‘I Used Only Men’s Products For A Week—Here’s What Happened’

As much as I love makeup, I have to admit that I’ve always been intrigued by men’s grooming products. Aside from the ever-growing variety of camping-approved scents to be enjoyed (hello, cedar!), a study from the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs revealed that men’s personal care items often cost less than their female-targeted counterparts. Thanks, pink tax.

But is there any difference between men and women’s products besides the price? While Julie Russak, M.D., a New York-based dermatologist, says many come down to marketing (using floral scents rather than pine or musk, for example), there are some key differences between men and women’s skin that translate into differences in the products created for them. 

In general, women’s skin is structured very differently from men’s skin—especially on the face. “[Women’s skin] is thinner, we have a much lower content of oil glands, and the actual dermis (which is the underlying support structure) is much different,” says Russak. Women tend to have more sensitive skin, she adds, making some products for men too harsh, irritating, or drying for the average woman’s skin. As a result, using men’s products on your face “is definitely not a good idea,” she says—especially exfoliators, moisturizers, and eye creams. Products for the body tend to be a safer bet.

When looking for men’s products, Russak also advises avoiding ones that have retinol in them, because retinol used in men’s products is much stronger than what’s used in women’s products. (Heal your whole body with Rodale’s 12-day power plan for better health.) 

With that in mind, I decided to ditch my usual beauty go-tos and replace them with only men’s products for a week to see for myself how they compared. I reached out to well-known men’s grooming brands, asking each to send me what they considered the “best of the best” and ended up with several dozen products for the testing. I weeded out some I’d already tested, then organized the rest into days of the week, sometimes taking two showers or at least rinse-offs in order to get everything in. Here are my favorite picks: