The best men's skincare set is the one that suits your skin and that you'll actually use every day: a moisturiser as the base, plus one or two products for what you see in the mirror (shine from oily skin, tightness from dry skin, dark circles or first lines). If it doesn't include a gentle cleanser and SPF, add them.
A men's skincare set – or starter kit – is a group of two to four products designed to be used together every day: to hydrate and, depending on your skin, to look after the eye area, oiliness or dullness. FETĒN's skincare kits all share the same moisturiser and differ in what they add.
Written by Edu López-Villalta, co-founder of FETĒN, a men's grooming brand made in Spain · Reviewed in October 2026 using sources from the AAD, the NHS and PubMed.
What is the best men's skincare set?
There's no single best men's skincare set for everyone. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) puts it simply: every man's skin is different, and there's no one-size-fits-all routine. The best set ticks three boxes:
- It deals with what you see in the mirror. Shine, tight skin, dark circles or lines: each one calls for a different product.
- It fits around your shave. If you shave every day, the moisturiser goes on straight afterwards, and the face scrub (2–3 times a week) goes on before you shave, never straight after; if your skin is irritated or sensitive, use it on a day you don't shave. With sensitive skin, start with once a week and, if your skin tolerates it well, build up to 2–3.
- You'll use it. A short set you use every morning does more for you than a long one that ends up in a drawer.
What should a men's skincare starter kit include?
Your skin needs three basic jobs covered – cleanse, moisturise and protect from the sun. A men's skincare starter kit takes care of moisturising, plus one or two extras depending on your skin:
- Cleanse: a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water, morning and night, and after the gym.
- Moisturise: a face moisturiser, applied while your skin is still damp after a shower or shave. If you're only going to use one product, make it this one.
- Protect: a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher whenever you'll be outdoors.
The extras depend on what you see: an eye cream if your face says 'tired'; a serum if your skin feels tight (hyaluronic acid) or looks dull and is showing lines (vitamin C and retinol); a face scrub 2–3 times a week if you have visible pores or blackheads.
How many? More than four is usually too much to start with. A rule of thumb:
- If you've never used anything: two products from the set (moisturiser and one more), plus a cleanser and sunscreen.
- If you already use a moisturiser: add just the product for whatever bothers you.
- If you already have a routine: then three or four steps makes sense.
Which skincare set is best for oily, combination, dry or sensitive skin?
Oily skin: a matte-finish moisturiser and a face scrub (Men's Blemish Kit). Dry or combination skin: a hyaluronic acid serum and moisturiser (Men's Hydration Kit). Sensitive skin: start with one product. Not sure? Check your face mid-morning, not straight out of the shower, and use this table.
| What you see | What your skin needs | FETĒN kit | What to add if it's not included |
|---|
| I don't use anything and don't know where to start | Daily moisturising and care for the eye area | Men's Essentials Kit (moisturiser + eye cream) | Gentle cleanser and sunscreen |
| Oily skin: shine on the forehead and nose | Hydration as well – with a matte finish | Men's Blemish Kit (matte-finish moisturiser + face scrub) | Gentle cleanser on non-scrub days |
| Visible pores and blackheads | Exfoliating 2–3 times a week, plus moisturiser | Men's Blemish Kit | Gentle cleanser and sunscreen |
| Combination skin: shiny T-zone, tight cheeks | Light hydration all over | Men's Hydration Kit (moisturiser + hyaluronic acid serum + face scrub); if shine is the main issue, the Men's Blemish Kit | Gentle cleanser |
| Dry or tight skin | More hydration: a hyaluronic acid serum plus moisturiser | Men's Hydration Kit | Gentle cleanser |
| Tired-looking face or dark circles | Care for the eye area and more radiance | Men's Tired-Skin Kit (moisturiser + eye cream + vitamin C and retinol serum) | Sunscreen if you use the serum during the day |
| First lines or dull skin (40+) | A vitamin C and retinol serum, eye cream and moisturiser | Complete 360 Kit for Men (face scrub + vitamin C and retinol serum + eye cream + moisturiser) | Daily sunscreen; if your skin feels tight, a hyaluronic acid serum |
| Daily shaving and irritation | Moisturiser straight after shaving; face scrub before shaving, never straight after (if your skin is irritated or sensitive, on a day you don't shave; with sensitive skin, start with once a week and build up to 2–3 if it tolerates it well) | Men's Essentials Kit or, if your skin feels tight, the Men's Hydration Kit | A fresh blade every five to seven shaves |
| Sensitive skin that's easily irritated | Few products, introduced one at a time | Men's Essentials Kit, starting with one product | Try each new product on a small area first, and add the next one only once your skin is used to it |
All five kits in this table share the same base – the Men's Face Moisturiser, Matte Finish (hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and aloe vera) – and differ in what they add for each concern. You'll find them all together in men's skincare kits.
Does a men's skincare set include SPF and a cleanser?
Not always, so check what's in the box. None of the five FETĒN kits in this table includes an everyday cleanser or a sunscreen with a stated SPF – and those are two of the three basic jobs:
- Cleanser: the face scrub in the kits gives a deep clean (its packaging calls it an exfoliator and cleanser), but it's meant for twice a week (up to three times for very oily skin; once a week if your skin is sensitive). On the other days, use a gentle cleanser.
- Sun protection: the NHS advises a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and at least 4-star UVA protection, reapplied every two hours (NHS, sunscreen and sun safety). If you use the vitamin C and retinol serum during the day, its product page recommends sunscreen on top too. The FETĒN Tinted Moisturiser (BB cream) adds colour and sun protection with titanium dioxide, but it doesn't state an SPF value: for hours outdoors, add a sunscreen as well.
I shave every day and get razor burn: what should be in my skincare set?
If you shave every day, your skincare set needs a moisturiser for straight afterwards and a face scrub used 2–3 times a week, before you shave and never straight after: shaving already exfoliates the skin. If your skin is irritated or sensitive, use the scrub on a day you don't shave. With sensitive skin, start with once a week and, if your skin tolerates it well, build up to 2–3. The AAD also recommends:
- Wet your skin and beard before shaving.
- Use a moisturising shaving cream or gel and shave in the direction your hair grows.
- Change your blade every five to seven shaves.
- If you get razor bumps or ingrown hairs, use a single- or double-blade razor and don't pull your skin taut.
- Apply moisturiser straight afterwards, while your skin is still damp.
Is men's skin different from women's?
Yes, mainly when it comes to oil. A University of Hamburg study of 300 people aged 20 to 74 (forehead, cheeks and other areas) found that men's skin produces more sebum than women's at every age, and that production stays stable over the years (Luebberding et al., 2013). That's why many men have shiny skin. And oil isn't the same as hydration: you can have shine and tight skin at the same time.
You'll also hear that men's skin is 'much thicker', sometimes with an exact figure attached. The study usually quoted measured the forearm, not the face (Shuster et al., 1975): it's no basis for choosing a moisturiser.
Should your skincare set change in your 40s?
Yes. From 40 onwards, men's skin hydration starts to drop even though oil levels stay the same, according to the University of Hamburg study (Luebberding et al., 2013):
- Under 40: focus on controlling shine and caring for the eye area (matte-finish moisturiser + eye cream).
- 40 and over: add hydration, even if you're shiny. A hyaluronic acid serum adds hydration without adding oil – it's what the Men's Hydration Kit adds (more in our guide to hyaluronic acid for men).
- If you're seeing first lines or dull skin: the Men's Tired-Skin Kit or the Complete 360 Kit for Men add the vitamin C and retinol serum.
And the cornerstone of prevention isn't moisturiser but sun protection: the AAD recommends it to help prevent the sun damage that leads to wrinkles and age spots.
What order should you use a men's skincare set in?
A men's skincare set goes on from the lightest product to the richest, with moisturiser last. If your set has both serums, use them at different times: hyaluronic acid in the morning, vitamin C and retinol at night. Skip any steps your set doesn't include.
In the morning:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. Pat it dry.
- Face scrub, 2–3 times a week, before you shave and never straight after (if your skin is irritated or sensitive, on a day you don't shave; with sensitive skin, start with once a week and build up to 2–3 if it tolerates it well).
- Hyaluronic acid serum, while your skin is still slightly damp.
- Eye cream, gently patted in.
- Moisturiser (if you shave in the morning, straight after shaving).
- Sunscreen if you'll be outdoors.
At night:
- Wash your face.
- Vitamin C and retinol serum.
- Eye cream and moisturiser.
Is a skincare set worth it, or should you buy products separately?
A men's skincare set is worth it when you need everything in it: products designed to work together, a clear order and one decision instead of five. If you already have a moisturiser you like, buy what's missing separately; a set with something you won't use isn't a saving.
How do you choose a set for a man who's never used skincare?
- He's never used anything: the shortest set, such as the Men's Essentials Kit. With two steps, he's likely to use it; with six, it'll probably end up in a drawer.
- He always looks tired: a set with an eye cream. Dark circles and puffy eyes are among the signs of sleep loss that other people notice in someone's face (Sundelin et al., 2013).
- He complains about his skin after shaving: a set with extra hydration, such as the Men's Hydration Kit.
What can you do today? (free fixes first)
- Free: lukewarm water, pat your face dry, a fresh blade if you're on your sixth shave, and as much sleep as you can get – it shows on your face.
- First product: a moisturiser, with a matte finish if you get shiny.
- The shortcut: the Men's Essentials Kit to get started, or whichever kit in the table matches what you see.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best skincare set for men with oily skin?
One with a matte-finish moisturiser and a face scrub, such as the Men's Blemish Kit: the moisturiser hydrates with a matte finish, and the scrub, used 2–3 times a week, deals with pores and blackheads. Add a gentle cleanser for the other days.
What do I need to start a skincare routine if I've never used anything?
Start small: a moisturiser and an eye cream, as in the Men's Essentials Kit. If you're in your 40s and your skin feels tight, the Men's Hydration Kit is a better fit, because men's skin starts to lose hydration from 40, even though oil levels stay the same (Luebberding et al., 2013). Add a gentle cleanser and, in the morning, sunscreen.
I shave every day and my skin gets irritated: which set should I choose?
One with a moisturiser for straight after shaving, on damp skin. Use the face scrub 2–3 times a week, before you shave and never straight after; if your skin is irritated or sensitive, use it on a day you don't shave. With sensitive skin, start with once a week and, if your skin tolerates it well, build up to 2–3. If your skin also feels tight, the Men's Hydration Kit adds a hyaluronic acid serum. And, as the AAD recommends, shave in the direction your hair grows and change your blade every five to seven shaves.
How many skincare products does a man need?
Three basics: a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser and, in the morning, a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ if you'll be outdoors. On top of that, one or two extras for what you see: an eye cream, a serum, or a face scrub 2–3 times a week. A starter set can be just two products (moisturiser and eye cream); more than four is usually too much to start with.
Do FETĒN skincare sets include SPF?
They don't include a sunscreen with a stated SPF. The FETĒN Tinted Moisturiser adds colour and sun protection with titanium dioxide, but it doesn't state an SPF value. Outdoors, use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and 4-star UVA protection, as the NHS advises.
How to Choose the Best Men's Skincare Set (and Actually Use It)
The best men's skincare set is the one that suits your skin and that you'll actually use every day: a moisturiser as the base, plus one or two products for what you see in the mirror (shine from oily skin, tightness from dry skin, dark circles or first lines). If it doesn't include a gentle cleanser and SPF, add them.
A men's skincare set – or starter kit – is a group of two to four products designed to be used together every day: to hydrate and, depending on your skin, to look after the eye area, oiliness or dullness. FETĒN's skincare kits all share the same moisturiser and differ in what they add.
Written by Edu López-Villalta, co-founder of FETĒN, a men's grooming brand made in Spain · Reviewed in October 2026 using sources from the AAD, the NHS and PubMed.
What is the best men's skincare set?
There's no single best men's skincare set for everyone. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) puts it simply: every man's skin is different, and there's no one-size-fits-all routine. The best set ticks three boxes:
What should a men's skincare starter kit include?
Your skin needs three basic jobs covered – cleanse, moisturise and protect from the sun. A men's skincare starter kit takes care of moisturising, plus one or two extras depending on your skin:
The extras depend on what you see: an eye cream if your face says 'tired'; a serum if your skin feels tight (hyaluronic acid) or looks dull and is showing lines (vitamin C and retinol); a face scrub 2–3 times a week if you have visible pores or blackheads.
How many? More than four is usually too much to start with. A rule of thumb:
Which skincare set is best for oily, combination, dry or sensitive skin?
Oily skin: a matte-finish moisturiser and a face scrub (Men's Blemish Kit). Dry or combination skin: a hyaluronic acid serum and moisturiser (Men's Hydration Kit). Sensitive skin: start with one product. Not sure? Check your face mid-morning, not straight out of the shower, and use this table.
All five kits in this table share the same base – the Men's Face Moisturiser, Matte Finish (hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and aloe vera) – and differ in what they add for each concern. You'll find them all together in men's skincare kits.
Does a men's skincare set include SPF and a cleanser?
Not always, so check what's in the box. None of the five FETĒN kits in this table includes an everyday cleanser or a sunscreen with a stated SPF – and those are two of the three basic jobs:
I shave every day and get razor burn: what should be in my skincare set?
If you shave every day, your skincare set needs a moisturiser for straight afterwards and a face scrub used 2–3 times a week, before you shave and never straight after: shaving already exfoliates the skin. If your skin is irritated or sensitive, use the scrub on a day you don't shave. With sensitive skin, start with once a week and, if your skin tolerates it well, build up to 2–3. The AAD also recommends:
Is men's skin different from women's?
Yes, mainly when it comes to oil. A University of Hamburg study of 300 people aged 20 to 74 (forehead, cheeks and other areas) found that men's skin produces more sebum than women's at every age, and that production stays stable over the years (Luebberding et al., 2013). That's why many men have shiny skin. And oil isn't the same as hydration: you can have shine and tight skin at the same time.
You'll also hear that men's skin is 'much thicker', sometimes with an exact figure attached. The study usually quoted measured the forearm, not the face (Shuster et al., 1975): it's no basis for choosing a moisturiser.
Should your skincare set change in your 40s?
Yes. From 40 onwards, men's skin hydration starts to drop even though oil levels stay the same, according to the University of Hamburg study (Luebberding et al., 2013):
And the cornerstone of prevention isn't moisturiser but sun protection: the AAD recommends it to help prevent the sun damage that leads to wrinkles and age spots.
What order should you use a men's skincare set in?
A men's skincare set goes on from the lightest product to the richest, with moisturiser last. If your set has both serums, use them at different times: hyaluronic acid in the morning, vitamin C and retinol at night. Skip any steps your set doesn't include.
In the morning:
At night:
Is a skincare set worth it, or should you buy products separately?
A men's skincare set is worth it when you need everything in it: products designed to work together, a clear order and one decision instead of five. If you already have a moisturiser you like, buy what's missing separately; a set with something you won't use isn't a saving.
How do you choose a set for a man who's never used skincare?
What can you do today? (free fixes first)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best skincare set for men with oily skin?
One with a matte-finish moisturiser and a face scrub, such as the Men's Blemish Kit: the moisturiser hydrates with a matte finish, and the scrub, used 2–3 times a week, deals with pores and blackheads. Add a gentle cleanser for the other days.
What do I need to start a skincare routine if I've never used anything?
Start small: a moisturiser and an eye cream, as in the Men's Essentials Kit. If you're in your 40s and your skin feels tight, the Men's Hydration Kit is a better fit, because men's skin starts to lose hydration from 40, even though oil levels stay the same (Luebberding et al., 2013). Add a gentle cleanser and, in the morning, sunscreen.
I shave every day and my skin gets irritated: which set should I choose?
One with a moisturiser for straight after shaving, on damp skin. Use the face scrub 2–3 times a week, before you shave and never straight after; if your skin is irritated or sensitive, use it on a day you don't shave. With sensitive skin, start with once a week and, if your skin tolerates it well, build up to 2–3. If your skin also feels tight, the Men's Hydration Kit adds a hyaluronic acid serum. And, as the AAD recommends, shave in the direction your hair grows and change your blade every five to seven shaves.
How many skincare products does a man need?
Three basics: a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser and, in the morning, a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ if you'll be outdoors. On top of that, one or two extras for what you see: an eye cream, a serum, or a face scrub 2–3 times a week. A starter set can be just two products (moisturiser and eye cream); more than four is usually too much to start with.
Do FETĒN skincare sets include SPF?
They don't include a sunscreen with a stated SPF. The FETĒN Tinted Moisturiser adds colour and sun protection with titanium dioxide, but it doesn't state an SPF value. Outdoors, use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and 4-star UVA protection, as the NHS advises.