I myself, just can't justify spending that much on skin care. Especially since Nivea and numerous other brand names have "for men" lines.

Neutrogena is certainly a good line of products. (They make the only sensitive-skin sun screen I can use without getting a rash.) I think the main thing for guys is to do *some* skin care rather than no skin care (the situation of so many of the Fab Five's subjects), and beyond that, to choose a decent product line rather than a generic whatever's-on-sale line.

Having said that, a lot of the higher-end skin care lines, such as are carried in department stores and specialty shops, are really excellent. Also remember that it's not just the quality (and price tag) of the brand, but how it gets along with your unique skin and metabolism. You may find that a number of brands work okay for you, or you may find there's one or two that really solve some specific issue that makes them worth whatever price is charged.

The manufacturers of the fancier stuff do know that the price leap from drugstore brands to their stuff can be daunting, so they often runs specials--often packages of a few different products together, sometimes with smaller sample sizes of the products, sometimes with full-scale sizes. And they do in-store product demos. Both of these are ways to dabble in the product for a lower price (or free for the demo), to see if you find the product worth the extra price. Or, I know people who just wait for those specials and load up on stuff then... :-)

My skin must not be in too bad a condition, as people often think I'm significantly younger than I am. What I do is simply wash my face in the shower with plain water, no soap. Thus, the natural oils remain on/in my skin.

I also try to keep my face out of the sun as much as possible. That's the #1 thing that can ruin skin. If I go to the beach or whatever, I always try to turn my back on the sun, keep my face in the shade, etc.