Supplies for Guys
What It Is: Water-soluble exfoliating acids from fruits, milk, or sugar cane.
What It Does: Removes dead skin cells, smooths fine lines, brightens tone.
Best For: Dry, dull, or uneven skin.
How to Use It: 2–3 times a week at night; follow with moisturizer.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with hydrating ingredients; avoid layering with retinol in same routine.
What It Is: A skin conditioner from plants like comfrey.
What It Does: Soothes irritation, promotes healing, and softens skin.
Best For: Sensitive, dry, or post-treatment skin.
How to Use It: In creams, serums, or aftershave balms.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with aloe vera, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.
What It Is: A soothing plant extract with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
What It Does: Calms irritation, hydrates, and supports healing.
Best For: Sensitive, irritated, or sun-exposed skin.
How to Use It: Apply directly to skin or look for in gels, creams, or masks.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide.
What It Is: A plant-derived alternative to retinol, sourced from the babchi plant.
What It Does: Encourages cell turnover, supports collagen, smooths fine lines—without the irritation or sun sensitivity of retinol.
Best For: Sensitive skin, retinol beginners, or daytime use.
How to Use It: Use morning or night, 3–5 times a week. Safe with SPF.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs well with all actives, including vitamin C and acids.
What It Is: A powerful antibacterial for acne treatment.
What It Does: Kills acne-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation, and helps prevent new breakouts.
Best For: Acne-prone skin.
How to Use It: Use in cleansers or spot treatments; start with lower strengths.
Pair It With / Avoid: Avoid layering with retinol or vitamin C in the same routine.
What It Is: A stimulant that boosts circulation and wakes up skin.
What It Does: Reduces puffiness, especially under eyes, and temporarily firms skin.
Best For: Tired, puffy, or dull skin.
How to Use It: Use in eye creams or morning serums.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with antioxidants like green tea.
What It Is: Lipids (fats) that are naturally part of your skin barrier.
What It Does: Strengthens skin’s defense against dryness, irritation, and environmental stress.
Best For: Dry, sensitive, or compromised skin.
How to Use It: Look for in moisturizers and creams; use morning and night.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides.
What It Is: A porous carbon that traps dirt and oil.
What It Does: Detoxifies pores, absorbs excess oil, and refreshes skin.
Best For: Oily or breakout-prone skin.
How to Use It: In masks or cleansers, 1–2 times a week.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with clay; avoid overuse to prevent dryness.
What It Is: Minerals that absorb oil and impurities.
What It Does: Mattifies skin, clears pores, and refines texture.
Best For: Oily or combination skin.
How to Use It: Masks or spot treatments, 1–2 times a week.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with charcoal, salicylic acid.
What It Is: An antioxidant-rich botanical from Camellia sinensis leaves.
What It Does: Neutralizes free radicals, reduces redness, and protects against UV damage.
Best For: Sensitive, oily, or aging skin.
How to Use It: Morning or night in serums, toners, or creams.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with vitamin C, SPF, and hyaluronic acid.
What It Is: A water-attracting molecule naturally found in skin.
What It Does: Pulls in and locks moisture, plumps fine lines, and gives skin a smoother appearance.
Best For: All skin types, especially dehydrated or dry skin.
How to Use It: Apply to damp skin before moisturizer, morning or night.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with everything—especially ceramides and peptides.
What It Is: A form of vitamin B3 that supports healthy skin function.
What It Does: Balances oil production, refines pores, strengthens the skin barrier, and fades dark spots.
Best For: All skin types, especially oily, combination, or breakout-prone.
How to Use It: Morning or night. Works in serums, moisturizers, and toners.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with just about anything—vitamin C, acids, retinol.
What It Is: Short chains of amino acids that signal skin to produce more collagen and elastin.
What It Does: Firms skin, improves elasticity, and softens fine lines.
Best For: All skin types looking for anti-aging support.
How to Use It: Use daily in serums or moisturizers.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide.
What It Is: A vitamin A derivative that speeds up cell turnover and boosts collagen production.
What It Does: Reduces fine lines, smooths rough texture, clears clogged pores, and evens skin tone.
Best For: Signs of aging, acne, uneven tone. Works best for normal, combo, and oily skin; sensitive skin should start slow.
How to Use It: Apply at night, 2–3 times a week to start. Always pair with sunscreen during the day.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with peptides and ceramides. Avoid layering with strong exfoliating acids in the same routine.
See Also: Bakuchiol
What It Is: A beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates deep into pores.
What It Does: Clears clogs, reduces breakouts, smooths texture, and minimizes blackheads.
Best For: Oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.
How to Use It: 2–3 times a week in cleansers, masks, or spot treatments.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with niacinamide; avoid layering with other strong acids or retinol at the same time.
What It Is: A rich fat from the nuts of the shea tree.
What It Does: Deeply moisturizes, repairs, and protects dry skin.
Best For: Dry, rough, or chapped skin.
How to Use It: In creams, balms, or body butters; apply as needed.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with ceramides, oils, and humectants.
What It Is: Mineral sunscreens that reflect UV rays. Zinc Oxide reflects all UVA and UVB rays. Titanium Dioxide reflects short wave UVA and UVB rays.
What It Does: Both protects against sunburn, skin damage, and premature aging. They reflects and scatterssunlight instead of penetrating into the skin. Zinc Oxide specifically offers broader protection.
Best For: All skin types, especially sensitive.
How to Use It: Apply every morning, last step in routine. Reapply every 2 hours if in sun.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with everything. Both ingredients are often paired together.
What It Is: A stable oil that mimics skin’s natural sebum.
What It Does: Moisturizes without clogging pores, balances oil, and softens skin.
Best For: All skin types, especially dry or sensitive.
How to Use It: Apply after water-based products, morning or night.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with retinol, vitamin C, and peptides.
What It Is: An essential oil with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
What It Does: Targets acne-causing bacteria, reduces redness, and helps balance oil.
Best For: Acne-prone or oily skin.
How to Use It: In diluted form in spot treatments, cleansers, or masks.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with niacinamide; avoid undiluted use to prevent irritation.
What It Is: A potent antioxidant and collagen booster.
What It Does: Brightens skin tone, evens discoloration, and fights free radicals.
Best For: Dullness, uneven tone, early signs of aging.
How to Use It: Apply in the morning before SPF. Store in a cool, dark place.
Pair It With / Avoid: Pairs with SPF and ferulic acid; avoid layering with strong exfoliating acids in the same routine.