The Ultimate Guide to Men's Grooming Tips for the Summer

As the temperature rises and the sunny days last longer you may be tempted to skip your grooming routine for more time outside. Don’t worry, we get it. Thankfully there are ways to have both a simplified routine and time for more summer activities. You can achieve this through a dedicated regimen of products that’ll do multiple steps at once to limit your time in front of the mirror.

SoftSheen Carson has been simplifying grooming for men for more than 100 years and it’s not stopping anytime soon. Below we’re listing our summer grooming tips for men to perfect a routine so the skin, hair, and face can be moisturized and protected against the high temperatures and dry summer humidity. Here, find the best men’s products for the face and tips to use them with.

1. Cleanse Twice Daily
When you wake up in the morning to start your day you probably brush your teeth and greet your handsome face in the mirror. Keep your face looking good with a simplified grooming routine starting with a face wash. This step is a good way to start and end your day to remove all the impurities that build up on your face from the night before as well as throughout the day.

Pick up a cleanser that’ll work for your specific skin type (this will be noted in the product description). Dry skin usually feels rough and dehydrated all over, oily skin feels greasy all over, combination skin will have a mix of greasy and normal skin areas, and sensitive skin is easily irritated by skincare ingredients.

A good multi-use option for all skin types is the Magic Grooming 3-In-1 Beard Wash With Almond Oil which serves as a moisturizing face wash, hair wash, and beard cleanser. Apply a small amount to wet skin and gently massage the cleanser (that will lather into a foam) to remove lingering residue and odors. As you wash your face you can work the product into your beard for a double cleansing session.

 

2. Exfoliate Regularly
After washing your face you’ll want to exfoliate the skin — especially during hot summer months. All the humidity, sweat, and air pollution can clog your pores which can create unwanted skin issues like acne, enlarged pores, and flaky skin. Reduce these issues by exfoliating with the Magic Grooming Men's Facial Exfoliating Scrub, which gently removes dead skin with the added salicylic acid and citric acid, for a subtle grit formulation. This face scrub features nourishing ingredients like cocoa, shea butter, cedarwood, and avocado oils to condition the face while it exfoliates.

 

3. Stay Hydrated
During the high temperatures of summer months take care of your skin and your body by staying hydrated. The best hydration tip is to drink plenty of water — this is kind of a no-brainer. But did you know that you should also be hydrating your face and beard? While the sunny weather means more beach trips and pick-up basketball games with friends, it’s also wreaking havoc on your skin and hair if you’re not properly hydrated.

For your face, use up a lightweight moisturizer that hydrates without leaving a greasy feeling on your skin. Now, for your bread, add some hydration to keep hair from getting dry and brittle by using the Magic Grooming Moisturizing Beard Butter. You’ll enjoy the cocoa butter and cedarwood oil that provide a subtle scent while conditioning your beard hairs.

 

4. Give Your Under-eye Area Some TLC
Things like stress, lack of sleep, and dehydrated skin can lead to darkened under-eyes and puffy skin. Under-eye bags are also a genetic issue, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, so if you’re dealing with dark circles under your eyes you may want to look towards your family tree for the cause. Regardless of the origin, pick up a dedicated eye cream to target these concerns. A fun DIY trick to reduce puffy eyes is to freeze a clean spoon overnight and then apply the smooth backside of the utensil under your eyes. This will temporarily shrink and reduce the puffiness of dilated blood vessels that cause darkened circles, per the Cleveland Clinic.

 

5. Use Sun Protection Every Day

The ultimate grooming tip, next to drinking water, is to always wear sunscreen. As the last step in your skincare routine apply an ounce of sunscreen to your entire body with a tablespoon amount slathered on your face, as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). You’ll want to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF to properly protect your skin against the sun’s dangerous UVA and UVB rays which speed up signs of aging (aka wrinkles, fine lines, and sun spots), and worse, cause cancer.

Light skin tones and dark skin tones alike should wear sunscreen every day. Keep a small bottle of SPF in your bag when traveling to re-apply every two hours per AAD recommendations.

 

6. Shave With Care
Men's shaving doesn’t have to be complicated. As long as you use products that don’t irritate the skin and get the job done (aka removing hair) then you’re on the right track.

For those who prefer using a regular bladed razor, use shaving cream beforehand and moisturize afterward for a long-lasting bump-free shave.

When it comes to razorless shaving, always keep SoftSheen Carson products at the top of your shopping list. There are six formulations to choose from based on your individual needs and skin type — all offering the same results of smooth, hairless skin. All of these products quickly remove hair in four minutes and can be used to eliminate hair in the same areas that you’d use a razor. They’re also a good partner during the summer for precise hair removal without razor bumps ruining your vacation selfies.

To start, there’s the tried and true Magic Regular Strength Razorless Shaving Powder that has been a staple in men’s grooming since 1901 and works for all skin and hair types, especially coarse hair. If you have hairs that take several passes of a razor to remove, pick up the Magic Extra Strength Razorless Shaving Powder. This extra-strength remover is also offered in a cream formula (the Razorless Cream Shave - Extra Strength Shaving Cream) which comes premixed.

For hair removal that leaves a fresh fragrance, try the Fragrant Razorless Shaving Powder which includes an added scent for a more pleasurable experience. And if you’re concerned about dehydrating your skin, pick up the Magic Skin Conditioning Razorless Shaving Powder which is formulated with aloe and vitamin E for a more nourishing hair removal process. Mix one part powder with one part water to create a paste that can be added to the hair you’re trying to remove. Wait at least 36 hours after using a razor before using one of these products to avoid irritating your skin.

And finally, for the proud bald men out there, ditch your razor for the Razorless Cream Shave - Smooth Shaving Cream For Bald Head Maintenance, which was made specifically for shaved heads. No more trying to maneuver a razor over your head and ultimately missing a few spots.

 

7. Don’t Neglect Your Beard
If you have a beard then you probably don’t need this reminder. After all, you did spend all that time growing luscious hair on your face, upkeep is the least you can do to keep your beard looking good. Follow the above tips on beard grooming by moisturizing and washing your beard hair regularly. Continue with that care by combing your beard hair and trimming frequently to keep the desired shape.

If your goal is a super long beard that’s as wild as can be, you’ll still want to comb and condition it to promote growth. For those who have trouble growing hair in certain areas don’t give up, simply fill those sparse areas with the Magic Grooming Beard Filler to mimic thicker, fuller hair and comb your beard — from the top of the hairline to the bottom — to blend the product for a natural look. Packaged as a sleek pencil brush, this beard filler is great for easy-to-use gray hair coverage with quick touch-ups that dry fast and is waterproof for up to 24 hours.