Whether your routine is one product or five, the ingredients in men’s skincare still matter! Even if you’re using the same ole’ conventional face wash or lotion every day, those repeated exposures can add up over time. The good news is that there are plenty of brands now making safer products that actually perform well, too. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for your boyfriend, keep reading for all the details!
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Why Safer Skincare Matters & Greenwashed Brands to Avoid ⚠️
Although men tend to use fewer personal care products than women, it’s definitely still super important to choose low tox options! The skin is our largest organ, and even though many fellas keep their regimens simple, using just one or two products every day means those same ingredients are hitting their skin over and over again (not to mention inhaling harmful fragrances).
Plus, research keeps pointing to how certain ingredients can impact things like hormones and fertility, which is already dropping globally. Here are some common ingredients to look out for in skincare:
- Paraffin
- Polysorbates
- PEGs and PPGs
- Mineral oil and petroleum
- Chemical sunscreen filters
- Undisclosed synthetic fragrances
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (such as polyquaternium)
- Sulfates such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
Greenwashed Men’s Brands to Skip ❌
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, and my goal is not to shame you or make you feel guilty if you DO use these brands. But I wanted to call out some popular brands that are known for greenwashing and make you aware of their misleading marketing claims. Many people purchase these brands and *think* they are natural or clean when in reality they still use unsafe ingredients in their formulas.
- Blackwood (has undisclosed fragrance, PEGs, polyquaterniums)
- Dr. Squatch (fragrance)
- Duke Cannon Supply Co. (fragrance, PEGs/PPGs, phenoxyethanol, polysorbates, propylene glycol)
- Every Man Jack (fragrance, phenoxyethanol, polyquaterniums)
- Goodfellow & Co. (chemical SPF, fragrance, PEGs, phenoxyethanol, polyquaterniums, polysorbates)
- Harry’s (fragrance, PEGs, phenoxyethanol, polyquaterniums, polysorbate 20, triethanolamine)
- Native (overall not bad except for the fragrance)
9 Low Tox Skincare Brands for Men 👨🏻
Obviously, men can use any skincare; it doesn’t have to be dude-specific. But here are some awesome non-toxic options that have more gender-neutral or masculine scent profiles they might prefer!
HygieneLab
$25-49 • Made in USA • EWG Verified
Products: Face Wash, Moisturizer, Shave Cream, After Shave, Mineral Sunscreen
(Also offers Deodorant, Body Wash, Body Lotion, Shampoo, Hair Styling)
HygieneLab began after a guy named Kramer was experiencing breakouts and wanted to switch to low tox products, but was frustrated with all the greenwashing in the industry. This led him to partner with a chemist to bring a health-safe, trustworthy brand to life.
All of the facial products are unscented, which is great if you have sensitive skin or don’t like fragrances!
Also available here on Amazon.
Jackfir
$22-46 • Vegan & Cruelty-Free • Made in USA • EWG Verified • Plastic Neutral Certified
Products: Cleanser, Moisturizer, Eye Cream, Shaving Cream, Exfoliating Bar Soap
Jackfir was concepted when the founder, Charlie, was undergoing leukemia treatment and decided to take his health into his own hands. Everything is non-GMO, and all products contain at least 70% organic ingredients! The company aims to use minimal ingredients with purpose and obtain third-party certifications to back up their standards.
The range isn’t huge, but it’s got all the necessities! Their signature aroma has notes of wild violet, pine, balsam, and cedarwood.
Also available here at Live Healthillie (code ORGANICALLYBECCA), Beauty Heroes (code BECCA15), and Amazon.
Jack Henry
$48-68 • Cruelty-Free • Made in USA
Products: Cleanser, Serum, Face Cream
(Also offers Cologne, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Deodorant, Hair Styling)
Jack Henry began when the founder was holding his son, Jack, for the first time and started questioning his everyday choices—food, environment, and daily products. It made him read every label and get serious about using better ingredients. All products are produced in-house in California, and many of the ingredients are organic. They use sustainable glass and aluminum packaging!
They don’t make a ton of face products, but the basics are covered: cleanse, hydrate, moisturize. And each is crafted with performance in mind.
My husband especially likes the moisturizer! It’s nutrient-rich with a smooth matte finish that helps control oil production. It has a pleasant herbal-vanilla scent that isn’t too strong. Not gonna lie, I’ve stolen it from him a few times because I like it too 🙊
Note: All face products are clean, but I would watch out for the others that contain polyquaternium, such as the body wash.
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount 🏷️
Also available here on Amazon and Ulta.
Related post: “The Top 7 Best Natural & Low Tox Moisturizers for Supple Skin”
Josh Rosebrook
$38-99 • Cruelty-Free • Made in USA
Products: Cleansers, Serums, Moisturizer, Face Oils, Eye Cream, Masks, Sunscreen
(Also offers Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Serum, Hair Styling)
Josh Rosebrook is a hairstylist by trade, turned product developer after exploring skin health from a holistic perspective, and developing an interest in cosmetic chemistry and formulation. His products use certified organic and wildcrafted ingredients when possible, with environmental impact and sustainable sourcing at the forefront.
The skincare collection is pretty robust and results-driven, incorporating actives such as Vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. The scents are unisex, earthy, and botanical, but there are unscented options too.
Use code BECCA10 for a discount 🏷️
Also available here at Credo, The Detox Market, Beauty Heroes, and Amazon.
Plaine Products
$16-45 • Vegan & Cruelty-Free • Made in USA • Certified B Corp • Carbon Neutral • Refillable
Products: Face Wash, Toner, Moisturizer, Face Oil
(Also offers Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Lotion, Body Wash, Hair Styling)
Plaine Products was founded by two sisters, Lindsey and Alison Delaplaine, and began with a dream of reducing plastic in the world. After looking around their bathrooms and realizing how much plastic they owned, the sisters started thinking about how to change that and how to make it easy for others to do the same. The company has a refill model where you reuse your pumps from bottle to bottle ♻️
Choose from citrus, green tea, or unscented! My husband really enjoys the face wash (I do too!), which is a refreshing gel consistency with a slick lather.
Note: The moisturizer contains phenoxyethanol, a preservative I prefer to avoid, but it’s not a total dealbreaker for me if the rest of the ingredients are clean. Just be mindful of how many of your products contain it, particularly if you have sensitive skin.
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount 🏷️
Also available here at EarthHero (code BECCA10) and Amazon.
Primally Pure
$20-104 • Made in USA
Products: Cleansing Oils, Cleansing Bars, Toners, Face Oils, Tallow Creams, Tallow Balms, Masks, Beard Oil
(Also offers Deodorant, SPF, Body Butter, Body Oil, Body Wash, Dry Shampoo)
Primally Pure was started by Bethany McDaniel, whose family owned an organic livestock farm, and that’s when she discovered the power of eating real food. She began making homemade personal care products with ingredients straight from the farm!
The products are indeed pure, with a focus on animal-based, ancestral practices, regenerative agriculture, and soil-to-skin. Many incorporate grass-fed tallow, for instance. The scents are unisex and earthy, with essential oils such as eucalyptus, tea tree, and bergamot.
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount 🏷️
Related post: “Top 5 Best Natural Deodorant Brands for Men (Sweaty Husband Approved)“
Ursa Major
$26-68 • Cruelty-Free • Certified B Corp • Plastic Negative
Products: Face Wash, Serums, Toner, Moisturizers, Eye Cream, SPF, Exfoliator, Masks, Shave Cream
(Also offers Deodorant, Body Butter, Body Oil, Body Wash, Bar Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner)
Ursa Major was created by New Yorkers, Emily and Oliver, who traded city life for a healthier, more balanced life in rural Vermont. They’re known for their forest-infused formulas that appeal to both men and women, with hints of vetiver, fir, birch, bergamot, and spearmint. The company also focuses on responsible manufacturing and sourcing.
The gel moisturizer is incredibly refreshing, lightweight, and ideal for congested, oily, or combination skin types. Plus, they make my husband’s favorite shaving cream, which is super-concentrated and cushions the skin to prevent nicks and razor burn 🪒
Also available here at Credo, The Detox Market, Beauty Heroes, and Amazon.
Related post: “8+ Natural & Non-Toxic Body Wash Brands for Men”
Wild Roman
$42-94 • Made in USA
Products: Face Wash, Tallow Moisturizer, Face Oil
(Also offers Body Wash, Body Moisturizer, Deodorant, Bar Soap)
Wild Roman was created by author/entrepreneur Sahil Bloom and named after his son, Roman. Sahil struggled with skin issues and was sent on a journey to discover the time-honored natural ingredients that can elevate the skin to its highest potential. The formulas are inspired by ancestral traditions and use minimal, recognizable ingredients that are organic when possible.
The packaging is glass, aluminum, and paper. The products have a pleasant sandalwood-bergamot smell!
Use code ORGANICALLYBECCA for a discount 🏷️
“Better-Not-Best” Budget Option: Papatui
$10-13 • Vegan & Cruelty-Free
Products: Cleansers, Toner, Moisturizer, Eye Gel, Facial Scrub, Pimple Patches, Eye Patches, SPF
Honestly, most celebrity brands usually are not great, but I was pleasantly surprised by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s line, Papatui! It’s definitely not entirely perfect or clean, but I still wanted to provide an affordable option that’s mostly low tox for ya; there are no “main offender” ingredients*, but still a small amount that I typically suggest avoiding like phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin. We love balance around here.
All the face care is fragrance-free!
*Papatui also makes body and hair care, but I don’t really recommend straying away from the facial products, which are a bit cleaner overall. The rest of the collection uses things like undisclosed fragrances and aluminum. Read those labels!
Also available here at Target and Amazon.
You might also enjoy this post:
30+ Natural, Organic Personal Care Products for Men (Husband Approved!)
Thankfully, *truly* clean men’s skincare has come a long way, and there are more solid options than ever before. You don’t need a perfect routine—just swapping one or two everyday products can make a meaningful difference over time. Thanks so much for reading, and drop any questions below in the comments 💚
