These Unisex Skincare Brands Pay No Mind to Gender Stereotypes

The beauty industry is experiencing a bit of an aha moment: While some of the ways it has categorized skincare make sense (by skin type or concern, for example), others tend to fall into outdated stereotypes. For example, we've been trained to think that women and men need completely different products—but, a lot of the time, that just isn't true.

A cursory glance at the beauty aisle is all you need to note that many products are clearly marketed for women (smiling models, flowers, cursive fonts) or for men (bold, shirtless, straightforward). Some of the latest skincare brands are here to disrupt those marketing norms. Take John Legend's new skincare line, Loved01, which is made to address the melanin-rich skin of all genders and skin types (it's also affordably priced and available at CVS). "Hyperpigmentation, acne, and fine lines are things that concern both sexes," says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. That thinking applies to a lot of skincare: Yes, men have more active sebaceous glands and pores, but they can use the same oil-controlling moisturizer as women. And while women have thinner skin and may see fine lines sooner than men, the creams that can help offset that damage work the same way regardless of gender.

"The basic tenets of gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and protection from UV rays are gender-neutral," says Gohara. Sharing your skincare may save time, money, and shopping stress. Plus, we think genderless skincare looks quite chic on bathroom countertops.

These are the best unisex skincare brands that have accessible and effective formulas for everyone: