Men's Grooming Summer Essentials 2024
Here is our curated list of grooming summer essentials that will ensure you stay cool, confident, and stylish all season long.
It’s time to update your grooming routine to tackle the unique challenges of summer. The intense sun, soaring humidity, and increased outdoor activities can take a toll on your skin, hair, and overall style.
To help you look and feel your best, we’ve curated a list of summer essentials every man needs. From SPF skincare to protect against harmful UV rays, to anti-humidity hair products that keep your style in check, and refreshing summer fragrances that leave a lasting impression, we’ve got you covered.
Read on to discover the must-have products and tips to stay cool and well-groomed all season long.
Skincare
During the warmer weather, it’s important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays to avoid premature ageing and skin cancer. It’s also important to keep skin hydrated and moisturised so that the heat doesn’t dry out the skin.
Moisturisers with SPF
SPF is an essential part of your skincare routine as it protects from skincare damage, premature ageing and skin cancer. Ideally, you should be using moisturiser with SPF all year around but it is especially important in summer when the sun is at its most powerful.
- CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF50 – £16.50
A lightweight lotion that provides long-lasting hydration and UV protection. This is a standout choice among mainstream men’s moisturisers with SPF. - Murad Acne Control Oil and Pore Control Mattifier Broad Spectrum SPF 45 – £49
This luxurious product not only shields your skin from harmful rays but also helps control oil and reduce the appearance of pores. - Clinique For Men Super Energiser SPF 40 Anti-Fatigue Hydrating Concentrate – £49
Active men need a product that can keep up with their lifestyle. This is ideal for those who are always on the go, offering high SPF protection while providing a boost of hydration and energy to the skin. This makes it an excellent choice for sports SPF moisturisers for men.
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturiser SPF 35 – £48
Sensitive skin requires gentle, non-irritating products. This moisturiser provides hydration and sun protection in a lightweight, non-greasy formula that’s perfect for sensitive skin. This is one of the best sensitive skin SPF moisturisers available.
Lightweight Products
You want to stick to lightweight products that won’t feel heavy or slide off with sweat or wash off after swimming.
- The Ordinary Balancing & Clarifying Serum -£20.20
A serum that balances and clarifies the skin without being heavy. - BYOMA Brightening Serum – £12.99
A lightweight serum aimed at brightening the skin. - Dr David Jack All Day Long Daily Defence – £95
This essential sheer day cream features the very latest protective filters, including SPF50 and blue light protection, to create an impenetrable daily skin shield for urban living.
Self-Tanning
If you want to create a healthy tan without damaging your skin, try a tinted moisturiser or a few tanning drops for a healthy glow. Don’t worry these products won’t leave you with an orange hue, but create a subtle touch of colour.
- Tan-Luxe The Face – £36
This is an absolute hero product! I add about 6 drops of Tan-Luxe The Face (light/medium) to my usual moisturiser and work over my face, ears and down my neck onto my chest. The glow is natural, streak-free and doesn’t clump in or discolour my facial hair. Highly recommended by MFH! - Tan-Luxe The Body – £44
Just like the Tan-Luxe The Face, Tan-Luxe The Body tanning drops can be mixed in with your daily body moisturiser for a healthy sun-kissed glow. Vitamin E and raspberry seed oil help to nourish and hydrate the skin.
Body
Deodorant
As the temperatures rise, managing sweat and body odour becomes essential to maintaining freshness and confidence throughout the day. A reliable antiperspirant is a summer must-have, helping to control perspiration and keep you feeling dry even during the hottest, most humid days. Here are some top-recommended antiperspirant products that offer powerful protection to keep you comfortable and odour-free all summer long.
- Mitchum Ice Fresh – Roll On Deodorant – £3.30
Mitchum Ice Fresh has been expertly formulated for ultra-powerful 48-hour sweat and odour control. Dermatologist tested. This is my go-to deodorant!
SPF
It’s not just your face that needs protection from the sun; your entire body is vulnerable to harmful UV rays, which can lead to sunburn, premature ageing, and an increased risk of skin cancer. As we spend more time outdoors during the summer, it’s crucial to use SPF products that provide broad-spectrum protection, shielding your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Look for water-resistant formulations that stay effective through sweat and swimming, ensuring continuous coverage. Here are some top-recommended SPF products for your body, designed to keep your skin safe and healthy while you enjoy the sun. From sprays to lotions, these products offer various application methods to suit your preferences and ensure you’re fully protected no matter your summer activities.
Hair products
Lightweight products
- Anforh Texture Spray – £24
Our very own Anforh Texture Volume Spray is a sea salt spray that provides weightless volume with a reworkable hold for the perfect beach look. - Kevin Murphy Leave-In Repair – £39
This product is great for those looking to repair damaged hair while also providing lightweight styling benefits. It helps to strengthen and protect the hair without weighing it down. - Moroccanoil Texture Clay– £18.45
Ideal for those seeking a matte finish with a stronghold, this clay is lightweight and works well for creating textured styles without feeling heavy or greasy. - Davines More Inside Clay – £23
This product offers a medium hold with a matte finish, suitable for those who prefer a more natural look while still wanting control over their hairstyle. It’s lightweight and easy to wash out.
Hair and Scalp Sun Protection
- Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil – £22.95
A lightweight spray mist that provides sun protection and hydrates the hair, preventing dryness and damage from UV exposure. It’s perfect for keeping hair healthy and protected during sunny days. - Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer – £30
This primer protects hair from heat and UV rays, making it an excellent choice for both sun protection and styling. It also helps detangle, de-frizz, and soften the hair. - Sachajuan Hair After The Sun – £33
This Conditioning Treatment replenishes the look and feel of sun-exposed hair. The lightweight cream delivers lasting nourishment to the strands, working to minimise dryness and restore a silky-smooth texture.
Fragrances
Summer is a great season to refresh your fragrance collection with scents that embody the essence of the warm, sunny months. Selecting the perfect summer scent can be daunting, so we have selected 5 fragrances just for you.
- Aesop Tacit
Aesop Tacit is a fresh, sophisticated, and subtly spicy fragrance that’s perfect for daily wear. The blend of basil grand vert, yuzu, and spices creates a modern yet timeless scent that is both invigorating and elegant.
- Miller Harris Celadon
This sophisticated blend of green notes with a warm, sensual finish makes Miller Harris Celadon perfect for any occasion. The combination of tea Ceylon and tomato leaf is both refreshing and unique, while the warm base notes add depth and longevity. - Mizensir Vert Empire
Mizensir Vert Empire is fresh and elegant, making it ideal for special occasions. The fragrance balances green and woody notes perfectly, providing a fresh yet lasting scent that is both refined and captivating. - Penhaligon’s Castile
A classic citrusy scent, Penhaligon’s Castile is both fresh and comforting. The combination of bergamot and orange blossom creates a bright, uplifting fragrance, while the woody base adds a touch of elegance. - Molton Brown Sunlit Clementine & Vetiver
Vibrant and uplifting, Molton Brown Sunlit Clementine & Vetiver is perfect for summer days. The zesty top notes of clementine, lemon, and bergamot blend beautifully with the warm base of vetiver, amber, and musk, creating a scent that is both refreshing and sophisticated.
Wearing fragrance in the summer requires a strategic approach to ensure the scent lingers pleasantly despite the heat. Apply your fragrance to pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, behind the ears, and inner elbows, where the warmth of your body will help to diffuse the scent throughout the day.
To enhance longevity, moisturise your skin with an unscented product before applying the fragrance; hydrated skin holds the scent better than dry skin. Alternatively, use a scented moisturiser to layer with your fragrance for an even bolder scent.
Additionally, opting for lighter, fresher fragrances can prevent the scent from becoming overwhelming in the heat, making your summer aroma both refreshing and enduring.
To explore more fragrances click here.
