Men’s grooming needn’t be complicated; these 7 natural and organic products for shaving, cleansing, and more are designed for guys and won’t leave them smelling like cheesy aftershave.
My husband generally isn’t interested in the art of skin care, other than once building me a shelf in the bathroom to prevent us from being crushed under a random avalanche of my products. Still, I keep an eye out for the best grooming products for men. Here are seven fantastic creations so good they might change your guy’s perspective on skin care—if you don’t decide to keep them for yourself.
1. Clarisonic Face Brush, Mia Collection ($119)
Gadgetry is a god to many men (and women!) and the reigning Zeus of skin cleaning is this handy face brush from Clarisonic. Ubiquitous to most malls, you can find these brushes displayed as you run through the makeup and perfume sections, pursued by fragrance sprayer-demons. Next time, take a breath-holding moment check out the Clarisonic, which offers up one of the most comprehensive face washings outside of a spa. Using sonic technology to clean out oils, bacteria, and more, it can sanitize even the roughest skins.
You may want to substitute Clairsonic’s recommended cleansers with a more natural alternative. Consider the Original Face Wash from Bull Dog Skincare for Men, which offers up a fragrance and paraben-free cleaning for $9.99.
2. MyChelle Dermaceuticals Fruit Enzyme Scrub ($17.19)
Not eager to use a plastic and battery-powered device to clear out pores? Consider this Fruit Enzyme Scrub from MyChelle Dermaceuticals. Vegan-friendly and gluten-free, this product contains both fruit and bamboo extracts to buff away skin debris and clear out clogged pores. It also offers up an excellent fruity scent.
3. Aubrey Men’s Stock City Rhythms Shave Cream ($7.30)
Men’s skin is thicker than women’s and notoriously less sensitive. Still, many men take a daily razor to their skins, which can wreak havoc on their pores. This shave cream from Aubrey Organics provides a cool shave while protecting skin from razor burn. It leads with organic avocado and wheat germ oil, offering up a witch hazel antiseptic and organic eucalyptus extracts.
4. Lavera After Shave Balm ($20.75)
Organic horsetail and natural marine minerals provide the basis for this soothing after shave. Meanwhile, extracts of organic calendula, echinacea and witch hazel calm and disinfect irritation. Containing natural essential oils and some organic ingredients, this BDIH-certified vegan product is cruelty-free and gluten-free.
5. Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20 ($27.00)
A lightweight moisturizer offering up a built-in broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, this product from Jack Black moisturizes without leaving a face feeling oily or greasy. It also contains Blue Algae Extract, a rich source of Vitamin E, as well as Sea Parsley, which is claimed to be an effective anti-irritant to help improve the overall look of skin.
6. Sow Good Men Natural Shampoo, Shower and Shave Gel ($14.99)
Some women may balk at the idea of using a combination shampoo plus conditioning product. (If there’s one out there that doesn’t leave your hair greasy, sign me up.) However, put a 3-in-1 product in the shower of many men, and they’ll be lathering up faster than a feminist waving her first-world-problems card. (Mine is hot pink.) Made in the USA, this shampoo, shower, and shave gel is certified by the Natural Products Association. It promises a close shave, as well as moisturized skin and hair. Best of all, it leaves your recycling bin a little emptier with just one bottle instead of three.
7. Straight Razor (Price as determined)
The indisputably most bad-ass way to shave is also the most eco-friendly. The carbon footprint for shaving is high—check out this great article on it from our friends at Slate—and the champion shaving device for saving water and energy while keeping plastic disposables out of landfills is the straight razor. There’s a wide variety of straight razors on the market, from vintage beginner blades to artisanal ones developed by Alex Jacques.
Photo Credit: pol ubeda