Checklist · 13 picks · 5 categories
Links to Amazon are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you buy, at no cost to you, and it never decides a pick. How I make money
Affiliate link.
A men's skincare routine doesn't need ten steps. Wash your face, put on a moisturizer with SPF in the morning, and if you shave, use a real shaving cream and a decent razor.
That's it. NBC Select's dermatologist-backed guides cover the face washes, the SPF moisturizers and the shaving creams, and its derms say a moisturizer with SPF goes on as the last step of your morning routine. The razors come from Reviewed and Gear Patrol, from a cheap three-blade classic to a plastic-free safety razor. If your neck goes red after every shave, the aftershave picks are from NBC Select's razor burn guide. Each card shows the drawback that was called out, or says so when there isn't one. Want trimmers or beard oil? Those live on the Men's Grooming Starter list.
Who this is not for. Skip this if you want trimmers, an electric shaver or beard oil; the Men's Grooming Starter list has those.
Tell me what you can spend. I pick a tier for every item, essentials first, and show what is left. The first amount covers everything you need at the cheapest tier.
Pick a budget to see your plan.
Your plan lives in this link. Copy it or email it to yourself so Safari doesn't forget it.
Estimates based on typical prices, checked Oct 31, 2026. Prices change; see the store for today's price.
0 of 4 on your list · tap one to see your options
Best spf moisturizermid pick · Tube
Best for hot days when a heavy cream feels like too much
NBC Select's best overall moisturizer with SPF: suitable for all skin types and still lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy.
Heads up. May be hard to squeeze
1 outlet. NBC Select best overall moisturizer with SPF.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
budget pick · Pump bottle
Best for one step that moisturizes and covers your SPF
NBC Select's best budget pick moisturizer with SPF: a non-greasy, fast-absorbing day cream with SPF 30 and a gentle formula.
1 outlet. NBC Select best budget pick moisturizer with SPF.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best face cleanserbudget pick · Bottle
Best for very dry or easily irritated skin
NBC Select's best budget-friendly cleanser for dry skin: a glycerin cream-gel that's great for very dry skin, safe for eczema-prone skin and won't clog pores.
1 outlet. NBC Select best budget-friendly cleanser for dry skin.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
budget pick · Bottle
Best for skin that breaks out
NBC Select's best cleanser for acne-prone skin: a soothing foam-cream that isn't drying and leaves skin feeling soft.
Heads up. Not the best pick for dry skin
1 outlet. NBC Select best cleanser for acne-prone skin.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best spf moisturizersplurge pick · 48 g
Best for sensitive, breakout-prone skin that hates white cast
In NBC Select's acne products test, its tester calls it the sunscreen that actually made her want to wear sunscreen every day.
Heads up. May pill
Limited evidence. No outlet has named this one yet. It is here as a reasonable option, not a reviewed one.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbasol Thick & Rich Original Shaving Cream | budget | under $15 | a cheap can that just works | 1 outlet |
| Proraso Shaving Cream | mid | under $15 | a cooling, minty face shave | 1 outlet |
| Jack Black Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather | splurge | $25-50 | treating your morning shave like a ritual | 1 outlet |
| Gillette Mach3 Turbo | budget | under $15 | your first real razor | 1 outlet |
| Bevel Safety Razor | mid | $50-100 | coarse, curly beard hair | 1 outlet |
| Leaf The Leaf Razor | splurge | $50-100 | a buy-it-once razor with no plastic | 1 outlet |
Best shaving creambudget pick · Can
Best for a cheap can that just works
NBC Select's best foam: its tester found it easy to spread and thick enough to protect skin without causing irritation or dryness.
1 outlet. NBC Select best foam shaving cream.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Tube
Best for a cooling, minty face shave
NBC Select's best shaving cream for face: a cooling cream with eucalyptus oil and menthol, free of mineral oils that can clog pores.
Heads up. Doesn't lather immediately
1 outlet. NBC Select best shaving cream for face.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Tub
Best for treating your morning shave like a ritual
NBC Select's best splurge shaving cream: a blend of jojoba, macadamia nut and soybean oils that lathers quickly.
Heads up. Higher price, and it comes in a tub
1 outlet. NBC Select best splurge shaving cream.
$25-50
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best razorbudget pick · Handle + cartridges
Best for your first real razor
Reviewed's best overall men's razor: the best performance it found, at a cost that won't hit your wallet hard.
Heads up. Basic design
1 outlet. Reviewed best Overall men's disposable razor.
under $15
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Single-blade safety razor
Best for coarse, curly beard hair
Gear Patrol's best safety razor: a good option for coarse, curly hair, and its pick for skin prone to ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Heads up. Slightly more expensive than Merkur and Manscaped safety razors
1 outlet. Gear Patrol best safety razor.
$50-100
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
splurge pick · Safety razor
Best for a buy-it-once razor with no plastic
Gear Patrol's best overall razor: it calls it a masterclass in product design and eco-consciousness.
Heads up. Costs about 10 times as much as a Harry's razor
1 outlet. Gear Patrol best overall razor.
$50-100
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
Best aftershavemid pick · Bottle
Best for guys who get red after every shave
NBC Select's best aftershave: dermatologist Dr. Camila Antia recommends it for after-shave redness, razor burn and ingrown hairs.
Heads up. It's alcohol-based, so Dr. Antia says it's best on skin that isn't already irritated
1 outlet. NBC Select best after shave.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
mid pick · Tube
Best for calming skin after a rough shave
NBC Select's best balm for razor burn: dermatologist Dr. Camila Antia calls it one of her favorites for skin irritated by razor burn, since it's bland and low in alcohol.
1 outlet. NBC Select best balm for razor burn.
$15-25
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link.
means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Broken link, wrong price range or an outdated pick? Tell me
Wash your face, then use a moisturizer with SPF in the morning. NBC Select's derms say the SPF moisturizer goes on as the final step of your morning routine, and that SPF at night is unnecessary. Add shaving cream, a razor and an aftershave if you shave.
It can be. A dermatologist told NBC Select that an SPF 30 moisturizer gives sufficient protection if you use enough of it, which is about a quarter teaspoon. If you use less, or the SPF is lower, add a standalone sunscreen on top.
Dermatologists in NBC Select's razor burn guide say to use a shaving cream or gel, shave in the direction your hair grows with short, light strokes, rinse the razor every two to three strokes, and use a sharp, clean blade. Skip shaving skin that's already irritated.