Grooming Tips for Men in Their 30s and 40s

Millennial men and Gen Xers are entering a new reality: the hipster beard, patterned tee, and beanie combo doesn’t hit the same when your hair’s thinning and your beard’s going grey. The eternal youth glow? It’s starting to fade.

Some guys coasted through their 20s doing the bare minimum to look good. But now, as your skin dries out, your hairline retreats, and you start enjoying early nights, it’s time to up your men’s grooming routine.

This doesn’t mean turning into a skincare obsessive. Just a few smart grooming tips for men can help you look sharper, more put-together, and still turn heads—with the quiet confidence of a man who’s owning his age.

Grooming Tips for Men (Who Aren’t As Young As They’d Like To Be)

Tame What’s Left of Your Hair

Let’s face it: your hair is going to thin. Even with good genetics, the sides start creeping back in your 30s, and by your 40s, a little scalp is peeking through. You’ll also start to see some greys—thanks to a lovely mix of stress and DNA.

So, what should you do? Here’s a solid grooming routine for men:

• Use Conditioner. Most men skip this—but a quality conditioner keeps your scalp hydrated and your hair healthier. Apply it early in your shower and leave it in while you wash the rest of you.
• Try Rogaine. We’ve mentioned this for beard growth, but it’s also effective for slowing scalp hair loss. Apply directly to the scalp a few times a week.
• Change Your Hairstyle. As your hairline shifts, your 20s cut might not flatter you anymore. A shorter, textured style adds volume and blends in thinning areas. Talk to a proper barber—they’ll sort you out.

Grow a Beard (If You Can)

Losing your hair? It’s all down to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a testosterone byproduct. The bad news? It causes male pattern baldness. The more testosterone you naturally produce, the faster your hair is going to fade. The good news? It fuels beard growth – lots of beard growth!

There’s a reason bald men often have killer beards. 

If you’ve got the genetics, now’s the time to grow out that beard. A neat, mid-length beard signals maturity and strength—a refined look that suits this stage of life. Think of the archetype of the kingly beard: the symbol of the middle-aged man who’s earned his stripes. 

Keep it tidy and sharp:

• Use Beard Sorcery’s Beard Oil daily for softness and hydration
• Wash regularly with Beard Wash & Restore
• Style with Beard Balm or Beard Tamer if needed

Skip the weird shapes or over-styled fluff. Just a well-oiled, neatly trimmed look that shows you’ve hit your stride.

Trim the Other Stuff

Your scalp might be shedding, but the rest of your body is entering overdrive. One of the cruel ironies of ageing is that as the hair on your head thins, it starts sprouting from all the wrong places—nose, ears, eyebrows, shoulders… you name it.

Don’t end up looking like an overgrown cabbage patch – grooming matters more than ever in your 30s and 40s. You need a solid grooming routine. 

Here’s what to keep in check:

• Nose & Ear Hair: No excuses. Use a dedicated trimmer (not scissors) every couple of weeks. If someone else notices it before you do, it's already too late.
• Eyebrows: You don’t need to reshape them—just tame them. Tweeze the strays, trim the wiry ones—just enough to look neat, not manicured. Bushy brows can work, but rogue hairs sticking out at 90° angles? Not so much.
• Neckline & Cheeks: A clean neckline and tidy cheek line can turn a good beard into a great one. Use a trimmer or safety razor to maintain shape every few days—nothing fancy, just enough to look intentional.
• Back & Shoulder Hair: Optional, but worth mentioning. If it’s bothering you—or your partner—consider booking a wax or using a body hair trimmer.

Your Skin

This is the one most men resist—but it makes the biggest difference. As you get older, your skin loses collagen, elastin, and moisture faster. Lines show up, tone gets uneven, and that “rugged” look can tip into “weathered” if you’re not careful.

You don’t need a 12-step K-beauty grooming routine. Just a few basics:

• Moisturise daily. Find out your skin type (dry, oily, combo, sensitive) and use a moisturiser that matches. Go for one with SPF—UV damage is the #1 cause of ageing.
• Wash your face—twice. Morning and night. Use a gentle face wash to remove sweat, oil, and grime. Most men’s skin issues (redness, breakouts, flakiness) come from blocked pores and poor hygiene.
• Exfoliate (occasionally). Once or twice a week, use a light exfoliant to remove dead skin and improve texture. Don’t overdo it—you’re not sanding floorboards.
• Protect yourself from the sun. Seriously. Even on cloudy days. Sun damage accelerates ageing more than anything else (besides smoking and bad sleep).

That being said, don’t shy away from a few lines. Unlike our female counterparts, they’re often quite attractive – the sign of a mature man who’s lived a little. 

Noticed breakouts around the beard line? That’s where Beard Sorcery’s Blemish Serum comes in—targeted, lightweight, and designed for bearded skin.