The 40 Best Grooming Products For Men

“ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE, AND all the men and women merely players.”

Today, the spotlight isn’t just on the stage, it’s on your phone screen. And if a man’s going to play the game of life, he needs grooming that doesn’t just work, it performs. Face that glows. Hair that shines. In short, man at his best, Esquire style.

The good news? Help is everywhere. From serums to scalp treatments, made-in-India stars to international icons, the grooming game has never been stronger. Indian men are stepping up, breaking free of outdated notions of masculinity, and discovering a world where moisturising doesn’t make you any less of a man.

But in this age of abundance, the question remains: what actually works?

Enter Esquire India Essentials, our first-ever grooming awards. We roped in the experts to cut through the clutter, test the products, and serve up the definitive guide to the best of the best.

But first, meet the jury.

• Rahul Gangwani, Editor, Esquire India
  

• Gurfateh Pirzada, Actor
  

• Vaishnav Praveen, Photographer
  

• Darshan Yewalekar, Hairstylist
  

• Dr. Niketa Sonavane, Dermatologist
  

• Saurav Bhanot, Digital Editor, Esquire India
  

• Mehak Oberoi, Hair & Make-up artist
  

Here’s who made the cut.

FACE

Best Moisturiser

D’You In My Defence Moisturiser

Alia Bhatt may have put it on the map, but this moisturiser has earned its cult status. Packed with ceramides that actually do the work, it’s no wonder it’s stood the test of time and remains everyone’s favourite. Truly one in a million. Honourable mention: L’Occitane Shea Ultra Rich Face Cream

Best Serum

La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift

Skincare enthusiasts will tell you that La Prairie is the gold standard for luxury in skincare. This serum, with its blend of caviar and the brand’s cellular complex technology, is ideal for anyone chasing well-lifted, visibly refined skin. Honestly, who isn’t? Honourable mention: Chantecaille 24K Gold Serum Intense

Best Toner

Kama Ayurveda Pure Rose Water

Rose water has long been a skincare staple in India, prized for its calming and hydrating powers. Kama Ayurveda has packaged all those virtues in a toner adored by all ages and skin types. Unsurprisingly, it was a unanimous winner with our jury. Honourable mention: Fenty Beauty Fat Water

Best Essence

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

An essence has to do two things: feel ultra-light and smell fresh. Caudalie’s famed Beauty Elixir delivers on both, plus it’s packed with plant extracts, so you know it’s au natural too. What’s not to love?

Best Face Cleanser

Dab to Fab Peace Host

When this cleanser came out as the winner, boy, were we pleasantly surprised. A newer brand up against more established players, its cleansing gel is simply too good to ignore, especially for irritable or sensitive skin. Honourable mention: Forest Essentials Delicate Facial Cleanser

Best Face Scrub/Exfoliator

Kama Ayurveda Kumkumadi Brightening Face Scrub

Powered by over 600 saffron flowers and boosted with bio-actives, this face scrub shows exactly why it has been a market leader for so long. Ayurveda at its most effective—you’ll have to try it to believe it.

Best Sunscreen

Forest Essentials Sheer Sun Fluid with SPF 50

Sunscreen is non-negotiable, and this one makes staying regular easy. The sheer sun fluid blends Ayurvedic science with modern skincare for solid protection minus the dreaded white cast.

Best Face Mask

Innisfree Volcanic Swirl Pore Mask

It cleanses and moisturises in one go, with a texture that feels luxe yet washes off with ease. The kind of clay mask you’ll actually use… and keep using.

Best Sheet Mask

L’Occitane Reine Blanche Sheet Mask

The entire Reine Blanche range is impressive, but our jury loved this sheet mask in particular. It delivers all the hydration and glow you need in under five minutes. Skincare on the go? This one is your best bet!

Best Under-Eye Cream

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream

We’d like to call it the holy grail of under-eye products. A standout winner with our jury, it’s loved by anyone who knows their eye creams. One application delivers hydration that lasts for about 100 hours, leaving little else in the running.

Best Lip Balm

Inde Wild Dewy Lip Treatment

Chances are you’ve met someone obsessed with Inde Wild’s lip treatment. It hydrates, repairs and then some. Packed with peptides (which we love) and Vitamin E, among other great things. It’s viral, and for good reason.

Best Retinol

Aminu Bio-Retinol Cream

A newer brand that outperformed more established names, Aminu’s retinol cream impressed everyone. It delivers the benefits of retinol without the harshness, making it ideal for anyone starting their retinol journey.

Best Vitamin C Cream/Serum

Inde Wild 15% Vitamin C Complex

As if a hefty dose of Vitamin C wasn’t enough, this Inde Wild powerhouse also packs niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, turmeric and ashwagandha, to name a few. Basically, it’s that one great serum that can replace half the others on your shelf.

Best Concealer

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

One of the trickiest categories for our jury, since concealers are always personal and what works depends on your skin tone. In the end, NARS took it, thanks to a texture that was simply too good to resist.

HAIR

Best Shampoo

Kerastase Densifique Bain Densité Homme Shampoo

Finding a shampoo that works for everyday use and adds volume is no easy task. Which is why this Kérastase pick was an instant winner with our jury. No other nomination really stood a chance.

Best Conditioner

OUAI Leave In Conditioner

Dealing with unwanted frizz is one of the biggest hair challenges, and this product is hands down the best for tackling it. Plus, it also protects your hair from extreme heat, a real lifesaver during India’s scorching summers. Honourable mention: 3TENX UltimateRevitalize Conditioner

Best Scalp Treatment

Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment

One of the main causes of dandruff is a dry, flaky scalp. Thanks to a robust set of ingredients, including argan oil (which the jury can’t get enough of), this one is a miracle worker for your scalp.

Best Hair Serum

Olaplex N 9 Bond Protector

Nourishing Hair Serum That Olaplex’s serum would take this category wasn’t much of a surprise. What did catch us off guard was just how much the entire jury adored it. Bonus: it’s unisex, so you could share it with your partner. Though we doubt you’ll want to!

Best Hair Gel/Clay

Moroccanoil Texture Clay

It’s designed to leave a matte finish—just what you want. Packed with nourishing ingredients like argan oil and shea butter, it guarantees maximum nourishment to your hair while you play around with styles and looks. We love it wholeheartedly, and so will you. Honourable mention: Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Mess Up Matte Paste

Best Hair Spray

Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray

We knew this one would be a stand-out winner, and it absolutely was! Aveda’s hairspray is a favourite among hair stylists, whether for a red carpet look or everyday use. With its net-zero climate impact, you can style anywhere, guilt-free. Honourable mention: Graham Hill Luffield Flexible Styling Spray

Best Hair Oil

Inde Wild Champi Hair Oil

Yes, this is that truly viral hair oil. Our jury didn’t even need to try it—they were already hooked. You’d feel the same. With 16+ Ayurvedic actives, it’s a perfect nod to the oils we grew up seeing our grandmothers use. Really, can anything else ever be better?

Best Hair Dryer

Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer

Enough heat settings for every hair type. Enough speed settings for every styling need. This was the one product we didn’t need to debate about—could any other hair dryer even compete?

BEARD

Best Shaving Cream/Foam/Gel

Forest Essentials Sandalwood & Orange Peel Shaving Cream

It smells incredible, leaves skin soft and makes shaving… surprisingly enjoyable. We’re hooked!

Best Beard Oil

Truefitt & Hill Natural Conditioning Beard Oil

From a brand pioneering beard care for over a century, this oil was always a winner, and it delivered, despite stiff competition. One jury member even claims it beats the more hyped options. We’re not saying more!

Best Razor

Ikonic Professional Pro Razor Series 1

What makes a good razor? Not much; just a clean shave. Ikonic Professional delivers exactly that, with a stainless-steel blade arm and an innovative push blade holder. Sometimes, the simplest things work best!

Best Beard Conditioner

Bath & Body Works Ultimate Beard & Scruff Cream

The moment we opened this cream, the fragrance sold us. Packed with shea butter, it nourishes and works for all beard types… because yes, not all beard hair is the same.

Best Beard Trimmer

Philips MG7920 Multi Grooming Trimmer

Convenient to use, great for styling, and equipped with Philips’ BeardSense tech that adapts to hair density. Works for your beard… and anywhere else, if that’s your thing.

Best Electric Shaver

Philips i9000 Prestige Ultra

AI can do everything, including the perfect shave. Thanks to SkinIQ tech, this shaver adapts to your face and beard for an unbeatable result. We’re obsessed.

Best Aftershave

TAILOR’S Post Shave

Most of the jury hadn’t heard of this one, but after trying it, they couldn’t stop raving. This aftershave gel soothes and refreshes skin postshave, working like a charm without the hype. Can there be a better endorsement? We don’t think so.

BODY

Best Body Wash

Mosey Elysian Eucalyptus Body Cleanser

This Mumbai-born vegan body care brand is one of the newest entries across categories. It’s also one of the most refreshing and best-smelling we’ve tried. It’s destined to go places, so keep an eye on it.

Best Body Butter/Moisturiser

L’Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Lotion

It’s one of the brand’s most loved products, and for good reason. Shea butter, apricot oil and honey deliver maximum hydration, while the divine scent is exactly what takes a good body lotion to great. Honourable mention: Kimirica The Gentleman Body Cream

Best Body Scrub

First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub

This US brand is known for its fuss-free products made with clean ingredients, and you’ll feel the difference once you try them. Half the jury had already fallen in love with this scrub, and the rest were converted in no time.

Best Body Sunscreen

Asaya Under One Sun Sheerscreen Mist SPF

With SPF 65++ PA+++, you’re covered, even if you were sitting in a microwave (don’t try it). Asaya, a newer entrant in our nominations, exceeded expectations. We can’t wait to see what they do next.

Best Hand Cream

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

Like its body lotion, L’Occitane’s hand cream is a hydration powerhouse that few can match. And its smell is absolutely divine. Once you try it, every other hand cream feels inferior. Ask us—we’re rubbing our hands in delight.

Best Body Serum

Boofootel Soopersmooth Body Serum

This does for your body what a good serum does for your face: reduces dark spots and hyperpigmentation, hydrates, nourishes, and leaves a healthy glow. Its lightweight, non-sticky finish sealed the deal, because who wants a sticky body serum?

Best Deodorant/Antiperspirant

Juicy Chemistry Organic Deodorant Stick

Organic deodorants often get a bad rap for being ineffective, but this one proves them wrong. It smells fantastic and won’t irritate your skin.

FRAGRANCES

Best Day Perfume

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Capri In Love Pour Homme Eau de Parfum

With notes of black pepper, green fig and patchouli, this one whisked us away to Capri, yes, but also the entire Mediterranean region. Woody, spicy and summer-filled, it’s the perfect day scent. Honourable mention: Dear Diary Controversial

Best Night Perfume

Tom Ford Beauty: Eau D’Ombré Leather

Tom Ford Beauty rarely gets it wrong, and this one charmed everyone. Black leather, violet leaf, cedarwood and green tobacco is exactly how every man wants to smell in the evening. Add it to your list, pronto. Honourable mention: Chanel Bleu de Chanel Paris

Best New Fragrance

YSL MYSLF Eau de Parfum

YSL’s MYSLF might be the most exciting new fragrance. With bergamot, orange blossom, wood accords and patchouli, it takes over your senses in seconds, in the best way possible. Honourable mention: Beautiful India You Eau de Parfum

Best Oud Perfume

Creed Royal Oud EDP

Oud isn’t easy to master, but Creed’s Royal Oud nails it. A mix of pink pepper, bergamot, cedar and sandalwood, it blends old-world charm with a modern oriental twist. Perfect for any occasion without overwhelming the senses. Honourable mention: Chivas Luxe Collective Urban Oud