Because youthful skin and a cleaner shave are what we’re all hoping for this holiday season .

It is the most wonderful time of year. A time of unbridled joy, roaring fires and happy excess. But before all of that business kicks off – the good bit, let’s call it – you have to do the heavy lifting: the present buying. Now, there is a tendency in this matter to go big and glitzy, which we heartily approve of, of course. But at the same time, it pays to not neglect the smaller, essential things. Which brings us to our subject: the essential grooming products for the man in your life. We have gone the length and breadth of the metaphorical MR PORTER bathroom cabinet to find the finest products that every well-groomed man would like to find in his stocking. So, read on and have your Wish List at the ready.

It is an iron rule of life: to do something well, you first must know the basics. It applies to everything, including a grooming regime. What this comes down to is owning a good moisturiser. Not only will it ensure he looks fresher and younger for longer (hurray!) it also acts as a barrier on top of cleansed skin, preventing it getting irritated by all the particles that bedevil skin, not to mention the cold north wind. Perricone MD’s Nourishing Moisturizer, for example, is packed with antioxidants and vitamin E. It’s light and deeply hydrates without being oily or sticky. Who doesn’t want the gift of eternal youth for Christmas?

Oh Aesop, how we love you, with your cool typography and your top-notch products. This Face Cleanser is packed with mandarin peel, lavender oil and sea salt and has been specially formulated to combat oily and combination skin. It’s a gentle low-foaming gel, which means it’ll cleanse the skin without disturbing its natural balance. Plus, it’ll look cool on your bathroom shelf.

This is quite simply a godsend. It is the quickest way to hide the vicissitudes of a wild night that we know (and we speak from experience). Clinique For Men’s Anti-Fatigue Eye Gel rehydrates the under-eye areas, increases circulation (to lessen dark circles), deflates puffiness and offsets the appearance of wrinkles. The ideal gift for your little party animal.

Shaving is a pain. Metaphorically and literally. So the man who shaves daily needs to defend and soothe his skin daily, too. Sisley – Paris’ Sisleÿum Anti-Age not only slows down the ageing process in men’s skin, but also, crucially, helps to reduce the wear and tear that shaving visits on your face. Not only will he thank you for the gift of softer skin – you’ll also reap the benefits when you get under the mistletoe.

It’s cold, wet and dark – so when it comes to fragrance, you want warmth, depth and a touch of decadence. Byredo’s Velvet Haze evokes the 1960s, a time of discovery, prosperity and rock ’n’ roll. Patchouli leaves are at the heart of the scent, with top notes of coconut water and ambrette, and base notes of cotton musk. The result is a fragrance with elegance and oomph. After all, if he has a big personality, his fragrance should match.

If you prefer a lighter, subtler fragrance, consider No. 25 Atlas Eau de Toilette by Laboratory Perfumes. Inspired by Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, it’s an exotic fragrance that unveils new layers as the day goes on. It starts with a waft of tobacco, followed by sweeter accords of rum, vanilla and hay, mellowing into warm and spicy cinnamon, ginger and black pepper, before giving way to a lingering base of cognac. Essentially, it sounds like our perfect evening out.

D R Harris has been keeping royalty and aristocrats clean shaven for almost a century. So it knows a thing or two about shaving. Its Arlington shave kit comes with the brand’s soap and bowl, aftershave milk, badger-hair brush and lacquered-handle razor – all the tools needed for the perfect shave. If your loved one likes things to be (ahem) a cut above, this is the gift for him.

Even if a man’s hairline holds up and his face remains crease-free, there is still one thing that’s going to give away his age: his hands. That’s right, without a little TLC, hands will weather and wrinkle if not cared for properly. Lend him a helping hand with Haeckels’ nourishing hand balm. It’s made with geranium to promote cell-repair as well as lavender and clary sage that act as a natural antimicrobial agent. Plus, it’s small enough to fit into his office draw or in-flight bag. So very handy indeed.

Keeping our nails in check is the sort of thing we often overlook. So how come we are the first to notice when others neglect theirs? A bit like shoes, nails instantly convey character traits and invite judgement. Too bitten = anxiety issues. Too black = hygiene problems. Too long =  you play Spanish guitar or you’re auditioning for RuPaul’s Drag Race (either way, we want to be your friend). Make sure your loved ones keep theirs in tip-top condition with Czech & Speake’s manicure set. Housed in a sophisticated leather-bound case, this DIY tool kit has scissoring, tweezing, filing and tweaking implements made by the brand’s craftsman in Solingen, Germany. As a handshake is 50 per cent fingers, 50 per cent moderately firm grip, this kit will guarantee they’re at least halfway there.

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