The Manual Grooming Awards 2022: The Absolute Best Grooming Products for Men

Cleansers that try to do too much represent a major skincare flaw. They only need one job: to clean. The Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser from Paula’s Choice does just that. It’s gentle, hydrating, and doesn’t leave your face feeling tight or dry. The skin-restoring ingredients leave your skin feeling silky smooth after washing, and fit the bill for a no-frills cleanser that feels luxurious but is actually affordable.

If there’s such a thing as a do-it-all ingredient in skincare, it’s niacinamide. This powerhouse brightening ingredient can help fight off acne, rosacea, dark spots, and wrinkles. Maskne is no match against niacinamide – it reduces redness, calms inflammation, and zaps cystic acne spots fast. If you’re going to splurge on any step of your skincare routine, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth out of this multi-corrective serum.

Your eyes are one of the first areas of your face to show visible signs of aging. The skin around your eyes is thin, which is why a concentrated eye cream is important to depuff dark circles and fill in fine lines. This soothing eye cream is packed with plant collagen to plump wrinkles, vitamin K to brighten and fade dark circles, and olive oil for hydration. You can’t turn back time, but with this eye cream, at the very least you’ll trick people into thinking you got a full eight hours of sleep the night before.

Most men would agree that the last thing they want their moisturizer to be is greasy. This lightweight gel cream is the perfect texture — hydrating without feeling super heavy on top of your skin. It soaks in instantly while providing lasting moisture, leaving your skin super refreshed and balanced. With soothing green tea extract and aloe leaf juice, this moisturizer calms redness and is safe for sensitive skin. Whether your skin is dry and tight or oily and acne-prone, this gel cream delivers the perfect amount of non-sticky moisture.

Let’s be honest: you’re probably not drinking enough water during the day. When your body is dehydrated, your skin shows it. If you’re not properly hydrated, your body is going to pull water away from your skin and direct it to your vital organs, leaving your face feeling and looking dry, dull, and lifeless. This hydrating mask provides an intense boost of moisture to parched skin in as little as 10 minutes. We love a multitasker, and this mask not only hydrates with the help of replenishing hyaluronic acid, but it also contains niacinamide to reduces inflammation, as well as ginger extract to fight free radicals and even out your skin tone. Slap on this sheet mask and quench thirsty skin instantly.

Schick has taken personalized shaving to a whole new place with the launch of its Hydro Skin Comfort product line. Got a shaving challenge? There’s a razor for that. We particularly liked the stubble eraser version: a proprietary stubble comb is complemented with gel pools carrying green tea for a smooth shave that doesn’t cause nicks or irritation. The best feature is that the head of the razor moves in an almost robotic way, allowing it to hug the face’s curves as if it were preprogrammed. More from The Manual: Schick Essentials for Under $20

As anybody with a crowded bathroom knows, 2-in-1’s are always a plus to help save space — and they’re great for travel. We gave extra points to Olivina for this Shave Prep & Beard Oil because if you have some facial hair but still shave, or if you alternate between a clean-shaven and a bearded look, this product is perfect. The soothing cedar and bergamot fragrance is just part of the product’s blend of organic oils.

Designed for beards by beards, this trimmer offers the ultimate precision beard management with up to 45 unique lengths. Eight color-coded guide combs set the standard, with fine-tuning available from a five-blade setting on the razor itself. The clean, modern design is complemented with a minimalistic charging stand that has an LED charging display. With a 7,000 RPM motor, the unit offers a digital power indicator that tells how much of the three-hour battery remains.

There are a lot of shaving products out there, but we appreciate how Dollar Shave Club’s Shave Butter goes on with a smooth, practically invisible layer. It doesn’t feel “gloppy” or viscid like some creams, making it a surprisingly light, easy shave. The shave butter’s transparency also makes it easy to trim around the edges of a mustache or other facial hair.

Odele is a women-owned, Minneapolis-based, haircare brand that focuses on creating a quality formula suitable for everyone. After trying several shampoos, we noticed Odele was one that despite using multiple times a week, didn’t leave hair brittle and dry. With cruelty-free vegan ingredients, Odele restores and refreshes the hair to a neutral version. Here’s a great, wallet-friendly addition to kick off your hair care routine.

Conditioners protect the scalp from dryness by holding in moisture and leaving the scalp refreshed. Hanz De Fuko Natural Conditioner achieves this and more with its botanical and herb-based formula. Their ingredients help improve the smoothness of hair while enhancing the appearance of noticeably thicker locks over time. Hanz De Fuko is a remarkable conditioner option for those bad hair days that require quick improvement. The formula also can be used as a natural alternative to shaving cream for a clean 2-in-1 duo.

Newly launched gender-neutral grooming brand, STMNT, brings upscale grooming products that honor the art of barbering by upgrading trusted formulas. We tested dozens on hair clays and pomades — and this dry clay is by far one of the best in terms of hold, application, and scent. Whether you have curly or straight hair, this clay adds texture and provides a sleek matte finished look. All you need is a penny size amount of product to style with.

This past year has been difficult in terms of keeping manes tamed — nonetheless, we all adapted. Some of us opted to let it all grow out, while others took to the internet to teach themselves how to cut hair all on their own. That being said, there’s been no better time to buy hair clippers. The Conair Metal Clippers were the best we found. Nostalgic in look but made with high-grade materials — think professional grade Japanese steel blades — these clippers are an excellent option that will make it look like you just left the salon.

Safe and effective ingredients are a top priority for this natural skincare brand. Native wants you to invest in yourself by taking care of your body. Not only do we love the mission of this company, but we love their products. The Native Unscented Body Wash is made with coconut-derived cleansers that leave your skin feeling soft, healthy, and new.

The key to aging gracefully is found in SPF protection. SPF shields your skin from harmful UV radiation causes wrinkles, unsightly liver spots, and certain types of skin cancer. Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Spray gives you powerful SPF protection from the sun while also keeping your skin moisturized. This broad-spectrum sunscreen is also mineral based and hypoallergenic — which makes it great for those with sensitive skin.

Alo Yoga is the true definition of versatility in the wellness industry. What initially started out as yoga wear has evolved into a one-stop shop for all your self-care needs. Their recently launched skincare line incorporates Indian Ayurvedic ingredients in a contemporary package. Alo Yoga’s Superfruit Moisturizing Body Lotion is formulated with potent Arnica, and nature’s most powerful antioxidant, alma. This lotion not only moisturizes your skin for a healthy glow, but it will also protect from environmental pollutants and de-stress your muscles after a long day of work.

Launched in 2018 by beauty industry veterans, Necessaire stepped onto the scene with a mission to provide personal body care that is clean, effective, and sustainable. While natural deodorants have gained massive popularity within recent years, they’ve all had one little setback: the clean ingredients never offered much protection. Necessaire’s deodorant solved that problem. Lactic Acid, Silica, and Kaolin Clay are just some of the ingredients that make this formula a gentle but effective solution that comfortably deodorizes and protects.

Did you know that many of your favorite conventional fragrances contain hormone-disrupting ingredients? With Jake’s House, you’re going to smell like a champion thanks to clean, non-toxic fragrances. The Henry Rose fragrance is the perfect daytime cologne for the spring and summer seasons. Filled with the scents of citrus, honey, and musk, we’re sure you’re going to love this fragrance as much as we do.