I’m working on taking better care of myself and moving beyond the stigma that can surround men’s skincare and self-care. To build healthier habits, these are a few notes in steps for both a morning routine and an evening routine.
To keep things simple, I’ve stuck with a single brand: Dr. G, founded by dermatologist Dr. Gun-Young Ahn. Friends, Jimin and Yun-jeong , first recommended it to me while I was traveling in Seoul at an Olive Young store.
SciShow: No, You Can’t Make Your Own Sunscreen - The internet is full of myths, including a few dangerous ones about sunscreen (spoiler alert: homemade sunscreen is not effective!). Sunscreen is important for anyone with skin, so here are 6 sunscreen myths debunked, to help you minimize your risk of burns, premature aging, and cancers.
Morning Routine (5 Minutes)
| STEPS | WHY | PRODUCTS |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Cleanse - Use a gentle cleanser | Gently removes excess oil, sweat, and impurities accumulated overnight without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. | DR.G PH CLEANSING GEL FOAM |
| Step 2: Tone - Apply a balancing toner | Helps replenish hydration, soothe the skin, and prepare it to better absorb the next skincare steps. | Dr.G R.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing Toner |
| Step 3: Treat - Use a targeted serum or capsule essence | This is where you address specific skin concerns such as dullness, dehydration, uneven tone, or sensitivity with concentrated active ingredients. | Not yet incorporated in routine Dr.G Black Snail Retinol Ampoule or Dr.G Royal Black Snail First Essence |
| Step 4: Moisturize - Apply a lightweight emulsion or soothing cream | Helps strengthen the skin barrier, lock in hydration, and keep skin comfortable throughout the day. | Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Cream or Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Emulsion |
| Step 5: Sunscreen | Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply at least every 2 hours. Daily sun protection helps prevent premature aging, dark spots, and UV damage, making it one of the most important steps in any skincare routine. SPF 30 is all you need; and, look for “Broad Spectrum” or “PA+” featured sunscreen. | I like Dr.G R.E.D Blemish Soothing Up Moisture Sunscreen for it is a “hybrid sunscreen”. An alternative would be Dr.G Green Mild Up Defense Mineral Sunscreen but is just a “mineral sunscreen”. |
Evening Routine
Generally, an end-of-day shower routine.
| STEPS | WHY | PRODUCTS |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Cleanse (in shower) | Removes sunscreen, makeup residue, dirt, and daily pollutants while maintaining the skin’s moisture balance. | DR.G PH CLEANSING GEL FOAM |
| Step 2: Exfoliate (in shower) / Tone | Exfoliation (in shower) helps remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture Toner restores hydration and prepares skin for treatment products. | 2 times per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays): Dr.G Brightening Peeling Gel On non-exfoliation days: Dr.G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Toner |
| Step 3: Treat | Supports overnight skin renewal and helps address concerns such as fine lines, uneven texture, and blemishes. | Not yet incorporated in routine Dr.G Black Snail Retinol Ampoule |
| Step 4: Nourish/Moisturize | Provides rich hydration and nourishment to support the skin barrier and promote overnight recovery while you sleep. | Dr.G Black Snail Cream - daily hydration, barrier repair, and skin recovery Dr.G Royal Black Snail Cream - firming, brightening, and mature skin concerns |