Top 5 Skincare Ingredients for Men and Why They Work

November, 2025

Men’s skin has its own set of needs. It’s naturally thicker, produces more oil and is often subjected to additional stressors such as daily shaving, air pollution and UV exposure. The right ingredients can make a dramatic difference, helping to reduce excess sebum, calm irritation, boost collagen, restore hydration and improve overall texture. Crucially, they should also be lightweight and non-greasy, as most men prefer products that absorb quickly and feel invisible on the skin.

Below are the five most effective, evidence-backed ingredients every man should consider incorporating into his routine and exactly why they work so well.

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1. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – The Undisputed King

Niacinamide at around 5% continues to be one of the best all-round skincare ingredients for men. It reduces oil production by 20–30%, visibly minimises enlarged pores and helps calm post-shave redness or irritation. It’s also excellent for fading acne marks, evening out pigmentation and strengthening the skin barrier.
One of its biggest strengths? It’s remarkably gentle. Almost everyone can use niacinamide daily without experiencing irritation and it layers effortlessly under sunscreen or moisturiser.

2. Vitamin C (Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate) – The Superior Oil-Soluble Form

Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD) is the most advanced, stable and non-irritating form of vitamin C for men’s skin. Unlike traditional L-ascorbic acid, which can feel sticky, unstable, and cause stinging - THD is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate oily or thicker male skin far more effectively, even at concentrations of 10–20%.

This powerhouse ingredient provides robust antioxidant protection against Australia’s harsh UV conditions, brightens a tired-looking complexion, boosts collagen and helps fade sun spots or shaving-related pigmentation. It also remains stable in the bottle and never feels tacky on the skin.

3. Retinol – Pure Anti-Ageing Firepower

Encapsulated retinol is the gold standard for visibly improving lines, wrinkles and uneven texture. For men who spend years outdoors, it’s particularly valuable for preventing and reversing the “leathery” sun-damaged look that’s so common in Australia. Retinol works by increasing collagen production, smoothing deep forehead lines and crow’s feet and refining roughness.

Modern buffered formulations have come a long way, significantly reducing the dryness and peeling that once made men hesitant to use it. Start with retinol three nights a week, gradually increasing as the skin builds tolerance.

4. Hyaluronic Acid (Multi-Molecular Weight) – Hydration Without the Shine

Hydration is essential, even for oily or combination skin. Multi-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid blends low, medium and high molecular sizes to hydrate the skin on multiple levels all without leaving behind any shine or heaviness. This is ideal for men who dislike rich creams or anything that feels greasy.

Hyaluronic acid plumps fine lines caused by shaving, helps prevent flakiness in air-conditioned offices or dry winter climates and keeps the skin balanced so it doesn’t overproduce oil as a compensatory response.

5. AHAs – Gentle Resurfacing & Ingrown Hair Prevention

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) provide a controlled level of exfoliation that helps smooth the skin, reduce dullness and prevent ingrown hairs by clearing away the dead skin that traps beard hairs. AHAs also improve the penetration of other active ingredients such as niacinamide, THD vitamin C and retinol, making your routine more effective overall.

Because AHAs are water-soluble, they work beautifully in lightweight leave-on gels or serums that won’t feel oily or heavy.

A Quick, High-Performance Routine for Men

Morning
• Bromance Gel to Foam Cleanser
• Advanced Next Level Stabilised Vitamin C serum
• Superhero Moisturiser with Niacinamide + Hyaluronic Acid
• Sun protection

Night
• Bromance Gel to Foam Cleanser 
• Advanced Dream Team Retinol Serum on the non-AHA nights
• Quiet Achiever AHA Moisturising gel, 3–4 nights per week
• Superhero Moisturiser with Niacinamide + Hyaluronic Acid