Men's Beauty Rituals: The New Frontier of Male Well-being

Until a few years ago, discussing "beauty rituals" for men might have seemed like a niche topic. Today, however, it's a true cultural revolution: more and more men are dedicating time and attention to grooming, not out of vanity, but for well-being, self-esteem, and self-awareness.

But these actions—cleansing, perfuming, shaping a beard, or caring for skin—are not contemporary inventions. They are rituals with ancient roots, deeply intertwined with past cultures, where beauty was often synonymous with the sacred, with power, and with social identity.

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Ancient Male Beauty Rituals: Culture, Symbolism, and Practices

Here are some examples of how, in ancient times, body care was not just aesthetics, but a ritual, social, and spiritual practice.

Ancient Egypt

• For the Egyptians, body cleanliness, perfumes, and cosmetics were not just aesthetic matters but also spiritual: the body was considered the "home of the soul."
• Substances like honey, natron (a natural alkaline mixture), clay, aromatic oils, and resins were used for masks, ointments, perfumes, and skin creams.
• Hair removal, the use of kohl (eye makeup), oils, and masks were common practices not only for women but also for men, especially in courts or among privileged classes.

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Ancient Greece

• In ancient Greece, living well included body care: after bathing, the use of perfumed oils to moisturize skin and hair. Essential oils and ointments were important products, also as a symbol of sociality (with public baths, gymnasiums, etc.).
• Defined beauty standards: body harmony, proportion, smooth skin, and well-groomed hair were appreciated. Beauty was not just external but reflected virtue and discipline.

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Ancient Rome

• Rome inherited many Greek customs and aesthetic ideas, but adapted them to its practical and symbolic tastes: personal care (cura corporis) was part of daily life, especially for members of affluent classes. Public baths, ointments, perfumes, oils, and shaving were elements of urban living.
• Beard shaving, hair and body care were also linked to status: a man with a well-groomed beard or hair cut according to the fashion of the time could communicate power, order, and civilization through his appearance.

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How These Ancient Rituals Are Reflected in Modern Routines

• Cleansing and moisturizing: Just like in ancient Egypt, today we recognize the importance of cleansing the skin to remove impurities and protect its natural moisture barrier.
• Use of oils, perfumes, and ointments: No longer just for status, but for sensory pleasure, mental well-being, and relaxation.
• Holistic vision: External well-being correlated with internal care, nutrition, sleep, and emotional well-being—an idea already present in many ancient cultures.

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Looking at male beauty rituals as something deeply rooted in history helps give them meaning: they are not modern customs, but part of a heritage spanning millennia. Self-care then, as now, is a sign of respect for oneself, for others, and for the balance between body, mind, and spirit. Discover our Full Skincare routine here