Extreme Manscaping

Colder weather requires closer attention to your skin care—and that’s true for guys, too. Our chapped male staffers unmask the best products for fending off the elements.

By Sarah Crane

: Photo by Carl Tremblay.

1. Hand Cream
Billy Jealousy Golden Gloves. Just a nickel-size dollop of this scent-free lotion will hydrate dry, cracked hands. Bonus: It comes in a badass bottle. $28 for 3.5 fl. oz., LuxeBeautique. Affordable alternative: Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Hand Crème. Similarly odorless, this lotion is thick but absorbs surprisingly fast.
$4.99 for 2.7 oz., CVS.

2. Shaving Cream
Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Shaving Cream. Offering a consistency nicely balanced between a gel and a cream, this moisture-rich formula with a slight menthol scent delivers a nick-free shave. $22 for 4 oz., Barneys New York. Affordable Alternative: Gillette Fusion HydraGel Moisturizing. Packed with lots of aloe and cocoa butter, this gel softens skin and stubble for an easy, close shave. $3.99 for 7 oz., CVS.

3. Moisturizer
John Allan’s Face Replenishing Moisturizer. The odor-free cream goes on smooth and sinks in quickly. $24.50 for 4 fl. oz., Saks Fifth Avenue. Affordable Alternative: Nivea for Men Protective Moisturizer. Both fast-absorbing and long-lasting, this budget-friendly balm includes SPF 15 sunscreen. $5.99 for 2.5 fl. oz., Rite Aid.

4. Cleanser
Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads. The jellylike scrub cleanses thoroughly while gently sloughing away winter-dry skin. $36 for 8.5 fl. oz., G Spa. Affordable Alternative: Men’s Zone Facial Scrub. This buffing potion sparks a tingly feeling as it goes on for a deep clean. $5.99 for 5 oz., Walgreens.

5. Lip Balm
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm. The combination of mint and shea butter smells fresh and moisturizes without feeling waxy, and offers SPF 25 to boot. $6.50 for .25 oz., Uniform. Affordable Alternative: Carmex Lip Moisturizer with SPF 15. This classic works fast. And it’s cheap enough that if someone asks to borrow yours, you can just give it away. $1.50 for .15 oz., Walgreens.

6. Body Balm
Amenity The Balm. This multipurpose formula heals parched knees, feet, and elbows. $35 for 5.5 oz., State Street Barbers. Affordable Alternative: Burt’s Bees Miracle Salve. The gooey lotion is a speedy fix for flaky skin. $6.99 for 2 oz., Whole Foods Market.

7. After-shave
Kiehl’s The Ultimate Men’s After-Shave Balm and Moisturizer. The superthick cream instantly calms sensitive skin. $16.50 for 4.2 fl. oz., Kiehl’s. Affordable Alternative: King of Shaves K-GL Post-Shave Recovery Gel. Loaded with vitamin E, this gel soothes without an overpowering aroma. $7.50 for 3.4 fl. oz., Rite Aid.

Originally published in Boston magazine, January 2008