How Men Kept Their Skin Healthy Through History: Untold Grooming Secrets

When we talk about skincare, most people instantly picture creams stacked on a woman’s dresser, not a man sharpening his sword or marching across a dusty battlefield. But the funny thing is—men have been taking care of their skin for far longer than most of us realise. From warriors applying herbal pastes to protect their faces from the sun to kings indulging in fragrant oils, skincare wasn’t a “fancy routine.” It was simply survival, grooming, pride, and sometimes even ritual.

And if you think the modern obsession with serums, cleansers, and men’s face glow tips is something new, wait till you see what our ancestors were doing. They might actually put today’s routines to shame.

How Ancient Men Actually Looked After Their Skin

Historical records rarely talk about this directly, but scattered pieces of information tell an interesting story. Men used natural ingredients because they needed protection—against heat, dirt, infection, insects, and harsh climates.

In ancient India, for example, men often massaged their bodies with sesame oil before bath. This wasn’t vanity; it helped keep dust and heat rashes away. Farmers used mud packs (yes, literal mud) to cool the face after long hours in the sun. Soldiers going to war used various oils—neem, mustard, castor—because these acted like today’s antibacterial solutions.

Roman warriors used olive oil extensively. They applied it before battle because it protected the skin from metal armour rubbing and from the sun. After combat or training, they scraped off the oil with a tool called a strigil — a cleansing technique that would probably go viral as a “detox method” today.

Egyptian men, including workers and scribes, used a basic form of kohl not just for appearance but for eye protection against sun glare and infections. Even beard care was part of their identity; scented oils and balms were common.

So yes, men weren’t “too masculine” for skincare back then — they simply didn’t call it skincare.

Kings and Their Grooming Habits

If common men maintained their skin for survival, kings did it for both luxury and presentation. A king’s appearance was considered a symbol of his strength and divine favour.

Historical texts and paintings show that Indian kings bathed with milk, saffron, sandalwood, and rosewater. Some even used powdered pearls. Persian rulers massaged their faces with almond oil every night. Greek rulers used honey as a mask to maintain a youthful look.

And perhaps the most interesting detail: warriors of the Mauryan Empire were known for applying sandalwood paste before stepping out. It cooled the skin and also acted as a natural sunscreen. Quite ironic that people today obsessively look up “men’s face glow tips,” not realising kings perfected the art before us.

When Pollution Started Damaging Men’s Skin

For thousands of years, men lived close to nature. Then came coal, factories, urban smoke, and chemical exposure. Suddenly, rough skin, pigmentation, and premature ageing became common in men from industrial towns.

British factory workers in the 1800s often washed their faces with vinegar because soot settled deep into their pores. Indian men working in mills used gram flour (besan) and turmeric to cleanse their skin from pollutants.

By the mid-1900s, dermatologists began noticing a rise in male-specific skin issues: dullness, blackheads, and patchy skin tone caused by increased outdoor exposure and pollution. Modern science recognised what Ayurveda had known all along—the environment directly affects skin health.

And that’s when grooming for men started becoming a global conversation, although still quietly.

How Wars Changed Men’s Skincare Forever

World Wars didn’t just reshape geopolitics—they changed consumer culture, including how men cared for themselves.

Soldiers needed quick solutions:

• Cold climates caused cracked lips and peeling skin

• Heat and sweat caused fungal infections

• Constant helmet friction damaged their forehead skin

• Shaving without proper water caused razor burns

• Lack of sleep made fatigue visible on the face
  

To handle all this, armies issued:

• petroleum jelly (for wounds + dryness)

• talcum powder (to prevent sweat rashes)

• alcohol-based cleansers

• medicated balms

• simple moisturisers for frostbite-prone areas

After the wars, men returned with habits of using these products daily. Slowly, moisturisers and aftershaves became normal in men’s homes.

Interestingly, many soldiers continued applying natural ingredients—like aloe vera, clove oil, and tea-tree oil—once they returned, because those were familiar remedies from their families.

Ayurveda for Men’s Skin — The Wisdom We Forgot

Ayurveda never considered skincare gender-specific. It simply looked at skin types, climate, food, stress, and routines. Men’s lifestyles—usually more exposed to sun, heat, sweat, and pollution—fit perfectly into Ayurvedic principles.

Here’s how Ayurveda naturally helped:

• Sesame oil strengthened the skin barrier

• Aloe vera soothed burns and irritation

• Turmeric controlled acne and inflammation

• Neem paste acted like an antibacterial shield

• Sandalwood brought instant cooling

• Licorice (mulethi) brightened dull skin

If you look at old texts, you’ll find entire chapters on men who worked outdoors and how they were advised to use oils before stepping out — essentially the ancient version of a protective layer.

Ayurveda also emphasised that glow comes from internal balance. That’s why even today, many traditional men’s face glow tips include both topical and internal remedies:

• drinking warm water

• sleeping on time

• avoiding excessive heat-producing foods

• consuming ghee or herbal tonics for skin nourishment

Modern wellness trends are now rediscovering what Ayurveda taught centuries ago.

Today’s Men and the Return of Self-Care

For a long period in between, men stopped talking about skincare. Grooming was seen as “extra” or unnecessary. But that mindset has shifted dramatically in the last decade.

Men today are becoming more conscious because:

• Work stress shows on the face

• Pollution dulls their skin

• Late nights create visible tiredness

• Shaving causes irritation

• Social media has pushed personal grooming

• Dating and professional environments expect good grooming

And because of this rising awareness, modern men seek simpler routines:

• a good face wash

• a Vitamin C serum

• sunscreen

• a hydrating, non-sticky moisturiser
  

Some go the Ayurvedic route with Kumkumadi, sandalwood, bhringraj, or neem oil to keep things more natural.

Across all these trends, one thing remains common: men want routines that suit their lifestyle, look natural, and give a healthy glow without feeling complicated.

And that brings us back to the keyword many search — men’s face glow tips — which shows how self-care has become normal, accepted, and even respected today.

Conclusion: Skincare Was Always Part of Manhood — We Just Forgot

When we trace history, one thing becomes clear: men have always had a relationship with skincare. It wasn’t vanity. It wasn’t trend-driven. It was cultural, medicinal, ritualistic, and sometimes even heroic.

From kings applying sandalwood before court gatherings

to farmers washing their face with cool mud

to soldiers massaging aloe vera after battles

to modern men exploring serums and Ayurveda — the journey has always existed.

If anything, men today are simply reconnecting with a tradition that was always theirs.

Skincare has never been feminine; it has always been human.

Recommended Products by Blue Nectar:

Kumkumadi Face Serum and Oil with Saffron for Glowing Skin (26 herbs)

Best Vitamin C Serum for Face with Radiant & Spotless Skin (9 herbs, 30ml)

Men's Vitamin C Face Cream for Dark Spots Removal (15 herbs, 50g)

Nalpamaradi Thailam - Skin Brightening Oil with Turmeric for Body and Face (16 herbs)

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References:

https://thehealinghills.com/blog/detoxifying-lifestyle-small-changes-big-impact/

https://www.cosmictoria.com/mindful-gem-blog/ancient-skincare-ingredients-timeless-wisdom-for-glowing-skin

https://www.wisdomlib.org/concept/sandalwood-paste

https://www.ayurvedicindia.info/ayurvedic-beauty-tips-for-menfairness-tips-for-men/