Skin, scents and grooming, it’s all self-care when you think about it. Gone are the days of 2-in-1 products that ruin scalp and skin in the name of convenience. These days, men are more discerning than ever. Justifiably so, if you’re looking to invest in the best skincare and fragrances for men in 2023.
Whether you consider yourself to be low-maintenance or know your retinols from acids, we can all agree that a rigorous grooming regime is essential for maintaining a healthy and youthful appearance. Men’s skin tends to be thicker and oilier, calling on targeted care in order to combat and prevent common issues such as acne, roughness, dryness, and other signs of ageing.
Throw limiting social norms on gender stereotypes to the wind when it comes to personal style and grooming—with beauty being so personal, this is not just about looking good but feeling good. If you’re still hung up on the idea of men wearing base ‘make-up’, fret not: these skincare-infused tints and concealers serve to enhance your natural features while concealing and blurring signs of fatigue and minor imperfections such as acne scars. Think of these tinted products as the ultimate cheat codes to better-looking skin. Fragrances on the other hand, have the ability to boost your mood while leaving a lasting impression of those around you.
So if you’re shopping for the best beauty products for guys, consider this your sign to add these carefully curated products to cart. Here Vogue Singapore presents our top edit of best skincare and fragrances for men in 2023 so far.
1 / 10
Aesop bronze incense holder
Sartorial, sensorial, entirely Aesop. Consider this a self-care essential for your space and spirit.
Crafted in Germany and cast from solid bronze, this hefty, curvilinear Bronze incense holder lends an understated gravitas to any desk or coffee table. Being brass, expect the object d’art designed by Vogel Studio to patina with time. “I wanted to give the ashes a stage, slightly raised from the table. In an abstract way, the shape resembles a giving or supporting hand,” designer Fabio Vogel reveals. Pair with Aesop’s Aromatique Incense sold separately at $53 per box. Our pick? Murasaki Aromatique. Made of healing hinoki, cinnamon and clove, this medley of spices and fresh woody resins elicit peace and quiet reflection.
Aesop Bronze Incense Holder, $210, available at Aesop
2 / 10
Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 9.8% Glycolic Acid
Want smoother, brighter—dare we even say, glowing—skin? This lightweight yet potent glycolic acid has what you need. Apply a few drops to the skin after cleansing for skin that’s refined and healthy, sans the appearance of blemishes and pores.
Kiehl’s Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 9.8% Glycolic Acid, $42, available at Kiehl’s
3 / 10
Tom Ford Beauty Traceless Soft Matte Concealer
It’s 2023. Who isn’t using concealer to brighten up their dark circles after one too many drinks? Coming in 12 shades, sweep this on over dark acne marks or minor imperfections to take advantage of its matte, blurring technology. With a formula that includes hyaluronic acid, you can be sure that coverage will be instant, hydrating, and totally seamless after blending. The result? Your skin, but better. We promise.
Tom Ford Beauty Traceless Soft Matte Concealer, $102, available at Sephora
4 / 10
Ayuna Soap Detox
It may be tempting to view this as just another soap bar, however this waterless cleanser from Spanish brand, Ayuna, is about to up your cleansing game. Made with detoxifying activated vegetable charcoal and antioxidant-rich coconut, olive and borage oils, this soap removes sweat, sunscreen and other environmental impurities. It can be used in a number of ways: worked up in to a reach, creamy lather, foamed up or even moistened on a wet cotton pad for a micellar-like feel. Say goodbye to blackheads and congestion, and hello to radiant, supple skin.
Ayuna Soap, $79, available at Freia
5 / 10
Atelier Cologne Bohemian Orange Blossom parfum
One scent that’s sure to impress girls, guys and everyone in between is Atelier Cologne’s Bohemian Orange Blossom. Juicy blood orange notes coupled with Chinese geranium, earthy Australian sandalwood in this effervescent, feelgood scent promises a trip to the souks of Morocco and beyond. Visit Atelier Cologne’s new Takashimaya store for more.
Atelier Cologne’s Bohemian Orange Blossom, $115 for 30ml eau de parfum, available at Amaris Beauty
6 / 10
Chanel Allure Homme Sport All-Over Spray
Perfect for the man on the move, Chanel Allure Homme Sport All-Over Spray offers a fresh burst of woody, aquatic notes that revives the senses, whether you’re enjoying it in the bathroom or locker room. It opens with a clean Italian mandarin accord leaving sensual notes of cedar, delicious Tonka and white musk in its wake.
Chanel Allure Homme Sport All-Over Spray, $124 for 100ml, available at Chanel
7 / 10
Henry Jacques Oudh Imperial parfum
The artisanal prowess of Henry Jacques is unleashed in this warm, sensual fragrance. Calling on the finest raw materials and ancestral know-how of this rare perfume house, Oudh Imperial, boasts top notes of oudh with leather, intoxicating patchouli, amber and mouth-watering vanilla that is set to truly make an impression.
Henry Jacques Oudh Imperial, $2,680 for 15ml eau de parfum, available at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
8 / 10
D R Harris’s Fusion Chrome and Resin Three-Piece Shaving Set
If this three-piece shaving set has been good enough for royalty and aristocrats since 1790, then it’s certainly good enough for you. For a touch of luxury, reach for this three-piece set—fashioned out of ivory resin and chrome-plated metal, it comes with an ergonomic handle, closed-comb safety razor and synthetic bristle brush to provide a good lather.
D R Harris’s Fusion Chrome and Resin Three-Piece Shaving Set, £185, available at Mr Porter
9 / 10
Czech & Speake’s Leather Bound Manicure Set
As they say, good grooming demonstrates respect for oneself and others—this of course, extends to clean and clipped nails. Enter Czech & Speake’s nice-to-have Leather Bound Manicure Set. The eight-piece 24k gold plated set features a selection of safety and classic nail scissors, alongside nail and tie clippers, slanted tweezers and more for all your genteel grooming needs.
Czech & Speake’s Leather Bound Manicure Set, US$805, available at Mr Porter
10 / 10
Hermès Plein Air Natural Enhancing Complexion Balm SPF 30 / PA+++
Think: Your skin, but better. For days when your complexion could use a little boost, Hermès Complexion Balm lends a discrete tint of colour and healthy radiance to the skin. Formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid and anti-pollution Baikal skullcup, it also offers mineral sunscreen properties to enhance and protect the skin. Best of all, it’s lightly scented with gender-neutral notes of sandalwood and green tea.
Hermès Plein Air Natural Enhancing Complexion Balm SPF 30 / PA+++, $154, available at Hermès
