Not sure where to find your favorite moisturizer or aftershave? Lucky for you, we’ve got some of the web’s best sites for men’s products just a click away.

If you’ve got a favorite online shop, post a comment and share with the rest of the class!

Grooming Lounge – The Washington, DC based salons for men (favored by Capitol Hill movers and shakers) also offers a popular online store with Baxter, Barc, Acqua di Parma, ClarinsMen, Dermalogica, Geo F. Trumper and many more.

SkinCareLab – The SoHo spa that has become a favorite of celebrities offers a great selection of highly effective products. Each product line is chosen by the spa’s owner, cosmetic dermatologist Bradford Katchen, MD. The site offers hard-to-find products from La Roche-Posay, Clinique Medical, REN, and SkinCeuticals.

Blue Bee Men – The online home to one of Santa Barbara’s most stylish stores stocks John Allan’s, Baxter of California, Malin + Goetz, Molton Brown and L’Artisan Parfumeur.

Sephora – The mothership of beauty products has an extensive collection of products for men including hundreds of colognes. Look for Anthony Logistics, Zirh, Ole Henriksen, Clinique, and Lab Series. That’s just for starters.

SpaceNK – Part of the British Invasion of SoHo in NYC, Space NK is an awesome shop to find hard-to-find products and a number of products from the other side of the pond. Check here for The Art of Shaving, MenScience, Philip Kingsley, Frederic Fekkai, Dr. Hauschka, Diptyque, Eve Lom and more!

MenEssentials (Canada) – The Canadian motherlode of grooming products features everyone from Men-U, Truefitt & Hill, Urth, Marvis, Sharps, Proraso, Nickel and Jack Black, American Crew and more.

This April, Clarins Men will expand it’s offerings with five new products. Three of the products will target the visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, skin sagging and rough texture. The other two focus on invigorating the skin and fighting signs of fatigue (read: hangovers, late nights, jet lag) like puffiness and dark circles around the eyes.  If you’re in your 20s, you might stick with more invigorating products, leaving the line-control formulas for your 30s and beyond, when the war against wrinkles becomes more pressing.

With the launch comes new packaging and a great new look. Clarins is world renowned for its skin remedies and powerful plant-derived ingredients sourced from all over the world, and these new additions are no exception.

Here, we take roll of the newest additions to the Clarins Men lineup, their key ingredients—and their claimed benefits:

Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum ($29)–Ginkgo biloba aims to reduces puffiness and dark circles (i.e. erases signs of a Monday morning hangover). Ginseng, bison grass and galanga extracts comfort the fragile skin around the eye while boosting stimulation stimulate skin. Oat sugars tighten the skin and smoothing away fine lines. And trehalose prevents moisture loss while purslane soothes and softens the skin.

Line Control Balm ($52) and Line Control Cream ($52)– Paracress is supposed to reduce wrinkles while firming skin. Caffeine (a vasodilator) minimizes the loss of firmness said to “slow the formation of a double chin through lipolytic action.” Bison grass promotes blood circulation while Shea butter moisturizes and nourishes the skin. The balm and cream both Clarins’ patented Expertise 3P Complex to fight environmental stressors and pollution.

Line Control Eye Balm ($35)–In addition to paracress, oat sugars, moisturizing shea butter and purslane extract, the Line Control Eye Balm includes maritime pine, an extract, the company says, that stimulates circulation in the eye area and reduces the appearance of dark circles.

Revitalizing Gel ($36)–In addition to ginseng, bison grass, galanga and purslane extracts, the Revitalizing Gel contains Clarins’ Expertise 3P Complex and Goji extract from the Himalayas to invigorate the skin.

Visit ClarinsMen.com to find a retailer near you, or visit Bloomingdales.com.

(Photos courtesy of Clarins)

First up is the Active Body Wash.  This luxurious, gel-based cleanser and skin scrub, blends chemical and physical exfoliating ingredients. Salicylic acid unclogs pores, sloughs off dead skin and fights breakouts (it’s a common ingredient in most over-the-counter acne products), while “buffing spheres,” pumice and carnauba wax beads take a more aggressive approach by physically scraping away rough patches on your body.

Next, check out the Active Hand Cream. This non-greasy cream  will replenish the moisture lost during the bitter cold, and harsh winds of winter. According to the company’s clinical studies, “hands had an immediate improvement in moisturization by 73%.  Also,94% of men reported softer calluses after four weeks, and 80% reported an improvement in the condition of their cuticles.” While I can’t vouch for the company’s clinical findings, keeping your hands moisturized throughout the winter will keep your paws happy and will surely please the people they meet.

Lab Series Skincare for Men Active Body Wash, 6.7 oz. $18, visit labseries.com

Lab Series Skincare for Men Active Hand Cream, 2.5 oz, $15, visit labseries.com

(Photo courtesy of Lab Series Skincare for Men)

The boys worked a clean, natural and matte look for the fall 2009 season. But if you don’t want to wait until next fall to get this look, pick up ClarinsMen Lip Guard, ClarinsMen Shine-Free Gel and ClarinsMen Moisture Gel from ClarinsMen.com.

(photos by James Fraser, courtesy of Clarins)

Ecdysone: Regenerates microlesions and cell regeneration, refines skin texture, and strengthens the skin barrier.

Vitamin E Phosphate: A soothing antioxidant that strengthens the skin’s natural protection against freeradicals, oxidation, etc.

And the masculine black, white and steel packaging is so chic, you’ll want to keep it on display in your bathroom.

Learn more about the products after the jump!

Here’s a description of each product:

1. Smoothing Revitalizing Serum: An ultralight, quickly absorbed serum with Matrixyl that smoothes skin and relaxes facial lines.

2. Smoothing Eye Serum: A pen-like tube that offers a unique delivery system to dispense the serum containing Matrixyl and Eyeseril to the soft tip that gently applies the product to the eye area. It’s a great—and more sanitary—than using your finger.

3. Repairing Moisturizing Emulsion: A moisturizing and mattifying fluid containing zinc with a light, fresh scent that is designed to deeply rehydrate the skin and improve its texture.

4. Soothing Moisturizing Lotion: A great, lightweight, post-shave, moisturizing lotion with alpha-bisabolol that soothes razor burn and skin irritations, and protects skin from bacteria.

5. Micro-Purifying Cleansing Gel: A deep-cleansing gel with micro particles that provide a gentle exfoliation.

6. Detoxifying Matifying Mask: An impurity-killing, twice-weekly, face mask with clay and abrasive micropowders that detoxify and eradicate oil.

In the Summer spirit, we turned to skin care expert Jean-Pierre Mastey—president of Los Angeles-based, men’s grooming line Baxter of California—for some end-of-season skincare tips.

What is a summer must-have for good skin?

The most important product is sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays—the rays that cost premature aging, skin cancer and painful sunburns.

Don’t forget to put some sunscreen on your hair and scalp—especially if you dye your hair. Not only will the sun strip the color and burn your scalp, but the sun can actually burn the hair itself and change its texture. After you apply sunscreen to your body, just run your fingers through your hair with the extra lotion left on your hands.

What SPF level will save us from the sun? I still get burned even though I put on sunscreen before hitting the beach.

The American Cancer Society recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. More important than the number is the frequency of application. It’s a misconception that people put it on once and you’re good to go for a day in the sun. If you’re swimming at the beach or sweating a lot, apply it every hour. Otherwise, you can apply it every two to three hours.

What if I look better with a tan? Tan lines can be quite sexy.

A spray tan or a tan that comes out of a tube is the only safe way to tan. It’s amazing how much damage the sun can do to your skin. It can cause premature aging like causing ages spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and that rough, leathery look.

I break out a lot during the summer. I feel like I’m going through a second puberty. What am I doing wrong?

Most men have oily skin and during the summer months, the heat and humidity will cause your body to create excess oil and sweat. With the oil slick on your face, all the dirt and oil will cause breakouts, and blemishes. I recommend washing your face a few times a day with a gentle cleanser.

In addition to washing my face in the morning and at night, I like to wash before and after the gym. If I can’t make it to my house to wash my face before the gym, I’ll use a gentle, alcohol-free toner instead. But don’t use any harsh cleansers or your skin will pump out more oil and worsen your skin problems. Keeping your skin clean is the best way to steer clear of breakouts. Using a scrub or a clay mask once or twice a week can also help keep your skin under control.

What about mattifying lotions and blotting tissues for mopping up the oil? Are they any good?

Those are more aesthetic fixes than real skin care solutions, but they do work for those times that you need to make a good impression and you are away from home.

Does skin have different needs during the summer than during the winter months? It seems to act out like a troublesome teen during the warm months.

Yes. In the summer, your skin is oilier and you sweat more, but in the winter, your skin tends to be dryer. So, when its hot, you’ll want to use a light, oil-free moisturizer with sunscreen instead of the thicker, balm-like creams that are too heavy. Save those for the winter.

“NIVEA FOR MEN Energizing Hydro Gel hit stores this spring. And now, NIVEA FOR MEN is offering guys the opportunity to bring a week of extreme energy to their life with the “Up 4 Anything Dream Week” Contest.

Open to all guys, this is the ultimate contest for men who love energy! The winner and his three most worthy mates will be whisked off to run the Up 4 Anything Dream Week– a non-stop, 168-hour experience that only ESPN, Rolling Stone and Maxim can deliver. These three co-sponsors will shuttle the winner and his entourage from one energizing experience to the next including a biplane ride in Vegas & Red Rock Canyons, a Maxim photo shoot and Maxim’s 10th Anniversary Party, a pool party at Hard Rock, an ATV ride in the Vegas desert, BMX Riding on legend Rick Thorne’s backyard BMX track and table service at the hottest clubs including Pure and Mix.

To register for a chance to win the NIVEA FOR MEN “Up 4 Anything Dream Week,” contestants can go to www.up4anything.com to fill out a registration form and upload a video, and/or pictures with text that shows how they are training for seven days of non-stop adrenalin-pumping fun. Whether it’s traditional training or all-night karaoke, NIVEA FOR MEN wants to see all the ways contestants are getting ready! Online voting will narrow the submissions down to the 10 finalists. From the 10 finalists, a celebrity panel of judges will decide on the winner. So get energized and start filming!”

SHAVE PROPERLY—If you are experiencing razor bumps, here are some tips for getting a great shave:

Always shave with the grain. Going against the grain will irritate your skin and cause bumps.

Make just 1 pass with the razor. Shaving the same area over and over will also cause irritation.

Shave in the shower or immediately afterward. The heat and steam will help to soften the beard and the skin to make shaving easier.

Use a new blade. Change your blade frequently—at least every 4 to 5 shaves.

GET THE RIGHT PRODUCTS—

PFB Razors— PFB is a fancy name for razor bumps, it means pseudo folliculitis barbae. There are a few razors available that are designed so they don’t cut hair so close. It leaves just enough length to help avoid razor bumps. I haven’t tried them myself, so I’m not going to recommend a specific brand. If anybody has tried them, post a comment with your review!

Treatments— There are a ton of treatments that rely on salicylic or glycolic acid, two chemical exfoliants, to help your hair push through your skin. The most common complaint is the smell of these products and some of them are pretty aggressive and can sting a little bit. They take a bit of getting used to, but they might just save your face.

Tend Skin: The gold standard, Tend Skin has been around a while and it relies on salicylic acid to gently exfoliate your skin. The odor is a bit noxious but you’ll get used to it. This is what I currently use and it works pretty well. $20.
The Art of Shaving Ingrown Hair Night Cream: The Art of Shaving has created an overnight treatment product that also uses a form of salicylic acid that is derived from White Willow Bark. It also contains essential oils and shea butter to moisturize and soothe the skin. $40.
Bump Patrol—This product also contains a form of salicylic acid and it comes in 3 formulas to fit your skin type: sensitive skin, original formula and extra strength formula. It also has a strong scent, but it is quite affordable. Only $5.99! Bump Patrol even has a friendly video to teach you how to shave properly. Check it out!
Barc—Barc is formulated specifically for men of color. It contains glycolic acid to exfoliate and antibacterial triclosan. To soothe the skin, it contains chamomile extract and glycerin. It might be a little intense if you’ve got sensitive skin. $20.
Anthony Logistics Ingrown Hair Treatment—Contains salicylic and phytic acids to exfoliate. Willowherb and lavender help to soothe the skin. $25
Bliss Ingrown Hair Eliminating Peeling Pads—Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids exfoliate while oat extracts soothe and green tea extracts provide antioxidant benefits. These were originally formulate for use on the bikini area, but they are effective on your face, as well. They are applied using individually-soaked pads like those Oxy pads we all tried during our teen years. $35.

OTHER TECHNIQUES

If you’ve got razor bumps and ingrown hairs, some people recommend going after the hairs yourself. I personally don’t recommend this method because it can cause more trouble than you started with. With a pair of tweezers, try to pull the tip of the hair out from beneath the skin, but do not pluck it out completely. Once you’ve dislodged the hair, shaving normally will trim the hair properly and prevent it from becoming ingrown again. However, this method can cause more problems (infection, scarring, etc) if your tweezers aren’t sanitized properly or if you get too aggressive with them.

“According to Australian researchers, rapidly growing melanomas are thicker, symmetrical, or elevated, have regular borders, and often itch or bleed. They do not fit the ABCD rule for melanoma, which stands for asymmetry, border irregularity, color irregularity, large diameter, the team notes.”

So make sure that you check with your dermatologist if you notice any quickly-growing spots! Spot-checks, at least once a year, are vital to catching skin cancer.

Read the full story!

One of the most interesting points in the article was the discussion of whether or not people need to use moisturizers. I’m a big proponent of moisturizer because I have dry skin at the moment and it helps protect skin against the winter cold. I do think that some people can get away with not using a moisturizer. However, you shouldn’t skip the sunscreen and most sunscreens contain moisturizing ingredients.

Here’s what Dr. Diane C. Madfes, a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan, recommends for daily skincare:

1. Cetaphil Cleanser—a very gentle, non-foaming cleanser that’s great for all skin types. It can be used with or without water.

2. La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX—Mexoryl SX sunscreen is combined with moisturizer.

3. A treatment product to fix any other skin issues, such as Clean & Clear Persa Gel (10% Benzoyl Peroxide) for Acne, Neutrogena Wrinkle Cream (with Retinol) for wrinkles, and Olay Total Effects for redness.

Guys will still need to use a shaving cream, but you really don’t need an aftershave. Your moisturizer with sunscreen will do the trick.