Read your face.
Build the routine.
Tap what bothers you, tell us about your beard and how you shave. You get your Skin ID, a morning and night routine you can do in minutes, and the top three products for every step.
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Your routine
Ingredient cheat sheet
What’s in your routine, what it does, and what not to mix.
Your first 30 days
Skin turns over about every four weeks. Stick with it before you judge it.
AFM earns a commission on qualifying Amazon purchases, at no extra cost to you. Want the full picks? See our 10 grooming essentials for men.
How the AFM Skin Lab works
The Skin Lab builds a men’s skincare, beard and shave routine from what you tell it about your face. Answer one question about how your skin feels after washing, tap the areas that bother you, and tell us about your beard, your razor and how much time you have. The routine updates as you go.
- Skin ID: your skin type (dry, oily, combination, sensitive or normal) from a simple feel test, so you don’t have to guess.
- Face map: shine, pores, dark circles, dry or red patches, breakouts and razor bumps each change which products you get.
- Morning and night routine: cleanser, treatment, moisturizer and sunscreen, with the top three products for every step.
- Your week: which nights to use exfoliants or retinol so you never stack strong ingredients.
- Beard and shave kits: matched to your beard length and razor, including a fix for razor bumps.
How we keep it safe
The Skin Lab suggests over-the-counter routines for common concerns. It does not diagnose skin conditions. Patch-test new products for two days, start one active ingredient at a time, and see a dermatologist for deep or painful breakouts, redness that won’t settle, or any spot that changes shape or color.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good skincare routine for men?
Most men need three steps: a cleanser, a moisturizer and a daily sunscreen. Add one treatment for your main concern, like niacinamide for shine or retinol for fine lines, once the basics are a habit.
How do I find my skin type?
Wash your face, leave it bare for two hours, then check. Tight or flaky means dry, shiny on the forehead and nose means combination, shiny all over means oily, and itching or redness means sensitive.
How do I stop razor bumps?
Shave with the grain using a single-blade razor, use a proper shave cream on wet skin, and exfoliate two or three times a week with salicylic acid. Multi-blade razors cut hair below the skin, which is what causes most bumps.
Should I use beard oil or beard balm?
Beard oil is for the skin under your beard and for stubble or short beards. Beard balm adds hold and is best for longer, full beards. Many men with a full beard use both.
Keep exploring
See our 10 grooming essentials for men, build a training plan in the AFM Body Lab and find your signature scent in the AFM Scent Lab.