A Skincare Routine for Active Men

Skincare for men isn’t one-size-fits-all, and this holds especially true for those regularly exposed to sweat, dirt, and the elements. Your skincare regimen should take your activity level into consideration. Without the proper care, your skin can become irritated, dehydrated, and damaged. It’s key to understand what your skin needs before and after a workout so that you can build habits to support those needs. Ahead, we’ll share how to customize a men’s skincare routine that’s fit for your active lifestyle.

Our Top Skincare Tips for Active Men

• Cleanse before and after workouts to help remove sweat, oil, and impurities that can clog your pores and cause breakouts.
• For daytime activities, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value of 30 or above.
• Wait to shave until after you exercise. Shaving during your post-workout shower can help soften your skin.
• Keep your hands off your face while you exercise to avoid transferring bacteria to your skin.

Just as your workout gear, nutrition, and recovery habits should support your active lifestyle, the same is true of your skincare. With a personalized approach, you can better address the demands that exercising puts on your skin.

Common skin challenges

While everyone’s skin is unique, men’s skin tends to be thicker and oilier. This can be compounded when you work out, as physical activity can lead to excess sweating and a buildup of oil. The sweat can also clog your pores and cause breakouts. 

If you exercise outdoors, the elements can affect your skin, too. Sun exposure can result in visible signs of aging, like wrinkles, uneven skin texture, and dark spots. Getting too much sun can also dry out your skin and lead to breakouts. 

What you wear for a workout, from your clothes to helmets and other gear, also plays a role. Tight clothing and ill-fitted accessories can rub against and irritate your skin.

Benefits of a tailored routine

Curating the right regimen can address the skin challenges associated with living an active life. You don’t need an elaborate men’s facial routine, but it should be consistent and designed to meet your skin’s needs. It can include steps to wash away sweat and oil, manage blemishes, help protect against sun damage, and soothe your skin.

Proper skincare for men starts before you work up a sweat. 

Cleanse

Even if you plan to shower after hitting the gym, don’t wait to wash your face. Use a gentle cleanser for men to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities that may have built up on your skin overnight or throughout the day. Try the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser for your pre-exercise cleanse. It deeply cleanses, removes excess oil, and refreshes your skin without disrupting your skin barrier. 

Moisturize

Moisturizing can help keep your skin hydrated if it’s exposed to drying elements during an outdoor workout, like the sun and wind. Use a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer, such as the CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel Cream. The formula with three essential ceramides and niacinamide features an oil-absorbing technology to help remove oil and rebalance the skin. It also feels refreshing upon application and leaves skin with a matte finish.

Sunscreen (for daytime)

If you exercise during the day, sunscreen is non-negotiable. This is true even if you prefer to work out indoors, as you can get sun damage through windows. Always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value of at least 30. 

For a streamlined routine, we favor a moisturizer with sunscreen, like the CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 50. It offers hydration while helping to absorb and reflect the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays. To keep your skin protected, remember to reapply it throughout the day, at least every two hours. 

In addition to sunscreen, it’s important to take other sun protection measures. This includes wearing a hat and sunglasses, seeking out the shade, and limiting time outside during the sun’s peak hours (from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

After your workout, head home or into the locker room to take care of your skin.

Step 1: Cleanse

First things first, cleanse away all the sweat and excess oil that have built up on your skin. You can hop in the shower for a full-body clean or wash your face at the sink. CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is a great option to cleanse without disrupting your skin barrier.  If you’re prone to breakouts, try the CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser. Designed to transform from a gel to a cleansing foam, the formula with 2% salicylic acid improves the appearance of pores, controls shine, and helps visibly clear acne.  

Step 2: Exfoliate

Regular exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. We recommend using skincare products for men that feature chemical exfoliants, like alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids, to gently slough your skin. Formulas with salicylic acid are a particularly great post-workout option, as they can penetrate pores to help manage acne breakouts. 

Exfoliating can be a completely separate step in your skincare routine, or you can combine it with cleansing. Simply reach for a face wash with salicylic acid.

CeraVe Tip: It’s possible to overdo it with exfoliation. How often you should slough away dead skin cells depends on your skin type as well as the product you’re using. Some products are meant for daily use while others only need to be used a couple of times a week. If you aren’t used to exfoliating, start slow and pay attention to how your skin responds to find the right frequency for you. 

Step 3: Toner 

Using toner is optional, but it can feel great on your skin after a good sweat session. In addition to helping cleanse away lingering impurities, toner gently refreshes your complexion. Some formulas, like CeraVe’s Hydrating Toner, can also help lock in moisture and visibly calm skin. 

Step 4: Target concerns

Here’s where men’s facial care can really get personalized. Based on your skin concerns and goals, you can choose which treatments and serums to apply. 

If you have pimples, add a good spot treatment to your routine. One of our favorite is CeraVe Acne Control Gel as an acne spot treatment. Save it for your nighttime routine, dabbing it onto clean, dry pimple, and leave it on overnight. 

To manage uneven skin tone, try a vitamin C serum. The CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum is formulated with 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) to help visibly brighten your complexion and support healthy-looking skin.  

Step 5: Moisturize

Replenish hydration with a lightweight moisturizer. You can use the same one you applied before your workout. Or, if your skin feels dry, opt for a cream instead. We recommend CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream, which is rich yet non-greasy and helps lock in moisture. If it’s still daytime, be sure to reapply your sunscreen as well.

A good skincare routine for men isn’t all about which products you use and the right order to apply them. There are a few other tips you should keep in mind. 

Shave post-workout

The best time to shave is after a good shower. Since you’ll likely need to bathe after you exercise, you can easily incorporate shaving into your post-workout routine. Let the water soften your skin for at least 10 minutes before you start. Then, apply a gentle shaving cream and shave in the direction of the hair growth. You can slot this step into your routine after cleansing and exfoliating, but before moisturizing. 

Don’t skip hydration

Staying hydrated is key before, during, and after physical activity. Make sure to keep a water bottle handy and drink enough, so you don’t become dehydrated. As a bonus, drinking water may also help with keeping your skin hydrated and looking its best. 

Practice good gym hygiene

If you aren’t careful, it’s easy to transfer bacteria to your skin during a workout. Make sure to wipe down any gym equipment before you use it. It’s also good gym etiquette to wipe it clean when you finish.  

Your hands can also spread acne-causing bacteria and oil to your skin. For this reason, avoid touching your face while you workout. If you need to wipe away sweat, use a clean towel to gently pat - not rub - your skin. After your workout, thoroughly wash your hands.  

For help choosing the right products for your specific skin type and concerns, use our Find My Skincare Solution tool.