The concept of scalp care has come a long way from the days when Selsun Blue and Head & Shoulders were your only options. Popular skincare brands like The Ordinary and Dr. Barbara Sturm and hair care favorites like Verb and Act + Acre have released scalp treatments in recent months. On top of that, new brands like Jupiter have launched entire grooming product collections that put a strong emphasis on scalp care. Bottom line: Now’s a good time to take care of your scalp.
Among the many new offerings on the market are products that specifically target hair loss or thinning hair. Many scalp care products offer a similar overall promise: a clarified, healthy, exfoliated scalp will help promote healthier, stronger hair. To achieve that, many of these products utilize nourishing vitamins and familiar ingredients like aloe vera. In addition, serums or sprays that are specifically designed to prevent hair loss often include ingredients like minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine that stimulates new hair growth) or biotin, which thickens the strands of hair you already have.
Adding a scalp care component to your hair care routine might feel like a burdensome step, but many of the new products are easy to use or can be used just once a week for results. And unlike the Selsun Blue days, the new generation of scalp treatment products come with stylish packaging and inviting scents that won’t be out of place among other modern grooming essentials. Read on for our picks for the best scalp care products to help with hair growth.
The 9 Best Scalp Care and Scalp Treatment Products to Prevent Hair Loss
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There’s no denying that scrubbing your skin with an exfoliant featuring sugar, nuts, or seeds can feel intensely satisfying. But in recent years, the popularity of physical exfoliants has waned as experts have warned that these scrubs can cause inflammation and even create micro tears in your skin. In response, skincare brands have expanded their offerings of chemical exfoliants. Despite the intimidating name, these products are actually gentler on your skin, and they’re great for removing dead skin cells or combating blackheads.
What Makes a Chemical Exfoliant
Some chemical exfoliants might also be marketed as serums, toners, or peels. Don’t be put off by the confusing names; instead, look for the active ingredients listed on the bottle and the word “exfoliating” in the product description. Chemical exfoliants will usually feature acids like AHAs (including lactic acids and glycolic acids), which take off the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal fresher skin underneath, and BHAs (the most common of which is salicylic acid), which penetrate pores to combat breakouts. Chemical exfoliants might be liquids, gels, or creams, but they won’t feature the granular texture of their physical counterparts, and you may not “feel” them exfoliating your skin. That’s a good thing. With consistent use, they’ll give your skin a more refined texture without damaging it.
Many, but not all, chemical exfoliants should be used only one to three times a week (i.e. not as part of your daily skincare routine). Your goal is to clear away dead skin as it forms, not break down your epidermis entirely. No matter what chemical exfoliant you use, always check the product description for instructions on how often to use it. If you’re concerned about your skin having an adverse reaction, perform a spot test on a discreet part of your face, and then slowly integrate the product into your routine.
Whether you’re already a seasoned exfoliating expert or just getting started, we’ve rounded up the best chemical exfoliants to keep your skin feeling, and looking, fresh.
The Best Chemical Exfoliants for Men
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Between blazing heat indoors and frigid temps, harsh wind, and bright sun outside, your skin can take quite a beating in the winter. Even those who don’t usually deal with dry skin might suddenly find their faces feeling irritated, red, and cracked in the colder months. While you don’t need to overhaul your whole skincare routine to address these changes, if you’re dealing with drier skin than normal, now’s the perfect time to introduce a moisturizer for winter dry skin.
So what makes a good heavy-duty moisturizer? Part of it is the texture: Rather than the lightweight gels and thin lotions that you might use in the summer, look for thicker, richer creams. If you’re worried about your skin looking greasy, use a heavier moisturizer before bedtime. If you have really dry skin, don’t be afraid to use an overnight cream in the morning; just keep in mind that if it has active ingredients like retinol you’ll need sun protection as well. (Even in winter, it’s a good idea to apply a UV-blocking product daily).
In addition to a heavier texture, you’ll also want to focus on a few specific ingredients when shopping for a moisturizer for winter dry skin. Look for creams with humectants, which attract water to the top layer of skin to help combat flakiness and cracking. Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and glycerin are some examples. These are best paired with occlusives, which prevent moisture loss by creating a lipid barrier atop the skin. That category includes ingredients like shea butter, squalane, and many natural oils. A good winter moisturizer will often include both.
Read on for our picks of the best winter moisturizers, including picks for sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and more.
The Best Moisturizers for Winter Dry Skin
Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture CreamCourtesy Image
1. Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream
Youth to the People’s rich moisturizing cream provides hydration via several key ingredients: squalane, which mimics skin’s natural oils, a mix of adaptogens that act as antioxidants to protect the skin from external stresses, and shea butter for its restorative properties. This everyday cream is also good for dealing with redness and skin sensitivity.
Supplement brand Asystem takes a holistic approach to grooming—in addition to this cream, it offers a full skincare line. The brand’s overnight cream is particularly helpful for renewing tired-looking skin thanks to its blend of vitamins C and E, which promotes the regeneration of skin cells, while avocado oil provides healing moisture.
Though formulated for dry skin types, Hawthorne’s Ultra Rich Face Lotion is good for anyone looking for extra hydration. The non-comedogenic formula (it won’t clog your pores) uses almond oil and shea butter for nourishment, while centella asiatica extract soothes red or irritated skin.
With .05 percent retinol, Geologie’s night cream boosts skin cell turnover to reduce signs of aging. It also includes niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help restore the skin’s plumpness and provide hydration.
Kiehl’s has a large array of creams, lotions, and moisturizers in its lineup, but the Ultra Facial Cream is a classic for a reason. It might be heavier than what you’re used to, but a little goes a long way. The formula includes glycerin, a naturally occurring component in the skin that acts as a humectant, as well as squalane to restore the skin’s protective barrier and prevent moisture loss.
Pharrell let the world in on his skincare secrets with the launch of his Humanrace line last year. The products sold out quickly on their initial launch, so now’s the time to try them if you missed out on the first drop. The brand’s Humidifying Cream is vegan and cruelty-free, and it features moisturizing ingredients like snow mushroom extract and hyaluronic acid.
Jack Black Overnight Repair MoisturizerCourtesy Image
7. Jack Black Overnight Repair Moisturizer
Oils are a popular and effective ingredient in heavy moisturizers, but if you’re concerned about breakouts, try Jack Black’s overnight cream. The oil-free formula includes salicylic acid to combat acne and it hydrates the skin with hyaluronic acid.
Malin + Goetz’s Advanced Renewal Cream relies on a mix of jojoba oil, squalane, and lipids, also called fatty acids, to restore skin moisture levels. Geranium and lavender oils give the product a refreshing, luxurious scent—an ideal pick if you’re looking to elevate your skincare routine.
The most basic skincare routine will likely include a cleanser and a moisturizer. But if you’re starting to see pesky dark spots or fine lines, those two products alone may not be delivering everything your skin needs. That’s where skin serum comes in. With their higher concentrations of active ingredients, serums let you customize your routine to address specific concerns. Do you want your skin to appear plumper or firmer? Look for serums featuring ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Are dark spots or hyperpigmentation a concern? Try formulations with vitamin C. Looking to improve your skin’s overall texture? Try a serum with retinol, also known as vitamin A.
Many serums also promise hydrating effects, which might beg the question: What makes them different from a moisturizer? Serums, with their thinner formulas (common options might be in the form of an oil or gel), will absorb more readily into the skin, but they won’t offer all-day hydration. Moisturizers typically have larger molecules, so they won’t penetrate skin as deeply, but they will create a barrier over the skin to lock moisture in. In short, layer your moisturizer over your serum to use both products effectively.
Owing to their higher concentrations of active ingredients, serums are also typically more expensive than cleansers or moisturizers. And while you can splurge on a high-priced formula if it does the trick, you certainly don’t need to spend upwards of $100 for a good skin serum. Below, we’ve rounded up our picks for the best skin serums to address everything from hyperpigmentation to rosacea.
The Best Skin Serums for Men 2022
Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass SerumCourtesy Image
1. Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Serum
Those dealing with sensitivity or redness caused by issues like rosacea will find relief with Dr. Jart’s Tiger Grass Serum. Part of the Korean brand’s soothing Cicapair line, the serum uses centella asiatica (the namesake tiger grass) to calm easily irritated skin.
Youth to the People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy SerumCourtesy Image
2. Youth to the People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum
Vegan skincare brand Youth to the People pairs the brightening effects of vitamin C with caffeine derived from yerba mate for a serum that also helps reduce puffiness. Use it in the morning to shake off that just-woke-up look and protect your skin with vitamin C’s natural antioxidants; the serum also includes squalane to give your skin an extra dose of hydration.
The original Parsley Seed Antioxidant Serum has been a popular part of Aesop’s line for years now. Earlier this year, the Australian brand released a more potent version of the formula. It combines antioxidants like green tea and parsley seed with moisture-binding ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin E to create a protective barrier for the skin.
Ursa Major Brighten Up Vitamin C SerumCourtesy Image
4. Ursa Major Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum
Certified B Corp skincare brand Ursa Major is beloved for its simple, natural formulations, and this serum is no different. The vitamin C formula can help fade dark spots over time, while ingredients like aspen bark provide a natural source of salicylic acid to gently exfoliate.
Retinols can be somewhat intimidating for newbies, but Kiehl’s new skin serum, which launched this summer, offers an easy way to integrate retinol into your routine. The small dose of retinol helps promote skin cell turnover, but is gentle enough to be used daily, and the serum includes ceramides to improve the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
The high cost of serums means it’s often a big commitment to integrate them into your routine. With the launch of its serum duo this summer, Grown Alchemist offers an easy way to try two serums at a (relatively) affordable price. The detox serum uses vitamin B3 to reduce age spots while the smoothing serum gives a boost of hydration with hyaluronic acid. Use them separately or together.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating SerumCourtesy Image
7. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
If the high costs and complex ingredients of serums are overwhelming, there’s one brand you need to turn to: The Ordinary. With straightforward formulations and price points largely under $15, The Ordinary lets you pinpoint exactly what your skin needs. Start with the hyaluronic acid skin serum for an easy dose of extra hydration.
27 Rosiers Here We Glow Again Protect & Revive SerumCourtesy Image
8. 27 Rosiers Here We Glow Again Protect & Revive Serum
Vegan skincare and supplement brand 27 Rosiers puts the spotlight on botanical ingredients in its serum, which promises to protect against outside pollutants. The formulation features soothing ingredients like calendula and aloe to promote soft, glowing skin.
Supergoop Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 SerumCourtesy Image
9. Supergoop Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Serum
Vitamin C is popular for its brightening and antioxidant properties, but if you integrate the ingredient into your routine, keep in mind that experts recommend pairing it with sunscreen for maximum effectiveness (it’s a good idea to use sunscreen daily anyway). Sun protection experts Supergoop have made the combo easy with a vitamin C serum that offers SPF 40 sun protection—it can eliminate a step from your routine.
Fall can inspire polarizing reactions when it comes to aromas and flavors; some have been waiting all year to break out the cinnamon sticks and scarves, others find the so-called pumpkin spice season cloying and overbearing. While it’s totally fine to stick with a favorite scent through autumn, the arrival of cooler weather is a great excuse to try out some fall colognes, which generally include heavier scents with notes based on wood, incense, and spices.
Cozy is perhaps the key word for most when it comes to fall fragrances, but cozy doesn’t need to mean twee. When brightened with citrus or made more complex with resinous notes, fall colognes can feel sophisticated and unexpected. And don’t be afraid of sweet or gourmand perfumes. While classic gourmand notes like vanilla can be overused to the point of being commonplace, in the right perfumer’s hands, you’ll be reminded that the scent is one of the most luxurious and exotic notes in the world.
Even if woodsy fragrances aren’t your thing, these picks are worth a look: There are plenty of fresher, herbaceous scents among the new releases this season as well. Read on for our picks for the best fall colognes for men, including new fragrances from Le Labo, Aesop, and more.
The Best Fall Colognes for Men 2021
Cedrat 37 by Le LaboCourtesy Image
1. Cedrat 37 by Le Labo
Le Labo’s city exclusive scents have already bottled the aromas of Tokyo, in the form of Gaiac 10, Miami in the form of Tabac 28, and more. Now it’s Berlin’s turn. Launched in August, Cedrat 37 is a zingy, citrus and ginger-infused take on the namesake note, cedar. During the month of September, Cedrat 37 and all of Le Labo’s city exclusives will be available for purchase online; if you miss the window you’ll have to book a trip to Berlin to pick up a bottle.
Canadian perfumer Zoologist is not afraid to push boundaries with scents that challenge the nose, but Chipmunk is one of the brand’s more easygoing and approachable scents. Launched just in time for fall, it combines inviting fall spices, like cardamom and nutmeg, with quince, hazelnut, and velvety vetiver and guaiac. Think fall spice—but sophisticated.
This year, Australian perfumer Goldfield & Banks launched its Botanical Series, a luxury take on the natural ingredients of the company’s home country. Agarwood, also known as oud, is the starring player in the line’s first release, Silky Woods, which also features lush gourmand and woody notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and sandalwood.
Inspired by the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, Celebes Wood is a spicy, resinous concoction with cinnamon, white pepper, and labdanum, while vanilla and tonka give it a slight boozy undertone. This is a scent with powerful sillage, meaning it leaves a noticeable trail—not a good choice for those who are looking for something subtle.
It’s autumnal and it’s woody—what more do you need to know? Maison Margiela’s Replica line looks to specific locales as inspirations for its scents; for 2021, the brand attempts to evoke Montreal in 2018. More specifically, it conjures up a Montreal street in the fall strewn with wet leaves, with notes of carrot seeds and nutmeg rounding out cedar and moss.
B683 Extrait by Marc-Antoine BarroisCourtesy Image
6. B683 Extrait by Marc-Antoine Barrois
Launched in 2017, B683 was an instant hit for its distinct, instantly recognizable take on suede with notes of black pepper and saffron. Owing to the scent’s popularity, designer Marc-Antoine Barrois and perfumer Quentin Bisch launched an Extrait version in 2020, which intensifies the patchouli note of the original. The powerful, long-lasting scent is the perfect complement to cooler weather.
Australian skincare brand Aesop launches three new fragrances this month, expanding on its line that already includes favorites like Hwyl and Tacit. In keeping with the Aesop aesthetic, all three scents from the “Othertopias” collection are introspective and meditative rather than loud or overbearing. Karst in particular is hard to pass up: The herbaceous blend of juniper, bergamot, and sage uses the scents found in many classic men’s colognes, but they’re paired with an aquatic accord that feels unexpected and slightly mysterious.
No one does smoke quite like Naomi Goodsir. The France-based Australian perfumer frequently uses ashy and smoky notes to great effect—perhaps nowhere more prominently than in Bois d’Ascèse. Reminiscent of a peaty Scottish whisky sipped at a campfire, the fragrance is one of the best in the smoky, woodsy genre.
Al Sahra, a new scent from Parisian house The Different Company, gives an unexpected twist to incense-based fragrances. Though ambery and woody, the perfume also has a cool, dry opening with salty, mineral notes. The slightly oceanic accord makes for a nice transitional scent from summer into warmer, classic fall aromas.
