Men's Skincare Made Simple: The Two ZO Products Dr Yasmin Tayeb Starts Everyone On

Men's Skincare Made Simple: The Two ZO Products I Start Everyone On

Most men who walk into Wellface for the first time have never used more than a bar of soap and, if we're lucky, a moisturiser that has been sitting in the bathroom cabinet for three years. There's nothing wrong with that. It just means the skin is usually carrying a build-up of dead cells, a bit of shine through the T-zone, and pores that look larger than they need to. The good news is that fixing the basics doesn't require a ten-step routine or a shelf of products you'll never finish.

As the founder of Wellface, I have a simple answer when a man asks where to start. Two products. Both are about exfoliation, because that is where the visible difference happens fastest. Get rid of the dull surface layer, keep the pores clear, and skin instantly looks fresher and reflects light better. That's the "glow" everyone talks about, and it isn't complicated to achieve.

Both products come from ZO Skin Health, a doctor-founded range we use across the clinic. In the reel, I highlight the salicylic acid control pads and the exfoliating polish. One is a chemical exfoliant, the other is a physical scrub, and they do slightly different jobs. Used together, they cover almost everything a beginner needs to sort out texture, congestion and dullness. Here's what each one actually does and how to fit them into a routine you'll stick to.

Why exfoliation is the right place for men to start

Skin renews itself constantly. New cells form deeper down and gradually push up to the surface, where the old ones flake away. As we get older, and especially if the skin has never been looked after, that shedding process slows down and gets untidy. Dead cells sit on the surface for longer. They scatter light rather than reflecting it, which is why skin can look grey, tired or rough even when you've had a decent night's sleep.

Men's skin has a few particular quirks here. It tends to be thicker than women's and produces more oil, thanks to higher sebum activity. That's why congestion, blackheads and enlarged-looking pores are such common complaints. Regular shaving adds another layer, because dragging a razor over a build-up of dead skin is exactly how you end up with irritation and ingrown hairs. Proper exfoliation clears the path, so shaving is smoother and the skin underneath is healthier.

I often point out that exfoliation is the fastest win in skincare. You don't have to wait months to see the benefit the way you do with some anti-ageing products. Skin looks brighter and feels smoother almost immediately, which is why it's such a satisfying place for a beginner to begin. Once that habit is in place, adding a good SPF, a vitamin C serum or a retinol later on becomes far easier.

The salicylic acid control pads: a gentle chemical exfoliant

The first product is a pre-soaked pad you wipe over the face. The active ingredient that matters most is salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid, or BHA. What makes salicylic acid so useful for men is that it's oil-soluble. In plain terms, it can travel down into the pore, past the sebum, and dissolve the mix of oil and dead skin that clogs it. That's the process behind blackheads and those bumpy, congested patches around the nose and chin, and it's exactly what salicylic acid targets.

The ZO pads also carry a small amount of glycolic acid, which works on the surface to loosen dead cells and even out tone, plus soothing botanical extracts to keep things comfortable. The combination gives you a light daily exfoliation that keeps oil in check and stops pores clogging in the first place. You don't scrub with these. You simply sweep a pad across clean skin and let the acids do the work.

How to use them

Use the pads on clean, dry skin, ideally in the evening after cleansing. Wipe one gently over the areas that tend to get oily or congested, usually the forehead, nose and chin, then let the skin dry before moisturising. Because salicylic acid is potent, start with once a day at most, and if your skin is on the sensitive side, every other day is plenty to begin with. You can build up as your skin gets used to it.

One thing worth knowing: acids like these can make skin a little more sensitive to sunlight. That's not a reason to avoid them, it's a reason to wear a daily SPF, which every man should be doing anyway. A broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning protects the fresh skin you're revealing and does more for long-term ageing than almost anything else in the bathroom.

The exfoliating polish: a physical scrub that doesn't wreck your skin

The second product is the ZO Exfoliating Polish, and this is the one I describe as leaving skin with a proper fresh glow without turning it red. Where the pads work chemically, the polish works physically. It's a scrub, but the abrasive part is made from ultra-fine magnesium oxide crystals rather than the harsh, jagged bits you find in cheap high-street scrubs. Those cheaper grains can cause tiny tears in the skin and leave you looking flushed and irritated. The magnesium crystals in this polish are milled to be gentle, so they buff away the dead surface layer smoothly and then rinse clean away.

There's a bit more going on in the formula too. It carries antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, which help protect the skin and support that brighter, more even look. The result is skin that feels genuinely smooth to the touch, reflects light better and takes the rest of your routine, moisturiser, serum, whatever you use, more effectively, because you're not applying it over a layer of dead cells.

How to use it

Use the polish on damp skin after cleansing. Take an amount about the size of a pea, massage it in gentle circles for a minute or two, avoiding the eye area, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Two to three times a week is the sweet spot for most men. If your skin is dry or reactive, start with once a week and see how it responds. The aim is smooth, refreshed skin, not a scrubbed-raw face, so let the crystals do the work and keep the pressure light.

Putting the two together without overdoing it

The obvious question is how two exfoliating products fit together without stripping the skin. The answer is that they don't both need to be used every day, and they don't need to be used at the same time. Think of the pads as your regular maintenance, keeping oil and congestion under control, and the polish as a two or three times weekly deep clean that resets the surface texture.

A simple way to run both: use the salicylic acid pads on the evenings you're not using the polish, and use the polish on its own two or three times a week. That gives your skin steady, gentle exfoliation without the risk of over-exfoliating, which shows up as tightness, redness, flaking or a strange shiny sensitivity. If you notice any of those signs, ease off the frequency for a week and let the skin recover. Follow both with a moisturiser, and always wear SPF during the day.

That really is the whole starter routine: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturise, protect. Two active products doing the heavy lifting. Once it becomes second nature, and it usually does within a fortnight because the results are visible, you can talk to me about adding targeted extras for your particular concerns.

Common questions about starting men's skincare

I've genuinely never used skincare. Is this too much to start with?

Not at all. This is deliberately a minimal routine. Two products, used a few times a week, plus a moisturiser and sunscreen you can pick up alongside them. Most men find it takes less than two minutes and slots straight into their existing shower and shave routine.

Will exfoliating help with shaving problems and ingrown hairs?

Often, yes. A lot of shaving irritation and ingrown hairs come from dead skin trapping the hair as it tries to grow out. Regular gentle exfoliation keeps that surface clear, so hairs emerge cleanly and the razor glides more smoothly. Just avoid exfoliating immediately after a close shave, when the skin is already sensitised.

How soon will I see a difference?

The smoothness and brightness from exfoliation are usually noticeable within the first week or two. Deeper improvements in congestion and pore appearance build up over several weeks of consistent use, because you're gradually clearing and keeping the pores clear rather than fixing them once.

Do I still need a moisturiser and SPF?

Yes to both. Exfoliating acids can increase sun sensitivity, so a daily broad-spectrum SPF is important, and it's the single best thing you can do for long-term skin health. A light moisturiser after exfoliating keeps the barrier comfortable and stops any tightness.

Can I use these if I have sensitive or reactive skin?

Usually, but go slowly. Start with the lowest frequency, patch test if you're unsure, and build up gradually. If you have a specific skin condition such as rosacea or eczema, it's worth a quick chat with one of our doctors first so we can tailor the approach.

Book a skincare consultation at Wellface

Starting skincare doesn't have to mean guessing in the aisles of a chemist. If you'd like a routine matched to your skin rather than a generic one, I can take a proper look and point you to what will actually make a difference. Both of the ZO products I recommend are stocked at the clinic, and I can show you exactly how to use them.

I see patients at our three Surrey and London branches in Cobham, Esher and Wimbledon. Get in touch to arrange a consultation with me, and I'll help you build something simple that you'll genuinely keep up with.