The 2024 Esquire Grooming Awards

Inspired by Japanese home remedies, this gel-to-foam cleanser is tailor-made for oily skin and designed to deep-clean skin and pores—and does that very well—without leaving it feeling tight or dry. In fact it’s so gentle you can use it every day.

Packed with more than 50 active ingredients (among them apple seeds!) that target everything from fine lines and wrinkles to dullness and fatigue, this hyper-luxe cream is still so lightweight it’s suitable for oily skin.

Apply this cream before bed to let the ingredients like ultra-moisturizing squalane, moisture barrier-supporting ectoin, and soothing magnesium work while you sleep.

The superfine particles in this scrub clear away dead skin cells and buildup to leave your skin brighter and more even- toned without shredding it like other exfoliates.

This high-potency peel contains a Mandelic acid-based blend of exfoliating acids that quickly and gently fade the look of dark spots while bolstering the skin barrier and helping reduce the appearance of pigmentation in the future.

This lightweight sunscreen is nongreasy on your skin and leaves behind no white cast, thanks to the mix of chemical and mineral screens, while also helping to reduce redness and hydrate skin so well you may be able to skip moisturizer.

The subtle tint to this daily sunscreen helps it effortlessly blend into your skin without any hint of white film, and now it comes in a deeper shade appropriate for darker skin tones.

Keep this tiny solid sunscreen in your pocket or bag to easily reapply to areas like your nose, ears, and anywhere else that’s prone to burn.

Our testers were gobsmacked that a mineral sunscreen could actually live up to the name “unseen,” but this one absolutely does. It blends into skin easily and quickly and without a trace left behind.

Think of this as the fancy version of your clay mask. With a base of microfine stone particles that attract and remove impurities, which is then mixed with the brand’s moisturizing Miracle Broth, this mask deep-cleanses pores while still leaving your skin soft and hydrated.

Pop on this mask whenever your face needs a little TLC and the potent First Care Activating Serum IV (a mix of ginseng and other herbs) instantly transforms your complexion from dull to bright and nourished.

The high concentration of salicylic acid in this spot treatment immediately goes to work to reduce pimples and soothe skin.

The best thing about these easy-to-use patches is that they can work to zap zits even before they reach the surface, ensuring they never see the light of day.

The trifecta of powerful peptides in this overnight formula target the look of fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles, and more, so you look like you never missed an hour of sleep in your life.

Like a matcha latte for your eyes, this serum minimizes puffiness and dark circles and deeply hydrates your eye area so your peepers look perkier—plus the antioxidant-rich matcha helps guard against UV damage.

Just a little of this ultra-moisturizing lip balm keeps your lips hydrated, protected, and chap-free. And yes, it really does taste like donuts.

The combination of ectoin and peptides in this formula targets everything from skin repair to skin barrier function and signs of aging for all-around improvement in not just how your skin looks, but how it works, too.

Not only is this serum packed with brightening vitamin C, but it also has an additional triple antioxidant complex that lightens the look of dark spots and post-breakout pigmentation.

Swipe on this vitamin-laced toner to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells and hydrate your skin for a smoother, more even complexion.

This newly reformulated toner gives your skin crazy moisture that lasts all day, and now contains a niacinamide and resveratrol complex that helps protect your mug from outside aggressors like pollution.

Don’t let the tiny bottle fool you. This powerful serum pairs retinaldehyde, a potent antiaging retinoid, with synthetic oat analogs that help temper possible discomfort and irritation, making it suitable for sensitive skin and retinol beginners.

This handy stick can be used as a spot concealer or under-eye product, or anywhere you need a little camouflage. The easy-to-apply stick has a hidden brush in the base to make blending a breeze (and unclockable).

This ultra-luxe body wash hits all the right notes: a gentle lather, a refreshing eucalyptus scent, and an infusion of techy skin-care ingredients, like the brand’s famous TFC8, that leave your skin feeling stronger, cleaner, and softer.

Unlike traditional harsh soaps, this gentle bar uses plant-based cleansers to remove dirt and oil from your body without stripping it of its natural protective oils, meaning you’ll never get that dry, tight feeling after you use it.

There’s no thick, goopy mess with this sunscreen. Instead, it’s more like your typical moisturizing body lotion that just happens to contain a healthy dose of SPF.

By itself, this reef-friendly mineral sunscreen would be one of the best out there—the company’s founder has degrees in stem-cell biology and tissue engineering, plus a doctorate in immunology. But the fact that it doesn’t leave a ghostly white cast and contains antioxidants that further protect skin and target the effects of skin aging makes it a must-have.

This ultra-moisturizing hand cream sinks into your skin with no greasy residue. Our testers recommend applying it at night so it works while you sleep and you can wake up without a hint of dryness whatsoever.

The trifecta of coconut oil, shea butter, and hyaluronic acid in this soothing formula make it one of the most hydrating lotions we tried, yet it’s somehow lightweight and leaves no greasiness behind once your skin drinks it up.

This cooling gel is packed with ingredients like soothing magnesium, hydrating urea, and lightly exfoliating alpha-hydroxy acids that work together to smooth and improve your skin’s texture while moisturizing. It also happens to smell fantastic.

This serum has more in common with the ones you typically put on your face than a body lotion. Packed with moisturizing and protecting ingredients, it sinks into your skin immediately with barely a rub.

Developed by professional dancers who know a thing or two about sweat, this deodorant balm can be used anywhere on your body to stop odor and curb moisture all day long.

Spray this deodorant anywhere from the neck down to squash odor no matter where it happens—pits, feet, and even your undercarriage—and instead enjoy the elevated shea and vanilla scent.

When you need protection from sweat as well as odor, swipe on this stick, which will not only keep you dry for literal days but also moisturize and safeguard your skin thanks to ingredients like vitamin E.

Inside this scrub is the double whammy of both chemical and physical exfoliants that work together to instantly leave even very rough skin smooth and bump-free. Plus, the yerba mate and caffeine leave skin looking brighter and more energized.

This powerhouse skin serum not only contains gentle exfoliating enzymes that help smooth skin but also a combination of retinol and peptides that help to stimulate collagen production and hyaluronic acid for long-term hydration.

The name of the game when it comes to manscaping is ingrown hair control, and these easy-to-use wipes are perfect for delivering exfoliating and brightening ingredients to any area you need, even the hard-to-reach ones.

This deodorizing cream rubs on like a lotion but dries to a fresh, powdery finish that helps protect skin from the friction that leads to chafing. Apply it anywhere you need to soothe your skin.

Glide this mango butter and coconut oil-based stick over your ink to moisturize your skin and make your tattoos look brighter, fresher, and more vibrant.

Founded in 2018, California-based Nécessaire makes a shampoo with proteins to strengthen strands, ceramides to protect the scalp’s barrier, and rosemary extract, which may help stimulate growth. Plus, it smells incredible.

This conditioner from California Naturals—a brand started by a former fashion stylist that counts Owen Wilson as its chief shampoo officer—features ingredients like agave nectar, guava-seed oil, and marula oil in a verdant formula that will nourish and hydrate even super-dry hair.

Massage this serum into your scalp before shampooing and the blend of glycolic acid, BHAs, and PHAs goes to work removing dead skin and product buildup, leaving your scalp clear to be cleansed.

The peppermint oil in this serum instantly gives it a cooling and soothing effect on your scalp and the amino acid complex helps balance the scalp and reduce flakes and itchiness.

Our testers loved that this cream offered a flexible hold with a natural, no-frizz finish that lasted all day long without a hint of stickiness.

Use just a little bit of this heavy-duty clay for long-lasting hold with a natural, matte finish. It’s ideal for creating texture and volume that isn’t going to deflate as the day goes on.

This concentrated balm from R+Co—founded a decade ago by a collective of three prominent hairstylists—is going to lock hair into place and keep it that way for as long as you could possibly need. Ideal for sleek, shiny looks, it gives a smooth finish with no crunch.

Apply some of this non-aerosol dry shampoo to your scalp and it instantly absorbs oil to make your hair look fresh. Plus, it features odorBIND technology that traps odor molecules and replaces them with a clean, pleasant scent.

This newfangled gel from Crown Affair, a company founded in 2020, has all the frizz-reducing hold of your classic but also features ingredients like tsubaki-seed oil and jojoba milk to nourish and soften at the same time.

$45 per month

Thinning hair requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. This system uses a suite of ingredients—including power players like finasteride and minoxidil—to tune the treatment to your needs.

Instead of salt, which can be drying on hair, this texture spray uses hydrolyzed wheat protein to create weightless volume and texture while still keeping your hair feeling hydrated and nourished.

When you don’t have time to bust out the blow-dryer, spritz some of this on your damp hair and let it air dry. The result is frizz-free texture and lightweight volume that lasts for hours and hours.

Just a little bit of this shea butter and avocado oil-laced formula will moisturize and protect your hair while smoothing and de-frizzing it without hold.

A professional-level clipper but tailored for home use, this powerful tool features all you need—like titanium-coated ceramic blades, a long-lasting battery for cordless use, and a plethora of guards—for perfect touch-ups and home cuts.

The Dyson Supersonic now comes with a built-in network of Nural sensors that automatically adjust heat to prevent damage.

The perfect balance between rich, moisturizing lather and easy-to-rinse capability, this surprisingly luxurious shave cream gives you a smooth shave while hydrating your skin in the process.

Specifically designed to be used on sensitive skin, this innovative razor has double the lubricating strips, and features two blades spaced farther apart to reduce tugging and nicking. It’s gentle but still delivers a close shave.

The squalane, jojoba, and avocado oils that make up this formula work quickly on dry whiskers to smooth and moisturize them, leaving them touchably soft but not greasy.

When balms or oils are too heavy, reach for this lightweight beard moisturizer that’s packed with plant extracts and vitamins like E and B5 to hydrate and smooth whiskers without weighing them down. (It’s so lightweight you can use it on your face, too.)

Spritz this lightweight leave-in conditioner after washing your beard or anytime your whiskers feel a little dry. It hydrates and smooths dry facial hair and moisturizes the skin underneath.

This easy-to-use and budget-friendly trimmer has features you’d expect in trimmers triple the price, like 40 length settings, a rotary dial, and a month of use from a single charge.

Not only does this plant-based oil laced cleanser whisk away dirt and grime from your beard, but it also leaves it hydrated and moisturized.

The gold standard of beard brushes, this tool is made from boar bristles that help to distribute natural oils from the root to the tips of your whiskers so they stay smooth, shiny, and healthy.

The three rotary heads of this razor adapt to every contour of your face, and SenseIQ technology automatically adjusts, cutting power to your beard density for the closest shave possible.

It still tastes like mint, but this paste harnesses the stain-fighting power of vitamin C to visibly whiten your teeth instead of relying on the traditional peroxide, which can be damaging to enamel.

This alcohol-free mouthwash not only kills lingering bacteria in your mouth, but it also targets specific dental issues like bad breath, gum health, and enamel strength in just two uses a day.

Testers raved about how easy this pen is to use versus your traditional strips or trays. Just paint the gel directly onto your teeth and let it go to work lightening stains. We saw results after only a few uses.

This affordable brush has all the bells and whistles you want from a high-end electric toothbrush, like a built-in timer and a pressure sensor to protect your gums, and deep-cleaning sonic technology—just without the eye-watering price tag.

Combining an electric toothbrush and water flosser into one compact package, this device is a complete dental routine right out of the box. Multiple brush modes and flossing heads allow you to customize the experience.

Attach the custom 3D-printed mouthpiece to this device and it flushes your entire mouth with water in just a few seconds. It’s so effective it can actually replace flossing.

The new alcohol-free formula turns the typical Sauvage notes into something smoother and more robust. It’s grown-up, modern, and, dare we say, surprising.

This new fragrance harnesses the glamour of Michael Kors clothing through fresh notes of bergamot and sea waves and earthier patchouli and vetiver. Best paired with a yacht.

A lighter, elegant take on a woody cologne, this smooth and subtle concoction is somehow fresh and grounded at the same time, thanks to the unique vibe that Hinoki brings to the mix.

The mix of oud and raw leather in this warm, spicy cologne is masculine, but dries down into something more cozy and inviting than aggressive.

The high-end mix of patchouli, oak, and citrus in this body spray will fool even the snobbiest frag-head. It’s a richly layered, more mature version of Axe that you never knew existed.

A modern interpretation of a fresh aquatic scent, this Adriatic-inspired cologne uses notes of fig, olive oil, cypress, pine, and wild herbs to transport you to the seaside.

The cool feel of eucalyptus is taken even further with the addition of wet wood, Pacific spray, and a variety of woods and herbs to make this cologne fresh as hell, but not in the way you’d think.

The intense freshness of this cologne, thanks to notes of bergamot and pineapple, gives you an instant burst of energy, while vetiver grounds it to your skin for hours.