Playboy's Influence on Men's Skincare and Grooming Trends
The magazine helped promote male grooming as part of personal style, broadening societal acceptance.
Men have always been told to take care of their skin, but until recently it was seen as a female practice. However, Playboy magazine has played an important role in changing that perception and making men more aware of the importance of taking care of their appearance. The magazine, which was founded in 1953 by Hugh Hefner, featured images of attractive women alongside articles about fashion, lifestyle, and culture. It also had columns dedicated to advice for men on how to dress well, including tips on skincare and grooming. This made it one of the earliest publications to promote male grooming as part of personal style, broadening societal acceptance.
Since then, men's skincare and grooming trends have continued to evolve. Today, there are many products available specifically designed for men, from shaving cream to facial moisturizer. And men are increasingly willing to invest time and money in looking good. For example, according to a survey conducted by Mintel, nearly half of American men say they feel better when they look good (Mintel Group Ltd., 2018). Many of them cite social media as a major influence on their grooming habits.
One reason why Playboy helped change society's view of male grooming is because its readers were mostly young, white, middle-class men who wanted to emulate the sophisticated lifestyles portrayed in the magazine. They saw Playboy models as aspirational figures and wanted to dress and groom themselves like them. In addition, the magazine highlighted the importance of self-care and self-improvement, emphasizing the idea that looking your best can lead to success in all areas of life.
Another important factor was the rise of metrosexuality in the late 1990s and early 20000s. Metrosexuals are men who take care of their appearance and enjoy shopping for clothing and beauty products. According to some experts, this trend began with the popularity of shows like Sex and the City, which featured characters who were both sexually adventurous and well-groomed. The term "metrosexual" was first coined by Mark Simpson in his 1994 book "Metrosexy," but it didn't become widely known until after the publication of an article about it in a 2003 issue of Playboy. The article noted that metrosexual men were more likely than other men to use cosmetics, fragrances, and skin creams (Hefner, 2003).
Today, there are many different skincare and grooming products on the market designed specifically for men. These include cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliators, sunscreen, shaving cream, and beard oil. Many companies have also started catering to male consumers with ad campaigns that focus on their unique needs and preferences. For example, Dove Men+Care ran an advertising campaign featuring real fathers discussing their personal skincare routines (Unilever PLC., 2018).
Overall, Playboy magazine has played an important role in changing society's view of male grooming. By promoting male self-care as part of personal style, it helped pave the way for today's thriving industry of men's skincare and grooming products. And its influence continues to be felt today, with men increasingly willing to invest time and money into looking good and feeling confident.