by Olivia Estrada
Illustration by Aaron Silao

Boys, let me tell you something your mom told you but you probably forgot: investing in your skin is the best thing you can do to yourself while you’re young when it comes to taking care of your self image. Clear skin doesn’t have to be camera ready, it just means plain hygiene and making sure the signs of sleepless nights, partied out mornings, and school-related stress doesn’t haunt us when we get a bit older.

When it comes to skincare for guys and also girls, products always try to address the differences in skin type (oily, dry, combination, and sensitive) and skin problems (acne, redness, wrinkles, etc.) This dude’s guide blankets across general problems to help men understand their skin a bit better.

With this list, a trip to the drugstore should do the trick. These items will help you instill a regimen, something to base your next purchases on until you find what best suits you.(That is until you can get yourself to a derma.) From these five products you can expand your collection further, based on what other problems these items just don’t quite solve.

#1 Pond’s Men Energy Charge Face Wash

Made with coffee and cooling menthol, it will liven up a tired-looking face. While cleansing, it perks up your appearance for brighter skin.

#2 Human Nature Bamboo Charcoal Cleansing Bar

For the rest of your body, get a hard working product that can remove oil, dirt, and pollution build-up effectively. The bamboo carbon makes sure you’re clean without drying out your skin or stripping it of its natural oils.

#3 Pili Lip Balm

No tint and no strong scent, this is going help you lips be nourished all day and helps protect it from flaking due to our crazy weather.

#4 Celeteque Dermoscience Acne Solutions Acne Spot Corrector Gel

When you already feel the very first sign of a pimple, apply this gel to ease the itchiness and redness. This way you will no longer be tempted to pick on it which is usually the cause for a pimple to further develop.

#5 Banana Boat Ultra Defense Lotion Sunscreen

All that cleansing will go to waste if you don’t protect yourself. The harmful sun rays are the primary cause of skin damage, wrinkles, among many other things I won’t tell you because it just might scare you. Simply put, slather some sunscreen on your face and your body before going out so your skin doesn’t wrinkle up like a prune and you get the best out of your other skincare products