Some men go straight to bed without doing a thing to their face, while others might embrace a 10-step skin care routine. But for anyone who’s a bit less high-maintenance than the latter and still wants to do a little something, what’s the best bare minimum skin care routine?

There are some differences between men’s and women’s skin, which means there are a few guidelines to follow. HuffPost spoke to four board-certified dermatologists on the ideal skin care routine for men who want to give just a little TLC to their face.

First, let’s talk about men’s skin.

There are measurable differences between male and female skin regarding the skin’s thickness, sebum production and transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

“Men’s skin is approximately 25% thicker than women’s due to higher collagen density. This can make men’s skin more resilient but also more prone to certain types of acne and oiliness,” said Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a board-certified dermatologist.

There are hormonal fluctuations for both, but women tend to be more affected by them. Acne, for example, is reduced post-puberty for most men. “Women tend to experience adult acne at a higher level compared to men; about 12-22% of adult U.S. women over 20 experience acne compared to 3% of adult U.S. men,” explained Dr. Anar Mikailov, a board-certified dermatologist.

“About 85% of adult acne patients are women, whereas about 15% are men,” added Dr. Omer Ibrahim, a board-certified dermatologist and co-director of research at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology.

Also, more men vs. women tend to shave their faces, which often leads to ingrown hairs that look like pimples along the beardline, said Ibrahim. This creates the need for a specific post-shave product to avoid irritation and ingrown hair.

However, despite these differences, men can experience the same conditions as women, from eczema to acne and skin sagging. These may happen at different rates, though; men tend to present wrinkles and a reduction in hydration and thickness in a more linear way, whereas women can notice more abrupt changes due to menopause, Ibrahim explained.

“For men who have more oily skin or are acne-prone, the skin care routine recommended would be the same as for women. That’s the same with sensitive, dry or normal skin,” Mikailov said.

What about the running joke that men can use dish soap on their face?

All experts agreed that this old adage is deeply rooted in sexism and gendered marketing.

“Women have been taught to concentrate on ‘looking good’ in outdated gender norms, thus often seeking extensive skin routines. Men are not taught to focus on this as much. This is all outdated,” said Dr. Mona A. Gohara, a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.

In reality, men have similar skin needs as women. She added, “Everyone should be cleansing, moisturizing and using suncreen at the minimum. Men have less of a tendency to engage in an elaborate skin routine because of outdated gender expectations around beauty and self-care.”

“In the U.S., young boys are less exposed to having a skin care routine compared to young girls,” Mikailov said. “We’re seeing girls as young as 10 and 11 mimic older women on social media with multi-step skin care routines. Men, unless they have specific skin issues where they’ve consulted a dermatologist, are usually not as educated.”

“Nowadays, more and more men, particularly younger men, are learning about hygiene and skin care from social media and realizing that simple, basic cleansers, moisturizers and SPFs can make the skin feel more comfortable,” agreed Ibrahim.

The best basic skin care routine for men, according to the experts.

Morning: SPF

“In the morning, unless the skin is very oily, most people will not need to do more than rinse with warm water to cleanse. Be careful not to use scalding hot water, as that can strip the skin,” Ibrahim said. For those with oily skin, a gentle cleanser can be used in the morning as the first step.

“The most crucial step in any skin care routine, regardless of gender, is daily sun protection,” Kopelman said. A moisturizer and a sunscreen, or a moisturizer with SPF 30-plus, is essential to protect the skin from harmful UV rays, skin aging and skin cancer. A two-in-one product is OK to use here, as long as the adequate amount of cream is applied to form a proper sunscreen film.

Moisturizing will help strengthen the skin barrier, Gohara said.To note, chemical sunscreens will likely work better, as they won’t leave a white cast and require less rubbing into the skin. But if your skin is sensitive, a physical (mineral) formula may be better.

SPF moisturizers recommended by the experts:

Night: Cleanser and moisturizer

When it comes to cleansing, men may prefer a foaming cleanser to be used once a day, but if the skin is rather dry, a hydrating cleanser is more suitable.

“Even if makeup is not worn, cleansing the skin from dust, dirt and other external pollutants helps the skin function better,” Ibrahim said.

At night, any basic moisturizer can be used, but for men who want to take their skin care a step further, they can opt for a moisturizer with retinol at night, which will help with collagen production.

The moisturizer should feel comfortable on the skin and lightweight, meaning you might want to look for gel or noncomedogenic textures.

In general, I recommend products that are fragrance-free to limit any potential irritations,” Mikailov noted.

Cleansers recommended by the experts:

Nighttime moisturizers recommended by the experts:

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Still in the market for more? Check out these all-purpose cleansers and sunscreens below.

We Asked Men What Sunscreens They Tolerate, Or Even Better, Actually Like

Sephora

Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50

According to HuffPost Personal editorial director Noah Michelson, there’s nothing quite like Supergoop! He said, “I’m outside in the sun walking two-to-three hours a day, so I was desperate to find a sunscreen that not only worked well but also didn’t leave me looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost or smell like a chem lab (or just plain barfy). A friend recommended Supergoop’s 50 SPF play lotion and as soon as I tried it, ALL OF MY SUNSCREEN DREAMS CAME TRUE. It’s not greasy, it vanishes into my skin quickly and completely (even through my beard!), and just the other day my boyfriend went out of his way to tell me how good it smells. WIN! WIN! WIN.”

Amazon

Sun Bum Daily Face SPF 50

My brother Fernando has been doing a great job upping his skin care game in recent years (bullying works!). He’s very happy with this Sun Bum sunscreen, noting, “The creamy texture feels more moisturizing than other sunscreens and doesn’t leave a film after.” After a recent vacation to Hawaii, he was also pleased to discover that it doesn’t burn your eyes if you get wet from the pool or beach. It has a lightweight, watery consistency that is hydrating while also protecting skin from harmful rays. And for under $20 a bottle, it’s a pretty decent price point for such a lovely formula.

My other brother declined to participate in this story — please respect my privacy during this difficult time.

Amazon

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair UV SPF 30

My brother-in-law, Dale, turns to this cult-favorite La Roche-Posay moisturizer-and-SPF-in-one for his daily sunscreen needs. He likes that in addition to the sun protection, it makes his skin very soft and supple. This French pharmacy staple is full of skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin that will have you hooked upon first try.

Ulta

Clinique For Men Broad Spectrum SPF 21 Moisturizer

My dad had a few basal cell carcinomas removed from his face about 20 years ago, and he’s been diligent about sunscreen usage ever since. This Clinique cream is one of the two staples in his repertoire. While it does have that typical Clinique yellow hue upon immediate application, it blends in almost immediately. He likes that “it doesn’t feel greasy or leave my face shiny.” It’s a great lightweight, oil-free option for people who have sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Amazon

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer dry-touch sunscreen SPF 55

HuffPost reporter Ryan Grenoble is a self-proclaimed “Neutrogena stan.” He buys this highly-rated SPF in packs of three at Costco regularly. It’s also one of my dad’s favorites. He enjoys the finish and appreciates that it doesn’t feel greasy or leave behind a white cast and that it’s water-resistant. It is also in Miklausic’s regular rotation.

Amazon

Abib Quick Sunstick protection bar

HuffPost video editor Gabe Castaneda is all about K-sunscreens. “I prefer Korean sunscreen because I’ve noticed that American sunscreen tends to burn my eyes after a couple of hours of wear, while the Korean sunscreens don’t. I also prefer a stick sunscreen because I don’t have to touch my face every time I apply. It also makes reapplying a breeze.” One big reason why he’s a fan of this Abib hyaluronic acid-rich formulation is because it doesn’t leave a white cast. He added, “It’s a clear formula, which I’ve never seen before. I have combination skin but the Abib formula is very hydrating and the curved shape of the stick makes applying around my eyes and nose very easy.”

Onekind

Solardrops SPF 55 Daily Broad Spectrum serum

Jenkins and I agree that more men should be using a tinted moisturizer and SPF. With this Onekind multitasker, not only will your skin look even and smooth, but you’ll still get to enjoy the benefits of SPF and great skin care ingredients. Jenkins emphasized that “this one is so undetectable, giving you the perfect glow and wash of color.” He recommends it to everyone because of the price and its efficaciousness, and I have a feeling that once men get turned on to the texture of a serum, they’ll never look back.

Amazon

No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal day cream SPF 25

My friend Bobby Miklausic was very pleased to report that he picked this SPF-infused cream himself and uses it daily. It can help to hydrate super-dry skin while also improving elasticity, all while protecting skin from the sun’s UV rays. It has a lightweight texture and an invisible finish that almost seems to melt into the skin.

Sephora

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

A sunscreen stick can make life so much easier — you just swipe it on and go. This high-quality SPF stick from Shiseido gives you the convenience of a travel-friendly stick with the brand’s high-quality, trusted formulations. My sister-in-law recently noticed that the men in her extended family (including young nephews) were all extremely gung-ho about this effective, hydrating and essentially invisible sunscreen.

The Best All-Purpose Facial Cleansers, According To Dermatologists

Dry and sensitive skin

Amazon

A famed hydrating cream cleanser

The CeraVe hydrating cream cleanser may be one of the most recommended cleansers at HuffPost and, as someone with extremely dry who can’t handle the oil-stripping effects of most foaming washes, it’s my cleanser of choice.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick claimed that this non-foaming, fragrance-free and milky cleanser effectively gets rid of dirt and buildup without leaving the skin feeling dry and without the use of any harsh surfactants.

“It contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin as well as ceramides [to] support and strengthen the skin barrier,” Garshick said.

Target

An ultra-gentle soap-free cleanser

Garshick said that this ultra-mild, soap-free cleanser is specifically formulated for sensitive skin types and is free of common irritants found in other cleansers such as fragrance, dyes, parabens, formaldehyde and other preservatives.

“It’s gentle enough to be used every day and can remove makeup and excess oil, without drying the skin out,” she said.

Sephora

A skin-barrier-supporting oil cleanser

Board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner previously explained that “the goal of cleansing is to remove soil from the outer skin layer without disrupting your skin barrier.” Using a hydrating lipid complex, this milky and fragrance-free cleanser by Skinfix — a cleanser we formerly chose based on his guidance — works up a rich lather and helps restore ceramides and fatty acids within the skin.

Amazon

A foaming cleansing oil

Another foaming cleanser on our list comes at the suggestion of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, who said that this fragrance-free oil cleanser by French pharmacy staple brand, LaRoche-Posay, is an excellent choice as part one of a double cleanse to remove makeup, sunscreen, debris, and particularly useful for those with dry or sensitive skin.

Shirazi noted the gentle and hydrating ingredients like shea butter, redness-reducing niacinamide and glycerin, a dermatologist-trusted humectant that draws moisture into the skin.

Normal and combination skin

Sephora

A non-drying antioxidant cleanser

Makeup artist Kierra Lanice previously recommended this cult-favorite gel cleanser by Youth to the People, which is rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants and superfood extracts that help support skin’s pH balance and address visible signs of premature aging caused by environmental stressors. Additionally, the inclusion of ingredients like spinach can soothe stressed out skin and impart essential fatty acids to the skin.

Sephora

A gentle lathering jelly with cantaloupe extract

“Formulated with nourishing ingredients like cantaloupe extract, a gentle surfactant blend, glycerin, and virgin marula oils, [this] helps break up makeup and impurities while simultaneously hydrating and soothing the skin,” Shirazi said of this lightweight jelly cleanser by Drunk Elephant that can address skin concerns like redness and irregular skin texture. It’s also rich in fatty acids and antioxidants to help address signs of premature skin aging.

Amazon

A gentle jelly cleanser with ceramides

According to Garshick, Skincare Junkie’s delightful jelly cleanser contains a blend of ceramides to support a healthy skin barrier as well as soothing cucumber and niacinamide to help tackle everything from redness to skin dullness. She added that the fragrance-free, skin-softening and pH-balancing formula is good for all skin types.

Amazon

A purifying foam cleanser

“This [fragrance-free] foaming cleanser works to effectively reduce oil and washes away dirt, makeup and debris,” Garshick said. “I love that it contains the La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal spring water, ceramides as well as niacinamide to support the skin barrier, minimizing the potential for dryness or irritation. It can be used once or twice daily.”

Unlike the other La Roche-Posay cleanser on this list, this one works into a rich lathering foam while promising not to strip the skin of all its natural and essential oils.

Amazon

A foaming version of the classic hydrating cleanser

If you love the gentle-cleansing and hydrating promise of CeraVe’s original cream cleanser from above, but prefer the feel of a lather, then this new take on the classic might be worth a try. Recommended by Shirazi, this cream-to-foam formula is gentle and doesn’t strip skin of its natural moisture, according to the dermatologist.

“Formulated with three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids, it works synergistically to cleanse and hydrate the skin effectively. Additionally, it is very cost-effective, making it an excellent choice for maintaining healthy skin without breaking the bank,” she said.

Oily and acne-prone skin

Amazon

A clarifying acne cream cleanser

According to Garshick, this Cetaphil clarifying and fragrance-free cleanser can be a good option for someone who is oily and acne-prone, but also has sensitive skin.

“The gentle cream-to-lather [formula] uses salicylic acid to help clean out pores and reduce breakouts and oil, without drying out the skin,” she said.

Amazon

A maximum-strength benzoyl peroxide wash

New York City-based and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Y. Claire Chang, once recommended this foaming acne wash that features a concentration of 10% benzoyl peroxide, the highest amount of benzoyl peroxide you can get over the counter. Chang loves it for its maximum strength antimicrobial properties that kill acne-causing bacteria and lift dirt from pores.

Amazon

A glutamic acid cleansing foam

Celebrity aesthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar previously recommended this mousse-like cleansing foam by French favorite skin care brand Avène. She likes it for the inclusion of zinc, which is soothing and calming, toning and mattifying glutamic acid, and thermal spring water that soothes and hydrates the skin (because oily skin still needs water). It’s formulated to minimize the risk of allergic reactions, won’t clog pores, is soap-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free, mineral oil-free and vegan. It’s a lightweight cleansing foam that gently removes makeup, dirt, excess oil and other impurities while soothing skin for a clean and calm complexion.

Already on sale at Amazon, you can save an extra 5% by clicking the coupon box on the product page and the additional discount will show up at checkout.

Amazon

A breakout-fighting cleanser that’s safe for sensitive skin

Chang previously recommended this dermatologist-developed, benzoyl-peroxide-infused cleanser by Differin. It’s specially made to gently cleanse acne-prone and sensitive skin without irritating or drying it out. It absorbs excess oil and moisturizes without clogging pores, delivering a deep clean that won’t strip the skin.

Cleansing balms

Amazon

A pro-collagen cleansing balm

This luxurious cleansing treatment was formerly suggested by Garshick, who said the unctuous formula leaves skin feeling moisturized and soft. Packed with a blend of oils and waxes, this cleanser nourishes like a balm, removes impurities like an oil and hydrates like a cleansing milk. It also happens to be a HuffPost editor favorite that remains at the top of our list for effective cleansing balms.

Sephora

A melt-away cleansing balm

Shirazi previously suggested the Farmacy Clearly Clean solid-to-liquid cleansing balm for its nourishing properties, natural source of enzymes and its ability to be used safely around the eyes. “The new formulation is fragrance-free and doesn’t contain any sensitizing essential oils or polyethylene glycols, so it’s a great option for all skin types,” Shirazi said. This is another cleansing balm that’s made it into the HuffPost hall of skin care fame and is mainstay in my own personal cleansing collection.

Amazon

A nourishing balm-to-milk cleanser

“This transformative cleansing option goes from a balm to an oil and rinses off as a milk, helping to eliminate makeup, dirt and sunscreen without leaving the skin feeling dry or irritated. It also contains evening primrose oil, jojoba seed oil and pear fruit and together helps to balance and nourish the skin,” Garshick previously said of this paraben-free cleansing balm meant to be suitable for all skin types. A blend of antioxidants inside this formula helps aid in protecting skin from damaging free radicals and provides skin-conditioning properties.

Amazon

An omega-rich cleansing balm

Zeichner previously recommended incorporating into your routine a milk cleansing balm, which can do a much better job of breaking down grime than face wash alone. Based on this guidance, we found this skin-softening balm by Paula’s Choice, which contains both jojoba and meadowfoam seed oils — omega-rich ingredients that can regulate the skin’s oil production and address rough texture. Just massage it into the skin to melt away makeup and debris, then follow with a face wash.

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