Ever caught a seal meticulously grooming itself on a serene beach, and thought, “Maybe I could learn a thing or two from that dedication?” Well, that’s kinda the vibe here at Esquire’s Grooming Awards — a wild gathering of products laid out like a feast, ready to be devoured by a tribe of passionate editors. Imagine a conference room buzzing with editors, each snatching the newest skin care, hair care, fragrance, and body care innovations to put them through the ultimate test. This isn’t just about looking good — it’s a relentless pursuit of the best, the most effective, and yes, sometimes the downright game-changing . This year, we went all in, assembling a bigger crew of testers than ever, clashing over who gets to try what, but all for that sweet spot of excellence. 94 standout products, vetted by dedicated experts, making sure you get nothing but the cream of the crop. Will you need every single one? Probably not — but if you’re after guaranteed winners that deliver, this list’s your cheat sheet before the next shopping spree. Ready to elevate your grooming game? Dive in. LEARN MORE
Chances are you’ve never seen hundreds of grooming products laid out on the table of a conference room as a group of eager editors hovers overhead, ready to snatch up each new release and take it home for extensive testing. Around the Esquire offices, though, it’s not such a novel sight. Each year, we endeavor to identify the very best stuff in the worlds of skin care, hair care, body care, fragrance, and so much more.
This year, we went big, tapping a larger-than-ever group of testers to try out hundreds of new releases and winnow the list down to the winners of our latest annual Grooming Awards. Some testers were organic obsessives. Others just wanted the most effective thing at the best price. Every single one was passionate as hell—leading to more than a few spirited conversations and no fewer than a dozen arguments about who got to try what. But we worked it out. And after lots of spritzing, scrubbing, sniffing, and sloughing, we managed to build our list of winners.
That list, like the effort, is our biggest ever. Below, you’ll find 94 products, all vetted by experts and deemed the best in their class. Should you buy every single one of them? Probably not. But if you want to be sure you’re getting something great—something that just plain works, no questions asked—consult this list before your next purchase.
The Best in Skin Care
Rona Liana AhdoutThe Peptide Serum by Dr. Barbara Sturm.
Best Foam Face Cleanser
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cleansing Foam
Sulwhasoo has made ginseng the cornerstone of its product line for 60 years at this point. You might see “cleansing foam” and think this is a harsh, drying foam formula—don’t. It’s as gentle and moisturizing as any of the milky cleansers on this list, all without the weight. Your pores will never look cleaner or brighter.
Best Moisturizing Cleanser
La Roche- Posay Toleriane Moisturizing Milky Cleanser
Credit: La Roche-Posay
Cleansers often leave skin feeling stripped, but this milky formula delivers a comforting cleanse that’s ideal for dry or dehydrated skin. Gentle enough for the eye area, it’s also minimal, with just nine ingredients, making it a great option for sensitive skin and anyone looking to simplify their routine.
Best Face Moisturizer
Caldera+Lab The Hydro Layer
Credit: Caldera + Lab
This moisturizer is a rare year-round formula. It is lightweight enough for humid weather but hydrating enough to be used in drier climates. The skin-barrier-protecting moisturizer is packed with a series of ingredients—squalane, peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic and polyglutamic acid, all the hits—that’ll help hydration and offer antiaging benefits that work within the different layers of your skin. It’s also fragrance-free—you’re welcome.
Best Night Cream
RéVive Renewal Moisturizing Night Cream
Credit: RéVive
This updated formula strikes the right balance for a night cream. It’s not overly rich, heavy, or waxy, nor is it thin, greasy, or poor performing. It melts into the skin, so you won’t wake up feeling it but will still have that radiant and hydrated glow. That makes it a great year-round option.
Best Mask
COSRX Skinplaning Glaze Mask
Credit: COSRX
This peel-off face mask gives the skin a firm and hydrated complexion that lasts all day with long-term benefits. It’s packed with PDRN and exosomes that your skin will thank you for, and you’ll notice a smooth, glass-like complexion after one use. Use it for event prep, or integrate it into your weekly routine for the ultimate self-care treat.
Best Sheet Mask
Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Double Gel Mask
Credit: Round Lab
It’s a gentle sheet mask, featuring birch sap and hyaluronic acid, that provides skin hydration for all skin types. Birch juice is filled with amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins like B3 and C that keep your complexion glowing. We loved to keep these masks in the fridge for an extra cooling effect, which is a method to help reduce inflammation and redness while the active ingredients firm up your skin.
Best Retinol
Neutrogena Evenly Clear Facial Retinoid
Credit: Neutrogena
This over-the-counter retinoid battles textured skin, acne, and clogged pores, improving skin clarity after just a few months of use. Retinoids work by accelerating the skin cells’ turnover rate, which helps skin naturally exfoliate while producing collagen. Consistency is key with this treatment, so make sure to use it once a day for best results.
Best Eye Serum
Abib Retinal Eye Serum Lifting Roller
Credit: Abib
Here we have a roller that does multiple jobs at once: The retinal formula smooths fine lines, caffeine helps de-puff the area around your eyes, and the rest of the actives focus on hydration. Add all that to the fact that the metal roller ball is cool to the touch and your eyes (and that crucial skin around them) will wake up in no time.
Best Lip Treatment
Obagi Lip Therapy AHA+PHA Smoothing Micro-Peel
Credit: Obagi
Want kissable lips? This is the most unassuming way to get them. With its nongreasy and nongrainy formula, this textured lip peel glides over your lips and exfoliates them with its mix of AHAs and PHA. The combination of resurfacing acids, along with hydrators like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, leaves lips visibly plump and more youthful.
Best Lip Mask
Proven Skincare Lip Mask
Credit: Proven
Dry, chapped lips aren’t doing you any favors, boys. For under $20 and five seconds of application before bed, you’ll wake up with the best-looking lips of your life. The big callout from this Shark Tank alum is that it contains vitamin E—one of the best ingredients for dry skin. It has that plumping effect we’re all chasing, but it gets there without the tingly irritants or an unwanted glossy finish.
Best Peptide Serum
Dr. Barbara Sturm The Peptide Serum
Credit: Sturm
Dr. Barbara Sturm is one of few brands that always delivers on too-good-to-be-true claims. Here it pours its expertise into an elegant peptide complex. This specific formula protects up to 90 percent of elastin and 63 percent of collagen, both key proteins in maintaining skin’s antiaging properties. The serum feels gentle and cooling on the skin—it’s sure to become your secret antiaging weapon.
Best Vitamin C Serum
Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum
This serum features a lightweight, almost watery texture that spreads easily across skin. It layers seamlessly under moisturizer, sunscreen, and whatever else you feel the need to put over it. It leaves you with a brighter and more luminous complexion, thanks to Augustinus Bader’s proprietary TFC8 technology.
Best Pads
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing 2-Step Peel Pads
Two things stand out about these two-step peel pads. First, they are convenient, made to slough off dull skin cells for a quick refresh. Second, and more important, they are formulated to effectively incorporate both alpha hydroxy acids and retinol—two main antiaging active ingredients. Instead of being a cocktail of actives that are destined to irritate, it makes for a no-guesswork antiaging setup.
Best Toner
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50T
Credit: Biologique Recherche
Lotion P50T is one of the most iconic exfoliating toners of all time. The French staple is a cult classic for being gentle yet extremely good at clearing out your pores. The brand has been releasing variations over the years, and its newest T addition is focused on gentler and more sensitive skin. Our tester got the results they wanted without overdrying their skin or causing any breakouts.
Best Moisturizing Gel Cream
Face Reality Barrier Care Gel Cream
Credit: Face Reality
A barrier cream is meant to do one thing: repair your skin barrier. A lot of the time that makes for a heavier, thicker cream. But Face Reality came up with something more lightweight for those who have acne-prone or sensitive skin. This gel cream, while thicker and more hydrating than most gels, is still lightweight but does the job. Put it on those dry patches, even in summer weather, and it’ll help repair your skin.
Best Antiaging Face Cream
Dr. G Black Snail Cream
Credit: Dr. G
Every time our tester used this mask, they repeatedly received compliments on their skin. Its consistency has the bounce and viscosity that snail mucin is known for, and it imparts a long-lasting hydration to the skin. It instantly makes you look refreshed, that “actually got eight hours of sleep” look we’re all chasing.
Best Micellar Water
By:Era Micellar Dream
Credit: By:Era
By:Era has created micellar water in its finest form. Cleansing your skin while promoting a strong skin barrier has never been easier. Just add this water-based cleanser to a cotton round and it will dissolve everything from makeup to oil to sunscreen to dirt from the day.
Best Face Mist
Bioeffect Icelandic Water Mist
This mist can work as a bookend on either side of your skin-care routine. Use it before everything else for an extra boost of hydration. Or keep one with you throughout the day to refresh as needed. What makes it unique is the water itself, sourced from Icelandic springs and glaciers, that has an exceptionally pure, low-mineral formula.
Best Pimple Patches
PanOxyl Overnight Spot Patches
Credit: PanOxyl
Pesky pimples? These hydrocolloid pimple patches help diminish even the most stubborn blemishes. They sit on the skin, reduce redness, and speed up healing by drawing out excess oil from the pimple. They also discourage you from picking and touching the inflamed area. They’re nearly invisible, so you can even get away with using them during the day.
Best Tattoo Cream
Beau Domaine Body & Tattoo Cream
Credit: Beau Domaine
If you’ve got tattoos, you know that proper upkeep is as important as choosing the right design and artist. Sunscreen is essential, of course. But if you’re putting in the work and still feel like your ink is looking dull and dreary, try this cream. Heavy on the moisture but never too thick or greasy, it’ll make your work look revitalized—and almost good as new.
The Best in Body Care
Rona Liana AhdoutGreen Goddess Soap Brick by Flamingo Estate.
Best Moisturizing Body Wash
Native Moisturizing Body Wash
Credit: Native
A gentle, sulfate-free wash designed for all skin types with a formula that will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth, and fresh all day long—sounds incredible. Just wait: It’s also available at any old pharmacy and will cost you less than 15 bucks. We never thought we’d get such incredible moisturizing out of what is, really, a drugstore-level product. Native makes a gem.
Best-Smelling Body Wash
Harry’s Solstice Body Wash
Credit: Harry’s
What’s in the making of a good body wash, really? Of course you want something hydrating, and cleansing is a big part of the equation—the only part of the equation for some. For us, smell is just as important, and Harry’s new Solstice is one of the best we’ve smelled in some time. With bold notes of mandarin and musk, it’s summery and masculine—your perfect shower scent.
Best Hand Cream
Glasshouse Fragrances Lost in Amalfi
Credit: Glasshouse Fragrances
This is a deeply hydrating and nourishing hand cream. It leaves your skin silky soft without the greasy after-the-fact feeling—a perfect balance between moisture and fragrance. Oh, and speaking of the fragrance, it’s infused with scents inspired by the freshness of cool water and sea air. Close your eyes, hold your hands to your face, and even that bathroom you share with a roommate feels like a suite overlooking the Mediterranean.
Best Body Lotion
Burt’s Bees Boosted Body Moisturizing Melt
Now 28% Off
Credit: Burt’s Bees
The Burt’s Bees move into moisturizers is one of our favorite developments of the year. The best is this cream-to-oil lotion that quickly melts into your skin and starts moisturizing immediately. A hint of honeysuckle with a buttery finish gives it an irresistible scent that we won’t hesitate to call “yummy.”
Best Bar Soap
Flamingo Estate Green Goddess Soap Brick
Credit: Flamingo Estate
Yes, it’s made in the U.S.A. without palm oil or petroleum, the ingredients are from small-farm suppliers, it feels great, and it’s a surprisingly good value. But none of the usual talking points matter once you smell a Flamingo Estate soap brick. The smell is divine, worth a purchase on that alone. And since the bricks are so big, the smell envelopes a bathroom. Every time you walk in, you walk into an herb garden. It’s the ultimate daily joy.
Best Body Serum
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Sculptor Body Serum
Credit: Dermalogica
I’m always looking for ways to avoid the inevitable clutches of aging. This Dermalogica serum was the answer to my prayers. The hot new skin-care ingredient is Pro-NAD+ complex. Scientists have found through studies that Pro-NAD+ complex promotes cellular renewal. Dermalogica claims that the serum tightens and lifts skin and reduces the appearance of lines. After using it for over a month, I can see that my skin is softer and more supple looking. It’s an easy, nonsticky serum for even the laziest of skin-care users to treat themselves to. A little dab on each body part does the trick. For such good results with one product, this serum is definitely worth the investment.
Best Deodorant
Dove Midnight Mood Boosting Deodorant Stick
Credit: Dove
This new deodorant from Dove Men isn’t going to cure your depression. It will make you smell good for the whole day, though, and that’s going to at very least boost the mood of those around you. This Midnight scent is cool and fresh and will keep you that way for the entire day.
Best Antiperspirant
Degree Ultra Dry Clinical Antiperspirant Dry Spray
Credit: Degree
Look, we love nothing more than being able to say, “I’m a natural-deodorant person,” but in reality there are those days when you just need a little extra help. This clinical spray is no joke, offering up to 96 hours of sweat and odor protection. Whether you’re running a mile or headed to the club, this is what you should be wearing when you don’t want sweat stains or an unwanted smell.
Best Body Scrub
Jones Road Body Scrub
Credit: Jones Road
Founded by expert makeup artist Bobbi Brown, Jones Road is the real deal. This new body scrub perfectly buffs the skin without being too harsh. With a light and clean scent, it’s great for those who don’t want a smell that’s overpowering. Add a bit of spa-level pampering to your shower routine with a product that looks just as good on your shelf as it feels on your skin.
Best Body Spray for Acne
Saltair 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Body Spray
Credit: Saltair
This post-shower body spray fights acne using 2 percent salicylic acid. It leaves the skin hydrated and blemish-free. With the spray applicator, you can easily cover your back, shoulders, legs, and arms. With continued use, your skin will appear softer, smoother, and more even in tone. It also helps your lotion absorb better. Just make sure to spray in a well-ventilated area.
Best Bath Product
Truefitt & Hill US Highgrove Bath Oil
This one turned some heads when we convened to discuss our favorite products of the year. Bath … oil? Is that not … oily? Our tester stuck to their guns. It’s the most luxurious thing you can add to any soak. Safflower, jojoba, and aloe vera moisturize your skin, and the scent—cedarwood, lavender, and citrus—is a dream. You step out of the tub smelling incredible, skin and body hair soft as ever.
Best Hand Wash
Evolvetogether Havana Restorative Hand Wash
Credit: Evolvetogether
An elevated hand wash is one of the easiest ways to upgrade both your sink space and your daily routine. This formula creates a soft, luxurious lather that cleanses without drying out skin, while betaine and glycerin help maintain hydration. The subtle woody scent and sleek glass bottle make it feel especially refined.
The Best in Hair Care
Rona Liana AhdoutBio-Ferment Renewing Conditioner by Kat Burki; Flexible Hold Hair Spray by Cécred; Rosemary Leave-In Mask by Nécessaire.
Best Shampoo
California Naturals Mens Re:Gro Anti-Thinning Shampoo
Whether your hair is thinning or not, we heartily recommend this fantastic shampoo from California Naturals. It feels luxurious in the hand and works its way into an equally impressive lather. But it rinses out clean and easy to leave your hair feeling fresh and, yeah, maybe a little thicker than before. And the scent! It’s not overwhelming but it’s incredibly pleasant, as if you were standing in an outdoor shower next to an herb garden that’s recently been harvested.
Best Conditioner
Kat Burki Bio-Ferment Renewing Conditioner
Credit: Kat Burki
If you want a conditioner that works hard, even when it’s used separately from its full program, we’ve never met a conditioner that does more than this Kat Burki Bio-Ferment. The proprietary blend of ingredients works wonders, giving your hair a thicker look and healthier shine. It’s also lightweight, good for a thinner crown. Our tester said it’s the best his hair has looked since he started noticeably thinning five years ago.
Best Shampoo + Conditioner Set
Squigs Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner Duo
Now 10% Off
Credit: Squigs Beauty
This hydrating shampoo and conditioner set is perfect for all hair types. Its blend of natural ingredients made our tester’s hair noticeably smoother and shinier after just one wash, and she has since gone through both bottles. It also has a pleasing, light citrusy scent, which is natural, not synthetic. We just wish the bottles were huge so we’d never run out of product!
Best Bond Repairing Product
Ouai Bond Repair Balm
Credit: Ouai
Swap out your regular conditioner once a week (every Sunday is a good way to remember) for this in-shower treatment that brings dry, damaged, and color-treated hair back to life in just three minutes. It helps strengthen broken bonds and protect your hair barrier, leaving your hair softer, smoother, and healthier all while helping reduce heat damage and keep your blowouts lasting longer.
Best Hair Mask
Nécessaire Rosemary Leave-In Mask
Credit: Nécessaire
A hair mask—which works like a leave-in conditioner, really—that doesn’t leave you feeling oily and doesn’t exacerbate an already thinning hairline. Oh, and it smells good. That’s a one-in-a-million product, and it’s what Nécessaire put out with this rosemary hair mask. It’s perfect if your mane needs a little shine without too much weight.
Best Hair Spray
Cécred Flexible Hold Hair Spray
Credit: Cécred
Finding a hair spray that provides hold without stiffness can feel impossible, but this lightweight formula delivers flexible control with up to 48 hours of frizz protection. It layers without leaving behind flakes or crunch and works across all hair types. The added heat protection makes it versatile enough to use before or after styling, and the musky fragrance is an added bonus.
Best Scalp Serum
SickScience PowerCycle Scalp Treatment Serum
Credit: PowerCycle
Hair health has always started with the scalp. This lightweight, nongreasy hair-density serum starts at the root. It promotes a hydrated scalp and healthy follicles, which lead to healthier hair over time. It’s packed with NX35 Growth Technology plant exosomes that improve overall hair health in just four to eight weeks. Skin care for your scalp.
Best Hair Treatment
Redken Acidic Grow Full System Bundle
We’ve never felt so strongly about a hair-care regimen before. This system consists of shampoo, conditioner, serum, and treatment spray. That sounds like a lot, like it would weigh your hair down or, worse, make it look oily or greasy. Quite the opposite happens here. Redken managed to create a system that adds shine and volume to your hair. We noticed visible volume and appearance of hair density without any frizz or dryness.
Best Refreshing Spray
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Style Refresh Mist
Living Proof always knocks it out of the park. No, this is not a dry shampoo that leaves hair starchy and dry. This ultrafine mist extends the time between wash days by lightly hydrating hair and neutralizing odor. The aerosol-free spray leaves hair shiny and offers thermal protection for a quick one-and-done styling product. Perfect for any day, it smooths frizz while enhancing hair’s natural texture.
Best Paste
Huron Hair Clay
Credit: Huron
This clay made our tester’s hair look the best it’s ever looked, providing volume and a matte hold that lasted all day long. It has an intense grip but workable hold that can be redefined with your fingertips throughout the day. Apply it to wet hair for a polished style with strong hold or to dry hair for a messy, textured style. And if you stay out and forget to wash and restyle for day two, no worries. It doesn’t get crunchy or stiff, and your hair will look cool and effortless.
Best Dry Shampoo
Tresemmé Style Extend Dry Shampoo
Credit: Tresemmé
This dry shampoo refreshes hair instantly without leaving behind a chalky, white cast. It absorbs oil, adds noticeable volume, and works well across all hair types. Whether you’re extending time between washes or reviving hair after a workout, it delivers a clean, refreshed feel with minimal effort.
Best Wax
Oribe Supershine Smoothing Wax Stick
Credit: Oribe
Offering hold without stickiness, this wax stick smooths flyaways and controls frizz while maintaining a polished finish. Castor-seed oil and cranberry complex help nourish hair and enhance shine, while humidity protection keeps styles intact for up to 48 hours.
Best Texturizer
Nexxus Air Shape Workable Hold Texture Spray
Credit: Nexxus
This texture spray combines volume, movement, and flexible hold without sacrificing softness. Hair still feels touchable and natural, making it ideal for adding body to flat styles or enhancing texture without weighing strands down.
Best Mask for Damaged Hair
Bur Bur Growing Season Deep Repair Mask
Credit: Bur Bur
Let’s start with the laundry list: jojoba oil, avocado oil, squalene, nettle-root extract, and all kinds of good ingredients that make your hair feel soft, shiny, and manageable. The Bur Bur Growing Season Deep Repair Mask makes it look like you just returned from the salon after a simple at-home treatment.
Best Styling Cream
Crown Affair Smoothing Air Dry Cream
Credit: Crown Affair
This multitasking cream earns its spot as a hair-care staple thanks to its ability to smooth frizz, define natural texture, and add hydration all at once. It works well for air-drying or blow-drying since it also provides heat protection. Plus, it can be reapplied to damp or dry hair throughout the week for an easy refresh.
Best Clipper
Wahl Deluxe Chrome Pro Complete Hair Cutting & Touch Up Kit
Credit: Wahl
Wahl has long been a favorite clipper of Esquire’s Grooming Awards testers, and this new release joins a list of prior winners from the well-established hair-care brand. But it’s not just more of the same old thing. With an easy-to-maneuver cordless design that holds a charge for much longer than we’ve ever needed it to, it’s easier to use than ever. And a new set of extra-long guards means you have more options for at-home haircuts. Bonus: It’s great for longer beards too.
The Best in Shave and Beard
Rona Liana AhdoutR1 Matte Black Shaving Set by Bolin Webb.
Best Shaving Cream
Malin + Goetz Chamomile Shave Cream
Credit: Malin + Goetz
If you have sensitive skin and are prone razor bumps, you need something specialized. This is more of a balm than your traditional shaving cream—it lubricates your skin and hair with a slippery salve for the razor to glide through. It packs a one-two punch of chamomile and menthol for a soothing yet cooling effect during and post-shave, leaving skin feeling soft, smooth, and fresh.
Best Razor
Bolin Webb R1 Matte Black Shaving Set
Credit: Bolin Webb
This is the best-looking cartridge razor we’ve ever seen, and it could win an award on that merit alone. Also, it doesn’t use some niche, fancy blade that will be out of stock in three years. Instead, it uses the readily available Gillette Mach3 blades. Those will be around after the end of the world (probably), so you can use this razor forever.
Best Beard Oil
Atwater Smooth Target 5-in-1 Beard Oil
Credit: Atwater
Your beard follicles—and especially the skin underneath—get dry more easily than you think. For those days when the beard itches, this Atwater oil is a quick solve. Using a mix of natural aromatic oils, including appleseed, lavender, and rosemary, it nourishes and softens the hair and skin without feeling too oily (miraculously).
Best Beard Trimmer
Dollar Shave Club For Your Beard Trimmer
Now 20% Off
Growing out your beard? Most trimmers can stay with you up until a point, but it doesn’t take a long mane to outgrow the close-shave guards that most trimmers stop at. Dollar Shave Club’s new waterproof line is hardcore enough to keep any length of beard in check. With guard combs that go up to 30mm, a quick and even trim is always close at hand.
Best Electric Razor
Panasonic Arc6 Luxury 6-Blade Men’s Electric Shaver
This has got to be the best we’ve ever felt shaving with an electric razor. With six blades that can move in 22 different directions, this Panasonic shaver is incredibly maneuverable and effective (read: comfortable) for both wet and dry shaving. It even comes with a cleaning and docking station, so you never have to worry about a dead—or not properly sanitized —razor.
Best Travel Razor
GilletteLabs Body + Intimate Razor
Credit: Gillette
Gillette took the concept of an “anywhere” razor to the next level with this one. Designed to let you safely and comfortably reach those tricky, more sensitive areas, it makes for quick shower shaves. The grippy handle is ergonomic and a good line of accident prevention. Instead of packing a separate razor and trimmer, all you need on a trip is one razor, two heads.
Best Beard Wash
Every Man Jack Beard + Face Wash
You need to wash your beard, even if it’s short—and especially if it’s on the longer side. You don’t want to know what we’ve learned about the stuff that’s been discovered in guys’ whiskers in lab tests. This cleanser—which smells fantastic, by the way—will keep your facial hair clean and soft while nourishing the skin underneath. Call it the ol’ one-two.
Best Beard Brush
Machete Beard Brush
Credit: Machete
It’s shocking what a few natural boar bristles plastered to the back of a piece of wood covered in plant-based acetate can do to an unkempt beard. Whip out the Machete and get all your hairs facing the right direction. The bristles are soft and helped work out any tangles and knots we had at the end of a day of frustratedly running our fingers through our facial hair.
An aftershave lotion doesn’t need to be fancy. In fact, it needs to be the exact opposite. You just want something to calm your skin down after shaving. That’s what the barber trio behind STMNT Grooming knows from doing lineups and scalp shaves all day long. It’s a thin, watery gel that absorbs immediately and keeps shine under control.
Best Face Mask for Facial Hair
Jaxon Lane Bro Mask Half Mask
Credit: Jaxon Lane
This half mask is perfect for the men with facial hair who want to use a hydrogel mask—which usually don’t sit nicely over scruff. Aside from solving that problem, this face mask offers soothing and hydrating ingredients. Its earlier full-face iteration, a previous Esquire Grooming Awards winner, is in the bag of celebrity groomers to use before big events and photo shoots. Use this the next time you have a big night ahead.
The Best in Oral Care
Rona Liana Ahdout2.0 Toothbrush by Suri; Origin Electric Flosser by Slate.
Best Toothpaste
Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Natural Toothpaste
Credit: Tom’s of Maine
Some of our testers—one, especially—have a bit of an aversion to seeing natural on their toothpaste tube. The baking-soda-heavy taste and feel of some old-school options left, well, a bad taste in their mouths. No need to worry about that with this natural paste from Tom’s, which is bright and minty and does the job without leaving behind a gnarly aftertaste.
Best Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
Sensodyne Clinical Repair Whiten & Shine Toothpaste
If your teeth are too sensitive for your whitening routine to go beyond brushing, you need the best clinical whitening toothpaste around. Sensodyne’s new formula uses stannous fluoride for fast-acting sensitivity relief. The toothpaste provides an invisible layer of protection between your teeth and the hot and cool substances that ail them.
Best Mouthwash
Listerine On-the-Go Mouthwash Packets
Credit: Listerine
We love when a product is so good it makes you wonder how it took this long for it to be invented. These on-the-go mouthwash packets fit that bill. It’s a simple repackaging of Listerine, but it’s a vital one. These are single-serving mouthwash packets. Perfect for travel, perfect to toss in a work bag or (if you’re really about fresh breath) keep in a pocket.
Best Whitening System
Supersmile Teeth Whitening System + Dissolving Superstrips Kit
Credit: Supersmile
Even our most most sensitive-toothed testers loved this whitening system. It protects from plaque, restores enamel, and whitens your teeth by roughly six shades in just under a week. Use a small amount of the toothpaste and accelerator on a dry toothbrush for a brighter smile after only one use.
Best Sustainable Electric Toothbrush
Suri 2.0 Toothbrush
Credit: Suri
If you want to clean your teeth efficiently while looking out for the environment, using a Suri electric toothbrush is the way to go. Multiple Esquire editors use one of these clever toothbrushes, and we even wrote a whole article on why we love it so much. Long story short: It mixes a sleek, minimalist design with gentle but effective bristles and vibrations, and the whole thing is made of recyclable material.
Best Smart Electric Toothbrush
Philips Sonicare 6500 Series
Credit: Philips
This might be the smartest electric toothbrush ever made. Have you wanted a brushing companion app? When you brush, the app starts a two-minute timer. It tells you when you’re brushing too hard. And there’s a dental diary that automatically logs brushing and has options for you to log flossing, tongue cleaning, and mouth rinsing.
Best Manual Toothbrush
<a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-theme-key="product-image-wrapper" href="https://shop.colgate.com/products/colgate-optic-white-advanced-manual-toothbrush" aria-label="$7 at colgate.com for 360 Optic White Advanced Soft Manual Toothbrush” data-href=”https://shop.colgate.com/products/colgate-optic-white-advanced-manual-toothbrush” data-product-url=”https://shop.colgate.com/products/colgate-optic-white-advanced-manual-toothbrush” data-affiliate=”false” data-affiliate-network data-fp-affiliate-inline-link=”false” data-fp-affiliate-button-link=”false” data-vars-ga-call-to-action=”$7 at colgate.com” data-vars-ga-media-role=”1″ data-vars-ga-media-type=”Embedded Gallery List” data-vars-ga-outbound-link=”https://shop.colgate.com/products/colgate-optic-white-advanced-manual-toothbrush” data-vars-ga-product-brand=”Colgate” data-vars-ga-product-id=”5a4e0b54-0461-43e8-a8d3-cec9fc73566f” data-vars-ga-product-price=”$6.99″ data-vars-ga-product-retailer-id=”55d4ff2d-016e-4744-95e0-0aa977c05904″ data-vars-ga-product-sem3-brand=”Colgate” data-vars-ga-gallery-display=”list” data-vars-ga-link-treatment=”(not set) | (not set)” data-vars-ga-sku=”colgate-optic-white-advanced-manual-toothbrush” data-vars-ga-magento-tracking=”1″ class=”product-image-link ebgq4gw4 e12px3ys0 css-g6od0w e1socmtw0″>
<img srcset="https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/product-images/0b724448-724e-417f-86ea-e03e50f597b5/69245d4f-b28f-4493-b225-ce53ca0fb764.jpg?crop=0.994575045208xw:1xh;center,top&resize=640:* 640w, https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/product-images/0b724448-724e-417f-86ea-e03e50f597b5/69245d4f-b28f-4493-b225-ce53ca0fb764.jpg?crop=0.994575045208xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* 980w" alt="360 Optic White Advanced Soft Manual Toothbrush” title=”360 Optic White Advanced Soft Manual Toothbrush” data-fp-product-image=”true” datafptag=”data-fp-product-image” src=”https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/product-images/0b724448-724e-417f-86ea-e03e50f597b5/69245d4f-b28f-4493-b225-ce53ca0fb764.jpg?crop=0.994575045208xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:*” width=”1106″ height=”1100″ decoding=”async” loading=”lazy”>
Colgate 360 Optic White Advanced Soft Manual Toothbrush
Credit: Colgate
Even in the era of ubiquitous electric toothbrushes, there are many instances—when traveling, when the charger has gone on a walkabout for some mysterious reason, when you just plain prefer it—in which a manual version makes more sense. This one from Colgate is ergonomic, effective, and easy on the gums. It even features a cheek and tongue cleaner to keep your whole mouth feeling fresh.
Best Water Flosser
Waterpik Promax Water Flosser
Credit: Waterpik
Be warned: There is a bit of a learning curve with this device. One tester managed to get a nice misting of water on his bathroom mirror before adjusting the angle to keep things flowing correctly. But once you’ve got the hang of it, you may never stop living that Waterpik life. The SmartAdvance feature lets you build up from a comfortable starting pressure to a deep clean. And you don’t just get the spaces between your teeth but all along the gum line too, making for an experience that—dare we say it?—might just beat flossing altogether.
Best Electric Flosser
Slate Origin Electric Flosser
Credit: Slate Flosser
If you’re an adult who hates flossing, grow up. Sorry, not helpful. What’s helpful is this battery-powered flosser that’s a genuinely fun response to your plight. This electric flosser has a simple one-button operation, and there’s no USB charging involved. Just one AA battery does the trick. Every floss head comes with rubber tips on each side and a tongue scraper on the back for maximum comfort and hygiene.
Best Tongue Cleaner
Cocofloss Smile Filter Tongue Cleaner
Credit: Cocolab
It’s kind of gross to think about, but you definitely have some residue on the back of your tongue that could use a little … disposing of. This tongue cleaner makes it super easy to scrape off all the stuff you don’t want, and it does the job without hurting your tongue at all. It’s an easy way to maintain good breath and all-around dental hygiene.
Best Whitening Stripes
Quip Rapid Dissolvable Whitening Strips
A fast, mess-free whitening experience that will brighten your teeth after the first use is one of our must-have new products every year. This year, it was a surprise that it came from Quip, a brand we mostly think of as making toothbrushes. This hydrogen-peroxide-powered formula dissolves in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for quick, on-the-go touch-ups, without that tingling sensitivity that whitening strips normally leave.
The Best in Fragrance
Rona Liana AhdoutIl Lanificio Eau De Parfum by Zegna; Light Blue Pour Homme Eau De Parfum by Dolce & Gabbana.
Granado AmazĂ´nico Eau de Parfum
Credit: AmazĂ´nico
For months, this scent has been racking up compliments—both inside the Esquire offices and out in the real world. Literally inspired by the Amazon rainforest, it’s a warm, woody scent with just enough sweetness and citrus notes to be gender-fluid without lacking in masculinity.
D.S. & Durga Cognac Reign
Credit: D.S. & Durga
The name of this cologne is apt, as there is something regal about it. The cognac isn’t overpowering or boozy but warm and rich. There’s bergamot to brighten things up and wood and tonka bean to root it in an earthy, almost spicy feel. Spray it on when the night is young but you’re ready to see how long in the tooth it can get.
Gucci Muschio Mineralis
Credit: Gucci
The Muschio Mineralis eau de parfum balances musk, ambergris, and vanilla for a scent that feels warm, woody, and wearable year-round. The deeper musky notes create a sultry richness, while the vanilla softens the fragrance with just the right touch of sweetness.
Chanel Bleu de Chanel L’Exclusif
Credit: Chanel
Like the classic, but—in our humble opinion—even better. The l’Exclusif expression of Bleu de Chanel is deeper, woodier, and more intense than the one you know and love but remains eminently approachable. Wear it to the office and trust that it’ll still smell great when you’re heading to dinner with your partner after you clock out.
Tom Ford Oud Voyager Eau de Parfum
Now 35% Off
If masculine is left field and feminine is right field, Oud Voyager is a 500-foot home run straight to center. It starts spicy then dances between its floral heart and woody oud base for most of its life. Beautifully layered, sophisticated, and supremely wearable—a stunning fragrance, even compared with the house’s classic scents.
Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF Absolu
Fans of the original MYSLF will appreciate this deeper, more intense fragrance. Bergamot, ginger, and cardamom bring a spicy edge, while orange blossom adds warmth and subtle sweetness to the woody base, creating a bold yet balanced fragrance.
Zegna Il Lanificio Eau De Parfum
Credit: Zegna
With notes of vanilla, suede, and sandalwood, this fragrance is meant to evoke the wool mills where Zegna—one of the best fabric makers in the world—turns raw materials into something truly luxurious. It’s dense, yes, but far from overwhelming. If you like to stand out, you could wear it every day, but for most guys, it’s best saved for a special occasion where the chances of someone leaning in close are higher than average. We promise, whoever that lucky person is, they’ll be glad you chose this scent.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme Eau De Parfum
Credit: Dolce & Gabbana
A classic for good reason, this new eau de parfum version offers the same iconic freshness with longer-lasting wear. Cypress, yellow mandarin, and cedarwood capture the feeling of an Italian coastal summer, making it an effortless warm-weather staple.
Ralph Lauren Ralph’s Club New York Eau de Parfum
Credit: Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren might be the only brand in the world that can put out such a wonderful black-tie fragrance at a price point like this. Black currant pulls you in with a wine smell up top, and lavender bridges the journey to a sweet woods base. It’s not heavy, overly sweet, or screaming for attention.
Bulgari Eau Parfumée Thé Impérial Eau de Toilette
This fragrance was originally created as the signature scent of Bulgari Hotels & Resorts in 2017, but now it’s available to the public for the first time as part of the Eau Parfumée collection. It’s citrusy, light, and refreshing but also has intriguing heart notes of Sri Lankan black tea. The overall effect is like a glass of iced tea with a fresh lemon slice—perfect for summer.
The Best in Tools and Accessories
Rona Liana AhdoutCool by Dermaflash.
Best Hair-Removal Device
Dreame Beauty Nova IPL Hair Removal Device
Now 27% Off
Credit: Dreame
We never knew laser hair removal could be this easy. After our tester underwent laser hair removal at a dermatologist’s office and wasn’t happy with the results, she put this at-home IPL device to the test. Results were clearly noticeable just a month into testing, and the best part is that it’s so easy to use and not painful at all.
Best Red-Light Mask
Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro LED Face Mask
Now 20% Off
Credit: Solawave
Forget about 20-minute-long red-light therapy sessions where you can’t do anything but chill out while your face looks like a robot’s. Solawave’s red-light mask takes only three minutes per session, so it’s over before you feel the need to check the timer. It’s comfortable and gentle on the face, and the attachable remote is so simple to use you probably won’t even have to read the instructions (but you still should).
You know and love Dyson for its vacuums and air purifiers—and probably because your girlfriend loves her hair dryer. But the brand’s newest travel innovation is something you should add to your suitcase too. Up until now, none of the Dyson products have been made with dual voltage to enable use overseas. But the newest mini Supersonic is made for taking across the world and perfectly fits in your suitcase. If you’re thinking of getting a hair tool, this is the one you can use literally everywhere.
Best Dopp Kit
Parallelle The Kit Medium
Credit: Paralelle
When traveling, you need something substantial to store all your wonderful grooming products. For us, that’s Parallelle’s Dopp kit every day of the week. (We even wrote a whole Endorsement on it.) With an innovative pinch-and-fold design, waterproof materials, and a sleek and minimalist look, it has everything you’d ever want in a Dopp kit and more.
Best Skin-Care Travel Set
Marlowe Travel Essentials Kit
Speaking of travel, if you’re about to board a flight with a carry-on, you unfortunately won’t be able to take most of these full-size products. But that’s why Marlowe made this smart travel set with travel-size essentials including facial scrub, facial moisturizer, body wash, and body lotion, so your skin can stay clean and smooth wherever you go. We’re especially big fans of the exfoliating facial scrub—you can practically feel those dead skin cells going “buh-bye.”
Best Tweezers
Tweezerman Mini Brow Rescue Kit
Maintain your brow game with this compact grooming set from Tweezerman. The tweezers’ angled tip lets you get every hair with expert precision. Pair that with the facial razor and brush and you’re good to go. This new variation of the classic Tweezerman set is our favorite for on-the-go touch-ups and travel.
Best Face Tool
Shark FacialPro Glow At-Home Facial System
Credit: Shark
When something goes viral on TikTok, we pay attention, and earlier this year there was one device everyone was talking about from Shark: the at-home facial system. While there are lots of ways you can treat yourself outside of the spa, very few of them include a device that sucks the gunk out of your pores. But this does more than that. It exfoliates, yes, and you can use its heating and cooling technology to infuse heat and moisture to penetrate, but you can also use the cooling feature to de-puff. Trust us: You will feel different after.
Best Red-Light-Therapy Device
HigherDose Infrared PEMF Mat
We’ve become accustomed to the benefits of red-light therapy for the face, but red- and near-infrared-light therapy is equally effective for the body. It’s now just more convenient to incorporate it into your routine in this red-light mat that rolls up and stores away. And while it is a versatile way to create a Zen space for yourself, it still boasts benefits like muscle recovery and collagen production, which alone would help anyone sleep better at night. Pro tip: Use it while doing a round of daily stretches and you’ll be more refreshed and rejuvenated without leaving the comfort of your home.
Best Cooling Tool
Dermaflash Cool
Credit: Dermaflash
A sonically powered facial massager designed to instantly cool, de-puff, and contour the skin. The cooling copper dome combined with high-frequency vibrations helps reduce dark circles and puffiness, support lymphatic drainage, and improve fine lines and wrinkles. Pair it with the HydraFlash Active Cocooning Serum for the ultimate de-puffing and brightening skin-care ritual.
The Best in Sunscreen
Rona Liana AhdoutPrime & Protect SPF 30+ by Ciele.
Best Sunscreen Stick
Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum in Stick
Credit: Kiehl’s
Perfect for reapplication, this serum stick pops into your gym bag for an easy, no-fuss way to travel with your sunscreen. The clear serum formula does not cause any streaks or white cast, so there won’t be any ghostly comparisons, while providing broad-spectrum 50+ protection to help prevent uneven skin tone and dullness. With any sunscreen, it is as effective as how much you use it. This one’s lightweight gel consistency doesn’t feel greasy and doesn’t leave a shiny finish, so you won’t have to dread reapplying or fear it’ll migrate and cause irritation to your eyes.
Best Hydrating Face Sunscreen
Sofie Pavitt Face Screentime Non-Comedogenic Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30
Credit: Sofie Pavitt Face
The sunscreen shelf is being overstocked with more choices than ever before. While some people want something mineral and some people want something thick, there hasn’t been a choice for those with acne-prone skin. That’s where Sofie Pavitt comes in. One of the best launches of the year is the Screentime hydrating SPF. The chemical SPF feels like a lightweight moisturizer while protecting your skin. And it was extremely thoughtfully made with far fewer harmful ingredients than competitors.
Best Mineral Face Sunscreen
CeraVe Invisible Mineral Sunscreen
This face sunscreen checks all our boxes: It’s lightweight, doesn’t leave a white cast after blending, and is gentle on all skin types. Some sunscreen can irritate dry spots when you put it on, but this sunscreen actually helps hydrate your skin, so it does more than just protect you from the sun.
Best Tinted SPF
Ciele Prime & Protect SPF 30+
Credit: Ciele
About seven different Esquire staffers tried this hydrating sunscreen and have absolutely raved about it. Upon application it feels like a lightweight moisturizer. This is your skin but better—and protected with broad-spectrum SPF 30. And while we know sunscreens are formulated to prevent damaging effects from the sun, oftentimes they make your skin look pasty or like an oil slick. Ciele cracked the code with this one, as it makes your skin look radiant and corrected without feeling heavy or covering up your skin.
Best Scented Body Sunscreen
Supergoop Play Antioxidant Body Mist Vanilla Orchid
Credit: Supergoop
Reapplying sunscreen is more enjoyable with this nonaerosol body mist. The fine spray applies evenly, leaves no white cast, and has a soft vanilla scent. Water- and sweat-resistant, it also gives skin a healthy-looking glow while keeping protection easy and convenient.
Best After-Sun Lotion
Blue Lizard After-Sun Soothing Lotion
After you’ve spent all day in the sun and then subsequently shower, the last thing you want to do is rub goopy aloe vera all over your sun-kissed skin. This Blue Lizard after-sun lotion is the solution. It’s cooling and soothing, rubs in lightly without much pressure, and doesn’t leave your skin feeling any type of way afterward. We’re making it part of our post-beach routine this summer and suggest you do the same.
About the Testers
Jonathan Evans, style director. Jonathan has covered men’s style and grooming for more than 15 years and overseen the Esquire Grooming Awards since 2018. He’s obsessive about fragrance and, as a pale guy with sensitive skin, good sunscreen and products that are both gentle and effective. He also has a beard—but don’t hold that against him.
Krista Jones, senior director, commerce and partnerships. Krista has spent more than a decade testing and reviewing products, including all things beauty and grooming. She cares deeply about clean-ingredients products, sunscreens, and body lotions and has fully got on the LED red-light wagon.
Alfonso Fernández Navas, senior style and marketing editor. Fueled by equal parts vanity and a history of skin-care concerns, Alfonso has been obsessed with skin care for well over a decade and can (and will) launch into a 30-minute tangent on ingredient efficacy. These days, he regularly receives compliments on his skin (sometimes multiple times a day) and remains eternally grateful that his high school self had the foresight to wear sunscreen regularly.
Luke Guillory, commerce editor. Luke has tested and written about everything from fashion, grooming, and interior design to outdoor gear. A self-care minimalist, he’s interested in the cleanest, simplest formulas that will do the most and take up minimal space in the medicine cabinet.
Bellamy Richardson, associate commerce editor. Bellamy has tested more face creams, toothbrushes, and fragrances than she can count. She loves diving deep on the best colognes and unisex fragrances, as she’s always looking for a new signature scent.
Andrea RĂos, fashion assistant. Andrea is a beauty-obsessed trend tracker with a sharp eye for what’s worth the hype. Always ahead of the curve, she explores the latest in grooming and beauty innovation, putting every product to the test in the name of glowing, camera-ready results.
Emma Rose Saxon, contributing fashion assistant. As a lover of all things wellness and hair care, she loves spending her money on the newest products in the health space—especially lasers and LED lights.
Bryn Gelbart, associate commerce editor. Bryn loves and reviews tech products on a daily basis, but he doesn’t shy away from the grooming category. He doesn’t trust anyone to trim his beard, so he’s always after the best new tools to do it himself.
Mark Burger, social media editor. A lover of all things wellness, Mark cares deeply about sustainable corporations, giving back to the planet, and making sure grooming products have clean ingredients. This year, he tested body washes, moisturizers, and oils that all fit the bill.
Heath Owens, deputy commerce editor across multiple Hearst brands and giant skin-care aficionado. For years, Heath has been an avid user of cleansers, serums, and moisturizers for those with sensitive skin and is always looking for the newest productions for perfect complexion.
Sirena He, editorial assistant. A lover of cocktails and hair care, Sirena spent the year testing shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks, and she even loved a few exfoliators and serums—adding some new steps to her routine.
Leigh Cohen, designer. Leigh loves all things beauty and spends her weekends browsing through Sephora. This year, she tested everything she could get her hands on, from micro-current devices to toners and teeth whiteners.
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