The 20s
Your 20s are for discovering. A few years out of university, you're holding down a decent job that pays the bills but little else. Whatever leftover income is spent socialising, but those late nights are paying a toll on your skin. While you're young enough to quickly bounce back, you have to think long-term. You need a regime that'll build and bolster, products that are powerful yet affordable.
Nivea For Men Active 3 (top): Your hair shouldn't fall out anytime soon, your body is in decent shape and facial hair isn't a problem yet - everything-but-the-sink products have a bad reputation, but Nivea claims to take care of its clients. As well as being dirt-cheap, their all-in-one product is designed to destroy dirt, retain moisture and keep you smelling manly. (HK$140, nivea.com)
Kiehl's Multi-Purpose Facial Formula for Men (centre): Your skin is resilient; major protection isn't necessary yet, so try this all-season multi-booster. It might be pricey, but it's supposedly packed with a host of goodness: moisturisers, mineral clays, eucalyptus. It claims to prevent dryness and excess oil and as a bonus has antioxidant benefits - use it as both a daily moisturiser and post-shave balm. (HK$210, kiehls.com)
Innoxa Young Solution Wash Up: Still suffering from post-puberty blemishes, your face is your most important asset at this age, so keep it squeaky-clean with this face wash - ideal for our hot and humid climate, its patented combination of soap and herbal extracts are supposed to penetrate facial pores to remove excess oil and impurities. (HK$100, innoxa.com)
Clarins Active Face Scrub (bottom): You make a new sheet of skin every few weeks - so it's essential to remove dead skin. Exfoliators are nicer than running sandpaper across your face and this product scrubs and cleanses at the same time to remove impurities. Best part? You only have to do it twice a month. (HK$200, clarins.com)