The Simple Guide to Men’s Summer Grooming

Long gone are the days when a splash of water and some cream was the average man’s complete grooming routine. Men have come a long way with their grooming habits, and today, they’re spoilt for choice when it comes to skincare, fragrance and grooming products. However, you don’t need 50 products and a 12-step regime to look your best this summer, and we’ve got some simple tips to up your grooming game but keep it an easy process.

Fragrance

Whether you’re going on a date, attending a meeting or hanging with the boys, smelling good is extremely important, and it’s often one of the things that shape someone’s first impression of you. The key to smelling great is finding a fragrance that’s just right – not too overpowering and not too weak. If you’re still looking for your perfect scent, try Mercedes Benz For Men Ultimate (R1950.00 for 120ml). Ambery, woody and aromatic, this masculine scent is a perfume with personality – it’s memorable without being overpowering, and is the type of fragrance you can wear all day any day, regardless of the occasion.

Pearly whites

Good oral hygiene is essential, not only to maintain healthy teeth and gums and freshen breath, but also to keep your teeth white and bright. If you’re a coffee, tea or red wine drinker, chances are you may be prone to stains on your teeth. Brush twice a day with White Glo Coffee and Tea Drinker’s Formula Whitening Toothpaste (R69.95 – comes with a toothbrush), a ground-breaking toothpaste with Micro-Polishing Particles that targets discolouration and yellowing on the tooth enamel caused by consumption of coffee and tea over time.

Follow with White Glo Charcoal Deep Stain Remover Mouthwash (R75.99). It freshens breath by eliminating the bacteria that cause it and also removes deep stains thanks to the adsorbent properties of activated charcoal.

Basic skincare regime

A basic skincare regime consists of cleansing twice a day, followed by a serum and moisturiser, and during daytime, a good quality SPF. Our skin produces more oil during summer, leaving it shinier and more prone to breakouts. Plus, sweating more often means we need to take care to cleanse thoroughly to avoid bacteria sitting on the skin.

If you don’t have any specific skincare concerns but want to embark on a healthy regime, we recommend giving your skin a moisture boost with hyaluronic acid, a hydrating ingredient that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The Creightons H20 Boost range offers the power of hyaluronic acid at affordable prices. Creightons H20 Boost Foaming Gel Wash (R109.95) gently removes sweat and impurities whilst hydrating the skin, helping encourage a naturally glowing complexion and keep it hydrated. Follow with Creightons H20 Boost Face Serum (R179.95), a lightweight formula enriched with powerful actives to smooth and renew dehydrated skin, and Creightons H20 Boost Day Gel (R169.95) in the morning, and Creightons H20 Boost Overnight Mask (R169.95) in the evening.

If breakouts are a concern, you’ll want to incorporate some salicylic acid into your regime. NIP+FAB Salicylic Fix Moisturiser (R219.95) moisturises, plumps the skin and gives it a soft matte finish while balancing sebum production and preventing breakouts. You can treat existing breakouts with their innovative Salicylic Fix Spot Patches (R169.95). Containing a blemish-fighting duo of salicylic acid and tea tree, these targeted spot patches will help to effectively reduce and improve the appearance of blemishes.

Whatever skincare you use, don’t forget to end off with a good quality SPF. Piz Buin Allergy Face Cream SPF50 (R190.00) offers broad spectrum protection that’s gentle, even on sensitive skins.

Facial hair and shaving

If you’re rocking a beard or moustache, or both, this summer, don’t forget to moisturise your facial hair often (the sun can dry your hair out, making it unruly and dehydrated). Cantu Men Beard Oil (R149.95) has a unique blend of caffeine, hemp seed oil and tea tree oil to seal in moisture to soften and nourish hair. Apply daily, or whenever your hair needs a bit of TLC.

If you prefer a clean shaved look, make sure you use good quality shaving and after shave products to avoid nicks, cuts, razor burn and irritation. Clubman Shave Oil (R174.95) reduces dry skin, irritation, nicks and cuts while conditioning and moisturising for a smooth close shave. Follow your shave with a soothing lotion or gel like Clubman Bump Repair Gel (R219.95). It unclogs pores, heals irritated skin and prevents scarring, please it eases razor burn, shave bumps and ingrown hairs.

Hair care

No matter how long or short your hair is, a little bit of basic styling is all you need for an all-round groomed appearance. Love the wet look? Gatsby Water Gloss in White (R65.00) gives hair that wet look shine while keeping your hairstyle firmly in place. It doesn’t make your hair feel sticky and is super easy to wash off. If you prefer a waxy texture, try Gatsby Loose & Flow Hair Wax (R89.95, for mohawks and shaggy styling), Gatsby Matt & Hard Hair Wax (R92.00) for short and medium length hair or Gatsby Hard & Free Hair Wax (R99.00) for strong hold that still offers movability.

Body care

Body care is super simple – be sure to shower regularly (especially in summer!), even after a swim, as salt water and chlorine can dry out your skin. A good quality all-in-1 product like Cantu Men 3 In 1 Shampoo Conditioner and Body Wash (R139.00) is something that can make the shower session a whole lot easier. It moisturises the hair and skin and contains caffeine and hemp seed oil to help hair grow stronger, thicker, and healthier.