7 Simple Ways to Boost Your Man's Style (And Why He Should Avoid Your Moisturizer)

WITH Brad Pitt bottling up vineyard-grown skincare and Harry Styles, David Beckham and even Ben Shepherd launching their own grooming lines, men’s skincare is officially having a moment.

But while boys are slathering on serums, most everyday fellas are still stuck in the dark ages, attacking their faces with gritty scrubs, skipping moisturiser altogether or – worse – stealing yours.

David Beckham is set to launch his own grooming lineCredit: Instagram while Brad Pitt and Harry Styles both have skincare ranges out alreadyCredit: Getty Here, skincare pro Freddie Sheridan reveals the routine your man needs to follow to look hotterCredit: Getty

And here’s the issue – male skin isn’t just a slightly oilier version of yours. It’s thicker, produces more sebum, ages differently and responds differently to products.

So if your man is using your pricey anti-ageing cream on the sly, not only is he wasting it but he’s unlikely to be achieving any results either.

According to male expert Freddie Sheridan, who has worked for decades in the British beauty industry and spent five years researching male skin biology before developing YCODE , a range of products that biologically work specifically for men, the secret to better-looking skin in 2026 isn’t about a ten-step routine or resorting to bro-tox, it’s about understanding how male skin actually works.

“Men often think skincare doesn’t work for them but that’s usually because they’ve never been taught how male skin actually behaves or what it really needs,” says Freddie. “But when men get their skincare right, it changes everything. Their skin, their appearance and even their confidence improves.”

Millie Mackintosh’s now ex Hugo Taylor is proof of this too, after getting a £3.3k ‘invisible facelift’ following his marriage split, possibly to give himself a confidence boost now he’s found himself single once again.

So forget whispering sweet nothings. All you need to get in your fella’s ear this Valentine’s are these seven easy tips to upgrade his looks (and self-esteem)…

1. Never swipe your girl’s skincare products

Men’s skin is around 25% thicker than women’s with more active glands, which is why male skin often looks more robust in youth, but also why it can clog, inflame or redden more easily if neglected.

Products designed for female skin are often formulated differently and may not balance male skin as effectively. They can just sit on the surface or trigger oil overproduction.

Different thickness, oil levels, pH and collagen behaviour mean male skin needs different formulations and ingredient balances.

So although stealing your partner’s moisturiser might feel convenient, it rarely delivers results and can actually aggravate oiliness, redness or sensitivity.

Invest in a male skincare brand like YCODE , which is created specifically for male biology.

2. Men need collagen too

There’s a long-standing myth that collagen is women-only beauty territory, but male skin relies on it just as much.

The difference is timing. Men tend to hold onto collagen for longer, but at around the age of 40 depletion accelerates. When collagen levels begin to decline, changes can appear more suddenly.

Supporting collagen at this stage of life helps maintain firmness and skin density rather than trying to reverse damage later.

Topical skincare – using products with collagen-supporting peptides – and diet matters too. Vitamin C is essential for collagen production.

3. Pond life is your new best pal (yes, really!)

Microalgae is quickly becoming the magic bullet of men’s skincare, not because it’s trendy, but because it works with male skin biology rather than against it.

Microalgae survive extreme marine environments, so they produce protective compounds that help skin cope with stress – just what male skin needs after shaving, sun exposure and exposure to .

It has an ability to hydrate, calm and strengthen without clogging pores and help skin adapt to stressors by supporting recovery without heaviness or irritation.

4. Oily skin still needs hydration

One of the biggest mistakes men make is avoiding adding moisture to their skin when it feels oily. In reality, dehydrated skin produces more oil to compensate.

Men also often reach for harsh cleansers to degrease their skin, but this can backfire. Smart oil control comes from regulating, not removing oil. At the other end of the extreme, many men believe thicker skin requires thicker products.

Overall, lightweight serums and moisturisers penetrate most effectively, delivering active ingredients deeper without clogging pores. If men think their skincare regime isn’t working, it’s often because they’re using the wrong texture of product.

When hydration is balanced properly, oil production often settles down naturally.

Ingredients like niacinamide help normalise oil production, refine pores and calm inflammation without triggering rebound oiliness.

5. Don’t just live with redness

Men experience redness because of regular shaving, thicker skin and higher blood flow to the face.

Likewise, daily shaving creates tiny micro-cuts that you can’t see, which weaken the skin barrier over time. It’s why men often experience background sensitivity even if their skin doesn’t feel sensitive.

One of the simplest fixes for redness and micro-irritation? Ditch hot water. It strips the skin barrier and dilates blood vessels, making redness worse.

Washing with lukewarm or even cool water helps calm inflammation and reduce post-shave flushing.

Ingredients that support the skin barrier, including Saccharide Isomerate, also make a visible difference long-term to skin tone and texture.

6. Come to bed early

isn’t just about looking less tired. Skin cell repair, collagen maintenance and inflammation control all peak overnight.

Poor sleep shows up on male skin as dullness, redness and slower healing. Supporting deeper sleep directly supports better-looking skin.

One step in the right direction is using a magnesium supplement but be mindful that not all magnesium is the same.

When it comes to sleep quality, magnesium bisglycinate is key. Unlike some forms of magnesium that are better suited to typical use in baths, bisglycinate is highly absorbable and supports relaxation of the nervous system.

Better sleep equals better skin recovery, fewer breakouts, less redness and improved tone over time.

Freddie sheridan reveals it’s never too late to get a skincare routine goingCredit: Supplied

7. It’s never too late

If you’ve made it to your forties and fifties without contemplating using a serum or moisturiser, don’t panic.

Once treated properly, male skin often responds fast to a new routine.

Introducing a simple, biology-led skincare regime can lead to visible improvements in texture, tone and clarity within a matter of weeks. Consistency matters far more than starting young.

YCODE men’s skincare system is built specifically for men’s skin and its unique biologyCredit: Supplied