Like it or not, your skincare routine is probably one of the biggest parts of your day. You can use the morning to trim your beard before work, spend the evening making a moisturizer for your skin, or even both! But the products you use at those times play an important role in your results.
If you’re looking for a product upgrade, GQ has released its winners annual beauty awards. After a thorough testing process, only 86 products caught the attention of the GQ staff in the categories of skin care, body care, fragrance, beard care and more.
To narrow down the results, GQ recruited writers and editors to test products over several weeks. Each of their testers ranged from various skin types and skin tones to ensure that each product accommodates a diverse set of users. Only a select few from the test batch are selected and marked as the best.
GQ style editor Yang-Yi Goh stopped by TODAY to reveal some of his favorite picks. Below, you’ll find products ranging from double-strength SPF to luxurious shaving cream to suit every budget, skin and hair type.
Keep reading to discover 10 of the winners from GQ’s Grooming Awards 2023.
The best skincare products, according to GQ magazine
Frontman Zit Spray
Regardless of age, acne is completely normal and can appear on different parts of the body – not just on the face. The fine mist in this spray treats body acne, especially on the back, chest and arms. Contains salicylic acid, tea tree extract and hinoki cypress water to speed up the healing process. The formula is also non-sticky or greasy and doesn’t need to be rinsed off.
Dune Mineral Melt Facial SPF 30
Sunscreen is one of the most important steps in your skin care routine. And one of the favorite picks of GQ execs is this mineral sunscreen from Dune.
Mineral sunscreens are usually labeled as a natural sunscreen because they provide a barrier between your body and the sun’s rays to prevent them from entering. That’s essentially what this product does (it says it reduces the appearance of sun damage, for example), along with boosting skin elasticity and improving the skin barrier. It also offers light hydration so you can use it alone or over moisturizer.
STMNT hair gel
You can trust the effectiveness of this STMNT (pronounced “statement”) hair gel because it’s a brand founded by three celebrity groomers. On dry or fresh hair, this product leaves hair more defined and smooth with a firm, long-lasting hold. Once applied you’ll notice the product has a satin and semi-matte finish, but don’t worry—the brand says it washes off easily and doesn’t crease, so you can apply as much product as you need.
Gillette King C Beard Trimmer
No matter how you decide to grow or style your facial hair, a good performing clipper is key to perfecting any look. One of GQ’s top trimmers is this find from King C. Gillette, which comes with a set of three comb attachments (1mm, short 3-11mm, and long 13-21mm) and a cordless trimmer (has 50 minutes cutting time) to clean, trim and trim each beard. The set also comes with a charger, cleaning brush and a case to keep your kit in.
Uppercut Deluxe Shaving Cream
This is your cue to incorporate shaving cream into your grooming routine. Why; Shaving cream creates a protective barrier between the razor and your skin, resulting in less irritation, burns and most annoying of all: stings! GQ suggests you consider adding this to your kit because its creamy formula keeps skin hydrated and stress-free before, during and after shaving. Simply lather with a brush or your hands to enjoy all its benefits.
Boka Rapid Radiance Teeth Whitening Kit
Your smile tells a story in itself, so why not enhance its shine? The Boka Rapid Radiance Teeth Whitening Kit won high praise at the awards for whitening teeth without increasing sensitivity. We can attribute this to the product’s key ingredient, n-Ha (nano-hydroxyapatite), which is an alternative to fluoride.
The LED lights inside the mouthpiece also help remove any unwanted stains and enhance the product’s whitening powers. Boka says the kit will give you noticeable results after seven days of continuous use and is safe enough for sensitive teeth.
More top grooming products, according to GQ magazine
Harry’s The Craft Handle
If your razor needs a change, consider this one from Harry’s. The pride and joy of the razor, as the name suggests, is its ergonomic handle. The first thing you’ll notice is that it has a speckled design and metallic finish. Not only will this look attractive on your bathroom counter, but the brand says this innovative design is also meant to feel sturdy in the hand and comfortable as you navigate the contours of the face.
The set comes with two cartridges with five German-engineered blades that are sharp and precise at removing stubble and other unwanted facial hair.
Cremo aftershave balm
After shaving, your skin needs a little extra love. That’s when you should apply an aftershave-friendly product like Cremo Balm. Specially formulated with sensitive skin in mind, the lightweight formula within this product is meant to soothe, hydrate and protect the skin. Any dryness or irritation you may experience after shaving should improve once applied. An advantage of this balm is that it has no synthetic fragrances either.
The usual glucoside foam cleanser
In addition to sunscreen, a beard trimmer and other essentials, a must-have in your grooming kit is a solid facial cleanser. It’s one of the most important steps in your routine after all, especially if you want to manage oil production, get rid of dirt and reduce breakouts. GQ set their sights on this cleanser for their list because it offers all of this and more, including maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier and improving its glow.
Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum
Here’s why we (and GQ!) love niacinamide: It treats a number of skin health concerns at once, including acne, hyperpigmentation, oiliness, and fine lines. The list could go on, but when paired with similar ingredients, niacinamide is an even bigger powerhouse.
Take this Riley Sunday serum, for example. Containing 10% niacinamide, the brand says the serum visibly improves any discoloration, redness, dark spots and large pores in just a few weeks. You can use it once or twice a day, depending on the needs of your skin and apply as many drops as you like. However, the product should help your skin feel and look more balanced.
