28 grooming products guys over 40 actually recommend

Our featured picks

Eucerin Radiant Tone Daily Face Lotion SPF 30

Aveda Thickening Tonic

Philips Norelco Beard Trimmer

Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Magic Soap in Peppermint

Any man crossing the 40-year threshold should know one thing: His grooming routine should mature with him. In the same way you can’t drink like you did in your 20s, you can’t get away with treating your skin, hair and beard the same way forever. Things change; hair thins and skin dries out.

The products that once seemed good enough suddenly aren’t. That’s the bad news. The good news is that by 40, most men have seen enough grooming trends come and go to know better than to trust every promise printed on a bottle. They’ve bought products that disappointed, abandoned products that overpromised. But, occasionally, some found something good enough to survive every medicine cabinet cleanout.

Those are the products we wanted to find. So we asked dermatologists, stylists, menswear experts and grooming professionals over 40 what they actually use themselves. Some recommendations were backed by science, others by decades of habit, but all of them had survived years of competition for precious bathroom-counter real estate.

Skin care

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Filler

Any product you don’t reach for consistently is of no use. That’s why Dr. Joshua Zeichner, associate professor of dermatology and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, reaches for this RoC formula on a nightly basis. It delivers the benefits of retinol without some of the drawbacks that come with stronger products. "I can use it every evening without it drying out the skin," Zeichner said. "Retinol is a staple ingredient that can be used in almost everyone's skin care routine. It is perhaps the best studied ingredient to address aging skin and has proven benefits in enhancing collagen production, and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles."

Read our review

Eucerin Radiant Tone Daily Face Lotion SPF 30

This Eucerin lotion is one of the products Zeichner uses every morning. "This is the ideal product not only to treat dark spots but to prevent them from developing," he said. Along with SPF 30 protection, the formula contains Thiamidol, an ingredient designed to target discoloration. “Unlike many of the skin-brightening ingredients on the market, it has been shown to be the most effective in blocking the pigment-producing enzyme in humans, as opposed to other products that have been tested in mushroom models,” Zeichner said.

Biography Golden Ray Glow Face Oil

Most men don't have a favorite facial oil; George Brescia has four. That's a strong endorsement in a category where most people struggle to finish a single bottle. The style expert and author said he rotates between Biography's Golden Ray, Long June, Petty Grudges and the brand's other blends. "They are amazing for keeping my skin looking and feeling deeply hydrated," Brescia said. Made with nutrient-rich botanical oils, the formulas are designed to lock in moisture without feeling heavy or greasy.

YCode Core Trio With Eye Serum Formula M

Writer, photographer and founder of WM Brown Magazine Matt Hranek didn't recommend one product; he recommends an entire bathroom shelf. "This skin care line from the UK is algae-based and unscented," Hranek said. "It's new to me, but I've really enjoyed this complete system." Built around marine-derived ingredients and algae extracts, YCode's products are designed to hydrate, protect and support the skin barrier. For Hranek, the appeal seems to be simplicity: one system, one philosophy and no guesswork.

Malin+Goetz Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

George Hahn, a writer and television personality, found a sunscreen that eliminated the excuse many people use for skipping sunscreen. "Malin+Goetz mastered a mineral sunscreen formula that doesn’t look pasty,” he said. “Not tested on animals and fragrance-free, it’s my daily daytime, one-and-done moisturizer." The appeal is as much about convenience as performance. Instead of layering multiple products, he gets hydration and sun protection from a single, fragrance-free formula, one that's managed to avoid the chalky white cast that gives many mineral sunscreens a bad reputation.

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh Sunscreen

In a bid to take better care of his skin, CNN Underscored tech writer Henry T. Casey has made it a habit to apply (and reapply) this lightweight Korean sunscreen every day. It has a hydrating, easy to blend formula that feels pleasant to apply, so there's really no excuse to skip it, according to Casey.

Floris No. 89 Luxury Soap Bar

Kirby Allison, founder of the eponymous menswear and lifestyle brand Kirby Allison, said Floris is "one of the easiest and most affordable upgrades any man can make to his daily routine." And he’s used it for years. "If you're still using a liquid body wash, I'd genuinely encourage you to try a proper triple-milled bar," Allison said. "The difference is immediately apparent: Triple-milled soap is processed three times through heavy rollers, removing excess water, which increases the density of the bar and produces a lather that feels completely different on the skin.”

Isdin Fusion Water Magic SPF 40

"Isdin is a Spanish brand with dermatology-backed science," Hranek said. The brand cracked the formula that seems to have befuddled most other brands. This sunscreen absorbs quickly, doesn't leave your face looking like it was basted in olive oil and is pleasant enough that using it every day doesn't feel like an act of self-discipline.

Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Magic Soap in Peppermint

"Other than my shampoo, my Dr. Bronner's liquid soap is the only bottle in my shower," Hahn said. This version combines organic coconut, olive, hemp and jojoba oils with peppermint essential oil, giving it the cooling, just-stepped-out-of-a-barbershop feel that has made it one of the brand's most popular formulas. "With good ingredients and essential oils, it provides a good clean without leaving my skin feeling dry," Hahn said. "I've been washing my face and body with it for decades. I can't live without it."

Fresh Sugar Lemon Body Lotion

Body lotion is usually one of the most forgettable products in a grooming routine. This one isn't. “The scent is perfect, and it provides excellent hydration," Brescia said. "It makes me feel great whenever I wear it." Fresh combines rich moisturizers like shea butter with a crisp lemon scent that lingers just enough to be noticed, helping explain why it's remained a staple in his routine.

Hair care

Alex Costa Forte Series Hair Styling Cream

The best thing about Alex Costa's Forte styling cream is what happens when the day is over, according to Allison. "It's 100% water-soluble, which means it rinses out completely at the end of the day with nothing more than water," he said. That matters because Allison tries to avoid shampooing every day. Forte gives him hold and polish without the waxy buildup that forces a full wash every night, which makes it a styling product that doesn't create another grooming problem to solve.

Aveda Thickening Tonic

There are hair products that style your hair, and there are products that make your hair easier to style. Patrick Kenger, personal stylist and founder of Pivot Image, uses Aveda Thickening Tonic as the latter. "This gives you a quick and easy boost for thicker hair before you add styling products," Kenger said. "Out of the shower, I throw a few sprays in, and once it dries, you get a nice thicker look." The formula is designed to add body before cream, paste or pomade ever enters the picture. For men whose hair has started to feel flatter or finer, that pre-styling step can make the rest of the routine work a lot easier.

Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo

"I have been using this daily for about five years," Brescia said. "I absolutely love it because it makes my hair feel thick, shiny and incredibly soft." That’s about as direct as a shampoo recommendation gets. Moroccanoil's formula uses argan oil, vitamins and hydrating ingredients to soften hair and add shine, which helps explain why Brescia has stayed loyal to it for half a decade.

Schwarzkopf Osis+ Dust It Mattifying Volume Powder

Every frequent traveler eventually becomes ruthless about what makes it into the Dopp kit. Hranek keeps coming back to this powder because it punches above its weight, handling volume, texture and control all while being small enough to disappear into said Dopp kit.

California Born Days of Dirt Styling Hair Cream

Most styling products announce themselves the second you run your hand through your hair. Jason Schneidman built Days of Dirt to do the opposite. "A lot of men love it because it doesn't feel like product," he said. Schneidman, celebrity hairstylist and founder of California Born, designed Days of Dirt to add subtle separation and control while keeping hair soft and natural-looking. It's become a favorite among both men and women who want their hair to look better without looking styled.

Shaving and beard care

Merkur 23C Double-Edge Safety Razor

"I'd long been fascinated by old-time safety razors before finally buying one 10 years ago," Hahn said. "I haven't looked back since." The Merkur 23C is a classic double-edge razor with an extra-long handle and a reputation for being approachable for beginners. Hahn likes that it's durable, easy to maintain and far cheaper over time than cartridge systems once you start buying replacement blades.

Gillette Fusion5 ProGlide Razor

Men’s razor recommendations are easy to find, but razor recommendations from dermatologists are a little harder to ignore. "I have a coarse beard and sensitive skin," Zeichner said. "I've tried countless razors through the years, and there's none that works better for me than this one." For Zeichner, shaving has always involved a balancing act: getting a close shave without paying for it later. The Fusion5 ProGlide is one of the few razors he said manages both.

Philips Norelco Beard Trimmer

Every beard trimmer seems to come with enough plastic attachments to build a small Lego set. Not with the Philips Norelco. "You adjust the settings right on the trimmer rather than having to change the guards every time, which makes it easy when I'm traveling," Kenger said. It's the kind of feature that sounds minor until you've spent five minutes searching for a missing guard while half your beard is already trimmed.

C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Cream by Proraso

Hahn did not hedge on this one: "This rich, creamy, smooth, concentrated shave cream is the best shave cream I have ever used, hands down.” Most shaving products are designed to help you get through shaving. This shaving cream helped Hahn start looking forward to it. The rich Proraso-made formula whips into a dense lather that pairs naturally with a safety razor, creating the kind of old-school grooming ritual that feels increasingly rare in an age of five-blade cartridges and rushed mornings.

Truefitt & Hill West Indian Limes Shaving Cream

Long before "heritage brand" became a buzzy marketing term, Truefitt & Hill was cutting hair and selling shaving products to British aristocrats. Founded in 1805, it remains one of the most respected names in traditional wet shaving. "Best London-based brand — I go and buy my shave cream there and walk out with piles of samples for traveling," Hranek said. The company's West Indian Limes shaving cream is a classic for a reason too. The lather is rich, the scent is crisp and citrusy, and the whole experience feels pulled from a different era of men's grooming.

Tend Skin Post-Shave Solution

Nobody buys Tend Skin because it's exciting. They buy it because they're tired of fighting with their face. "I used to get tons of razor bumps and irritation," Kenger said. "With this product, they're gone." Applied after shaving, Tend Skin is designed to help prevent razor bumps, ingrown hairs and irritation before they have a chance to develop. Its blend of exfoliating ingredients helps clear away the dead skin cells that can trap hairs beneath the surface, one of the leading causes of post-shave bumps.

Deodorant and antiperspirant

Mitchum Men's Clinical Antiperspirant

The best deodorants share a common trait: restraint. That's the appeal of Mitchum Clinical. It understands its role. "It's unscented so it doesn't interfere with the cologne I'm wearing, but more than that, it actually keeps you dry," Kenger said. While many deodorants try to double as a fragrance, Mitchum focuses on controlling sweat and getting out of the way, leaving the heavy lifting to whatever cologne you decided to wear that day.

Speick Men's Active Deo Stick

"This is a great natural German deodorant that really works, and I have been using for years," Hranek said. That's not always a given in the world of natural deodorants. Speick Men's Active Deo Stick is built around the brand's namesake alpine spikenard extract and has earned a reputation for delivering the thing many natural deodorants struggle with: actual effectiveness. Hranek's years-long loyalty suggests he found little reason to keep shopping around.

Oral care

Marvis Amarelli Licorice Toothpaste

Toothpaste is usually the least romantic product in the bathroom. Marvis has somehow made it feel like an object with taste. The Italian brand is known for its sharp-looking tubes and distinctive flavors, but the real appeal is that it makes a twice-daily habit feel a little more luxurious. Hranek even called it “a staple.”

Curaprox 5460 Ultrasoft Toothbrushes, 3-Pack

"Swiss made — do I need to say more?" Hranek said. Curaprox's 5460 Ultrasoft toothbrush gets its name from the 5,460 ultrafine bristles packed into the brush head, which is several times more than you'll find with a typical toothbrush. The result is a brush that feels surprisingly gentle on the gums while still leaving behind that just-left-the-dentist feeling. It's a small upgrade, but one that can make brushing twice a day a little more enjoyable.

Fragrance

Floris London No. 89 Eau de Toilette

Most fragrance trends burn hot and disappear. Floris has somehow managed to stick around since the 1700s. "For daily wear, [its] heritage fragrances are hard to beat: restrained, well constructed and designed for men who want a scent that signals taste without announcing itself across the room," Allison said. "There's something to be said for a fragrance house that's been operating continuously since the 18th century and still manages to feel entirely relevant." Many of its classics lean into timeless notes like citrus, woods, spices and soft florals, creating scents that feel polished and distinctive without being overwhelming. They're the kind of fragrances men tend to wear for years rather than months.

Floris Elite Eau De Toilette Travel Spray

"This was a favorite of James Bond and David Bowie," Hranek said, and Elite's appeal becomes obvious once you smell it. The fragrance opens with bright citrus before settling into cedarwood, vetiver and patchouli, and it manages to feel masculine without being heavy-handed. Sophisticated, understated and remarkably easy to wear, it's a scent that earns admiration rather than attention.

Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum

Kenger has tried plenty of fragrances over the years. Somehow, he always ends up back at Tom Ford Oud Wood. This fragrance, in which warm woods, spice and amber mingle, pulls off a difficult trick: It's distinctive enough that people notice it without dominating a room. Kenger said it works almost anywhere — office, dinner, wedding, date night — and it's one of the few fragrances he wears that consistently prompts the question, "What are you wearing?"

Meet our experts

For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights.

• Kirby Allison, founder of the eponymous menswear and lifestyle brand Kirby Allison
• George Brescia, style expert and author
• George Hahn, a writer and television personality
• Matt Hranek, writer, photographer and founder of WM Brown Magazine
• Patrick Kenger, personal stylist and founder of Pivot Image
• Jason Schneidman, celebrity hairstylist and founder of California Born
• Dr. Joshua Zeichner, board-certified dermatologist, associate professor of dermatology and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.

For this article, contributing writer and former CNN Underscored deputy editor Scott Simone spoke with dermatologists, stylists, barbers, menswear experts and grooming enthusiasts to find the grooming products they actually use themselves. Their picks were evaluated based on expert experience, real-world use and the specific reasons they continue to reach for them year after year.

Some information for this report was gathered via edition.cnn.com.