The best thing about the time we live in is the fact that grooming routines are no longer limited to women. Nobody scorns at us when we look for the right skincare regimen for our skin type, with in fact several options at our fingertips, ranging from basic essentials to luxury indulgences. Whether you're a minimalist or a full-on grooming lover, there's something out there for everyone. But with so many choices, how do you know what you really need?

That's where your personal grooming kit comes in. So, let’s start from the start and take a peek into an essential guy’s grooming kit. Pull up your socks because this may just change your game!

10 Grooming Products Every Man Must Have

Grooming has moved beyond just the means of looking good. It also affects how you feel within and leaves a long-lasting impression on the world around you. So, without going fancy, here are the absolute essentials that your grooming kit must have. 

1. Face Wash Enriched With Superfoods

You need a deep cleansing face wash to remove dirt, oil, and impurities that accumulate on the surface of your skin all day. Even if you don’t spend time outdoors, you’d be surprised to know how much pollution permeates inside the four walls of our homes and offices. Now, some face washes not only cleanse your face, but also control excess sebum production, unclog the pores on your skin, and even de-tan it with skin-brightening extracts.

Look for face cleansers that are formulated with natural ingredients for added nourishment in your skin. Activated charcoal is an excellent add-on for guys’ skin, as it penetrates 5X deeper than cleansers without it and cleans the skin from within. Additionally, look for sulfate-free products that are safer for your skin and health. 

Regularly using a face wash can improve your skin tone and texture. So, investing in a high-quality paraben and sulphate free face wash is the first step to head start with your personal grooming ‘A’ game.

Pro Tip: Buying face wash according to your skin type is the best way to get the desired results.

CTA: Face Wash For Oily & Acne-prone Skin

2. Moisturizer With The Goodness Of Aloe Vera

The second essential for guys is a moisturizer, both for your face and body. You may feel you don’t need one when the temperature outside is high and humidity veils your skin under beads of sweat, but it’s this fluctuation in the weather conditions indoors and outdoors that makes it extremely important for you to always keep a moisturizer by your side. 

Look for an ultra-hydrating moisturizer that replenishes any lost moisture in the skin, and at the same time doesn’t clog the pores or ends up making the skin greasy. Read the label for non-comedogenic options. The best hydrating agents to look for in a good moisturizer are Shea Butter, Avocado extracts, Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, and Argan Oil. They can really lift up your daily skincare routine and enhance the overall feel and appearance of your skin.

Pro Tip: A lightweight and non-greasy moisturizer is ideal for oily skin, while creamy moisturizers work better for dry skin. 

3. Non-sticky Lightweight Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable item in a grooming kit for guys, no matter what the season is. Even when the sun appears to be waning or hidden behind the clouds, its ultraviolet rays can still penetrate through the atmosphere and ultimately into your skin, causing dryness, sunburns, premature ageing and even serious skin conditions like eczema or cancer. 

Look for a non-sticky sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to ensure basic protection. If you’re planning a trip to the hills or the beach where your exposure is planned to be longer than 20 minutes, up the SPF number accordingly. Remember, higher SPF sunscreen products may be thicker in viscosity and end up looking oily on the skin. A hack to avoid this is to look for gel-based sunscreen. For added convenience, consider a moisturizer that includes SPF, allowing you to combine steps in your routine.

Pro Tip: In order to avoid the extra oil associated with high SPF sunscreen creams, pick up a gel-based one instead. 

4. Organically Formulated Beard Oil 

Most guys keep a beard in some form or the other. And even if you only have a stubble, those strands on your chin still need some nourishment. Enter beard oil, that keeps the beard conditioned, organized and provides the much-needed nutrition to the hair follicles underneath. It also hydrates the skin, as the beard cover makes skincare difficult in those areas. Additionally, using a good beard oil also protects you from bacterial infections, itchiness, and beard dandruff. 

While there are multiple options available in the market, it’s easy to identify which beard oil to go for. Look for one with natural ingredients like jojoba oil, argan oil, cedarwood oil, or almond oil. Avoid those with sulfates and parabens as they can really irritate your skin.

Pro Tip: Make sure that the scent of the beard oil is not overpowering, as it is close to your nose and you don’t want to be nauseous. Choose natural fragrances that are not too strong.

5. Shaving Foam Prepared From Natural Ingredients

Shaving foam is one of the prime shaving essentials. It is a soft and fluffy protective barrier between the sharp razor blades and your sensitive skin but its effectiveness varies as per its composition. Mainly it contains, one, foam-generating components (surfactants) for lathering up your face, two, softeners (emollients) making your hair velvety so that razor can cut through easily, and, third, assisting agents responsible for its thickness, fragrance, and reducing the risk of cuts and nicks. If it has the presence of naturally extracted ingredients like Aloe vera, Argan Oil, Coffee, Nut Seed Oil, Menthol, and Olive Oil, then it is a pulse as it makes the shaving foam 2x creamier and safer.

Apart from guarding your skin against friction and irritation during shaving, it also leaves your skin on a cleansed, hydrated, and nourished note. 

Fortunately, a comprehensive range of shaving foam is available to choose from, as per your liking and suitability. Like if you have oily and mild acne-prone skin, you can go for anti-inflammatory and antiseptic shaving foam powered by the goodness of turmeric, saffron, and tea tree oil. For dry skin, you can go for shaving foam with ingredients like oats that moisturize and soothe your skin after shaving. Activated charcoal-based shaving foam is perfect for normal skin, it would be best if it has Indian superfoods.

Pro Tip: Use shaving foams that are cruelty-free, SLS-free, and paraben-free to avoid unnecessary chemical reactions. 

6. Dependable And Smart Razor With Lubricating Strip

The razor is going to be the hero of your shaving affair and choosing the wrong one can turn into a nightmare. So, check the sharpness and quality of the razor beforehand rather than regretting it later. It would be much better if you pick a razor with curved blades. The razor with curved blades is designed to provide a better angle that cuts down hair effortlessly, allowing smooth and swift glides for a safer shave. 

After the curved blades, the number of blades in a razor matters as well. More the blades your razor has, the closer the shave you are going to experience. The multi-blade system works on a mechanism where the first blade usually lifts the hair and other blades cut hair to the lowest level possible. To let you embrace, a smoother shave and long-lasting finish with the least risk of nicks and cuts.

It is a bounce if it has a pivoting head and lubricating strip to give an edge throughout your shaving process. As the pivot head helps easy maneuvering of the razor along the contours of your face, thus making it not only more comfortable but also safer. Simultaneously, the lubricating strip provides you a gentle cushioning while you glide the razor on your skin ensuring a close shave without causing nicks or cuts, even perfect for sensitive skin.

If you want to get the closest shave safely, then a razor with 6-blades should be your first choice, toughest on the facial hair but smoothest on your skin. 

Pro Tip: To soothe your skin and reduce redness or irritation post shave you can use aftershave products. 

7. Perfect Combo Of Beard Shampoo And Conditioner

Generally, guys don’t give much attention to the beard like they tend to give to their hair. But for a fact, your beard needs that care and conditioning too. Using the shampoo and conditioner especially put together for beard care can bring a noteworthy difference. As they not only keep your beard clean and free from bacteria build-up but also maintain its moisture and manageability.

When choosing shampoo, keep in mind your specific hair concerns. Look for anti-dandruff shampoos if you struggle with flakes, or opt for products that promote hair growth if you’re experiencing thinning. Follow up with a conditioner to keep your hair soft and manageable. For men, who may face hair issues due to climate change and lifestyle transformation, going right with your beard care products is highly recommended. 

Pro Tip: Using sulfate-free products preserves your hair’s natural oils.

8. Deep Cleansing Body Wash

Adding standard body wash can transform your daily shower experience. Unlike traditional soap, body washes are formulated to cleanse without your skin losing out on its natural oils. The moisturizing ingredients in it leave your skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. Men often dealing with Hyperhidrosis, a naturally formulated body wash can help you feel clean, odorless, non-greasy and active throughout the day.

Like other grooming products, select a body wash suitable to your skin type. If you have dry skin, look at ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil. For oily skin, a body wash gel can help control excess oil. According to a survey by the International Journal of Dermatology, men are increasingly opting for body washes over bar soaps.

9. Long-lasting Signature Fragrance

A good fragrance is often an extension of your personality, as you get associated with it without even uttering a word. Moreover, a good perfume makes you feel confident and more comfortable in your shoes, both socially and professionally. Perfume notes are very personal and not a one-fragrance-fits-all, so do your research well on the ingredients and notes that a perfume has to offer. The most popular notes among men are aqua and woody.

Pro Tip: Buy a tester kit to narrow down on a perfume of your choice. 

10. High-Quality Hair Styling Products

Depending on your hair type, adding hair styling products to your grooming kit can help you achieve and maintain your desired look. Whether you prefer a sleek, clean style or a more relaxed, rugged look, there are various products available for each of them. Hair gels, sprays, and waxes each serve different purposes, allowing you to customize your style. Experimenting with different styling products can help you find what works best for your hair quality. 

3 Basic Personal Grooming Tips For Men

1. Be Consistent With Your Actions: Following a grooming routine that fits your lifestyle is one the best gifts you can give to yourself. Consistency in your grooming habits reflects on your personality, so don’t take a chance on your well-groomed look. Set aside time each day or week to focus on your grooming needs, ensuring that you don’t overlook any essential steps.

2. Stay Up To Date For Perfect Match: Every now and then new grooming products are dropping and trending. Keeping up with the latest grooming trends can be your secret weapon to explore and discover best formulated products. So, follow grooming blogs, social media influencers, and industry news to be on your toes for every new drop in the market.

3. Build Your Grooming Gang: Tailoring your grooming kit as per your needs and preferences is one of the perfect decisions you will ever take. As everyone’s skin and hair are different, so take out that time and put some effort into finding products that work best for you. Keep hitting and trailing with newer brands and better products until you own a personal grooming gang.

In a nutshell

Whether it's a crucial business meeting, a first date, or a night out with friends, you are setting the vibe for the same. And, having a personally curated grooming kit by your side, you don’t need to worry about your well-groomed look. 

So, take the time to curate your grooming kit, to experiment with new products and techniques, and discover what brings out the best in you. As you're not just grooming your body; you're grooming your mind, your spirit, and your personality at the same time.