There is a lot of ground to cover in any grooming regimen, between skincare, shaving, haircare, and the rest. It calls for a lot of products. Theoretically, swapping in multi-use picks could cut corners and save some time (and even some serious money).

But just because a product advertises itself as time-and-money saving, doesn’t mean it’s a good substitute. Three-in-one shampoo/conditioner/body wash has become stand-in for the indifferent grooming routines, and all those memes are based in truth: 99.9% of those multipurpose products will absolutely fry your hair hair and skin. It doesn't make even a bit of sense that a grime-flushing shampoo could work as a hair-hydrating conditioner. The two tasks are complete opposites. Plus, you should never use a body wash as a facial cleanser (much less as a shampoo). The skin on your face is far too sensitive for a bargain-barrel product like that.

That being said, we'll happily endorse a number of other multitasking products—here are nine. 

1. SPF Face Moisturizer

Dr. Loretta SPF 40 moisturizer with zinc oxide$50

Dermstore

If you can't be trusted to apply SPF separately—we get it—your daytime moisturizer should absolutely have some sun protection, given that the sun’s UV rays work 12 months out of the year to photo-age your skin. So, next time you top off your daytime moisturizer, pick one with zinc oxide. You can swap in a non-SPF one for bedtime.

2. Repair Balm

Doctor Rogers RESTORE repair balm$34

Amazon

Balm: It’s the word—and the product—on everybody’s lips. And to your cracked knuckles, and your hangnails, and on any cuts and burns, and on fresh tattoos, and...the list goes on. Balm is one of the most universal products out there. There are also many types of healing balm on shelves, but  make sure it’s not some petroleum-jelly concoction. Instead, swap in an oil-based balm, like this one from Doctor Rogers, which can nourish the skin while trapping moisture inside—while keeping bacteria and other threats on the outs.

3. Exfoliating Cleansers

Mallama cleansing scrub$15

Walmart

Cleansers and exfoliators comprise two-thirds of the basic skincare regimen. And while many exfoliators should be used just once or twice weekly—since they can be abrasive on fresh, healthy cells if you overuse them—it’s perfectly ok to opt for a gentle exfoliating scrub that doubles as a cleanser. It’ll save you the additional step of cleansing on those days. Depending on how gritty it is, some gentle scrubs can potentially be used every other day, but it’s best to start with a twice-weekly rotation and go from there.

4. Cleansing Scalp Scrubs

Sachajuan toning scalp scrub$60

Sachajuan

Scalp scrubs do so much good for your head and hair. For one, they lift all of the dead skin up off your dome, much like an exfoliator does on the rest of your body. But the best scalp-scrub formulas also help tone the scalp, to prevent excess oil production (and in turn, dandruff breakouts). They also stimulate circulation to the scalp, with improves nutrient delivery to your precious hair follicles. And, on top of that, many double as shampoos or conditioners as they build a lather up there. 

5. Dry Shampoo Hair Stylers

R+Co dry shampoo hair paste$29

Amazon

For those of us who don’t shampoo daily, it’s dry shampoo that comes to our rescue on the perilous fourth day. That’s when some light oil accumulation has occurred, but we don’t yet want to parch our hair with a blast of liquid shampoo. (Instead, we want to preserve the stylable nature of the unwashed, daily rinsed/conditioned hair.) A sprinkle or spritz of dry shampoo will soak up the excess oil at the root of the hair, giving healthy volume and texture to your hair. You can also achieve this with a dry shampoo hair styler, typically with a paste base. These texturizing, lightweight stylers incorporate the same oil-absorbing ingredients, saving you the step of applying a spray or powder. Still, it’s smart to reserve their use for when you really need it—use a standard-fare paste/clay/cream/etc on the other days.

6. Clay Face Mask

Horace clay mask$14

Mr. Porter

Deep-cleansing masks are an excellent way to keep your pores unclogged, though they’re often so powerful that you should limit use to once weekly. That being said, they’re also potent as spot-treatments for pesky, budding blemishes. You can apply them directly to fresh breakouts or painful, deep-seated ones, letting them dry on the spot as they soak up oil and grease from within. That’s not saying you shouldn’t invest in alternative spot-treatment products, but a good clay mask always works in a pinch.

7. Tinted Moisturizer

NARS tinted moisturizer SPF 30 (10 shades)$45

Sephora

Most of us experience some consistent level of discoloration in our overall complexion—subtle redness and inflammation, tired eyes, dark spots, budding blemishes, you know the deal. A simple tinted moisturizer, when matched to your skin tone, can help neutralize this by carefully bringing everything to center—and effectively neutralizing the appearance of any discoloration. Many of them are also packed with SPF for the added benefit of UV defense. Just make sure you match your skin tone, and apply to cleansed, dry skin. (It shouldn’t stain your clothes once it absorbs fully, as it’s a really subtle coloration.)

8. Face + Beard + Body + Hair Oil

Jack Black multipurpose oil$35

Amazon

Oftentimes, that softening beard oil you’re using can also be applied to your hair (to tame strays and prevent split ends), to your face (to nourish and hydrate), and to the rest of your body (for the same reason). It all depends on the core oils at play: Blends that use non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) oils are key here. 

9. Face Wipes

Fulton & Roark face wipes$28

Fulton & Roark

Many face wipes are targeted at athletes, since they’re the ones working up a sweat and needing a quick pick-me-up cleanse. But the best face wipes are ones that work in all kinds of scenarios, not just the excessively sweaty ones. My favorite is the post-shave wipe, perfect for gym or travel shaves. They’ll tone and calm skin after a razor runover, but they also double as a pick-me-up cleanse in a moment of need. And since they use gentle, nourishing ingredients (which are essential after a shave), you know they aren’t going to irritate and dry out your skin like the some overly-harsh wipes.

Read MoreHow to Keep up Your Grooming Routine While Traveling 

Eleven practical (and packable) products to tote in your carry on.

By Adam Hurly



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 GQBathroom and ShowerMoisturizerFace Wash