My Mate Still Washes His Face Like It’s 2003 (So I Got Him a Men’s Skincare Set)

Let’s be real: not everyone was born with a skincare routine, or even knew what a men’s skincare set was. Especially not Bruce, a man who time-traveled from 2003.

Let me tell you about my mate Bruce. He’s the kind of guy who updates his phone every year, has a curated Spotify playlist for every mood, and gives solid career advice over coffee. But his skincare routine? Stuck in a time capsule from the early 2000s. I’m talking peak flip phone, frosted tips, and that one awful ringtone that sounded like a frog.

Bruce’s approach to skincare was simple: one bar of soap for everything. Face, body, probably his sneakers. No cleanser, no moisturiser, not even sunscreen. And it showed. His forehead looked shinier than a freshly waxed floor, and his cheeks had the texture of dry toast.

The man was living like it was still 2003—except this time, his skin had receipts.

A Crime Scene Masquerading as a Routine

So what did his skincare routine actually look like? Brace yourself; it’s a wild ride. One bar of soap, one towel (that had clearly seen better days), and zero sense of facial boundaries. The towel was probably older than his high school memories.

"Mate," I said after watching him lather his face like it was a frying pan, "your face looks like it’s buffering."

He laughed. I didn’t.

I had to break it to him gently: using the same soap on your face and your armpits isn’t resourceful; it’s a crime against skin. The debate between bar soap vs face wash shouldn’t even be a debate anymore.

So I did what any good friend would do. 

I bought him a men’s skincare set.

The Glow-Up That Changed Everything

Convincing Bruce to actually use it took some effort. He gave me that classic line, "I don’t have time for all that stuff," while sipping espresso and scrolling through fantasy football stats.

"You don’t need time. You need two steps and a clue," I said, sliding the Time-Saver Skincare Set across the table. It included two powerhouse products: Daily Wash and a fast-absorbing Moisturiser.

And just like that, Bruce’s skincare era began.

What happened next was a minor miracle. His forehead no longer doubled as a mirror, the flaky patches disappeared, and even the fine lines around his eyes chilled out. He stopped making that grimace when touching his face, as if even his fingers didn’t want to get involved.

He called me three days in: “Bro… my skin feels soft. Like, weirdly soft. Is that normal?”

 

Why Every Grown Man Needs a Men’s Skincare Set

Stat Drop: Just 54% of young men brush their teeth daily, with far less washing their face (35%), flossing (30%), or moisturizing (19%) in this time frame. A third (33%) have no skincare routine at all.

Here’s the deal: Bruce’s not alone. Loads of men grew up thinking skincare was optional, or worse, not masculine. But those days are over; thankfully.

With a proper routine, everything shifted:

• He felt more confident walking into work.

• His skin didn’t feel like a desert by lunchtime.

• He stopped using his gym towel on his face. (Small wins.)

• He even got a compliment from his girlfriend that wasn’t about his shoes.

This wasn’t some magic transformation. It was simple, consistent use of a proper men’s skincare set—two steps, twice a day. That’s it. No 10-step drama, no unicorn tears, no mystery tubes.

But Is It Really That Important?

Let’s pause for a second. Some guys might read this and think, "It’s just skin. Who cares?"

Here’s why you should: Your face is the first thing people see. Whether you’re in a meeting, on a date, or running into an old friend at the mall, your skin is part of the impression you make. You iron your shirt. You comb your hair. But if your forehead looks like a frying pan, all that effort goes to waste.

Taking care of your face isn’t about vanity; it’s about respect. For yourself and for the people around you. Clean, healthy skin doesn’t just look good; it feels good. You’re more likely to show up with confidence when you know you’re not glowing for the wrong reasons.

And let’s be real, no one wants their cheeks flaking like a croissant during a client pitch.

Here’s What You Can Do This Weekend

Still using the same routine you had in your dorm days? Time for a change. You deserve skin that doesn’t look like it’s been through tax season.

Here’s your weekend action plan:

• Look in the mirror. Really look. Not the quick check for food in your teeth.

• Ask yourself: Does this face say “executive” or “exhausted”?

• Ditch the bar soap. Give it the retirement party it deserves.

• Use a cleanser. Moisturise after. Repeat. That’s your new default setting.

• Keep it visible on your sink. Out of sight = out of skin.

Don’t Be a Bruce. Or Do But After the Set.

Bruce now moisturizes daily. He even reminded me to bring sunscreen the other weekend. The student has become the master. He went from crusty to confident, from denial to daily care.

He now has a face that doesn’t flake when the AC hits. He doesn’t panic about surprise video calls. He actually enjoys washing his face. Who knew that was possible?

And here’s the thing: you don’t have to wait for your skin to tap out. Just start. Your face has shown up for you every single day. It’s about time you showed up for it too.

Grab the Men’s Skincare Set trusted by Bruce (and now his barber, his boss, and probably his barista) at MensYouthShop.com

Because men’s skincare sets aren’t luxury. They’re just common sense—with a pump top.