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The Manual Grooming Awards 2025: The Absolute Best Grooming Products for Men
Grooming isn’t just about looking good anymore. It’s about feeling your best. And in 2025, the men’s grooming world is evolving faster than ever. You’ve heard all the buzzwords: Science-backed formulas, sustainable packaging, smarter tools, cleaner ingredients. Everyone’s chasing “next-level” — but which brands are winning?
That’s where we come in.
At The Manual, we don’t do hype. We do hands-on. We test. We trim. We lather. We rinse (and sometimes repeat). We get insight from the founders behind the brands and advice from the experts who know what actually works. Because let’s be real — your grooming routine shouldn’t be a guessing game, and your time (and skin) is too valuable for that.
This year’s list covers everything, from your scalp to your soles. We’ve got the shampoos and scalp savers that keep your head in the game. Discover face care that works hard without being overly complicated, and of course, the colognes that turn heads in all the right ways.
The best part? You don’t need a 12-step routine or a bathroom full of products. All you need are the right ones. So, if you’re overhauling your entire setup or just fine-tuning a few go-to essentials, we’ve got you covered.
Welcome to The Manual’s 2025 Grooming Awards. Let’s get into it.
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Best Beard Products
Whether you’re rocking full lumberjack or five o’clock shadow, your beard deserves more than a rinse and hope. We dug up the oils that nourish and the trimmers that shape cleanly without snagging — keeping your facial hair (and the skin beneath it) in peak condition.
Best Beard Oil
18.21 Sweet Tobacco Beard Oil
Lightweight healthy hydration for your beard, hair, and skin. The smell is the perfect masculine mix of a day in the world and a trip to your local drinking spot. And, of course, the impact of the hydration can’t be understated. No more flakes from the beard after only a few days of use.
Best Beard Shampoo
Beard & Beyond Waterless Foam Beard Shampoo
Top-notch product from a company that knows its way around beard care. True confession: I’ve also used this product to soothe skin after a rough shave, with excellent results. You may or may not choose to go dual-purpose, but it really is that good.
Best Compact Shaver
Braun Mobile Shave
Traveling can throw a lot of wrenches in your daily routine. This razor is not only small, but washable and comes with an easy swivel cover to keep it and your dopp kit clean. Not to mention, the close Braun shave comes with you.
Best Beard Growth Product
Copenhagen Grooming Beard Growth Supplements
Selenium to grow a thick, natural beard. Skip all the scams online and go for the one that had me growing a thicker and fuller beard in just few weeks. It won’t jump start growing in patches, but it will fill you in nicely.
Best Aftershave
Dr. Squatch Soothing Post Shave
Dr. Squatch makes more products than any of us can count anymore, but this one surprised me. Loved the Fresh Falls and it goes on smoothly and easily. The effect is both scent cooling and soothing, and this has become my go-to product, especially after a rough shave. The small size at a great price makes it even more economical.
Best Mustache & Sideburn Trimmer
GA.MA Absolute Shaver
Some products fly under the radar in categories dominated by big names, and this one soars. It’s a quality razor from a company that makes barbershop-level products, so you’ll be in good company if you decide to give it a try.
Best Beard Trimmer
Manscaped Beard Hedger
Trims everything from scruff to long beards. I despise all the attachments usually needed for a great faded beard. Not only are they cumbersome, but they take up too much space. Manscaped has it figured out with this one. Any beard, any style, all in one tool.
Best All-In-One Tool
Panasonic Multishape
This is a unique product with a lot to offer. The big sell is that it gives you a base that works as a charging station for all your grooming needs, e.g., electric razor, toothbrush, etc. The catch is that it only accommodates Panasonic products, but you can’t beat it for pure convenience, and it’s worth the price to get the versatility.
Best Body Products
Your skin is your largest organ, so treat it like it matters. We went beyond just body wash and dug into the products that truly make a difference in how your skin feels, smells, and recovers. Dealing with dryness, itchiness, post-gym irritation — or just want to smell better than the guy next to you? These are the essentials that deliver.
Best Overall Lotion
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Cream
I get horribly dry skin when the seasons change. That means that four times a year I am looking for something to ease the transition. This is the lotion that has made 2025’s seasonal changes much more bearable. Two days worth of protection with one application keeps me moving.
Best Exfoliating Mitts
CleanLogic Body Mitts
Super functional and easy to use, not too harsh. CleanLogic makes a variety of exfoliating products, and they’re all excellent. Gloves and body cloths are available, so this is a one-step shop for exfoliating.
Best Itch Relief Spray
Cortizone 10
No matter how much repellent you use, bug bites are inevitable. Take care of them quickly and conveniently with this spray; the pocket size is convenient and it makes it easier to directly spray the bite. Fits into your backpack, too.
Best Exfoliator Scrub
Doc & Glo Big Money Glo
Good body scrub products are hard to find. Some are too harsh, and it’s tough to find a balance between scrubs that go on smoothly without being too greasy or grainy. This one gets the balance right, and it has a cooling scent that makes it easy to keep from going over the top when you scrub.
Best Anti-Chafing Product
Fur Chafe Cushion
Great product for a distance runner, or anyone else who really gets after it in their workouts. Goes on smooth, not greasy, minimal odor, and it gets the job done. Solid product that simply delivers good performance at a fair price.
Best Lotion for Dry Skin
Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair
For the guy who thinks his skin is too far gone, this is the lotion that brought me back from the brink. I am not the best at taking care of my skin, so when it got incredibly dry, and even a little cracked, this is what I reached for this year.
Best Collagen Product
Naked Nutrition Vanilla Collagene Creamer
There are plenty of collagen powders on the market, so you have lots of choices here. What makes this product different is that it’s a great add to morning coffee, plus you get some protein and collagen. Vanilla flavor is pleasant and way better than most creamers you’ll find on grocery store shelves. You’ll pay more, obviously, but you’ll also get more, so go for it and don’t look back.
Best Post-Workout Skincare
Oar & Alps Muscle Balm
Feeling a little sore after your workout? This balm can be applied directly to muscles, and it works. Very affordable price, and the menthol scent makes it a pleasant experience. It comes with three convenient rollers for precise placements. This one deserves a spot in your gym bag — at this price you can buy two and use one for your home gym, too.
Best Body Wash
Raw Sugar Body Washes
Raw Sugar is the gold standard when it comes to body washes —they’re simply a cut above. It’s easy to apply and the packaging is reliable —they also make a great kids shampoo. I especially like the exfoliating body wash, which is a genuine two-in-one product that does double duty.
Best Fragrance Set
Roark’s Cove by Fulton & Roark
Set of cologne, deodorant, and soap lets you stack your scent instead of trying to match it. Like disappearing into the Appalachian Mountains for a peaceful woodland getaway. I like to find a good F&R scent stack every year to set the tone of my season, and this was the scent of the fall.
Best Multipurpose Sunscreen
SOL LABS Lumibronze
This was a big year for sunscreens. The idea used to be to get a solid SPF rating, usually of 50+, but some companies went a lot higher, and some companies added skincare capability. Lumibronze went the distance with “tanning” capability, which is something of an acquired taste but worth a try.
Best Hand Cream
Theraplush Hand Cream
I didn’t know about this legendary hand cream before I tried it, so shame on me. You’ll feel the “legendary” part the first time you use it, and the packaging is a work of art that makes it stand out on your shelf. Go there and make it a go-to product.
Best Skin Spray
Tower 28 SOS Skin Spray
This is my go-to product when my skin feels stressed. It restores order quickly and completely, and Tower 28 is the best company out there when it comes to safe products. It also works for daily use, and the company’s products are safe for those who suffer from rosacea, eczema and psoriasis. Every Tower 28 product I’ve tried has been excellent.
Best Fragrance
Woo(e)d by Altaia
Best cologne discovery of the year – defines what it means to woo and be wooed. So many of us miss out on smaller brands because we are distracted by the legacy names in fragrance. Just over a decade on the market, and I already let this overtake the others as my daily go-to.
Best Face Products
A smart grooming routine doesn’t mean doing more — it means choosing what works. We spotlighted daily essentials like cleansers and SPF, plus advanced tools like red light therapy and high-powered serums. Whether you’re tackling dark circles or just aiming to look more awake, this is where great skin starts.
Best Exfoliating Pads
Bevel Exfoliating Pads
I use these mostly for footcare, and they’ve made a world of difference given the amount of barefoot running I do. But they’re also gentle enough to use elsewhere, including facial exfoliating, and I love the way they clean pores and prevent buildup.
Best Red Light Therapy Tool
Bon Charge Red Light Face Wand
Red light therapy is everywhere these days, but some of the products can get pretty pricey. This face wand comes from a market leader in red light, and it’s easy and convenient to use. If you’re curious about red light for skin care, this wand is a good place to start.
Best Eye Serum
Caldera + Labs The Eye Serum
Eliminating dark circles under the eyes can be a real challenge. There’s often some overlap between this issue and eye bags, and some products can’t handle either problem, much less both. Caldera + Labs offers clinically-proven products like this one that shows results.
Best Night Cream
Geologie Night Cream
Geologie is one of the best companies out there when it comes to facial skincare products, and this product offers three different levels of retinol, which makes it ideal for testing sensitivity. It’s convenient, easy to apply, and it works. Any other questions?
Best Face Cream
Karam MD Enrich
This one really does lock in moisture and protect the skincare barrier, and you’ll notice how well it works when you use it. If your skin tends to be on the dry side, this is the face cream to try.
Best Eye Mask
Lumin LED Eye Mask for Dark Circles and Wrinkles
There are a seemingly endless number of ways to get red light therapy for skincare these days, and if your red-light wand isn’t doing the trick or you want something more specific than your do-it-all red-light product, this eye mask is an excellent way to address specific problems.
Best Skincare Starter Kit
Manscaped Skin Ultra Advanced Kit
Everything you need to get a basic starter skincare routine from a brand you trust. Manscaped may have gotten popular for below the neck, but they’ve expanded to above it and starting to care for your face has never been easier. Everything you need for basic face care —just add an SPF at the end and you’re golden.
Best LED Light Therapy Tool
MMSphere Luxe
Looking to go all out in your use of red light therapy? This is the product to use. It also covers green light therapy, so you’ll be covered across the spectrum, and MMSphere also offers an array of skincare products to complement your use of this ground-breaking technology.
Best Face Serum
Omaravicza Blue Diamond Serum
This product represents my personal gold standard for skincare. Yes, it’s pricey, and yes, it’s endorsed by celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow. But the water used by this Hungary-based product really works at a level that’s a cut above every other product I’ve tried. Go for the Elixir if you’re on a budget, but if you have disposable income, this is the one to spend on.
Best Night Oil
RescueMD Skin Longevity NightTime Oil
There are a lot of great facial oils available, and this is one of the best. It comes with a unique focus on longevity, and it’s joined my list of regular products that I rotate on an ongoing basis.
Best Multipurpose Face Cream
The Grey 3-in-1 Face Cream
This is one of my go-to products, largely because it’s one of the few multipurpose products that genuinely does more than one thing well. I’ve used it as a moisturizer and for skin repair, and while I don’t use it on a daily basis, I do consider it one of my “reliables.” You will, too.
Best Face SPF
Atwater Skin ArmorMineral Face Sunscreen
Atwater makes first-rate sunscreen products, and this one is ideal if you’re one of those outdoorsy types. High SPF, and the mineral-based formula means you won’t have to reapply it as often.
Best Face Wash
Caldera + Lab The Clean Slate
Cleansers normally represent a money-saving opportunity in their skincare routine, but if you want to do a quality spend, this one uses amino acids to unclog pores, balance oil levels and maintain skin clarity. Which is an elaborate way to say that it works.
Best Hair Products
Styling it, saving it, or shaving it off — when it comes to hair care, you need a solid game plan. We pulled together the products and tools that deliver: volumizers with grip, sculpting clays with hold, dandruff fighters that don’t dry you out, and shavers that make clean cuts effortless.
Best Hair Dryer
Aire IQ Intelligent Hair Dryer
This hair dryer truly does it all. Comes with smart features that adapt to your hair texture and drying needs, and it also adjusts to your styling preferences. Yes, it’s expensive, but the technology is also remarkable.
Best Shampoo for Thin Hair
Baxter of California Fortifying Shampoo
Whether you have thin hair or not, Baxter of California has a Strengthening System designed to slow your march toward balding and leave you with your hair stronger and more luxurious. For me, I like the smell more than most because it is subtle enough not to overpower my other products.
Best Conditioner for Thin Hair
Baxter of California Fortifying Conditioner
When paired with the shampoo, this conditioner completes the Strengthening System designed to give you a full and powerful mane. I used this every day and stopped feeling the buildup that my other products used to leave.
Best Sculpting Clay
Cremo Palo Santo Sculpting Clay
The best part of a good clay that most people look for is the ability to have a good hold while not looking like a helmet. This one adds the ability, with a little water and a hair dryer, to restyle in the middle of the day. It changed my routine when going out after work.
Best Hair Brush
Diane Double Sided Boar Bristled Hair Brush
It was jarring the first time I saw it. But a brush designed with two different sides, one to distribute the product and oils throughout the hair and one to leave it frizzless is a godsend for the market.
Best Hair Loss Product
Exo Hair System
Exosomes are reputed to be the next big thing in combating hair loss, and this company is on the cutting edge. There are three Exos products, but one of them is based on using red light technology to help deal with this problem, so be aware of that if you decide to give them a try.
Best Volumizing Product
R+CO Thickening Conditioner
The fear of looking like you’re from the 80s is gone. Big hair is back and this thickening shampoo gave me the ability to take the little hair I have (I like to keep it short) and add a little heft to it. Easy to get that blown out look after one application.
Best Dandruff Shampoo
REMEDY Dandruff Shampoo
Finally, a dandruff shampoo to love. No ugly charcoal smell, instead you get a product that works and is pleasant to use. The applicator tip makes it easy to pinpoint target areas.
Best Head Shaver
Remington Balder Pro
I got a beard transplant late last year and had to keep my hair short while the donor area regrew. I found myself loving the Jason Statham look and I got addicted to this shaver. Easy to use and quickly removes up to three day stubble.
Best Hair Comb
Rocky Mountain Barber Sandalwood Comb
Wide for my head, narrow for my beard. Having a comb I can carry that is fit for both is vital to looking your best all day. This comb is the one that lived in my desk all year long. And, of course, I am a sucker for a good sandalwood scent.
Best Shower Filter
Wedell Water Shower Head
The water in Florida is really rough on the hair, skin and the digestive system. This shower filter cleaned up the breakouts the Florida water caused and has kept it clear ever since.
Best Teeth Products
A confident smile starts with good habits. From floss and toothpaste to electric toothbrushes — some even with apps that track your habits — these are the essentials that keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Best Floss
CocoLab CocoFloss
I hate to floss, who doesn’t hate to floss? But if you’re going to do it, make it easy and the most effective. Instead of just shoving string in my mouth, I found this coconut-infused floss that actually exfoliated my gums. Made the whole process worth it. They even stopped bleeding after a few weeks of use.
Best Toothbrush Tablets
Duo Energizing Toothpaste Tablets
Convenient tablets to chew into paste for brushing with a dose of caffeine to get you going in the morning.
Best Electric Toothbrush
Quip Ultra Smart Sonic Toothbrush
It’s hard to make inroads in this product category, but the toothbrush game is changing. Quip has equipped this brush with forward-thinking features that will be standard in a couple of years, so if you want to be ahead of the curve, give this “smart” toothbrush a shot.
Best Toothpaste
Sensodyne Pronamel Toothpaste
Once a specialty toothpaste, Sensondyne has added clinically proven enamel strengthening and whitening.
Best Toothbrush with an App
Sonicare Prestige 9000
A classic for a reason, best clean yet. But what sets this electric toothbrush apart from the rest is the app. Have you ever gone to the dentist and discovered you were brushing all wrong? Imagine having that benefit every morning and night. My teeth have never been cleaner.