It doesn't matter what your gender is — your skin is your biggest organ, and it needs to be taken care of. When you hit the gym for some cardio, you're taking care of your heart. When you lift weights, you're building muscle and bone density. When you do the crossword and read books, we're taking care of our brains. So when you pay attention to your skin and treat it with respect by using a good, simple skin care routine for men, you're just taking care of another part of your body that you can't replace.

For a long time, a good-quality skin care routine was seen as something only women would want to do. It's a good thing we're past those days because the truth is, taking care of your body inside and out is just a healthy practice, and something every single person should feel confident doing. Fortunately, it's really simple and easy to get started, from finding the best men's face wash to developing a skin care routine that takes under three minutes and leaves you looking your best.

Step 1: Wash Your Face

Turns out, mom was right: washing your face every day, twice a day, is pretty much the whole basis of a good skin care routine. So what's the best men's face wash? You want to use a cleanser that is made out of quality ingredients, so that it leaves your skin clean without drying out too much. It's best to go for a sulfate-free, daily cleanser — sulfates are an ingredient in a surprising number of cleansers on the market, and they can be really irritating to your skin.

Step 2: Use A Serum

If you have chronically dry skin, it's a good idea to gently rub in a few drops of hyaluronic acid serum after you wash your face. This stuff is amazing — it attracts and retains about 1,000 times its weight in water molecules. It's basically like gluing moisture to your skin, which is exactly what you need if you have dry, flaky skin.

On the other hand, if you're someone who has experienced a lot of acne — or you spend a lot of time outside in the sun — you're going to want a Vitamin C serum. Because it's anti-inflammatory, this stuff is great for improving acne and reducing redness, and it's also great for fading old acne scars.

And when it comes to sun damage, Vitamin C is an absolute powerhouse. UV radiation causes free radicals, which damage your cells, causing wrinkles and dark spots. When you apply extra vitamin C to the skin, it's like sending in reinforcements to support your skin.

Step 3: Moisturize

You know how when you wash your face, it can feel overly tight and get really dry-feeling a few minutes later? Yeah, you need a moisturizer. After cleansing, it's the most important part of a good skin care routine for men. Pick a moisturizer that doesn't feel greasy and absorbs into your skin quickly, so you'll actually use it on a daily basis. This is a good idea to incorporate into your skin care routine year-round, but it's especially critical in the winter, when the air dries out your skin a ton.

Step 4 (Optional): Eye Cream

If you're starting to see those crow's feet develop, you get puffy under the eyes if you haven't been sleeping enough, or you've been developing dark circles, it's time to invest in a high-quality eye cream. Choose one that makes use of ingredients that are backed by science — specifically, amino acids, which encourage cellular repair, and bakuchiol, which promotes cell turnover and boosts collagen production. While an eye cream may not be a critical part of your skin care regimen when you're in your early twenties, it's a good idea to start incorporating it after that.