Grooming tends to come with a strict set of rules—whether you learned them from your dad, social media, or maybe even this very publication. Cleanse your face morning and night. Wash your hair daily. Spray fragrance on your pulse points only. Some rules are useful. Some are outdated. And some are a lot less rigid than you’ve been led to believe.
We spoke to a handful of skin, hair, and fragrance experts to see which grooming rules are totally fine to ignore—and what to do instead.
1. Men should only use men’s products
You’ve probably never second-guessed this rule. But the men’s skincare category is more of a marketing construct rather than a strict lane you need to live in. “Skin doesn’t differ significantly by gender in terms of what it needs to function well,” says Antony Nakhla, MD, a double-board certified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and founder of Eighth Day. “What matters is the formulation and whether it addresses your actual concerns.” Yes, men’s skin tends to be thicker and oilier than women’s—but there are plenty of products that address this that aren’t marketed specifically to men. Consider this a permission slip to broaden your horizons and shop by your concern, rather than your gender.
2. Wash your face twice a day
Twice a day isn’t a universal requirement. According to Dr. Nakhla, many men would do just fine cleansing at night only to remove the day’s buildup and simply rinsing in the morning. For some people, over-cleansing can strip the skin barrier, triggering more oil production and leaving your skin angry or sensitized. And while you’re at it, use a light hand and avoid aggressive formulas. “If your skin feels tight or dry after cleansing, you’re either cleansing too frequently or using the wrong product,” says Dr. Nakhla. “Either way, the answer isn’t to push through it.”
3. Bar soap works fine for your face
Your face deserves a cleanser that gets the job done without leaving it squeaky and stripped. Translation: keep the bar soap below the neck. “Most bar soaps have a high pH that disrupts your skin’s acid mantle, the thin protective layer that keeps moisture in and bacteria out,” says Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. Instead, reach for a gentle facial cleanser to avoid tightness and flaking.
