Winter is well and truly upon us and whilst the majority will have swapped short sleeve tees for jumpers, and denim jackets for parkas, just how many of us have actually thought about the changes we should be making to our grooming routines? The good news is that just a few small changes can make all the difference.

Below are the top tips you can put into place straight away to protect yourself from the elements this winter – tried and tested with the subscription service from Grüum.

Taking care of your skin is the single most important thing you can do for your appearance. Sure, a sense of style helps, but the best clothing in the world can’t cover up unsightly bumps and blemishes. Even if you think you’re a skin care expert — and chances are you’re not — this refresher course from the basic to the advanced will remind you of what you should be including in your skin care regime.

As a man, your skin is unique and using female or unisex products just won’t cut it. The reason for the differences is due to testosterone. The biggest differences are: your skin is 25% thicker than a woman’s, primarily due to having higher collagen density than a woman, providing a stronger structural base for the skin. This means less creasing and folding of the skin, also known as wrinkles.

This is also a big reason why men’s faces hold up better over time, if taken care of.

Exfoliating Face Wash

Twenty years ago, it was a miracle if men’s grooming including anything more than washing the face with a bar of soap. Unfortunately, using a simple soap is about as bad as doing nothing at all: It can leave your skin taut and thirsty. Instead, use a cleanser that strikes a delicate balance between tough and tender. Look no further that Grüum…for a naturally fresh fragrance gel face wash that’s suitable for all skin types that is strong enough to cut through those overactive male sebaceous glands yet gentle enough to be used every day. This gel smells good, not too potent for first thing in the morning, but leaves your face feeling fresh.

For example: Grüum‘s gentle everyday cleanser gives a real deep clean, without stripping the skin. Designed to work with all skin types, you can count on kóri to help you look your best. A combination of Witch hazel, Aloe Vera, Orange and Eucalyptus work in harmony to combat dryness, soothe the skin, whilst keeping oil at bay. Sounds like a win to us.

No artificial colours or synthetic fragrances. EDTA free.

Face Tonic

A face tonic is just the opening act for facial cleansing. Men’s skin is naturally thicker than women’s, with larger pores that roll out the red carpet for nasty debris. No one likes to look at bumps and blackheads, and scrubbing will help smooth your complexion for a clearer, cleaner appearance it can often be left looking shiny! No one wants shiny. It also softens the skin as a first step toward a less gruesome shaving experience. With Grüum the combination in the little bottle means you don’t have to scrub away, scratching your skin, it softly cleanses with a cracking scent too.

After using for a few weeks, it feels natural and clean, it also washes away simply leaving you feeling fresh.

For Example: It takes just a second to add gösta to your skincare routine, and the benefits clearly outweigh the effort. Do you ever find your face looking shiny throughout the day? Does your skin feel irritated after shaving? Or perhaps you’re having some trouble with blackheads and breakouts? These common (and very annoying) problems can easily be improved with the facial tonic.

Grüum believe in the goodness of nature, so they’ve loaded their facial toner with honest, natural ingredients. Soothing Chamomile, Rosemary Oil, and Aloe Vera give the skin some real TLC, whilst Witch Hazel works to kill bacteria and refresh your complexion.

No artificial colours or synthetic fragrances. EDTA free.

Moisturiser

Even the mildest facial cleansers can leave your skin feeling just plain parched. And don’t think you can cheat the system by using one fortified with a laundry list of special moisturising agents. The truth is that every guy, even those with oily skin, needs to replenish the moisture content of their skin. Something as routine as showering or washing your face with hot water can open pores and allow valuable water to escape. A moisturiser like Grüum is light and breathy, minutes after putting it on it felt as though nothing was there, it wasn’t oily, thick or gloopy, it was a pleasure to use.

This whole process was pretty simple in and out the shower too, so it won’t add time to your routine, even though they’re few products.

When it comes to choosing the right moisturiser, make sure that you avoid certain chemicals, sulphates and parabens as they are amongst the main causes of skin problems. Also, to get the best results our of your moisturising sessions, it’s important to have a simple grooming routine consisting of cleansing, toning and finally hydration with a moisturiser. These simple steps are crucial during winter considering that your skin is more likely to be exposed to the elements.

For Example: kåre daily moisturiser is the essential finishing touch to your skincare routine. Cleansing your face with a gentle face wash (kori does the job very well) creates the ideal base to allow moisturiser to penetrate the skin and lock in that goodness.

Packed with the natural goodness of Chamomile, Rosemary Oil, and Green Tea extract, kåre is kind to sensitive skin and great at soothing post-shave irritation.

No artificial colours or synthetic fragrances. EDTA free.

Look after the whiskers

If you’re still backing the beard trend then it’s important to consider how to look after the whiskers this winter. Keep things simple by making it a two-step process.

1) Use a beard shampoo when you shower, this will clean the beard hair thoroughly and keep it healthy.

2) Use a beard oil after washing.

Beard oils help to reduce beard dandruff (it’s a thing) and also moisturise the beard hairs and skin below.

In addition

Shaving is notorious for upsetting your skin, particularly if it’s sensitive. The natural formulation of danne shave gel works to keep your skin happy. Soothing Aloe Vera helps to combat post-shave irritation, whilst Witch Hazel keeps bacteria at bay.

However, one that smells amazing is often a clear winner in our eyes! Like this…

For Example: danne is the perfect sidekick for any style of shave, it’s the robin to your razor. Use as a clear gel for precision and visibility, or lather up to create a gentle foam. Forget harsh artificial fragrances, danne is au natural, with Orange and Eucalyptus for a fresh subtle scent.

Looking better for less

Grüum works in several very easy steps, so you can achieve the and receive the right products for YOU.

1. Tell them about you: Take our 3-step survey about your face and style.
2. Build your kit: They’ll hand pick a selection of products perfect for you.
3. We deliver to your door: They’ll send your kit direct to your home or work.
4. Enjoy the benefits: See the difference in the mirror and in your wallet.

Another added bonus is that you never have to feel trapped with a subscription service! With Grüum you’re never tied in. The flexible approach means you can change, pause or cancel your kit at any time. Simple.

If you’re looking to treat yourself or the man in your life, we’d whole heatedly recommend Grüum as not only a great gift, but also something that’s great for the face! The simplistic design and easy-hold shavers are a classy touch on the regular ‘bic’.

To browse and shop the full Grüum range, please click here.