aren’t shaving but are instead rocking a beard — or if you need to sooth your hands after a rigorous workout — then Beardbrand’s line of utility balms are an essential pickup. They soften and tame beards on the one hand, but they also double as lightweight hair stylers, triple as dry-skin nourishers, quadruple as tattoo color protectors — the “utility” here is no understatement.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 8 Best Antiperspirants for Men

The conversation around deodorant has largely steered itself towards natural products. It’s great to see consumers being so conscious of the ingredients in their grooming regimen, especially since the long-term effects of aluminum — the key ingredient used in antiperspirants — are still somewhat nebulous.

Currently, the various studies on aluminum all contradict and negate one another. Some say excessive exposure causes Alzheimer’s, while others claim this is hullabaloo when considering the light-dose application of deodorants. Without conclusive evidence on the matter, aluminum antiperspirants are still widely sold. And like many products on the market, they are effective at the job they set out to do.

That’s why we still find value in touting antiperspirants. Until there is conclusive evidence that sways us one way or the other, we say this: Buy antiperspirants if you absolutely need them. They work. Some people who experience non-stop sweating (diagnosed as hyperhidrosis) will swear by antiperspirants since they allow these individuals to go about their day without swimming in their own body’s soup.

Here are eight antiperspirants we love, some of which offer 72-hour protection against odor and sweat, and others that are intentionally milder. See which one suits your sweat-stopping needs.

Kiehl’s Body Fuel Antiperspirant and Deodorant

Like the rest of Kiehl’s Body Fuel line, this glide-on antiperspirant and deodorant invigorates thanks to the inclusion of caffeine. It further nourishes and purifies the skin with zinc and vitamin C, and provides a full 48 hours of coverage against both smells and sweats.

Recipe for Men Antiperspirant Deodorant

A 24-hour formula that celebrates its mildness, this antiperspirant neutralizes wetness without stopping the body’s natural sweat cycles. In other words, it works by minimizing bacterial growth, but it doesn’t unnaturally transform your pits into an bone-dry Atacaman abyss.

Jack Black Pit Boss Antiperspirant Deodorant

In addition to all-day coverage against odor and sweat, Jack Black’s roll-on antiperspirant utilizes Vitamin E and aloe juice to keep skin soft, calm and shielded against environmental toxins. You may have to apply this one twice as often as the competition (an extra application in the evening, if you’re hitting the gym or the dance floor), but that doesn’t make it inferior; in fact, it’s a matter of preference for how potent you want your antiperspirant to be.

Anthony Antiperspirant and Deodorant

Aloe and sunflower seed oil combat inflammation and dryness in Anthony’s deodorant and antiperspirant roll-on. Like Jack Black’s formula, it’s less clinical and lasting than the low-cost competition. However, it’s every bit as effective when used daily, sometimes twice. Plus, it ensures a double-down on the deodorizing effects of these products. Don’t forget that an antiperspirant isn’t always a deodorant, and the ones you have to reapply more frequently will do a better job at neutralizing both odor and sweat, as opposed to just sweat.

Sweat Block Antiperspirant Lotion for Hands and Feet

With active ingredient aluminum sesquichlorohydrate, this lotion stops palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis (that is, on hands and feet). This prevents you from soaking in your own sweat all day, or from swapping soggy handshakes at work or over drinks. It’s not a days-long fix like lots of the other antiperspirants on this list; but it’s great to apply as needed, and should last a few hours, assuming you don’t thoroughly wash your hands. It’s also a good way to prevent excessive foot odor if that’s something you’re eager to nix.

Certain Dri Clinical Strength Antiperspirant

If your sweaty situation is exactly that — a full-on situation — then you should talk to your doctor about using clinical-strength antiperspirants. Typically they will recommend one with aluminum chloride, as opposed to the traditional aluminum zirconium. That’s what Certain Dri’s formula includes, and it promises 72-hour sweat coverage for even the most hyperactive hyperhidrosis.

Old Spice High Endurance Pure Sport Antiperspirant Deodorant

Though its branding has been updated, this is probably the antiperspirant you used when you went through puberty. And it works just as well today as it did during your awkward years. It gives you 24-hour odor and sweat protection with a light lemon-lime freshness, which pairs well with Old Spice’s similarly scented body wash.

Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Dry Spray Antiperspirant

With 48-hour sweat and deodorizing coverage, this spray-on deodorant also touts Dove’s signature moisturizing powers. A quarter of the formula is designated for keeping skin hydrated and cool, which is reassuring given the sensitivity of the under-arms. The clean scent is subtle enough for that just-showered freshness, but not so overwhelming that it competes with your fragrance of choice. Of the aerosol options and drugstore brands, this is one of your best bets.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

9 Essential In-Flight Grooming Products

Unless you’re traveling business class on a long-haul flight, you’re left to your own devices when it comes to in-flight grooming. It’s not like you’re planning a mid-air shave (razors and turbulence don’t mix), but it is the ideal time to give your skin extra hydration, your hair a pinch more lift, your breath a refresh and to check any eye baggage.

Mile-high grooming is a shortcut to landing on the right foot and rolling right into any scenario, be it a work meeting with added confidence, or a rejuvenating vacation mode.

Here are our favorite products to pack along — all carry-on friendly, and all water-less so that you don’t have to use that iffy airplane bathroom faucet.

Use them in this order, too.

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer

New to Dr. Bronner’s assortment, this lavender-oil hand sanitizer neutralizes germs without drying out the skin. Just as the brand is confident in its soap as an all-purpose cleanser, they tout this sanitizer as child-friendly — even for the kid’s dirty face. That seems a little like a stretch, for you or any child, so we’ll still include a facial cleansing device below. But be sure to start your mid-air regimen with a disinfecting dose of sanitizer, since you’re in essentially traveling inside a bacteria incubator.

Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes

For post-gym or mid-flight, Ursa Major’s face wipes are as essential as they claim to be. They have four functions, in fact: removing grime and dirt, cooling and hydrating the skin, balancing oil production and gently ridding of dead skin cells — thus brightening your complexion. They’re the easy solution to not splashing any sink water onto your mug, plus they take up little room in your dopp.

Jack Black Eye Balm De-Puffing and Cooling Gel

Now more than ever, your eyes need a remedy. When you combine the skin-dehydrating cabin with the exhaustion of travel, you land looking hungover and feeling every bit as groggy. Jack Black’s roll-on eye gel is a hydrating and vitamin-rich product that neutralizes puffiness and brightens dark circles within the first minutes. It cools to the touch, and you can feel your eyes firming up almost instantly, too.

Cardon Daily SPF and Moisturizer

After cleansing your face and applying eye gel, it’s time to moisturize. Cardon’s hydrator comes with SPF 30, so it’s doubly defensive, and the inclusion of cactus extract helps cool and calm skin; it’s terrific as a post-shave moisturizer, too, should you require that on your travels. This travel-friendly 1.2-ounce container goes a long way, and allows you to tote it in your day-time bag, too, for SPF or hydration re-apps on the ground.

Fenty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer

The entire industry is in awe of Fenty, which offers 50 different concealer tones. Find the one that matches your skin using the brand’s digital shade finder, then tote it everywhere in the event of blemishes or irritation. A small dab, post moisturizer, blends right into your natural skin tone, and it gives you the certainty that nobody will study the red bump above your eye.

Boka Brush

Alright, so this one technically requires water, but you’re 100 percent not using any from the tap, because you’d never put that water in your body. Instead, you can request a small cup from the service staff, or bring in your own water bottle.

And leave the brush-charging station at home, because Boka’s electric toothbrush lasts 25 days without a top off. Its heads are designed for 3-month use, for which you can enroll in automatic replenishment, too. I prefer to tote the head in a separate small baggie, to isolate it from everything else, then reattach it for use, and for air-drying in the hotel later. If there’s a line building up behind you, then the brush’s 2-minute timer might feel a little excessive tacked onto the rest of your regimen, but you could always stop it short once you get a good enough clean. Don’t forget to pack your preferred toothpaste!

DedCool Mint ChazStick Lip Balm

After hours in the sky, your lips are likely the first thing to feel dry; that’s because the skin there is thinner and more susceptible to these types of changes in their environment. DedCool’s oil-infused, aloe-packed, mint-scented, shea-butter lip balm is the post-brushing, post cleansing fix that restores them to their happy, hydrated state and shields them from further dry-air aggression.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Body Builder

If your hair is of stylable length, then save the touch-up until after your face regimen, so that you don’t end up patting any hair product into your skin. Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day spray is like a reset on your style, which has likely turned greasy and limp through the long flight. It adds volume and texture, kind of like a hair paste or fiber in any other setting. Simply spray it on, massage it into place with your fingers or a comb, and walk off the plane with soft, touchable, textured hair, unlike every other passenger who is desperate for a shower.

Byredo Eleventh Hour Hair Cream

If you’ve got that face wipe on hand, then now’s the time to remove any excess product buildup from your mitts. You can leave the bathroom and follow it with another hand sanitizing, before sitting in your seat and applying Byredo’s scented hand cream. This one has subtle notes of bergamot, cashmere woods, fig and tonka beans, but it won’t overwhelm your seatmates. Instead, it gives your dehydrated and product-slogged hands a chance to recover, with the added benefit of a cooling, uplifting tingle.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Best Hair and Skincare Products for the Beach

A soothing, carefree day on the beach can turn south real quick. If you don’t take the right precautions against sun exposure and cancer-causing UV rays, then you can end up with burned, red skin with the potential for far more severe problems. And even if you temper the exposure or play chicken with each reapplication, you’re still susceptible to the sun’s photo-aging effects. That is to say, if you don’t properly prepare your skin against even the mildest of exposure, you increase the drying, roughing, wrinkling and discoloration of your skin.

It’s not just your skin that is at risk: Extended, direct sun exposure is also damaging and drying to the hair. It frustrates your hairstyle, leads to breakage and compromises any dye and bleach — it causes silver and blonde hair to turn dull and gray.

You’ve heard it from us a few times here, and you’ve heard it a few thousand times prior: You have to protect yourself from the sun, and promote healthy recovery after the fact. These products will do the trick, for hair, body and face.

Protection

For Hair (and Color-Dyed Hair): Sachajuan Hair in the Sun

You might not realize that your hair is as susceptible to sun damage as your skin. While you don’t feel the pain from the damage, you can see it, in the form of dehydration, fraying and breakage. Part styling cream, part UV shield, Sachajuan’s fantastic hair shield deploys its proprietary Ocean Silk technology to coat each strand and protect from such damage. It’s sturdy enough to withstand a rinse, too, should you need to freshen up midday. Reapply each day, as necessary.

For Bleached or Silver Hair: Christophe Robin Shade Variation Blonde Hair Mask

Paired with a blonde-toning hair care regimen (see below), a hair mask pumps all kinds of color-preserving ingredients into your silvers and blondes. It’s both preventative and reactive, and thus an essential part of your summer in the sun. Christophe Robin uses almond butter and buriti oil in this nourishing, soothing hair mask which has an acidic pH of 4.5 (that decreases porosity in the hair, and in turn, prevents discoloration or pigment fading). It helps keep brassy, dull and yellow tones at bay — all of which are a threat when you sit in the sun all day or soak in the sea for even a minute. Apply it to clean, towel-dried hair once every few days for five to 30 minutes, as needed.

For Heat-Proof Hair Styles: By Villain Sidekick

Working as both a heat shield and hair spray, By Villain’s Sidekick helps lock in your desired style — sea breeze and humidity be damned. You can add it first to towel-dried hair, combing through prior to applying your styling product, or as a final step for added hold, definition and texture.

For Body: Svens Mineral Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 33

New to the scene, Svens’ SPF 33 mineral sunscreen combines titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and is reef friendly. It’s a strong debut from the skincare brand, as the sunscreen absorbs easily, wears light, and defends against both UVA and UVB rays. Like all other sunblocks, you need to reapply every two hours, or after swimming and sweating profusely.

For Face (and Beard!): Stubble + ‘Stache Broad Spectrum Moisturizer SPF 30

A 3-in-1 product, Stubble + ‘Stache’s newest product moisturizes your hair and whiskers with aloe, argan oil, vitamin C and green tea extract, among many other nourishing ingredients. It also protects against UVA and UVB rays, absorbs fast, and doesn’t leave a greasy, shiny residue on the skin. Keep it on hand for the non-beach days, too, for all its nourishing and anti-aging powers.

Recovery

For Hair: Fekkai Apres Soleil Crème

After a long, dehydrating day in the sun, your hair needs serious replenishment. (Just like how your body and skin feel dehydrated after the same.) Fekkai’s hair cream is infused with sunflower seed oil, and acts as a dual styler and leave-in conditioner to neutralize frizzing, restore shine and keep hair buoyant.

For Bleached or Silver Hair: Davines Alchemic Silver Shampoo and Conditioner

As your stylist should have told you, it’s imperative to use color-toning shampoo and conditioner on bleach-blonde hair, in order to prevent brassiness and yellowing. The same goes for naturally silver hair. There is no place more threatening to your hair than the beach or pool, because of the direct sun and exposure to chlorine or seawater. Davines’ Alchemic Silver lineup is an effective daily treatment; you can double stock the conditioner since you’ll need it on the daily while rotating in the shampoo every two to three days. Apply each product separately, always concluding with the conditioner, and let each one absorb and tone hair for one to two minutes before rinsing.

For Body: La Mer After Sun Enhancer

Even though you aren’t sunburnt, you still need to nourish and soothe your skin after sun exposure. That’s because it still took a beating, despite your best efforts to bounce the UV rays. (After all, our skin still absorbs color despite UV defenses.) La Mer’s body gel cools on contact with the brand’s signature Miracle Broth, rich in giant sea kelp. It’s also made with lime tea and algae ferment to help the skin look and feel radiant, rather than parched.

For Sunburn: COOLA ER+ Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion

Packed with aloe, agave, nourishing oils, vitamins and antioxidants, Coola’s post-sun recovery helps sore, reddened skin recover quickly. It’s good for general sun recovery, too, if your skin is feeling dry and sensitive despite your sun-shielding measures. You can even apply this lotion to the face, and should do so frequently in the event of a sunburn. You’ll spare a few days of agonizing recovery.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

Grooming Essentials for the Active Man

If you want to build a low-level, baseline skincare regimen, you’ll pick a cleanser and moisturizer. It’s a good start, but it’s not exactly going to help you slow down signs of aging, or reverse damage from environmental exposure (like UV rays, smoke and smog, or cold, dry winters). Hopefully, you’ll want a broader foundation, for magnified protection and youthful results.

That broader foundation can be made of West Skincare’s five-product core assortment, launching June 12. Their regimen is an elevated baseline that centers on “active performance, active recovery.” The “active” is twofold, both for the wearer of West Skincare products and for the active ingredients that comprise each recipe. Sure, they’ve got the cleanser and the moisturizer — more on those later — but they expand the line with an overnight recovery cream, a hydrating and cleansing mask, and a gentle exfoliant.

West’s products combine plant-based formulas with specific moisturizing and balancing active ingredients like AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), sodium hyaluronate (similar to hyaluronic acid), squalane, salicylic acid, glycolic acid and dexpanthenol (d-panthenol). Founder Matthew Ankeny proudly promotes these formulas, and their function, citing the lack of transparency that many brands show their customers: “I’m guessing most consumers aren’t up on the [International Nomenclature] names of skincare ingredients or what those ingredients actually do for the skin. And there’s also a lot of misinformation and fear mongering and contrasting opinions out there. These are safe, efficacious formulas, largely based in plants. We haven’t skimped on active ingredients and we’re not shy to champion good chemistry.”

And you need not be an athlete to enjoy the core benefits of this regimen. Ankeny says it’s as much about consumers taking a proactive approach to keeping their largest organ healthy. (That’s your skin, FYI.) “I want to be active and then give my body what it needs to recover as quickly as possible. Taking care of your skin feels good. It improves appearance. It’s gratifying in both immediate and long-term ways.”

Keep an eye on West Skincare’s assortment, which Ankeny plans to expand beyond this foundational lineup. (Think serums and retinol-based products.) You can also purchase bundles of the core three products or the complete roster, or even get a travel-friendly kit of the core cleanser, moisturizer and recovery cream.

Cleanser

Natural AHAs from lemon and passionflower help remove dead skin and excess oil while kola, mate and guarana soothe. Gentle enough for twice-daily use, morning and night, to start any regimen.

Moisturizer

Sodium hyaluronate absorbs moisture and preserves the skin’s hydration levels. Squalane defends against toxins. Use in the morning, post cleanser and exfoliator, for all-day hydration and defense.

Recovery Cream

Ideal as an overnight moisturizer or wintertime hydrator, this lipid-rich recovery cream uses sea whip extract and beta-glucans to soothe irritation, promote healing and restore the skin’s moisture barrier (which in turn preserves moisture levels and improves defensiveness).

Scrub

While many skin buffers use either physical or chemical exfoliants, West uses both. The physical are palm seed powder and volcanic microcrystals, to remove dead skin and keep pores clear, while salicylic acid doubles down on the efforts by dissolving dead skin. Use it once or twice a week.

Mask

A dual hydrating and cleansing mask. Mineral-rich black mud and activated coconut charcoal work together to pull toxins and sebum from deep within the skin. Meanwhile, sunflower and saffron oils preserve moisture levels in the skin. Apply to face for five minutes, once a week after cleansing and exfoliating. Follow with moisturizer or recovery cream.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Best Body Grooming Products for Summer

Your summer body is the same body you have all year, except it exists between June 21 and September 23. It doesn’t need to have any additional abs or glowy skin. But it does require some preparation for the summer sun and heat — for your own safety and comfort — most of which can be solved with the right grooming products.

Regardless of how hairy or hairless your back is, you should stock up on the right summer grooming essentials to deflect UV rays, keep skin hydrated and feel your best, in whatever summer body you’ve got. Here are eight types of products that will get you there fast, along with our favorite in each category.

Body Scrub: Osea Salts of the Earth Body Scrub

Your skin always feels smoother after the beach, since those sand crystals gently buff away all the dead cells resting atop your skin. If you’re far from the ocean or looking to start summer on the right (smooth) foot, get a full-body scrub like Osea’s that busts through dry, rough patches and will have you looking and feeling fresh. This scrub uses salts from the Dead Sea and Himalayas, infused with seaweed and oils of acai, shea butter and passion fruit. Together, these ingredients hydrate, nurture and rejuvenate everything in their path. (Just avoid the face, in favor of a facial exfoliant.)

SPF: MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50

Mineral sunscreens don’t rely on potentially harmful chemicals (that is, harmful to you and the environment alike), and the best ones wear lightly on the skin without leaving white, chalky residue. MDSolarScience’s eco-cert SPF 50 sunscreen is one such sunscreen: With high concentrations of zinc oxide (17 percent) and titanium dioxide (2 percent), it shields you from damaging UV rays. It is water and sweat resistant up to 80 minutes, protects the skin’s moisture barrier thanks to a ceramide- and humectant-rich formula, and is chock-full of antioxidants to neutralize any skin-aging toxins.

Post-Sun: Coola ER+ Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion

After a full day of sun exposure, your skin is parched and compromised, even if you lathered on the sunscreen. Help it recover quickly with a post-sun lotion — something packed with aloe, agave and soothing oils. That’s the recipe for Coola’s eco-cert lotion: Use it in hours and days after your sun spell, to help skin bounce back and to neutralize any redness or dehydration.

Sunburn Recovery: Grown Alchemist Soothing Body Gel Lotion

If you got a proper burn, then you need not endure days of suffering as it recovers and peels. That is to say, you do need to wait for it to recover and peel, but you can minimize the pain and suffering meanwhile. Rub on some cooling gel immediately after the burn, and as needed while everything heals. Grown Alchemist’s formula is surprisingly void of aloe vera but innovates the cooling recovery with allantoin (to speed up cellular regeneration) and azulene (extracted from chamomile to soothe irritation). Use it as liberally as you need on the road to recovery.

Body Hair Trimmer: Panasonic ER-GB80-S Beard, Hair and Body Trimmer

There’s no shame in having body hair, nor any in showing it off. By all means, please do. But, like the hair on your head and chin, you’ve got to keep most body hair in check. It grows too long for its own good around the groin and above the waist, so get a trimmer that cleanly and steadily manages the task, less you end up with all kinds of patchwork, or a bare chest simply because your trimmer head rolled back and took out an entire strip of hair. It happens to the best of us. But it won’t ever happen again if you swap in a trimmer like Panasonic’s beard, hair and body hair trimmer, which allows for up to 39 trimming settings and rinses clean under the tap. You can trim precisely to the length you want — and switch it up from one furry spot to the next — and make no mess in the process.

Post Shave Recovery: Fulton & Roark Aftershave Cloths

Just as you need to treat a freshly shaved face, so too do you need to apply after-shave to your freshly bare back. This disinfects any bacteria that might be trying to live inside your newly opened pores and soothes any irritation at the same time. It’s as easy as using a disinfecting post-shave cloth, like the ones from Fulton & Roark. These witch hazel, eucalyptus, sage and bergamot-packed wipes help disinfect, nourish and cool the skin, and they come in individually-wrapped pocket-friendly packets.

Body Lotion: The Lost Explorer Environmental Protection Lotion

While the summer heat brings humidity and more self-produced moisture, it’s not a bad time to apply a nourishing, lightweight cream before bed or a dual-purpose product during the day. This can come as a vitamin-packed SPF or, in the case of Lost Explorer’s Environmental Protection Lotion, a body lotion, which combines citronella and cedar oils to naturally repel bugs. Its use of lavender flower calms skin and senses alike. You can even apply this lotion to your face if that’s your thing.

Body Wash: Nécessaire The Body Wash

Many soaps and body washes are as abrasive as detergent on your skin. And while there’s never a time to compromise on a bottom-barrel body wash, summer is a perfectly good excuse to justify a more elevated shower experience. Get a body wash with vitamins and nutrients, so that nourishment is reinforced in the shower, rather than lost. Nécessaire’s wash builds a lather and comes in three scents — one of which is an intentional lack thereof — and it uses oils of marula, cacay and meadowfoam to soften the skin while pulling grime and grease from the surface.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

How to Have Soft, Styleable Hair All the Time

Every morning, you wake up and have the same routine. Maybe it includes a workout, coffee or listening to the news. It definitely includes some sort of grooming regimen, however. And for the guys with any amount of hair on their heads, it entails some sort of styling regimen too.

There’s one thing that isn’t the same from one day to the next, though: How cooperative your hair is. Some days it’s just right, with the perfect weightlessness, not too oily nor too dry, and your favorite paste or fiber takes to it exactly as you’d desired. Hopefully, this happens on the day you take company headshots.

Other days, though — and for many of us, most days — the hair is stubborn. It’s too dry or too oily. But you seemed to have done everything else the same up til now, including last night’s hair-care regimen or this morning’s shower. So, what gives? Why isn’t it always styleable, every day? To get to the bottom of it, I spoke with Robert Watkins, founder of The Mailroom Barber Co., a barbershop with locations in Florence and Greenville, South Carolina that also makes its own hair, beard and shave products. Here is some of his advice on how to make sure that you’re ready for company headshots any day of the year.

Don’t Wash Your Hair Every Day

Oil is one of the biggest hurdles between you and cooperative hair. Or rather, the scalp’s oil levels are the balance beam many of us teeter upon, some days better than others. When your hair is too greasy, it is weighed down and stubborn. But when it’s not oily enough, it poofs out and is also stubborn. Preserving this balance — the “right amount” of oil — often starts by shampooing less.

When you shampoo, you’re removing all the oil on your scalp and in your hair, in addition to the dirt, grime and styling product you accumulated all day. Those last things are necessary to flush away, but can usually be done with warm water and conditioner. Instead, shampoo every third day, or once a week, as needed. You can (and should) use a shampoo that promises moisture and is gentle enough for daily use, even if you’ll be using it intermittently.

By shampooing less, you’re also playing a long game in terms of benefits: “Shampoo is the main thing that makes your hair overproduce sebum,” Watkins says. “The scalp basically overreacts in a panic and ramps up the amount of sebum being made.” So, the next day, you’ll produce even more oil than you otherwise would have, which will happen cyclically unless you correct the course. So instead of using more shampoo to fight oil, use less.

When shopping, the best thing to consider is cost. Avoid things that are just a few bucks, even if they promise to have extra strength, says Watkins. They are often made with silicone or harsh detergents and can dry out the hair and scalp and perpetuate your problems.

Rahua Hydration Shampoo is a good one to use every few days, prior to conditioning.

See also: Products to use while cutting back on shampoo.

Condition Daily

Where shampoo can do a little too much “good,” conditioner can never do enough. And I say that positively: Conditioner is all good, and should be used all days. Consider the different relationship that shampoo and conditioner both have with your hair: “Shampoo changes the pH levels of your hair,” says Watkins, of the oil balance you fight so hard to preserve. “If the hair dries in this state, it will be weak, frizzy, and brittle. Conditioner [nourishes and] smooths the hair, returning it to the ideal pH. This gives you the ability to style your hair effortlessly with much less effort. Even if you don’t style your hair after conditioning, it will look soft, healthy and smooth.” But as a canvas for styling, conditioned hair has the right amount of nourishment and moisture to cooperate.

Are you sold on conditioner yet? Use it every day, especially after shampooing (but never together). It’s the last step in your hair care regimen, prior to styling. It also helps rinse and flush any oil, grime and product in the hair that you want gone before bed.

“There’s a reason why women’s hair looks ten times better than men’s hair most of the time,” Watkins jokes. “It’s conditioner. They got the memo.” So here it is for you, too.

And here’s my memo on a great conditioner: Try Seb Man’s The Smoother Conditioner for salon-caliber hair.

Re-Calibrate Your Oil Production

This is a tip specifically for people with oily scalps and hair: As mentioned above, you can “train” your hair to produce less sebum over time. This will help ensure that you have properly nourished hair every day, though it may take a couple months for you to note significant changes.

The first and most important step is to shampoo less, which we’ve already discussed. You can do this incrementally if you think your scalp is too oily. Try doing it every other day for a couple weeks, then every third day, conditioning all the while. This is a good minimum benchmark to get to, and you should notice that your sebum production levels reduce accordingly. (It won’t happen on the first attempt. You really do have to be patient with it.)

Secondly, try an oily hair supplement like Ouai’s 3-month reset pills, which gives you a hearty dose of green tea extract and niacin every day, to regulate sebum production over time. By the end of the 90-day plan, assuming you’re shampooing less frequently, too, you should be on track to balanced, stylable hair on the regular.

Always Have Your Next Haircut Booked

If you want stylable hair every day, you need to keep it trim. That means biweekly cuts for fades and buzzed sides, says Watkins. Five weeks is the maximum if you don’t mind a little growth, without the style being compromised by natural unevenness. For medium length cuts, he recommends four to six weeks between trimming and texturizing: “It’s important to have the ends trimmed to keep the hair manageable and looking alive and healthy,” he says. “If you’re going from medium to long hair, it’s also important to keep the shape flowing well and stacking well as you transition between awkward phases. If you try to go the marathon route without getting it cleaned up, your hair will look dead and flat.”

Use the Right Amount of Product and Apply It to the Root

I can’t give you one single solution to the question: “How much hair product should I use?” It’s going to come down to lots of factors. For starters, consider your hair’s density, thickness, length, texture, oil levels and the desired styling effect (like hold and shine). The type of product you use will differ, too, and will impact whether you apply it to dry hair or damp, towel-dried hair.

But there is one general tip for finding the right amount of product. If you want your hair to look buoyant or even texturized, then don’t weigh it down with a bunch of product, says Watkins. This applies also to how you apply the product: Target the roots, particularly with texturizing and matte products that don’t need to be slicked back. You control the style by controlling the base of the hair, not by weighing down the hair strand itself.

Get a Blow Dryer

If you want more control over a medium or longer hairstyle — and don’t want to leave it to chance every day — then you need a blow dryer. The heat amplifies the powers of each product, and locks in your style for a longer run, meaning it won’t come undone halfway through the workday. Blow dryers are especially useful if you want volume and texture, says Watkins, adding that the device might even save you from needing too much styling product: “When the hair goes from wet to dry, it stays wherever it dries. So, when you use a blow dryer, you’re smoothing out the hair, plus adding body and texture [if desired]. Then you don’t have to use a strong product [or as much product] because the hair is already where you want it to be.”

The Gamma+ Italia Ion Ceramic Blow Dryer is particularly effective.

How to Find the Right Hair Products for Men

If a hair product isn’t giving you exactly what you want, then you need to toss it and find a replacement. There are simply too many good stylers available, and you shouldn’t settle for something that doesn’t provide the precise shine and hold that you need.

But what do you need? You might need more than one product at the ready so that you have various styles in your arsenal; your high-shine black-tie styler is going to be very different from your matte weekend surfer texturizer. Or, you might choose to keep things closer to the center of the hold-shine matrix, in which case you can pick a single product that does different things. One that, if it’s applied to clean, dry hair, gives more shine and hold versus when it’s applied to clean damp hair. (We’re looking at you, hair paste.)

To help you navigate this matrix of options, here is a rundown of the products as they fall onto the hold-versus-shine grid. Know that there is some flexibility in these rules; different brands will create slightly different formulas, and technology is making it so that all kinds of hybrid products exist, as well as products that adopt one name despite mimicking the characteristics of another type.

In short, it’s a confusing game, but we’re here to help you figure it out. We’ll even recommend our favorite products in each spot on the grid.

High Hold, High Shine: Gel

It’s easy to write off gel as a product you’ll never use, since we associate it with the LA Looks helmet-tight styles of 1995. However, gels these days can still deliver high hold and high shine without feeling like liquid cement suffocating your skull. The reputable brands — that is, the ones whose price point is more than that of a footlong sub — offer nourishing, water-soluble formulas that rinse clean and don’t flake during the day.

Wall Street Strong Hold Gel by R+Co$28

High Hold, Medium Shine: Clay and Putty

Clays and putties vary on the shine spectrum — some promise a matte finish, but might more closely resemble a fiber. Either way, we’ll slot them here as high on hold, medium on shine, particularly when applied to damp hair. Like paste, you increase their shine and hold by applying to towel-dried hair, letting the water activate the product. Applied dry, you’ll get a little less of both hold and shine, making clay and putty good products for a fresh short haircut that you intend to grow out. Their functions evolve with your needs. And, while I’d love to differentiate between the two, I don’t think it’s distinct enough. You’ll see far more clays than putties in the market, but in either product, the end result tends to be the same.

Molding Clay by American Crew $9

High Hold, Low Shine: Wax and Fiber

Anytime you hear the word wax, you get a clear idea of a density and a shine: candle wax has it, beeswax has it, even your earwax has it. Luckily, hair wax is a little less repulsive than the last of that list but no less dense nor dull. Wax is great for short styles almost exclusively unless it’s part of a hybrid product and targeted towards medium styles — which would make it a little more like a fiber or a paste, and which would give it a more medium or light hold. I use wax whenever I have an inch-long style and want to showcase a bit of texture and separation instead of letting everything lay lifeless and flat. You could argue that it has medium shine, but because you can only apply it dry, it’s definitely on the lower end of the spectrum.

Apply fiber dry for all the grit and texture you want, minus any of the shimmer. Fiber is a wax-like styler that is ideal for shorter, choppy styles. It’s a little more malleable than a wax, too, and works for texturizing and taming medium styles. Use your fingers as a comb to coach everything into place, but target those roots first, so that you get maximum control over each strand.

Wax Zero by By Vilain $25

Undressed Fiber by Kevin Murphy $33

Medium Hold, High Shine: Pomade

The word ‘pomade’ has expanded in recent years and has grown from its origins as a workplace, buttoned-up styler. Now we refer to pomades being matte, shiny, high hold, light hold — anything and everything. For the sake of simplicity, though, we’ll keep that traditional definition in place here. Pomade keeps your hair in place but is a little more buoyant and touchable than a gel. It’s great for medium-length styles that require a comb to tame and can be separated and texturized with the fingers prior to drying.

Ponsonby Pomade byTriumph & Disaster $30

Medium Hold, Medium Shine: Paste

Paste is perhaps the most flexible styler, in that it can be applied damp or dry for different results, and can be re-wet throughout the day for reactivation. It’s most effective applied to towel-dried (damp) hair and combed into place. You can chop it up with your fingers for added texture and grit, but the result will always be touchable hair that stays in place — unless you fuss with it throughout the day. Paste is great if you need to be combed-back during the day, and undone for happy hour. Just flutter your fingers through it after work and it should relax and fall forward for something more laidback. It also has a pinch more shine if applied to damp hair versus dry hair.

Forming Paste by Living Proof $17

Medium Hold, Low Shine: Cream

Different creams offer different results; it’s another product that has a spectrum of powers. So, you need to assess the label of any product. It’s also a product thats strength is magnified in towel-dried hair. Cream is not very effective in shorter styles since it is used to tame combed-back and long styles. However, it can be used to tame flyaways and minimize frizz, as a lightweight styler. Many styling creams also contain conditioning ingredients, and many leave-in conditioners are just double-duty creams in disguise.

Medium Hold Styling Cream by V76 $20

Low Hold, High Shine: Oil

Oil is really just a taming product, and the best ones double as leave-in conditioners that nourish and soften the hairs. I like to add a drop or two to a styling cream or fiber if I want those products to do their job with a little extra shine. Oil showcases depth, texture, and separation in your hair, since the light catches each strand. A few drops goes a long way to keep everything smooth in longer styles, or to tame flyaways in shorter styles. (Don’t be afraid to use your beard oil in your hair.)

Shine Oil by Aesop $35

Low Hold, Medium Shine: Paste or Salt Spray

As aforementioned, paste can be applied to clean, dry hair for less hold but the same amount of shine. Ditto for many creams. Learn to use them in different ways, and their space on the hold-versus-shine matrix expands tremendously.

Alternatively, if you want a little bit of texture that doesn’t really qualify as “hold,” then spritz a sea salt spray into your hair and separate it with your fingers. You’ll have touchable, lightweight hair all day, but it will actually look like you styled it instead of doing nothing with it. (You know how you can always tell if a guy isn’t wearing product, and he looks a like a fuzzy tennis ball? This will distance you from that guy.)

This is a Sea Salt Spray by Davines $28

Low Hold, Low Shine: Hair Powder

If you want a little grit and are totally shine averse, then apply texture powder to your hair. It soaks up excess oil like a dry shampoo, and gives an intentional kind of finish; powder smooths and separates the hair but does little else. Be sure to target the roots in medium and longer styles if you want to use powder simply as a dry shampoo alternatively. However, it’s not going to do much to these styles besides volumize the hair from the root. (I’d suggest a lightweight cream or paste to add a little control and direction.)

Haze Styling Powder by Evo $18

Cut Back on Shampoo. Use These 6 Products Instead

The secret has long been shared: You shouldn’t wash your hair every day since shampoo dries out the hair and scalp. Overwashing only trains the scalp to produce even more oil, which perpetuates the problem instead of mitigating it. It also makes the hair brittle, hard to tame, and strips it of its natural, healthy shine. Besides, those oils in your scalp are a good thing, since they condition the hair and keep it looking healthy. You shouldn’t want to eliminate it; you should instead tame it and work with it. You’ll have a healthier scalp and hair as a result, and it’ll cooperate with your styling products, finally.

You should still shampoo, of course, but scale it back to every third day, or every week, if you can. The path there may be gradual; just start with every other day and build a buffer over time. Here are six products that you might want to pick up along the way, which will help you control the oil production without obliterating it. It’s all smooth sailing from here.

Dry Shampoo Spray

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Dry Shampoo

On the days you don’t shampoo, when things are a little more oily than usual, you can spray your roots with dry shampoo. It soaks up the excess oil that has collected around the base of the shaft, and in turn volumizes your hair by allowing it to stand up instead of being weighed down by said oil. It also texturizes and defines the hair, for a breezy surfer-esque effect. Oribe’s dry shampoo gives you a healthy luster too (but nothing beyond a natural shine), whereas many other dry shampoos can make your hair look exactly that — dry.

Dry Shampoo Stylers

Hanz de Fuko Quicksand Styler and Redken Dry Shampoo Paste

Some hair products also come with oil-absorbing ingredients, which makes them similar to a dry shampoo spray. Some of them add grit, like Hanz de Fuko’s Quicksand, which contains pumice-like granules that soak up oil and produce a texturized, volumized look. It thickens the hair, too, and gives you density and strength, unlike anything you’ve felt. Redken’s paste, on the other hand, produces a smoother result, with pressed powder mixed into the styler. It gives you touchable, restylable hair for the entire day.

Oil-Control Conditioner

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Conditioner

Even if you scale back your shampooing, you need to maintain a daily conditioning regimen (or migrate towards one if you haven’t already). However, the conditioner you choose should be one that acknowledges this lessened shampoo regimen, and in turn, balances the oil production in your scalp. This will help “train” the scalp to produce less oil, though your body will gradually adjust to the infrequent shampooing and naturally produce less oil on the scalp to account for the fact that it’s being washed less. As for a good conditioner to invest in, Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day contains the brand’s proprietary formula that helps tone the scalp and ensure smooth, style-ready hair on the daily. (Their whole Perfect Hair Day assortment is a win, including the shampoo, which will now last you half a year or more.)

Hair Powder

Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion

Hair powder is another common form of dry shampoo, often containing an absorbing ingredient like kaolin clay. Sprinkle it into your roots and massage it in, and the product absorbs oil on contact, and often softens and smooths the hair in the process. Many of these products change form on contact, too, like Aveda’s “potion,” which starts as a powder and turns into a hair-thickening lotion once it warms in your hands. Just target those roots so it does its main job. You can even apply it in tandem with your usual cream or paste styler so that you can accomplish everything in one fell swoop.

Scalp Treatment and Oil

Briogeo Scalp Revival Treatment with Charcoal and Tea Tree Oil

If you shampoo less, you might worry about things like bacteria and dandruff. The truth is, conditioning and rinsing daily will manage most of your problems, since most stylers are water soluble and since conditioner hydrates and nourishes the scalp as much as it does the hair. However, you can’t avoid all obstacles. It’s a smart idea to add a tea tree treatment or charcoal-infused product to your regimen, for a couple reasons: Charcoal soaks up grime and dirt from deep within the skin (which is why it’s so effective as a face mask, too), and it allows each hair follicle to grow healthier and uninhibited. It, in turn, improves scalp health, too. Tea tree oil, on the other hand, is an antimicrobial essential oil that also reduces irritation. (Never apply pure tea tree oil to your skin, though, since it can be harsh when it is not properly mixed. Always buy a trusted formula.) Briogeo’s hair treatment contains both pro-scalp and pro-hair ingredients, and also includes biotin to promote hair growth, as well as witch hazel to further balance oil production.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Best Beard Oils for Your Itchy, Scratchy, Dry Beard

In the past decade, the number of beard-care brands has skyrocketed. A simple search on Amazon or Google brings up hundreds, if not thousands of small-batch labels. While this is a good sign for bearded men and the people who love them, it’s also a little scary since many of these products aren’t properly tested, nor held to the same standards as the more-recognized brands.

That’s no jab at the little guy, but it is a red flag for the buyer of beard oils. You’ve got to be sharp, and know what to look for while shopping for a blend that suits your whiskers. Sure, you want to discern between heavier recipes that help style the beard, or lightweight ones that simply soften and add shine. But what about the ingredients in those oil blends? How have they been formulated to specifically address the various concerns you have as you grow out your beard? (Things like beard itch, dandruff, unruly strays, split ends, and so forth.)

To help educate us all, I spoke to Eric Bandholz, the founder of Beardbrand, one of my favorite beard-care brands (imagine, with a name like that). You might recognize Bandholz from his company’s YouTube tutorials, with their 1 million plus subscribers. His glorious red beard is instantly recognizable, and it’s practically the mascot for Beardbrand’s own excellent products. Here are Bandholz’s hot takes on a few of the most pressing beard-oil questions, followed by some important terminology, and the products that we at Gear Patrol love best.

The Expert

What exactly does a beard oil do?
“A quality beard oil will soften up your beard, moisturize your skin, protect against split ends, minimize beard dandruff, and (if you want it) help your beard smell amazing,” Bandholz says.

Why should guys use a beard oil on their facial hair, and not their everyday moisturizer?
“Beard oil is great because it’s designed not just for the beard, but also the skin beneath the beard,” he says. “A lot of creams and lotions are designed specifically for your face or skin but not also the beard.”

There are so many beard oil sellers online. If a guy finds a product but it’s not from a reputable brand, how does he know if it’s any good?
“The smaller the company, the more due diligence I’d recommend you do to research the product,” Bandholz advises. “Many DIY-type companies will be using essential oils, which a great, but if they use them in too high of concentration, it can be dangerous to your skin. Other concerns I’d have with smaller companies is their manufacturing process and their ability to keep bio-mass (raw ingredient particles) out of their products. Again, just do your due diligence and understand the ingredients they are using, as well as the percentages, and why. Don’t simply trust the reviews. There are many great smaller companies out there with wonderful products. Your best bet is to read reviews from multiple independent sources and find brands that seem to be listed over and over again.”

What about the big companies? How might their mass-produced offerings differ?
“On the other end of the spectrum, there are giant organizations that have developed safe products, but they were formulated to be produced as cheaply as possible,” Bandholz says. “These giant brands are using silicone-based products. (And not straight oil.) An ingredient that ends in “-cone” or “-xane” is normally an indicator that it’s a silicone product.” (Though these products do also contain oils; it’s just an important distinction to make that some brands are pure natural oil, and some are synthetic.)

What is your favorite ingredient in beard oil?
“My all-time favorite base is jojoba oil,” he says. “It’s the oil that is closest in properties to your body’s natural sebum production. That being said, a beard oil is the combination of several ingredients and it should be judged on the performance of the final product rather than marketing buzzwords.” (The simple inclusion of jojoba oil is not an implication of the product’s overall effectiveness.)

What’s the difference between lightweight oils and thicker ones?
“I love a lightweight, non-greasy beard oil that will give me all day softness and conditioning, whereas some people prefer the higher shine and heavier beard oils, because they help control the beard better.”

The Vocabulary

Beard Oils: Let’s start at the baseline. Beard oils are vitamin- and nutrient-rich blends of oils — essential, carrier, or both — that mimic the naturally nourishing sebum produced by the skin. When applied, they nourish and soften the beard, preventing breaking, splitting, itching, flaking and more.

Sebum: The oil-like secretions that our skin produces, which helps soften and nourish the hair on our heads and faces. However, sebum often does not make its way down the entire hair shaft, which leaves the hair brittle, rigid, and sharp. Oils cover the ground that sebums cannot. Furthermore, when we wash our face, we rid of excess sebum, and in turn need to replenish it by applying hydrating products, like moisturizers and oils.

Beard Conditioners: While not the focus of this article, beard conditioners work more as a periodic ultra-nourishing treatment to soften and tame hairs. Meanwhile, oils act more like a daily moisturizer for both the beard hairs and the parched skin underneath.

Essential Oils: Oils distilled directly from a plant source, and named accordingly. (e.g. Lavender oil is distilled from microdroplets of oil within lavender.) Some essential oils are harmful for your skin, especially in high doses. Typically, name-brand oils will have perfected their blends and will incorporate proper concentrations of essential oils. It’s best to avoid small-name “DIY” brands that haven’t given these sensitive concentrations any thought, just as it’s best to avoid making your own at-home blend without proper research.

Carrier Oils: These are added to many oil blends to help carry, or deliver, oils to the host site. They also dilute and balance the essential-oil recipe. Argan, jojoba, coconut and avocado are common examples of carrier oils, which are typically extracted from the seeds or nuts of the fruit or vegetable. They are sometimes used on their own as nourishing agents, too.

Silicone: We leave the preference to you, but many big-name beard oil producers also incorporate silicone ingredients into their blends, instead of only oil. Silicone still acts like a lubricant and softener, but it’s important for purists to note that they should watch for ingredients ending in “-xone” or “-cone.” Those are silicones, and while they’re used in tons of grooming and beauty products and have been deemed safe, they simply aren’t pure oil. These products are usually heavier, too, and work a little better as light stylers. (We do have a couple silicone-inclusive oil blends in the roster below, Old Spice and Jack Black, which we still love.)

Cold Pressed: You’ll sometimes read that oils have been “cold pressed,” which is a grinding method used to preserve the oil’s core benefits, like fatty acids, vitamins, carotenes and phenols.

Sillage: Though we won’t use the word much here, sillage refers to an oil’s scent, and how long it tends to linger after application. It’s also a common term for perfume oils used in scent making.

The Best Beard Oils

Beardbrand Old Money Beard Oil

There’s Beardbrand again, and for good reason: Their “Old Money” blend is light on weight, heavy on nourishment, and mid-range on shine. It’s got a broody scent — oak, pepper, amber –and blends jojoba, argan, sweet almond, and castor oils.

Baxter of California Beard Grooming Oil

With an avocado- and apricot-oil base, Baxter’s blend gives a healthy shine while it softens the skin and hair with squalane, as well as a botanical blend of fruits, soybeans and seeds.

Public Goods Argan Oil

Public Goods has a simple subscription model: Order from its lineup of standalone oils, and get wholesale prices as opposed to retail markups. The best bargain is this 2-ounce cold-pressed and vitamin E-rich argan oil, without any added ingredients. You can use it on just about everything, not just your beard. (Though it’ll give you solid down-the-middle marks on weight and shine.)

Detroit Grooming Downtown Beard Oil

With a sweet almond oil base, Detroit Grooming’s unscented Downtown blend is its best, though scent lovers should shop their excellent assortment nevertheless (particularly their much-loved Corktown blend, which carries a vanilla, tobacco, and cedarwood fragrance). All of their blends deliver a natural glow and wear light, while hydrating the skin with vitamins A, B and E.

Old Spice Beard Oil

The classic fresh-citrus Old Spice scent lingers in the brand’s new beard oil. It’s got an argan oil base, and uses silicone agents to give it a heavier hold. It’s great for the bulkier beards, as well as unruly ones. This one gives a slightly stronger shine than others, though it’s still nothing shy of natural.

Way of Will Black Spruce and Black Pepper Beard Oil

Grape seed and jojoba oils give Way of Will’s medium-weight blend its soothing and nourishing base. Black spruce and black pepper oils invigorate the skin and strengthen each hair, while bergamot oil calms any irritation in this vitamin-rich blend. It’s also got a woodsy scent that hovers just under your nostrils.

Jack Black MP10 Hair, Face and Beard Oil

A 10-oil blend anchored in argan (to hydrate), marula (to strengthen), and grape seed (to soothe), Jack Black’s oil is medium weight and shine. It has silicone agents to assist with its softening, slickening prowess, and along with Public Goods’ single-ingredient argan oil, it’s the best of the bunch to double as an all-over hydrator — especially in the hairs up top. I like to add two drops to my paste or fiber styler for a pinch of shine and softness.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

7 Essential Products to Care for Your Beard

Beards don’t just sneak up and appear out of nowhere. They take their sweet time to grow, not accounting for the days spent pondering whether you wanted to stop shaving in the first place.

For this reason, you’ve got plenty of time to stock up on the beard-growing essentials, to arm yourself with the best conditioning, taming and styling products. These come as oils, balms, soaps, combs, brushes, trimmers and even shears. And the top-tier products will elevate your beard from rookie status to Best in Show. It’ll be free of itching, flaking, splitting, breaking and tangling. Like a well-trained pet, it’ll sit and stay exactly as you tell it to. It won’t scratch your significant other, nor will it mushroom from dehydration. You’ll have infinite styles to try but can also maintain your preferred one with aplomb.

So here they are. Seven beard products you need, and the best in each field.

Beard Oil: Baxter of California Beard Oil

Left untended, beards become dry, itchy, flaky and unruly. Just like you need moisturizer on your face and conditioner in your hair, a beard oil softens and strengthens your face fuzz. Squalane and avocado oil are the hero ingredients in this beard blend. The former is an ultra moisturizer that improves shine and elasticity in the hair. Furthermore, it’s a Grade-A anti-aging agent for the skin beneath your beard, too. Avocado oil fortifies the hair by quickly penetrating each shaft (words I never thought I’d write), making your whiskers stronger and less likely to split or snap. Vitamin E plays a supporting role, adding more moisture to prevent beard itch and dandruff.

Beard Balm: Brothers Artisan Oil Tanner Balm

For big beards and humble beards alike, balm is essential for taming flyaways and keeping your actual beard style in check. It’s amazing what a single pass of balm can do to help you “clean up nice.” And Brothers Artisan Oil’s balm doubles as a hair styler, too. They use the same nourishing ingredients here as they do in their signature beard oils — argan, jojoba, grapeseed, hemp, avocado and sunflower, among others — with the anchoring blend of shea butter, beeswax and cocoa butter. All in all, this styler nourishes hair and skin while keeping your beard in check.

Beard Wash: Mr. Natty Face Forest Soap

You want a beard wash that is as nourishing as it is cleansing. Mr. Natty’s beard soap is so effective that it doubles as a face cleanser. It uses olive oil to extract the excess sebum and grime from your skin and beard. Along with shea butter, it keeps everything hydrated, never compromising moisture levels while it cleans. Peppermint adds a fresh feel and scent, while rosemary’s antimicrobial powers keep the skin balanced, helping to prevent breakouts.

Facial Hair Scissors: Premax Ring Lock Mustache Scissors

If you’re going to hold anything sharp up to your face, don’t gamble on the cheap stuff. The quality shears — like these stainless steelers from Premax — will stay in shape longer. In this case, it’s the central ring lock that prevents the ends from separating. (You know how scissors do that, and then are essentially useless?) They stay sharp, and they stay together so that you can go in for that spot-check detailing around the cheek, and under the ‘stache.

Beard Brush: Beardbrand Boar’s Hair Beard Brush

The act of beard brushing is a soothing and rewarding one, and its benefits are magnified with boar bristles. Beardbrand’s wooden boar-bristle brush helps distribute the sebum from your skin and the base of the hair shaft, all the way through each beard strand. Doing this before bed ensures that your beard and skin stay healthy and nourished — no beard breakage, no suffocated hair follicles. It’s great to brush it out before styling, too, if you’ve got a big bushy beard — better yet, after applying beard oil — and then to graduate to a comb when you finish and finesse the look.

Beard Comb: Tom Ford Beard Comb

Like a beard brush, facial hair combs help to distribute oils and conditioning agents, and they keep stray hairs in check. (Often times you may need to snip these pesky strays, or spot-check them with a balm.) Tom Ford’s tortoise-shell beard comb is a nice stray from the barbershop staples that look like everyday pocket combs. This tool is your new pride and joy — it’s your styling wand, your beard detangler, your product distributor… and it looks so gosh-darn cute.

Beard Trimmer: Wahl Lithium Ion Vacuum Trimmer

We live in customizable times, and just as you can add avocado to your burrito bowl and monograms to your oxfords, you can also control so much about your beard-trimming regimen. Wahl’s vacuum trimmer allows you to adjust the intensity of suction (crank it up to minimize the mess in your drain), and comes with eight interchangeable guide combs, a 6-toggle adjustable head, and even a nose and ear trimming head so that you can keep those strays in order, too. It holds a 90-minute charge and has an LED monitor that lets you know how much remains. You may think that beard trimming should be kept simple, but this device opens up all sorts of possibilities for styling, shaping and even clean up (as if that isn’t the biggest benefit of them all).

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Best Sunscreen for Every Need

You could ask any Average Joe to explain SPF and UV protection, and each Joseph will give a different answer. You could ask any know-it-all for a sunscreen recommendation, and you’d get an endorsement without discernment for ingredients, intent or benefits (beyond the sunblock itself). Can these guys even tell you the difference between UVA rays and UVB rays, much less how SPF 15 differs from SPF 30? It’s not likely.

None of this is hard to figure out, so long as you don’t source your colleagues or Reddit for advice. To make things easier for you, and to offer up our favorite sun-stopping products (from moisturizing to water-resistant to hair-shielding), here’s a buying guide for SPF, with intel on all the acronyms, ingredients, and brands you ought to know.

Terms to Know

UVA: Ultraviolet “A” rays can penetrate deep into the skin. This leads to premature aging, or “photoaging” — fine lines, wrinkles, leathery skin and sun spots.

UVB: Ultraviolet “B” rays are superficial and cause sunburn. They are also responsible for the formation of melanoma (skin cancer).

Broad Spectrum: If a sunscreen is “broad spectrum,” it protects against both types of ultraviolet rays. You should only buy products that offer broad-spectrum protection.

SPF: Sun Protection Factor. So many sources will explain this in different ways, so it’s best to rely on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s overview: SPF measures the UVB protection of a sunscreen. (You can assume that UVA protection holds strong, while UVB defense wavers.) Unprotected skin takes 20 minutes to redden and burn in the sun, so an SPF 15 sunscreen or moisturizer will extend that 15 times longer, or roughly 5 hours. (You should play it safe and reapply after 2-3 hours, though.)

They also explain it in terms of percentages, which explains why you might experience more of a skin tan using SPF 15 than SPF 30: SPF 15 blocks about 93 percent of UVB rays during this time. SPF 30 doesn’t block double the rays; it simply ups the ante to 97 percent, whereas SPF 50 takes it to 98 percent.

They say no sunscreen can block all rays, but it’s most important to dial the SPF higher if you have especially sensitive skin. Otherwise, SPF 15 provides very good coverage, and SPF 30 provides excellent coverage.

Mineral Ingredients: Many SPF products use mineral ingredients to shield against the sun, primarily zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They are physical ingredients that deflect UV rays, and they sometimes leave a chalky residue in their wake, and are better if you aren’t swimming or sweating, since they can bead up more easily.

Synthetic Ingredients: Other products use synthetic ingredients to deflect or deactivate UV rays. Although there are dozens, the main ones are octinoxate, octisalate, oxybenzone and avobenzone. They are lighter and thus more ideal for water activities and for fair skin. They absorb more quickly than mineral ingredients.

Best for Everyday Wear: Clinique for Men SPF 21

A lightweight, oxybenzone-driven synthetic moisturizer. While it’s specifically for the face, Clinique’s broad-spectrum hydrator is too smooth to not apply universally. If you’re out for a walk and want some added coverage on your arms and legs, too, this stuff soaks up fast and doesn’t goop on like most dense body sunscreens. You get high SPF coverage, fast absorption and soft skin. Plus, it doesn’t break the bank, so there’s no guilt in lathering it on.

Best for the Face: Ursa Major Daily Defense SPF 18

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Here’s one moisturizer that you should only apply to the face. Yes, it would cover anything else effectively, but Ursa Major’s formula is packed with ingredients that benefit your complexion and would be wasted with frivolousness. Foremost, it provides a high-dose zinc-oxide, broad-spectrum defense, but follows that up with stem cells from apples (to prevent signs of aging and sun exposure), roses (to fortify the skin against other environmental toxins and stressors) and poppies (to deeply replenish moisture). Squalane smooths complexion and texture, while sodium hyaluronate further protects the skin’s moisture barrier, and strengthens its defense functions. Whew.

Best for the Beach: Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen SPF 50

When you hit the beach, you need a lightweight sunscreen that doesn’t clog pores and lead to more sweating. After all, the heat and humidity are already making you sweat enough. Supergoop’s all-over synthetic sunscreen provides broad-spectrum protection, with a formula rich in avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate and octisalate. Extracts of sunflower and rosemary leaf help thwart toxins and soothe skin. A high SPF makes it great for long, languid days under the sun, especially if you’re getting in and out of the water, or sweating from the heat. (Just be sure to reapply once you dry off, which is the universal rule.)

Best for Outdoor Activities: Coola Body Sunscreen SPF 50

Despite its zinc oxide and titanium dioxide broad-spectrum combo, Coola’s all-over lotion absorbs quick and without any chalky residue. It relies on its plant-rich formula to bolster the skin against toxins and strain; antioxidant-dense oils of raspberry seed, meadowfoam and prickly pear combine with aloe for an all-around protective cover. If you’re going for a long hike or just laying out by the pool in need some serious coverage, Coola checks every box.

Best for the Water: Bare Republic Mineral SPF 50 Sport

Another mineral broad-spectrum blend of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, Bare Republic’s sport- and water-friendly sunscreen provides up to 80 minutes of coverage from sweat or water. You should apply 15 to 30 minutes before you go for a dip, just so the minerals can seep in and work most effectively. Once they do, however, they provide one of the best defenses against sun exposure — it’s that mineral density that works in your favor, despite the fact that synthetic sunscreens are primarily touted for their water readiness. You would need to reapply those ones more quickly, as a result. With this one, you’re good for an hour or more, so long as you let it settle before diving in.

Best for the Hair: Sachajuan Hair in the Sun

It’s important to note that your hair suffers under the sun too; those UV rays do their damage on anything they encounter. However, the ingredients game is a little different when it comes to hair, and the field of options isn’t too thick. Sachajuan has engineered a UV-shielding formula that doubles as a styling cream, and that protects the hair even after you’ve gone for a dip; no need to reapply. You’ll note that it’s not as fried and dried the following days, as is otherwise wont to happen after heavy exposure to the sun. You can even follow your beach day with the brand’s Hair After the Sun, which works as a leave-in conditioner to boost natural shine and buoyancy.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 7 Best New Fragrances of Spring 2019

The best thing about fragrances is the constant newness and reinvention put into their construction. Each scent has a perspective and, like music or fashion, they’re all time capsules, tiny icons for the year and season in which they were released.

They’re fun to discuss too — even more so when you’re passing them around like a bottle of scotch, for the sampling. Ask any group of enthusiasts about the best spring scents of all time or the best new fragrance house of the 21st-century, and a polarizing debate ensues. Imagine it like a heated exchange on music: Were the Beatles better than the Rolling Stones? What was Prince’s best song or Bowie’s best album? Opinions will surface.

For this reason, one of the best debates you can have, I think, is a speculative one, based entirely on a first impression. The best new _____. You don’t know if that new album, or fashion trend, or fragrance will stand up for years, much less past your lunch break. So you have to trust your gut. Is it a flash in the pan, or a new standby? As for this season’s spring offerings — the best new fragrances, that is — these are the floral, fougere and fresh ones I believe have the most staying power. So if you’re looking for a new signature scent or want to gift without concern for return, shop from this list. They’re the words that enthusiasts are likeliest to be discussing passionately in 10 or 20 years.

Louis Vuitton Les Colognes Sun Song

Sun Song is one-third of Louis Vuitton’s unisex Les Colognes launch, alongside the maté-hued Cactus Garden and citrus-soaked Afternoon Swim. All three could round out the spring’s best—even if they’re geared towards summer—but Sun Song reverberates as boldest of the bold. It’s an orange-blossom in full bloom, embellished with citron and musk. You’re nostalgic for Sun Song as soon as you climb into bed, but the morning promises its return. This scent, and this entire trio, are something to sing about.

Ermenegildo Zegna Essenze Italian Bergamot EDP

So, technically Zegna’s Italian Bergamot isn’t new — the brand’s excellent (but not so spring-like) Madras Cardamom is the star rookie of its Essenze lineup. However, in tandem with Madras Cardamom’s release, the luxury brand has upgraded its Essenze scents from Eau de Toilette (EDT) to a higher-grade Eau de Parfum (EDP) collection. This means you now get more sillage and longevity from each spray. And since the crisp and eye-opening Italian Bergamot was our favorite amongst the EDT crowd, we were ecstatic to find that its prominence is even bolder and more arousing as an EDP.

Givenchy Gentleman

Givenchy’s Gentleman is an example to us all. He’s sophisticated and dimensional in any iteration, always staying fresh and trying something new. In the brand’s latest take on its 45-year-old formula, iris takes center stage, with supporting arcs from bergamot, lemon, rosemary, vetiver and musk. Of the lot, it means the most business, but it’s also casual enough for a buttoned-down affair.

Tom Ford Beau de Jour

And the award for “Most Likely to Be Your New Signature Scent” goes handily to Beau de Jour. This fougere scent plays well from every angle: patchouli and amber base notes give it strength, while lavender makes a fresh impression. It’s balanced with an herbal-earthy heart—rosemary, mint, and basil and oakmoss. From every approach, its warm enough for the night and winter, but light enough for spring, fall and all the livelong day. If you’re a man of one scent, then there’s no need to change from one day to the next, much less one season to the next. Pick Beau de Jour, and stick with Beau de Jour.

Diptyque Eau de Minthé

The latest entry into the spring scent race is Diptyque’s May launch of Eau de Minthé. Like Beau de Jour, it’s a fougere scent — akin to ferns, in that it’s both herbal and earthy, much like most barbershop fragrances. And in this case, that all centers on mint. Its freshness is embellished with floral tones of geranium and rose, and anchored by a bed of patchouli. It’s a big statement to suggest that Diptyque has produced its best scent yet, but the argument must be made.

Jack Black Turbo Body Spray

Some guys may never buy into the fragrance world. On the outside, it seems expensive, and it’s hard to tell which one of the thousands is worth your wear. That’s fair. If you’re skeptical, or if you’re plenty invested in the game but needing a surprise, then buy this body spray. For the skeptic, it’s a post-shower cologne in disguise (and a steal at $32 for 3.4 ounces), and a graduation from your dime-store body-spray days. For the enthusiast, it’s a sexy (yes) alternative to your everyday staple. Rosemary, eucalyptus, and juniper berry give it some serious seduction vibes, and as a bonus, the bottle could hold court next to Givenchy and Tom Ford.

Montblanc Explorer

Montblanc’s aptly named Explorer is an aromatic, leathery scent can navigate any season or occasion. Like the adventure it inspires, its ingredients were sourced from all over the globe: Explorer has the depth of a winter scent, thanks to Haitian vetiver and Indonesian patchouli, while its top and middle notes (Italian bergamot and French clary sage) balance things out with sunnier, lighter spirits.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 18 Best Products for Common Skin Issues

Anyone who took seventh-grade biology class knows that the skin is the body’s largest organ. What’s not taught in school, though, is that the skin is often quite finicky. It’s hairy, prone to discoloration and can look like a relief map of rashes, bumps and indentations. Since the skin is our outermost organ, it’s constantly affected by outside forces like the weather, pollution, foreign chemicals and allergens. These, along with factors like diet and lifestyle, can lead to a number of common skin issues.

On the whole, skin health requires a holistic outlook. That said, creating an effective skincare routine and sticking with it can make a huge difference in the day-to-day look and feel of your skin. This starts with simple things like washing your face at least once a day, using a skin-protecting moisturizer and wearing sunscreen every single day. If you have persistent issues or skin conditions that are painful, consult a dermatologist. But for other, more common problems, there is a range of over-the-counter products appropriate for your routine.

Breakouts

While true acne is most common in teenagers, breakouts can follow men through their whole lives. A man’s skin has larger pores and more active sebaceous (oil) glands than a woman’s, which means break-out causing blockages can happen more regularly. The first step to controlling breakouts is making sure you cleanse your face regularly (morning and night) and after you work out to ensure pores are clear of build-up oil and grime. For extra strength, use a cleanser with salicylic acid to dry out excess oil and flush away dead skin cells. When you do notice a pimple, spot treat it with a drying agent that contains zinc or sulfur to help draw out the oil.

Oil-Free Acne Wash by Neutrogena $9

Drying Lotion by Mario Badescu $17

Excess Oil

Excessively oily skin can lead to breakouts but it should be treated differently. Overly-active sebaceous glands can cause our skin to appear shiny. It’s doubly evident for active men since sweat and oil look similar (even though sweat and oil glands are technically different). You can combat shiny skin by using a matte moisturizer, which can help control oil production while also keeping skin hydrated. And if you workout regularly, consider using a cooling wipe after hitting the gym to balance sweat production.

Essential Face Wipes by Ursa Major $24

Oil Control Daily Moisturizer by Lab Series $36

Razor Bumps

Razor bumps, or ingrown hairs, are common among men with coarse, curly hair. They often occur after shaving when the hair grows into the skin instead of out of it. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), razor bumps can be exacerbated by multi-blade razors which actually shave too close to your skin, making it harder for hairs to break the surface effectively. To combat that issue, switch to a single-blade razor. Always shave during or directly after a shower, when the warm water helps to soften beard hairs for easier shaving and use an antibacterial shave tonic when finished to soothe skin and prevent inflammation.

Post-Shave Mist by Harry’s $12

Shave System Safety Razor by Bevel $37

Dry Skin

Dry skin can look red, flaky or dull and can have an uncomfortable tight, tingly or warm feeling. It is a very common issue, but thankfully, there are also many products to help hydrate the skin. After daily cleansing, use a moisturizer that will help hydrate the skin and prevent the loss of moisture throughout the day (look for formulas containing hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring chemical that helps skin cells retain moisture). Opt for a gel texture if you have oily skin and a heavier cream if you’re prone to dryness.

Ultra Facial Cream by Kiehl’s $30

Maximum Hydrator Activated Water-Gel Concentrate by Clinique for Men $39

Dark Under-Eye Circles

The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of your face. It’s often the first place to show signs of aging in the form of fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin and dark circles. These problems, especially dark circles, are only exacerbated by dehydration and bad sleep habits. To help calm puffiness, use a cooling eye mask the morning after a late night (keep them in your fridge for extra power). And if you have dark circles, use an eye cream with illuminating properties every morning to help brighten the area.

Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels by Skyn $30

Banana Bright Eye Cream by Ole Henriksen $38

Redness

Redness on the skin can be caused by dehydration or sensitivity, but it can also be attributed to more serious conditions like rosacea (an abnormality of the blood vessels which can cause flushing, broken capillaries and sometimes bumps). If you struggle with redness, consider using a fragrance-free cream cleanser, since sensitivities to fragrance can cause facial redness, and a calming serum to help even out skin tone. If redness persists, check with your doctor to see if it could be something more serious.

Gentle Hydrating Cleanser by Dr. Loretta $35

Evercalm Anti-Redness Serum by Ren Clean Skincare $50

Wrinkles

There is a range of products designed to address wrinkles on your face. Many companies offer creams or serums with retinol, a powerful derivative of Vitamin A which helps stimulate cell regeneration and turnover. Daily use has been shown to smooth fine lines and improve skin tone. This powerful ingredient is best used at night because it causes sensitivity to sunlight, and one should always wear sunscreen during the day to fight signs of premature aging.

A-Passioni Retinol Cream by Drunk Elephant $74

Retinol Rescue Face Serum by Clark’s Botanicals $105

Sallowness

Your skin is constantly regenerating and the lifecycle of skin cells is up to six-week-long. But after the cells die, they can build up on the surface of our skin. An abundance of dead skin cells can cause dullness and sallowness making the face look tired and older. Exfoliating on a regular basis helps remove these dead skin cells, clearing the way for the newer ones underneath. A scrub that uses physical materials like microbeads or clay can remove dead cells but is often too rough for sensitive skin. So consider using a chemical exfoliant containing glycolic acid. It will do the same thing more gently by breaking the bonds between dead cells.

Face Buff Energizing Scrub by Jack Black $18

Overtime Mask by Summer Fridays $44

Sunspots

Sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging and can lead to skin cancer. Sun damage typically takes the form of dark spots which are especially evident on men with fair or easily sunburned skin. The most important product for long term skin health is a sunscreen applied daily (the AAD recommends a minimum SPF of 30). But if you currently have dark spots, a Vitamin C serum can help lighten darker pigmentation and even skin tone.

UV Shield SPF 45 by Elta MD $25

Vitamin C Ester Brightening Serum by Perricone MD $69

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.