Skincare and ageing is increasingly a concern for men. According to a report by beauty brand NUXE Paris, 78 percent of British males think it’s important to follow a skincare regime. It probably comes as no surprise that the research also revealed wrinkles are one of men’s biggest concerns about their skin.
It’s safe to say with the global male grooming market expected to grow, skincare products made specifically for men - especially targeting ageing - are here to stay, and even for the younger generations.
It’s been said if you don’t see any recognisable ‘signs’ of ageing on your skin in your 20s or 30s, everyday stresses, such as general fatigue, pollution and UV rays, will increase free radicals and lead to a breakdown of collagen, which gradually induces wrinkles over time.
As a result, beauty professionals recommend using a dedicated anti-ageing range no later than 25. These are rich in antioxidants and active ingredients to protect your skin from accelerated ageing.
Here are some of the best men’s anti-ageing products on the market right now.
Up your grooming game with one of the best beard trimmers. We tested 10 of them.
Best men's anti-ageing cream
This has to be our favourite-smelling anti-ageing skincare product of the lot, with a citrus scent that nods to its use of vitamin C. It helps fight the signs of ageing by neutralising skin damage caused by UV and pollution.
There's also hyaluronic acid to make the skin feel and appear hydrated, plump and healthy, Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant to help protect the skin from attacks by free radicals, and peptides, which trigger the production of collagen. This up-and-coming skincare brand for men doesn’t cost the earth and is also free of sulfate, parabens, silicon and alcohol.
If there’s one thing you should be smothering on your face, it’s Scottish seaweed. Ishga Men's Marine Cream not only smells delightful but it includes organic ingredients such as shea butter combined with Hebridean seaweed and Hebridean natural spring water, which work to soften, repair and moisturise the skin, leaving a protective barrier.
This, Ishga claims, helps protect the skin from environmental damage as well as reduce wrinkles and open pores.
Face serums have an advantage over your normal moisturising creams because they have a higher concentration of ingredients. In the case of Hims’s Morning Glow serum, it’s Vitamin C.
This radioactive-looking orange substance not only claims to support your immune system, but is also an important antioxidant when applied topically, helping you look as though you’ve had a full night’s sleep when really you got home from after-work drinks at 2am.
This non-oily balm is not only super light but it works to smooth out lines thanks to its paracress ingredient, said to repair fibroblasts - a type of biological cell that helps to protect and restore skin firmness.
There’s also some maritime pine in there, which boosts the skin’s microcirculation to help reduce puffiness and dark circles. Perfect if you enjoy one too many a late night.
The most expensive of the lot is this Codage No.5 Anti-Age Serum, which promises to tackle all the most common signs of visible ageing, including wrinkles, expression lines, dark spots, dullness and loss of firmness. The super silky fluid has hyaluronic acid, which works to plump the skin, while peptides firm and tighten and sea lily extract brightens, together working to leave skin looking more youthful with continued use.
Suitable for all skin types, just massage a few drops into cleansed skin every morning and night.
Known for its humble roots as a small pharmacy in Manhattan way back in 1851, Kiehls is now one of the biggest skincare experts in the states. While most of its products are unisex, it does have an anti-ageing line specially for men, including this new lightweight anti-ageing gel moisturiser, which has been made for men who think richer creams are too "heavy" or "greasy”.
It’s a fast-absorbing formula that uses linseed extract and white birch extract, recognised for their anti-ageing benefits.
This new organic brand specialises in anti-ageing skincare products which comprise of 98% natural and organic ingredients, making it a great shout for those who don’t want to apply a tub of perfumed chemicals on their face everyday.
Our favourite is this rich cream eye concentrate, which contains sea algae extract to protect against all the crap that British weather throws at you, while helping to reduce the depth and visibility of wrinkles. It also relaxes the sensitive skin around the eyes, reducing signs of last night’s bender and minimising any undereye shopping bags.
The Ordinary is the new kid on the skincare scene, and with its chic packaging you’d easily be les to think it costs a fortune. But it’s super affordable, with anti-ageing serums starting at under a fiver. Say what?! This is because the brand prides itself on being transparent in its offerings, referring to them as “clinical formulations with integrity”.
Retinoid, a chemical found in medicine to regulate epithelial cell growth, is present in this water-free “emulsion” and comes in a small concentration of an active complex called granactive retinoid. This has produced better results against multiple signs of ageing, without any of the irritation experienced with the more common anti-ageing chemical retinol.
Promising to reduce wrinkles by up to 45 percent in two months, this protein-boosting serum by Jack Black works both on the skin’s surface to smooth and improve the texture and also at a deeper level - helping to fight wrinkles through promoting collagen production.
With peptides and hyaluronic acid, a small squirt goes a long way. It’s also best used post-shaving, targeting those who shave every day but also want their skin looking like that of a newborn.
This beautifully rich serum has such a divine smell it’s practically hypnotising. This is thanks to its blend of frankincense essential oils, which will leave you feeling like baby Jesus every morning.
It’s also clinically proven to visibly lift and recontour the skin and plump the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles with hydrating hyaluronic acid. Best of all, though, it uses zero-waste ingredients as Neal's Yard says the by-product left behind from the oil is transformed using an environmentally-friendly “enzymatic extraction” process. How fancy!
