A bio-minimal approach to skin - for The Slow Luxe Man

Across continents, the modern man is quietly reimagining grooming. It is no longer about accumulation or trend-chasing. Instead, it is about craftsmanship, simplicity, and conscience.

From Paris to Pune, skincare is shifting from checklist to ritual, distilled into three deliberate acts: cleanse, hydrate, protect. Anything beyond—an exfoliant, a serum—is occasional, considered, and purposeful. What once lived in the shadow of shaving cream and a multipurpose balm is now being elevated to a refined daily practice. True luxury is not in excess, but in restraint: the ability to choose fewer, better products and use them with intent.

Sunscreen on hot days only?

Men’s skin will suffer the effects of premature ageing from exposure to UVA and UVB rays just as quickly as women’s skin. So choose a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with an SPF of 25 or higher for maximum protection. 

The Core Ritual

Minimalism in skincare is not neglect; it is precision. Three steps form the foundation of any modern routine:

• Cleanse gently without stripping the skin.

• Hydrate with a lightweight, barrier-supporting formula.

• Protect with broad-spectrum SPF, every day.

Anything more is reserved for moments when the skin calls for it: a weekly exfoliant to reset, or a single booster serum to target a specific need.

Men may not need (or want) as many skincare products as many women however…

Facial skin is more delicate than the skin on the body and using harsh soaps can strip the skin of its natural oils, so men too need to use a natural cleanser that moisturises and brightens the skin, while preventing breakouts.

Makers of Slow Skincare

The brands reshaping men’s skincare do so with clarity and conscience, weaving sustainability into elegance.

In London, Pai Skincare formulates organic cleansers and creams for sensitive skin, grounded in B Corp standards and in-house production. In Malibu, OSEA draws on the intelligence of the ocean, blending seaweed into climate-certified moisturizers that perform like a second skin. From Austria, Susanne Kaufmann offers alpine botanicals in refillable glass vessels, merging apothecary tradition with modern sustainability.

France, long synonymous with refinement, is also rethinking skincare through a minimalist lens. In Marseille, Typology distills formulas to essential actives, presented in recycled aluminium and amber glass. SO’BiO étic® MEN harnesses aloe, guarana, and vetiver, crafting balms and beard oils with earthy vitality. In Paris, PERS delivers a restrained four-step line—Protect, Enhance, Repair, Stimulate—engineered for sensory balance rather than excess potency.

Ditch the Soap!

Shower gels offer a richer lather, varied formulations with added vitamins and essential oils, and a more contemporary bathroom aesthetic compared to bar soaps.  

In India, ancient Ayurveda meets modern sustainability. Forest Essentials refines traditional recipes with biodegradable packaging and cold-pressed oils. Juicy Chemistry, certified organic by ECOCERT, handcrafts small batches in glass containers, proving that minimalism can feel indulgent.

Even shaving becomes an exercise in elegance. Aesop’s Moroccan Neroli duo transforms a daily act into ritual, its bottles architectural, its formulations quietly effective. Post-shave, Pai’s rosehip cream soothes irritation, a reminder that true luxury is dual-purpose, never duplicative.

Some innovators distill skincare even further. UpCircle reclaims coffee grounds and fruit waters, transforming waste into scrubs and sunscreens that carry circular beauty into everyday life.

Men don’t need to moisturise… Lies.

Just because you have an oily skin, you don’t need to turn your back on moisturisers. You just need to know which one to choose if you have oily skin. Normal to dry skin can go for rich creams whereas those with oily skin can look out for light weight, fast-absorbing cream, rich in Vitamin E and nourishing aloe vera to naturally hydrate the skin without oiliness.

The Shelf as Curation

Together, these houses sketch a new vision of masculinity: care over complication, ethics over noise. The Slow Luxe man’s bathroom shelf is curated, not cluttered—glass jars chosen with intent, formulations selected for efficacy, certifications anchoring trust.

Biominimal skincare is not about what is added, but what is left out. It marks the difference between routine and ritual, between consumption and care. The Slow Luxe man does not chase trends. He chooses with discernment. In that restraint lies the most contemporary expression of luxury.

Minimalist Shave Ritual

Calm your skin with a solid aftershave ritual. A serum and a post shave lotion can help maintain smooth, calm, hydrated and remarkably soft skin.

The Modern Gentleman’s Guide to Bio-minimal Grooming

• Ritual over routine: Three steps, consistently—cleanse, moisturize, shield.

• Brands with integrity: From Typology and SO’BiO étic to PERS, Forest Essentials, Juicy Chemistry, Neemli, SoulTree, and Juice.

• Tangible purpose: Glass vessels, refills, and trusted certifications—from ECOCERT to BDIH.

• Ritual as mindfulness: A pause before applying SPF, a quiet moment with a serum. The modern groomer doesn’t rush; he honours the process.