Welcome To The Future Of Grooming
The men’s grooming section at Clicks (or Dis-Chem or Dermastore or Superbalist—or even your local grocery store) contains hundreds more products than it did even a few years ago. To help you sort through shelf after shelf of serums and suncreams, balms and beard oils, we at Men’s Health called on a panel of the best kempt men to test them. We also surveyed our readers to find out exactly how you’re grooming. Turns out the future looks amazing.
%
of Men's Health readers are spending 5-10 minutes on their grooming routines.
%
The percentage of MH readers who prefer to use natural/organic products over synthetic ones.
Jump To Your Favourite Section
YOUR BEARD
Tame your fuzz with our smart shops.
BEST SHAVING CREAM
Africology Shave Cream
According to our survey, 82% of you are still shaving at least once a week. But that doesn’t mean you relish your razor sessions. Mixing together shea butter and coconut oil, this naturally boosted balm will give you a smooth shave and make sure your skin doesn’t feel like you’ve just run a lawnmower through your mo’.
BEST RAZOR
Dorco Pace 7
Sixty percent of you still prefer a classic razor-blade shave. But today’s shaving tools have come a long way from the starter set you first broke out in your teens. The Pace 7 is not only armed with a septuple of blades, but also sports a lubricating strip with vitamin E and aloe vera to soothe your skin as you tame your follicles.
BEST AFTERSHAVE
The Body Shop Maca Root & Aloe Calming Post-Shave Water-Gel
Aloe has an immediate cooling effect backed by some tried-and-tested moisturising properties. Combined with maca root, this post-shave solution is a must-have if your skin feels irritated after running your razor. “It absorbs quickly, and I noticed that the natural ingredients did a stellar job of smoothing out any redness,” raved one tester.
BEST 2-IN-1
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
Studies have shown that lavender has both antimicrobial and antifungal properties. This cleanser combines extracts of this wonder herb, coolingbalm mint and naturally foaming Quillaja saponaria to rinse away debris and toxins. The result? Your skin will feel clean and seriously smooth. It also doubles up as a shaving foam for a 2-in-1 that actually works.
BEST BUMP TREATMENT
Clicks Men’s Bump Control
Razor bumps are a professional hazard, especially for daily shavers—FYI that’s at least 23% of you. Left untreated, you could be left battling with ingrown hairs AKA those strands that grow back and curve directly into your skin. Ouch. This razor burn “shield” contains salicylic acid which helps treat the causes of razor burn by sloughing off dead skin cells, treating inflammation and unclogging pores.
BEST BEARD OIL
Simply Bee Beard Oil
Ever heard of jojoba oil? Well, if you want to take good care of your fuzz, consider this a crash course. This oil contains natural vitamin E, a hero of the skincare world. So, not only will this 100% natural beard oil condition your strands but it also protects your outer layer from pollution and other free radicals. Dab this on after a shower—warm water opens up your pores. You’ll need around four to eight drops depending on the size of your beard.
BEST ELECTRIC SHAVER
Braun 9415s Series 9 Pro
Forty percent of you have switched to clippers and trimmers to style your fuzz. We’re with you—life is simpler that way. The Series 9 is an elite offering that can be used over the sink or even in the shower. Whether you want to buzz your five o’clock shadow or shear off a stressful week’s growth, this powerful tool can do it gently and effortlessly. “This shaver resolved my hate-hate relationship with shaving,” said one tester. “It practically glides through stubble and I’m done in seconds.”
BEST BEARD WASH
Bakoena Mgazini Mountain Beard Wash
Former MH cover guy, actor and super producer Thapelo Mokoena is a partner at Bakoena and, if you’ve seen his beard, you already know their products deliver majestic results. It’s a combination of essential oils (like black pepper, African sage and the smoky, leathery oud scent) and will leave your facial fuzz feeling soft and smelling better. “It’s helped detangling my beard and it’s easier to comb,” said one tester.
your body
Develop a body care routine that’ll help show off your hard-earned gains.
BEST BODY WASH
lelive clean slate body wash
Most guys opt for an anything-within-arm’s-reach lather-up when it comes to washing off their daily grime. But an “all-soap, no-thought” approach skips over one important factor: exfoliating. This top-shelf body wash tags in African botanics and a conditioning agent to leave your skin feeling hydrated and renewed.
BEST SUNSCREEN
Heliocare 360° Invisible Spray SPF 50+
This smart sunscreen leverages a so-called bioshield system that mimics melanocytes to double the strength of your own melanin. In other words, it’s a surefire shield against the sun’s harsh rays. Vitamins C and E also work to protect your skin against oxidative stress and the harmful effects of pollution. One tester noted that it “absorbs quickly” and gave their skin a “glow-like effect”.
BEST BODY LOTION
Clere for Men Smooth Body Lotion
All-in-one solutions that actually do it all are a rarity in the skincare world, but this multipurpose lotion isn’t pulling any punches. One of its key ingredients, marula, has been shown to improve acne-prone, oily and ageing skin. It also hydrates, nourishes and refreshes, preventing the sort of dullness that’ll otherwise have you looking long in the tooth.
BEST ANTIPERSPIRANT
Mitchum Men Antiperspirant & Deodorant Roll-On Sport
From stressful meetings to sadistic gym sessions, your average day can leave you sweating. That makes a dependable deo practically mandatory for the modern man—and this one topped our testers’ lists. You get 48 hours of protection against odour from motion, heat and—yes!—even stress. Roll on and roll through your day problem-free.
BEST EXFOLIATOR
ENOUGH. Caffeine & Essential Oil Body Scrub
Most guys opt for an anything-within-arm’s-reach lather-up when it comes to washing off their daily grime. But an “all-soap, no-thought” approach skips over one important factor: exfoliating. This top-shelf body wash tags in African botanics and a conditioning agent to leave your skin feeling hydrated and renewed.
BEST BODY GROOMER
Manscaped Lawn Mower® 4.0 Pro
Facial fuzz is just a small percentage of your wild growth. For the rest, you’ll need a tool that makes short work (literally) of even the most stubborn patches. The aptly named Lawn Mower® 4.0 is a travel-ready trimmer that’ll tame even the most overgrown lawn. A single charge gets you 60 minutes of cutting time, ideal if your garden turns into a jungle.
BEST ALUMINIUM-FREE DEODORANT
Pure Beginnings Forest Natural Roll-On Deodorant
While science around the risks of aluminium-based products has been largely debunked, we don’t blame you if you’d prefer a metal-free alternative. This roll-on contains sodium bicarbonate instead which targets and neutralises the bacteria that cause body odour.
BEST BODY TREATMENT
Bush Wellness Massage Oil
When it comes to some R&R, a high-quality oil can turn massages into a truly transformative experience. “It feels and moves like silk,” remarked one tester. It even helps alleviate pain, ideal if you’re nursing post-leg day DOMS.
BEST INGROWN TREATMENT
Body by Waxit Ingrown Repair Step 3
This salve—concocted from a blend of anti-bacterial African botanicals—can smooth over any resulting bruising, scarring and inflammation caused by ingrown hairs. One tester switched to using this every day, noting an immediate reduction in the number of ingrown issues.
Grooming Awards Judges
South Africa’s best-groomed men have been hard at work, lathering up and layering on products. Now, as you scroll through the results of their efforts, here’s a quick look at the testing panel who made the magic happen.
Lubabalo Mxalisa
Leroy Marc
Mfundo Ngcobo
Kabelo Legodi
Sibongiseni Ndwandwe
Shiraz Reddy
Azeez Jacobs
Nicky Mitchley
Robert Cilliers
Arthur Mukhari
Kieran Legg
Paul Goddard
YOUR HAIR
Scrub, style and grow you hair with these heroes.
BEST SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
Dove Intensive Hair Repair for Dry Hair
This one’s a classic for a reason—especially if you’re struggling with oil slicks up there. So-called keratin repair actives work to restore your strands and nourish the roots. The result? Your hair will feel healthier and stronger.
BEST STYLING PASTE
Kevin Murphy FREE.HOLD
“A great product for those who seek a less ‘hard’ texture. The styling lasts for a long day out (in and out of the sun) and the easy-to-wash-out product is a firm favourite,” remarked one tester.
BEST STYLING POWDER
EVO haze styling powder
“Gels and waxes tend to leave behind a sticky residue that attracts dust and detritus when I’m outdoors. This powdered styler side steps these issues and makes it easy to rein in my mane, giving my hair extra volume and a natural, matte texture,” said one tester.
BEST STYLING TOOL
ghd mini slim-plate hair straightener
Gone are the days of secretly borrowing your sister or girlfriend’s straighteners. More men are buying their own styling tools and this innovative straightener is specifically tailored for shorter hair with 40% slimmer plates to give your precise results.
BEST HEAT PROTECTOR
ghd bodyguard heat protect spray
If you’re using any sort of heat on your hair you need to use a heat protectant. This one from ghd is suitable for all hair types and coats every strand of hair for next-level protection. According to ghd, 9 out of 10 people agree their hair looks and feels healthier.
BEST SCALP TREATMENT
Mizani Calming Scalp Lotion
Tweny-four percent of you said your biggest hair concern is dryness, and 27% said it’s dandruff. This leave-in scalp moisturiser will tag-team your woes with its trio of scalp-soothing ingredients: aloe vera, eucalyptus and avo oil.
BEST SCALP SCRUB
Kérastase Symbiose Micro-Peeling Cellulaire
Another dandruff demolisher. This purifying formula uses micro-peeling acid and plant-based beads to exfoliate dead cells and flakes. Salicylic acid helps promote scalp health.
YOUR HAIR IN NUMBERS
%
The percentage of Men's Health readers who go to a barber to have their hair cut (17% are DIYing it themselves at home).
%
of Men's Health readers said their biggest hair concern was dryness.
HAIR GAINS
BEST SHAMPOO
Fresh Cell Scalp Shampoo
Post-covid, characteristic features of AGA (androgenic alopecia) are increasingly becoming more prevalent among younger men and women. This shampoo uses advanced stem cell therapy and 7 natural and scientifically-chosen ingredients to prevent hair loss, promote hair growth and restore your scalp.
BEST OIL
Mankind Groom Hair Regrowth Oil
This oil is enriched with ginger as well as vitamin E. The latter has been shown to increase capillary circulation in the scalp, thereby helping to increase hair growth.
BEST SUPPLEMENT
NeoVita Luscious Hair
These delicious gummies are packed with vit B12, biotin, vit C, vit D, zinc, vit A and folic acid; ingredients that may help with hair growth. Chat to your doc to determine whether you may have a deficiency that could be affecting your hair and that supps could help.
BEST SERUM
L’Oreal Professionnel Serioxyl Advanced Denser Hair Density Activator Serum
Formulated for thinning hair, this contains 5% Stemoxydine which aims to encourage hair regrowth. A clinical study showed that this product gave denser hair in just 6 weeks (the study was on women). Best used at night on towel-dried hair.
YOUR HAIR LOSS IN NUMBERS
%
of MH readers polled said hair thinning was their biggest hair hazard
your teeth
Take care of those pearly whites like never before.
BEST TOOTHBRUSHOclean X Ultra
Oclean X Ultra
AI has officially come to a toothbrush near you. With AI-voice guidance to tell you when you’re brushing too fast, or when to switch to a different area, this is one of the most advanced toothbrushes on the market. It has 84 000 movements per minute and the screen shows you exactly where you need to brush or which areas you’ve missed. “It’s completely revolutionised my oral hygiene,” said one tester.
BEST TOOTHPASTE
Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint Toothpaste
This smart sunscreen leverages a so-called bioshield system that mimics melanocytes to double the strength of your own melanin. In other words, it’s a surefire shield against the sun’s harsh rays. Vitamins C and E also work to protect your skin against oxidative stress and the harmful effects of pollution. One tester noted that it “absorbs quickly” and gave their skin a “glow-like effect”.
BEST MOUTH WASH
Ordo Mouthwash Concentrate & Reusable Mouthwash Bottle
Dishwasher-friendly and designed to last a lifetime, fill your BPA-free reusable bottle till the line with Ordo’s concentrate (it makes 4 bottles) and top it up with water. The mouthwash is alcohol-free and improves gum health while reducing plaque. “I’m never going back to regular mouthwash,” one tester remarked.
BEST FLOSS
White Glo Floss Charcoal
There are few things more infuriating than flossing and still not being able to dislodge that pesky popcorn kernel. This floss is specially designed to reach those tight spaces, and is infused with activated charcoal to remove plaque and impurities your toothbrush can’t reach.
BEST AT-HOME WHITENING TREATMENT
White Glo Diamond Whitening System
“I’ve seen slow, but effective results. It’s also easy to use, apply and overall a great package and well worth the retail price,” one tester praised. That’s because the formula has been designed to provide fast, effective and long lasting results by lifting stains and removing yellowing on the surface of your tooth enamel safely and without abrasion.
BEST WATER FLOSSER
Waterpik® WP-490 Cordless Plus Water Flosser
You don’t need a Fraken-flosser to achieve great results. This water flosser is compact, cordless and ultra quiet which is great for travel and avoiding arguments over bathroom counter space. Plus, it puts in the hard work for you; it’s clinically proven to remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas.
BEST PROFESSIONAL WHITENING
Philips Zoom Whitening
This is the #1 requested professional whitening brand for good reason. You’ll get a custom treatment to suit your needs (taking the type of staining into consideration as well as your sensitivity levels and budget) and can go up to 8 shades whiter in under an hour. It’s well-worth the investment too; you’ll get free whitening for life if you visit the same dentist or hygienist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup.
YOUR gym bag
Stash these recovery remedies in your tog bag.
BEST CLARIFYING BODY SPRAY
Dermalogica Clear Start Clarifying Body Spray
Your post-workout cooldown isn’t just about flexing the right stretches. Spritz on this body spray to revive your outer layer after even the most gruelling session. Moroccan argan oil works to calm down redness; salicylic acid exfoliates your skin to prevent breakouts; and witch hazel and tea tree oil turn on the AC. Use this after your shower, holding the can about 30cm from your body while spraying. Let it sink in (and dry) for a minute and get dressed.
BEST BODY WASH
Axe Black Fresh Charge Body Wash
When it comes to sloshing off your training grime, you’ll need a heavy-duty body wash that obliterates dirt. This one boasts 12 hours of freshness and packs in a cascade of plant-based moisturisers to rehydrate your skin. “The frozen pear and cedarwood fragrance feels reinvigorating after a tough session,” remarked one tester.
BEST ANTIPERSPIRANT
Clere For Men Active Invisible Dry Anti-Perspirant Roll-On
Pit stains can ruin your favourite Tees and tanks in the time it takes to wrap up your set. Swap to this clear antiperspirant to keep your kit intact. It gives you 48 hours of dryness and underarm protection against odours
BEST FACE SUNSCREEN
Martiderm Active D Fluid 50+
With summer fast approaching, you’ll soon want to take your training sessions into the great outdoors. This effective sun shield contains chicory root extract, a natural ingredient that’s been shown to improve skin barrier function. It’s water-resistant, too, so it’ll serve you admirably on the beach and trail alike.
BEST BODY WASH FOR ACNE
Pastry Skincare Salicylic Acid Body Wash
Bacne getting in the way of showing off your hard-earned traps and lats? This scent-less full-body wash bats away breakouts, unclogs pores and reduces inflammation. The secret? Salicylic acid. This miracle compound works by breaking down skin cells and shedding dead layers.
BEST DEODORANT
Revlon Man Fire and Ice Blaze Deodorant Body Spray
While roll-ons and sticks have largely taken over our bathroom cabinets, quick sprays still deserve a slice of your grooming real estate. This one stood out from the rest, packing an invigorating masculine fragrance that lingers for ages. Just don’t over do it. Hold this 15cm from your pits—a short burst is all you need.
BEST ALL-PURPOSE BODY LOTION
NIVEA Men Deep Impact Body Lotion
According to our survey, 5% of you are never moisturising. But tough gym sessions and outdoor workouts demand extra reps to keep your skin in good nick. This ultra-affordable, any-skin-type salve will rehydrate your outer layer while giving you the aura of a rugged adventurer with its intense, woody scent.
BEST BODY TREATMENT
Aromatic Apothecary Sport Massage & Bath Oil
Recovery massages can have you rearing to go (again) in record time. Tag in this oil, which is packed with natural ingredients to expedite your cooldowns. Ginger works to warm your muscles, lavender relaxes them, black pepper improves circulation and menthol breaks the ice. Rub into your calves post-run or tris on arm’s day.
BEST COLLAGEN
Be Bright Active Day Collagen
Collagen is a miracle worker when it comes to skin, bone and joint health. This pouch distills our new favourite supp into its most convenient form. Simply mix 1½ tablespoons of powder in a cup with hot water (or your liquid of choice) and stir briskly until dissolved. Cheers to a brighter outlook for your outer layer.
BEST PROTEIN POWDER
Mankind Cookies and Cream Protein Shake
Protein powder isn’t just a muscle maker—it can give your skin a lift, too. Whip up a shake with this easy mixer and sip on a healthy dose of L-Glutamine which has been shown to help heal and hydrate your skin, and even spike the production of collagen. Bonus: it tastes great, too.
YOUR FACE
Refresh your outlook with the latest and greatest in skincare.
BEST GEL CLEANSER
Vitaderm Mild Gel Cleanser
A 2019 study found that 50-60% of men report having some degree of sensitive skin. This gel cleanser that’s best suited to normal to oily skin types cleanses without stripping and contains sandalwood, lavender and petitgrain extracts.
BEST FACE WASH FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN
African Extracts Rooibos Man Deep Clean Oil Control Face Wash
Packed with nature’s equivalent of The Avengers, bio-active rooibos, buchu extract and activated charcoal join forces to fight acne. The activated charcoal removes excess oil and impurities while the rooibos and buchu soothe your skin (especially after shaving).
BEST EXFOLIATOR
MartiDerm Facial Scrub
You need to prepare your skin in order to get better product penetration and exfoliating helps do just that. “Just a couple doses—I used it once per week as instructed—of this triple-action exfoliator helped clear up my skin, absorb excess oil and soften that unwanted bowling-ball shine,” one tester remarked.
BEST FACE SUNSCREEN
Lamelle Helase 50+
This is one of few products able to protect your skin from the entire solar-radiation spectrum (UVB, UVA1, UVA2, Visible Light, and Infrared) and help repair damaged DNA. ”This product was effective and cool to the skin without leaving a sticky residue or white face,” said one tester.
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT MOISTURISER
lelive crème de la cream
Use this day or night to keep your skin hydrated without overloading it. It’s suited to normal, oily or combination skin. “This is great for anyone living on the coast. Since moving to KZN, I haven’t used any other moisturiser,” said one tester.
BEST LIP TREATMENT
Letibalm Nose and Lips Repair Fluid
This hero product has been flying under the radar, but once you try the number one lip balm in Spain and Portugal, you’ll have multiple stashed in easy-to-reach places. Whether it’s allergies, a cold, flu or just sensitive skin, this has been designed specifically to protect and care for your lips and nose as well as the skin in-between.
BEST EYE SERUM
AQ Skin Solutions Eye Serum
This eye serum helps to stimulate the skin’s natural process of rejuvenation with a patented growth factor (GF) blend and active ingredients to fight tired eyes and dark circles. One tester said, “I noticed results within a few days and over the last couple months my dark circles have decreased.”
BEST BARRIER REPAIR CREAM
Red Dane Healing Cream
This is formulated to repair normal barrier function without disrupting your skin’s natural pH balance and is perfect for those with sensitive, dry skin that’s prone to redness. “It’s an ultra-hydrating alchemy targeted at dry skin that’s easily irritated, and I could feel its healing effects within just a few days,” said one tester.
BEST RETINOL
Lamelle Correctives RA Advance Cream
Don’t have retinol in your skincare arsenal yet? A 2015 study found there was a “significant reduction” in wrinkles seen in participants who used a retinol for 12 weeks. This concentrated night cream uses two revolutionary retinoids; one gives you faster results with a lower risk of irritation and the other penetrates deeper into the skin for maximum efficiency.
BEST SKINCARE TOOL
FOREO LUNA 3 Men
This is clinically proven to remove 99.5% of dirt and oil from your skin and facial hair to reduce chances of breakouts, ingrown hairs and prevent razor burn. Once your skin is squeaky clean, flip it over to receive a firming massage that boosts microcirculation.
BEST SHEET MASK
Skin Republic For Men Energising Face Mask Sheet
Consider this an espresso shot for your face. It’s designed to give long-lasting hydration and provide an energy boost to dry and tired skin. It also contains ingredients to smooth fine lines. Our testers loved that it was beard-friendly, gentle even after shaving and easy to use.
BEST ALL-ROUND SERUM
Shiseido Men Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Shiseido reformulated their best-selling concentrate to suit men’s skincare needs and the results speak for themselves; after four weeks of continued use 91% felt their skin texture improved, 90% felt their skin looked healthier and 90% felt this serum keeps their skin in its best condition.
BEST HYALURONIC ACID SERUM
Novexpert Hyaluronic Acid Booster Serum
This booster serum firms up your skin and smooths your outer layer for a more youthful disposition. “I noticed an immediate improvement within just a few weeks, and I’m not alone. Novexpert boasts that more than 90% of volunteers using the product had the same experience,” said one tester.
BEST MULTI-TASKING SERUM
Eco Diva Superfood Face Serum
28% of MH readers are using day serums to fight ageing. This age-defying solution is infused with hyaluronic acid, baobab, marula, argan, vit C, vit A, vit E, antioxidants and SPF to not only reduce wrinkles and dark marks but hydrate and moisturise, too. “Its rich formula left my skin with a radiant glow,” said one tester.
BEST SERUM FOR OFFICE WORKERS
ENOUGH. Blue Light Elixir
“Did you know that long-term exposure to blue light—like that emitted by your laptop, phone and the sun—can damage your skin? Me neither. And my job involves a lot of basking in the aqua rays. ENOUGH’s blue-light-busting elixir leverages natural ingredients (blueberry oil and rice bran oil) to absorb this skin-destroying glow. It also hydrates your skin.”
BEST GROWTH FACTOR SERUM
AQ Skin Solutions Active Serum
Using patented Human Growth Factor (HGF) Technology, it aims to rejuvenate collagen, improving texture and moisturise skin. One tester raved: “This serum has completely transformed my skin, giving me an incredible and radiant complexion!”
BEST SERUM FOR EVEN SKIN TONE
lelive all glow’d up
If you have pigmentation or uneven skin tone, tag in this local hero. Over a four-week trial, 94% of participants had brighter, more vibrant skin, 82% felt their skin was much clearer and 89% said their skin was more hydrated and plump. ‘Nuff said.
BEST EXFOLIATING SERUM
Lamelle Cathepzyme 2 Corrective Serum
This intensive home exfoliation system is the equivalent of a buff and polish for your car and it delivers serious results; we’re talking targeted exfoliation without irritation. It’s best suited to those with mature, sun-damaged skin with hyperpigmentation and not sensitive or rosacea-prone skins. Insider scoop: it’s great at treating Keratosis Polaris, too.
Grooming By Numbers…
We surveyed Men’s Health readers to find out exactly how they’re grooming in 2024. Here’s what they had to say…