The 2023 Men's Health Grooming Awards

Jan 28, 2024

Our product picks are editor-tested, expert-approved. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Why Trust Us?

All sorts of new products are advertising cutting-edge innovations. We tested more than 200 of these offerings and found the actual best.

WALK DOWN any men's grooming aisle and you’re bound to see a slew of products you’ve never seen before. Every year, more and more products launch that claim to streamline your routine, save you time and, most importantly, help you look better and feel cleaner. These products advertise breakthrough ingredients and cutting edge innovations, all of which are purported to make your life easier. But how do you know which are actually worth your time—and money?

That's where we come in. Our team of intrepid testers put over 200 of these new products through their paces. They slathered, lathered, scrubbed and rubbed all kinds of products for months to figure out which actually lived up to their claims and which fell short. The result is the 2023 Men's Health Grooming Awards—the very best products to take your grooming routine to the next level.

This stuff contains creatine (yes, really) to strengthen weak hair, thicken thinning strands, and deliver a potent lather while cleansing.

Don't be deceived by how lightweight this conditioner looks and feels. The powerful ingredients, including pH-balancing Apple Cider Vinegar, work magic to smooth and hydrate your hair without weighing it down or a hint of greasiness.

The pre-shower gel comes packed with salicylic acid and glucosamine to help gently exfoliate away dead skin cells and buildup from your scalp for a healthier head.

Even if you don't have dandruff, this shampoo controls itchiness, reduces oil, and soothes with botanical ingredients.

A little goes a long way with this effective, yet gentle multi-use cleanser. The coconut oil in the formula helps to keep skin and hair moisturized instead of stripped, while still delivering a fresh feeling and a woody, manly scent.

Testers found this cleanser left their curly hair clean feeling, but still super soft without a hint of that dry, crispy stripped feeling. It's especially good when followed up with the Essential Moisture Conditioner for a double whammy of curl-enhancing moisture.

The whipped cream-style nozzle of the bottle sprays out a mousse-like cream that's feather-light in your hair, but moisturized dry strands instantly for unmatched curl definition without any of the crispiness you might get from other mousses or gels.

Smooth a little of this through damp or dry hair to prevent frizz, control fluff, and add shine. As one tester said, "It makes your hair look better; it works."

Our testers found that this vegan wax spread through their hair effortlessly, but still provided the hold and texture you expect from a hair wax.

There's enough hold in this paste to style your do, but it won't leave any residue or weigh it down. Plus, scalp-friendly ingredients help keep a healthy balance without irritation-causing buildup.

Combining the best qualities of a hair cream and a pomade, this innovative product delivers the smoothing and shaping effects of cream with the hold and texture of a pomade for a less greasy, natural finish.

The clear spray soaks up oil between washes. Bonus: Deploy it as a styling product to pump up hair volume.

This medium-hold gel can give curls and waves definition or slick your hair for classic styles without crunchiness and won't flake onto your shoulders as the day goes on.

With ingredients that help address all four phases of the hair growth cycle, including DHT blockers to reduce shedding, this refillable spray can also be used as a styler to pump up the volume and texture of your hair without added weight.

A few spritzes of this spray not only transforms dry, frizzy strands into soft, natural waves, but it also nourishes hair with ingredients like quinoa protein and panthenol—and provides UV protection to boot.

Testers were blown away not only by how well this hairspray locks in your style without any crunchiness or shellacked look, but also that there isn't even a hint of that weird chemically hairspray smell you might be used to.

This professional-level home clipper kit contains everything you need to keep your style fresh at home, whether you’re a DIYer or just trying to keep it tight between cuts. Multiple length attachments, an adjustable blade, the ability to use it corded or cordless, 90 minutes of battery power, the list goes on.

Not only does this ultra-sleek hair dryer make barely a whisper when it's powered up, but it dries hair at lightning speed with less heat thanks to Smart-X technology. That means healthier hair and less time in front of the mirror.

Brush in this temporary color to cover up grays or even out the tones of your beard to make it look fuller or take it upstairs to define your brows with subtle color. It's mess- and commitment-free: just wash it out in the shower.

It always comes back to the Multigroom when you want a precise and quick trim anywhere on your body. Powerful enough to clean up your fade between cuts but gentle enough to use below the neck (or belt), this trimmer and attachments give you a custom trim every time.

Use this deeply hydrating mask on your hair once a week to help nourish and strengthen hair and keep even the driest hair moisturized. It's especially good to reset your ‘do after a day at the beach or pool.

A creamy body wash that keeps your skin clean and deeply moisturized. It's lightly fragranced, so it won't irritate sensitive skin or compete with your cologne.

Laugh at the name if you want—this wash delivers a powerfully clean feeling, no joke, and leaves skin feeling smooth.

The trifecta of shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil makes this extra-lathering soap the answer to dry skin.

This gel protects your skin from the sun without any white cast or greasiness (seriously), but also contains ingredients like antioxidant Vitamin E to help further protect your skin from sun damage and Hibiscus Extract to keep it hydrated.

A tiny squeeze of this thick cream is enough to smooth and moisturize even the driest, crustiest hands thanks to the nourishing botanically-derived fatty acids in the formula. What we really like, however, is the earthy, mysterious aroma inspired by the California desert.

This straightforward cream uses the power of vitamin-packed plant extracts to deeply moisturize dry skin without greasiness. Apply it and watch your skin drink it up immediately.

Somehow, this fragrance-free deodorant keeps under arm stink at bay all day without masking it with another scent. Maybe it's the clay and tapioca starch or the probiotics or even the skin-hydrating botanical extracts. Whatever it is, it works.

Degree says its technology builds a microbarrier on your pits that responds to causes of sweat (stress, heat, movement) to prevent odor and dampness for up to 96 hours. Our tester confirmed it.

The ultra-fine crystals in this scrub smooth away rough patches wherever they are on your body, like your elbows and knees, and rinse off easily without getting caught in your body hair (if you know, you know).

A few sprays of this naturally-derived spray cleanses your hands without soap and water and leaves them soft, not dry, with a refreshing mint scent.

Taking a trimmer downstairs is always a little scary, but this one is specially designed to trim your nether regions with minimal risk. The closely spaced blades reduce nicks, cuts and tugging and there is even a sensitive comb for added protection if you need it.

Body breakouts? They’re part of being a dude, but this salicylic-acid-laced spray is an easy treatment for zits anywhere on your body. Yes, even your back.

This wax service, designed for men, can help you feel and stay cleaner and less sweaty down there. Once you get over the initial awkwardness, it's a game changer.

This extra large and extra strong clipper is designed to easily cut through thick toenails (you know the ones we’re talking about).

Say goodbye to that sweaty, uncomfortable feeling below the bet. A few spritzes of this with hazel-infused spray and your nether regions are left not only smelling fresh, but feeling fresh as well.

Unlike traditional cleansers, this one removes dirt but doesn't disrupt your skin's barrier. "My skin feels incredible after every use," raved one tester.

Even though it's rich and creamy, this stuff rubs into your skin quickly with no leftover greasi- ness.

Using this as a final step in your morning skincare routine kills two birds with one stone. It's a deeply hydrating moisturizer packed with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and skin-fortifying ceramides, but also has invisible SPF for all-important UV protection.

This multitasking cleanser rids your face of dirt and oil, but also contains jojoba beads to gently smooth away dead skin from its surface and salicylic acid to remove buildup from deep inside your pores.

A few swipes of these single-use peel pads a couple times a week not only help remove dull buildup on your skin to make it look brighter, but can also help lighten hyperpigmentation, reduce the look of pores and way more, no matter what your skin type.

Packed with minerals from the unique water of Iceland's legendary Blue Lagoon, this mask hydrates and fortifies your skin better than any others we tried. Leave it on for 20 minutes or, better yet, overnight for bright, less irritated skin.

It's not cheap, but just a dab applied at night clears up any signs of vampire eyes the next morning. Credit the mighty combination of lactic acid and vitamin C.

Swipe this around your peepers at night to help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles that make you look tired. The retinal in the formula goes to work quickly—our testers saw a difference after just a few uses.

Yes, your lips can get sunburned and trust us, it sucks. To keep the delicate skin on your lips from burning, smooth on some of this moisturizing balm to not only create a layer of hydration, but protection, too.

Sure, it goes on super smooth and actually stays on your lips long enough to keep them hydrated and protected, but the best thing about this set is that the flavors aren't oppressive so you actually want to use them (there is an unflavored version, too, in case you don't).

There's a lot to love about this hydrating and nourishing serum. Apart from infusing your skin with moisture, it also helps strengthen your skin barrier for added protection and delivers antioxidant benefits, too. The lightweight texture makes it ideal for a variety of environments.

Packed with antioxidants, this worth-it serum does the job of multiple products. It tightens! It soothes redness! It prevents fine lines and wrinkles!

If you feel like your skin looks shiny or greasy again mere hours after washing your face, apply this alcohol-free toner after a cleanse to keep oil at bay. It helps provide hydration to rebalance your skin after cleansing as well as oil-fighting ingredients to help manage shine.

This soothing, milky serum contains salicylic acid to help fight zits, blackheads, and blemishes without leaving your skin angry.

Toners exist to help neutralize the pH of your skin after cleansing, but this one also helps hydrate dry skin with hyaluronic acid and snow mushroom extract. It's essential for anyone with dry or dull skin.

While it's not for the newbie, this potent formula is unmatched in how quickly the skin-smoothing, wrinkle-reducing effects of retinol are noticeable. A few drops at night are all you need for big results.

Whenever your face looks a little dull and lackluster, use this gently exfoliating mask to brighten it up. It also contains anti-inflammatory saffron and soothing turmeric to help keep redness and irritation at bay.

Why pay a ton more for in- office LED treatments if you can just pop on this powerful mask for ten minutes a day to help calm irritation, smooth fine lines, and clear up under-eye circles?

It's the first FDA-approved hyaluronic-acid-based filler for sculpting your jawline sans surgery. Ask your dermatologist or see a plastic surgeon for more info.

This deeply moisturizing cream not only infuses skin with moisture, but helps to pump off its protective skin barrier as well. Out of all the night creams we tried, "this one hydrated my mug for most of the next day," said one tester.

The smooth, clear formula is ideal for beard lineups and other situations when you need to see where the razor is headed.

Forget those alcohol-laced creams that leave your skin dry and irritated. This rich shaving cream is packed with hydrating oils and plant extracts to not only give you the smoothest shave out there, but leaves your skin soft and moisturized as well.

The sturdy, ergonomically designed razor features rubber dots for an enhanced grip. It's a contemporary take on a classic that still fits your Harry's cartridges.

Sweet almond and jojoba oils (and more) work to not only soften and shine-ify your whiskers, but also moisturize and protect the dryness-prone skin underneath your beard. Use it to keep your beard shaped and scraggle-free.

This innovative serum not only smooths and hydrates dry beard hairs, but also plumps them up to make them look fuller. It's ideal for anyone who wants to turn up the volume on their facial hair.

This no-bull beard trimmer cuts with precision. Also, the attachable ten-position guide comb makes it easy to toggle between different lengths without changing guards.

Olive and castor oils form a nongreasy protective barrier that also softens hairs.

Its skin-softening hydration powers are pretty amazing. The cooling menthol helps you feel fresh— and the scent doubles as a high-end cologne.

Slap some of this onto your mug after you shave to help calm down freshly shaved skin (thanks to soothing chamomile) and reduce the risk of razor bumps and ingrown hairs (thanks to exfoliating glycolic acid).

The new version of this powerhouse electric razor has a 360-degree flex blade that moves with the contours of your face.

Somewhere between a face wash and a shampoo, this gentle cleanser uses ingredients like aloe and nettle leaf to gently remove dirt and oil from your whiskers and face without leaving your beard feeling dry or crispy.

Delivering a deep, sparkling clean, the toothpaste in this recyclable tube has a fresh, minty flavor and aloe that soothes gums.

The top-notch plaque-removing, teeth-cleaning powers of this toothbrush would make it a winner no matter what, but the replaceable heads that help reduce plastic waste seal the deal.

There's no burn to this alcohol-free mouthwash, and it comes with two refills for way less waste.

The combo of dentist- recommended strips and LED light is so effective, one of our testers noticed a brighter, whiter smile after just one use.

Testers reported that this budget-friendly brush cleaned their teeth better than luxury models twice its price. The design is simple, the charge is quick, and the brush heads are easy to swap when the time comes.

Multiple modes and intensity settings allow this cordless water flosser to deep-clean—even if you have sensitive gums.

Pine needles and cedar scents create a woodsy vibe that's bold but not overly aggressive. It's a power suit in a bottle.

This version of Sauvage pumps up the cinnamon, vetiver, and wood. There's a pop of patchouli and citrus, too, just to make things extra interesting.

This blend of vanilla, sage, lemon, and mandarin is big, fresh, and full of staying power.

With notes of lavender, ginger, and denim, this smooth, subtle fragrance reminds you of the long weekend you definitely need.

Grapefruit adds something familiar and then—boom—absinthe comes out of nowhere, for a cologne that stands out.

Notes of black tea, wood and incense lend an exotic, mysterious vibe to this scent that makes you want to hop on a plane and explore far-flung locales.

Inspired by the dark, masculine citrus scents of the ’90s, this uses notes like verbena, beach heather, and sea lavender to give the original vibe a modern spin.

A few sprays of this citrus and eucalyptus concoction has a remarkable ability to lighten your mood and keep you smelling clean and fresh for hours.

The three-bevel blade system of this compact detailer keeps it all tidy.

Pop a pair of these patches under your eyes after a long flight to hydrate and refresh.

One capsule houses a burst of freshness that makes you feel like you just went through your whole brushing routine.

Swipe on this ultra- lightweight, clear sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays with absolutely no goop or white cast.

This conditioner smooths your strands in just one minute.

It smells bright and clean and totally unlike any body sprays from your teen years. Plus, it deodorizes.

Garrett Munce writes about men's style and grooming. He's written for Esquire, New York Magazine, Spotlyte, and Very Good Light and held staff positions at GQ and W. Follow his skincare obsession on Instagram at @garrettmunce.

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