Grooming That Works: A 5-Minute Routine for Skin, Beard and Hair

Great grooming is invisible. People don't notice your moisturiser. They notice that you look rested, sharp and in control. The good news: it takes five minutes a day. The routine below is built for men who'd rather spend time living than standing at the mirror. Here is the order, minute by minute. Start with your skin, because everything else sits on top of it.

• Cleanse with a gentle face wash, not body soap, which can dry the skin.
• Pat dry and apply a light moisturiser suited to your skin type.
• Finish with broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning, even on cloudy days.
• At night, cleanse again and moisturise; that is enough for most men.

The best grooming routine is the one you actually do tomorrow morning.

Minutes three and four: beard or shave

Bearded? Wash it a few times a week with a beard wash, and use a few drops of beard oil daily to soften hair and calm the skin beneath. Comb it into shape, then trim the neckline and cheek line regularly; clean edges are what make a beard look intentional. Clean-shaven? Shave after a warm shower, with the grain, using a sharp blade and a proper shaving cream, then a soothing balm. Whichever you choose, replace blades and clean your trimmer regularly; dull tools cause most irritation.

Minute five: hair

Wash with shampoo two or three times a week rather than daily if your scalp allows, and condition every time. Use a small amount of product matched to your look: clay or paste for texture, cream for a natural finish, pomade for shine. Keep a regular haircut schedule, so you never hit the awkward phase. Ask your barber what works for your hair type and face shape; one honest conversation saves months of trial and error. And drink enough water and sleep well: no product compensates for exhaustion.

Your 5-minute kit

• Gentle face cleanser.
• Moisturiser plus a daily SPF, or one product with both.
• Beard oil and trimmer, or a quality razor and shaving cream.
• Shampoo, conditioner and one styling product.
• If irritation, acne or hair loss persists, talk to a dermatologist.