For the longest time, men’s grooming has been a niche—perhaps because men tend to lead more on-the-go lifestyles, or simply don’t pay as much attention to it. Compared to the women’s section, there have traditionally been only a handful of products men could find on shelves for skincare and other personal care needs. But that has changed in recent years. As more brands pay attention to men’s needs, grooming has shifted from being seen as vanity to becoming part of overall wellness.

A testament to this was the Bro Hub, Watsons Philippines’ inaugural pop-up dedicated to all things men’s personal care. Held last September at SM Mall of Asia, the campaign spotlighted grooming and personal care products from over 30 brands.

To celebrate, Watsons Philippines invited gentlemen from different fields to talk about men’s contemporary lifestyle and the importance of grooming and personal care for the modern man.

For millennial athlete Pao Javelona, men’s care routines are more than skin-deep. “Skincare for me is very therapeutic. In a world where you can’t control things, you can control your skincare,” he shared, adding that he always keeps a shaver handy to avoid looking “crusty.”

From a Gen Z lens, Paco Berba encouraged men who may feel daunted by grooming to take it slow. “I would recommend starting with the basics. Begin with what you’re comfortable with—maybe a new haircut, a different deodorant, or trying out hair wax. Once you’re ready, you can gradually build your face routine.”

Adding to this, broadcast personality James Deakin stressed the importance of hair care for men of all ages. “Hair is a great place to start after the basics—it’s your crowning glory,” he said.

Echoing the idea of keeping things simple, Gabby Salvador highlighted that self-care doesn’t need to be complicated. As someone who juggles a day job with content creation, he emphasized focusing on essentials: “Hydrate, eat good food, get proper sleep, and exercise. One thing I really learned is that taking care of myself also means building confidence.”

Rounding out these perspectives, Dr. Neil Isaguirre underscored that skincare is no longer just for women. “We’re already in an era where skincare is for men, too. My advice is to start gently, use products you trust, and prioritize convenience. That’s exactly what Watsons offers,” he noted.

As grooming continues to evolve from a niche into a norm, it’s clear that men are embracing self-care not just for appearance but as an essential part of overall well-being. With more brands creating space for men’s needs and platforms like Watsons championing accessibility and convenience, the conversation around grooming has shifted—proving that confidence and wellness know no gender.