Why Clean Beauty Isn’t Just for Women: The Case for Healthy Grooming for Men

When we talk about clean beauty, the focus is often on women—but men’s health and skin deserve just as much care. With Father’s Day around the corner, there’s no better time to highlight how clean, nontoxic grooming products can benefit dads, partners, and all the men in our lives.

Clean beauty isn’t about trends, it’s about protecting the body’s largest organ from unnecessary harm.

A Personal Note from Me…

I’ll be honest—my husband wasn’t into wellness like I was. For years, I tried gently nudging him to let go of some of the conventional products he had always used: heavily fragranced deodorants, strong aftershaves, harsh cleansers. He didn’t see the need—until after I had my first baby.

That’s when everything shifted. I became extremely sensitive to synthetic fragrance—even just walking past the bathroom after he’d used something scented would trigger a headache or nausea. And if you’ve ever walked down the men’s grooming aisle, you know it’s like a wall of chemicals. I mean, AXE? Just the smell of it makes me gag (thankfully he never used it—but it’s the perfect example of how overpowering men’s products can be).

As more research started surfacing about how synthetic ingredients and fragrance could impact hormone health and even male fertility, he finally started paying attention.

But finding replacements he actually liked? That took some trial and error.

Now, after years of trying different options, we’ve found a few clean, effective products that he reaches for without me having to remind him. And if you're looking to get your partner (or dad, or brother) to make the switch, here are some of the exact swaps that worked for us.

The Hidden Dangers in Men’s Grooming Products

Most conventional grooming products, think drugstore deodorants, aftershaves, and body sprays—are loaded with endocrine-disrupting chemicals, allergens, and synthetic fragrances.

A 2024 study found that many men’s personal care products contribute to contact dermatitis, especially due to frequent exposure to common allergens in fragrances, preservatives, and surfactants (source).

Another review published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism outlines how endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in personal care items—like phthalates, parabens, and triclosan—may negatively affect male reproductive hormones, sperm quality, and metabolic health (source).

Common offenders include:

• Phthalates: Found in synthetic fragrances; linked to hormone disruption and decreased sperm quality.
• Parabens: Preservatives that mimic estrogen and may affect testosterone levels.
• Triclosan: A synthetic antimicrobial agent still found in some men’s grooming products.
• Fragrance/Parfum: A catch-all term that can hide dozens of irritants and allergens.

Healthy Grooming Swaps for Every Dad

These clean swaps don’t just smell better—they support skin, health, and long-term wellness.