Dad-Approved Grooming Gifts for Father’s Day
Indulge dad with these thoughtful gifts for Father’s Day, recommended by trusted experts: doctors Hayden Kho and Z Teo, beauty industry entrepreneur Eric Dee Jr., and editor RJ Ledesma.
Still looking for Father’s Day gift ideas? It’s no secret that dads are notoriously hard to buy presents for. Like most parents, they’ll usually reply with a cheerful “Nothing!” when asked what they want. But before you settle into socks or a belt as a token of your love and appreciation, consider these grooming and wellness gifts that are dad- and expert-approved.
We reached out to some high-profile fathers and asked them for their personal favorite grooming products. And because they’re dads, no two answers were the same.
Hayden Kho Jr., MD, managing director of the Belo Medical Group and Z Teo, MD, CEO and founder of the Aivee Group, were quick to share skin-care essentials; Sunnies Inc. CEO and co-founder Eric Dee Jr.’s list included several fragrances; while RJ Ledesma, host, businessman, and editor-in-chief of The Business Manual, shared a set of gifts he would not only love to get, but—smartly—his wife would likely want him to use.
Scents dads would love
Filipinos love their perfumes, so fragrances are a popular gift idea. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to shop for. After all, what can smell amazing to you and on your skin can smell meh on another since things like skin type and pH level can affect fragrance. To help steer you in the right direction, find out what category of scent your dad likes, whether it’s chypre or oud, and start your search there.
Kho swears by Aventus Eau de Parfum by Creed, a chypre fragrance with fruity top and heart notes. Dee shares his love for Bvlgari Blv Pour Homme Eau de Toilette, a fresh spicy and woody fragrance that can be worn from day to night, along with Byredo Sunday and Issey Miyake scents. If you want to take this toward a slightly different direction, try Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Parfum, which has a strong cedar note.
For those who like to make a fashionable statement, take a tip from Dr. Teo and try Hermès Jour d’Hermès Absolu—a unisex fragrance that leans towards more complex floral notes.
No-fuss skin care
Thank dad for giving you phenomenal genes by gifting him with products that would aid his own. Whether he’s new to the skin care game or a devout follower of #SkinTok, a derm-recommended, no-fuss moisturizer would be a great addition to his daily self-care routine.
“My wife wants to make sure that I moisturize a bit more because I’m getting older,” shares Ledesma with a laugh. For him, a good moisturizer can’t be heavy or sticky. If your dad is the same, try Cerave Moisturizing Cream as it feels light on the skin, but stays deeply hydrating, thanks to ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Aivee Men All-In-One Facial Fluid, which comes in a skin-care set, is another lightweight option used personally by Dr. Z Teo.
Dad might be managing oily skin, in which case the ZO Oil Control Pads comes recommended by Dr. Kho. Think he’s finally ready for retinol? The ZO Retinol Skin Brightener with 0.5 percent retinol is a good place to start.
If you’ve caught dad raiding yours or your mom’s vanity, then perhaps it’s high time he gets his own set of Estée Lauder Nighttime Experts Repair + Lift + Hydrate, which contains the brand’s cult advanced night repair synchronized multi-recovery complex.
On-the-go sun protection
Whether he’s out for a golf, a jog, or puttering about in your garden, make sure your main man is protected from UV rays. If he’s still clinging on to long-held, but sadly incorrect beliefs surrounding skin protection, share this derm-backed article debunking sunscreen myths to help change his mind.
For those who hate thick and sticky sunscreen (and really, who likes a goopy mess?), AHC Natural Perfection Stick SPF 50+ is a K-beauty wonder that mattifies skin and feels featherlight. The classic Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ is easy to pack and reapply on the go, often selling out locally whenever beach season comes around.
Easy hair care
When it comes to daily hair care and styling, we love one-and-done products or tools that save us time. Consider this when gifting dad with a hair care product. Dee uses hair wax, which is lighter than pomade and more malleable than gel, to style his hair. Dads who want to keep their hair in place might want to try the Hans de Fuko Sponge Wax, which can withstand the Philippines’ heat and humidity.
When it comes to hair care, many people neglect their scalp. Kérastase Première Bain Décalcifiant Reparateur Repairing Shampoo, which Dr. Kho personally uses, gently cleanses both scalp and hair.
For scalp-targeted products, try the Aveda Scalp Solutions Exfoliating Treatment, which leaves a minty, fresh feeling that lingers. Want to take it a step further? The Briogeo Scalp Care Essentials Kit, which includes a massager and the popular Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo can give dad’s scalp a thorough cleanse while boosting circulation.
Now that you have a couple of gift ideas for Father’s Day, you won’t have to settle for another iteration of World’s Best Dad mug. Don’t forget that while a present is sure to make them smile, nothing will make their day more than spending quality time with you and other loved ones.
