With all the routines you have in your life, you may think that adding another one will throw everything off kilter. We get it, you’re busy. But your skin deserves the same attention as the rest of your body – especially if you want to reduce the possibility of pimples and slow the early signs of aging. You may be telling yourself, “I already have the best face routine for men” but soap and water will only get you so far. It’s time to stop using body wash on your face and to focus on protecting your skin for years to come.

Thankfully, best men’s skin care routine is actually pretty straightforward, so let’s break it down for you.

Believe it or not, understanding your skin type makes it easier to pick products that work consistently. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most people have one of these five types of skin: oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or normal.

Ask yourself:

• Does your skin feel greasy or look shiny within hours of cleansing?
  • If so, you have oily skin.
• Does your skin feel rough, tight, flaky, or itchy?
  • Those are signs of dry skin.
• Do parts of your face look shiny while other areas look dull?
  • Guess what? You’ve got combination skin.
• Does your skin sting when you use certain skincare products or get red when you apply them?
  • Sounds like you have sensitive skin.
• Does your skin feel good as a whole?
  • Lucky you! That’s what normal skin feels like.

Knowing your skin type helps you create a solid men’s skin care regimen that addresses each aspect while minimizing the natural signs of aging. No matter what type of skin you have, the following four step men's skin care routine, will keep your face looking its best at all times.

Regularly washing you face is a must, as help eliminates the dirt and perspiration that can clog your pores and lead to pimples. Everyone should cleanse at least once a day (if not twice, day and night), usually in the evening, so that the skin is free from debris while it rejuvenates overnight. However, depending on what you do throughout the day (gym, surf, etc.), you may want to wash your face more frequently.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, be attentive to the water temperature. Hot water will strip away natural oils and leave your face feeling tight and uncomfortable. Facial cleansers are not the same as bar soap or even body wash. They have a balanced pH level, so they remove grime but leave the skin’s natural oils intact. Use warm water to open your pores and massage the cleanser into your skin gently. Use a wash cloth, too. Dirt may dissolve, but a cloth will help remove dead skin cells and keep your face looking and feeling smoother.

If your skin looks dull or feels rough, chances are you have dead skin built up that needs to be removed. Exfoliating weekly eliminates dead skin cells, makes pores look smaller, and allows healthy new cells to surface. Your skin type dictates the frequency of exfoliation, but 1–3 times per week is a good general estimate. Oily and combination skin types can use a facial scrub 2–3 times per week without causing irritation. For sensitive, normal, or dry skin, try exfoliating once a week to see how your skin reacts.

To avoid damaging your skin, always wet your face before applying the scrub. Use your fingertips to gently massage the scrub into your skin. Don’t manhandle your face! Let the facial scrub do the work, and then rinse it away with cool water and pat your skin dry with a soft towel. And if you have blemishes, don’t use a scrub until they heal. Rubbing an exfoliating product into open pimples will only piss them off and prolong their healing time.

Bonus: Exfoliating regularly will keep your pores clearer, so you’ll break out less.

Okay, okay, we can already hear you oily-skinned men saying there’s no way you need a moisturizer. Honestly, there’s nothing farther from the truth. All skin needs hydration, and there’s a difference between oil and water. You can have oily skin and dehydrated skin simultaneously. Using the right moisturizer will actually balance your oil production while it hydrates your skin.

Moisturizing is usually the last step in your evening routine and the next-to-last step in the morning before applying sunscreen. Skin rejuvenates itself while you sleep, so apply a small amount of moisturizer (the size of an almond if your skin is dry, less if you have combo or oily skin) before turning in. Dry skinned guys may need to repeat the entire routine in the morning, but your mileage may vary (YMMV) so let your skin guide you.

Want to avoid looking like a catcher’s mitt when you hit your 40s? Sunscreen is one of the very best anti-aging ingredients on the market, so unless you like the thought of deep wrinkles and potential skin cancer, start applying SPF 30+ every single day (especially if you play outdoors sports, surf, hike etc.). Apply it to every inch of exposed skin (even your ears) and wear your hat if you’ll be outdoors for prolonged periods of time – even on cloudy days.