My superpower is the ability to grow hair from anywhere—even against my will. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happily hairy, but it’s certainly an extra obstacle in terms of… physical comfort (gotta sleep atop the covers all summer) and certain simple tasks (like applying lotion and sunscreen to my teddy bear body).

Many of you can empathize, even if it’s in terms of a specific body part, like your beard. How do you keep the skin under there moisturized, so as to avoid beard dandruff and itch? We've got answers—along with a bunch of other hairy man’s skincare tips. 

Skincare Tips for Hairy Men1. Try Serums and Oils for Moisture

If you have a hard time applying a lotion or cream to a fuzzy area, then you need something that easily slips past those hairs and won’t cling to them as it nourishes your skin. This is why guys with beards find success with a beard oil: A few drops on the fingertips are easily massaged onto the skin, as opposed to catching and dragging down the hairs. (It also keeps the hairs soft and prevents beard itch, for what it’s worth.)

So, for your body, consider switching to a body serum or body oil for this same reason. Make sure your product promises to be lightweight and breathable, however, because some oils are heavy and might make you sweaty (or even cause breakouts). So, if you opt for an oil, prioritize formulas with jojoba, argan, moringa, or rosehip oil.

Sons of Hollis beard oil$20

Sons of Hollis

Jao Brand body oil$52

Anthropologie

Nécessaire body serum$45

Sephora

2. Use an SPF Spray or Gel on Your Body

Applying sunscreen can be a tacky task for hairy folks. To spare a mess, try an SPF spray in order to get the UV shield onto the skin, and in a more spreadable manner than if you slap a palmful of lotion on the same spot. Or, you can try an SPF gel, which won’t glob hairs together and instead melts in more like a watery serum.

Some SPF serums and oils exist, too, which support the previous tip’s advice. Just don’t skip over a spot because it’s hairy; have you ever experienced the agony of a sunburnt armpit or bald spot or hair part? (For that, try an SPF powder!)

COOLA SPF 50 body spray$25

Amazon

Neutrogena SPF30 body water gel$14

Amazon

Brush On Block SPF 30 mineral powder$34

Amazon

3. Get a Powder-Based Product for Your Junk

Darkness, dampness, heat… your junk drawers create the perfect recipe for microbial proliferation. (Not to mention all-day swamp ass and major stank.) 

One of the best gifts you can give yourself is a powder-based product in the nether regions, like a tapioca-starch cream or powder. It will absorb excess moisture and prevent any swampy situations, along with any chafing that comes from thigh rubbing.

Happy Nuts lotion-to-powder groin deodorant$15

Amazon

HIKI body powder$10

Amazon

4. Exfoliate with a Brush or Wipe

Use an exfoliating scrub with a physical brush in order to get some grit past your hairs and to lift the dead skin cells for an all-over smoothness. (You should avoid brushing your face except for the beard area, though.) For your face, and for the rest of your body, you can also consider an exfoliating wipe, which will have no problem making its way through the forest and penetrating your epidermis.

Oh, and if you want a good scalp stimulation and exfoliation, ain’t nothing better than a scalp brush!

Dr. Barbara Sturm body brush$35

Sephora

ZilberHaar beard brush$14

Amazon

Ursa Major face wipes (20 count)$26

Amazon

Dr. Dennis Gross body exfoliation wipes (8 treatments)$58

Amazon

Ceremonia scalp massager$16

Sephora

5. Wear Breathable, Moisture-Wicking Fabrics

If your hair wears like a full-body sweater, then you probably put a lot of value in ventilated fabrics. (Or you should, from here forward.) Look for cotton and linen if you don’t sweat a lot, but if you need something that wicks moisture, then prioritize synthetics and lightweight wool. (Especially in your sweatiest, dankest areas, like the groin.)

6. Trim It a Little

There’s nothing wrong with trimming those hairs down a little—not to mention it gives you a more groomed, intentional aesthetic, even if you keep 75% of its length. It can even be a hygienic decision in your hairiest, sweatiest body parts. So, be it your armpits, groin, or body hair, consider taming the shrub in order to apply your products with a bit more ease—and to potentially sweat a little less, too.

BALLS ball trimmer$69

BALLS

Panasonic body hair groomer$65

Amazon

More Great Grooming Recommendations from GQ

The Best Beard Trimmers of 2024

The 10 Best Moisturizers for Every Type of Skin

The Best Men's Deodorant for Every Kind of Stink and Sweat

The Absolute Best Face Washes for Men

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Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQGroomingSkincare