As a mom who struggled to get my preteen son to wear deodorant, having a now 16-year-old boy who’s into cologne and skincare trends is a bit of a shock. But he’s not the only one: From TikTok to Reddit, teenage boys are sharing their love of smelling great and caring for their skin in a trend known as “smellmaxxing” or “auramaxxing.” 

I discuss this trend with a friend frequently. She has two sons, ages 11 and 15, who are also all about the skincare and fragrance game. In fact, they both play sports and their teammates are into it, too. Some of our teen boys’ favorite skincare products and colognes, like Proactiv acne treatment and the popular Versace Eros cologne, don't surprise us. Others, like Neutrogena sunscreen, the Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask, and yes, even deodorant, took us by surprise (but for a good reason). Keep scrolling to see all 14 skincare and cologne products for teen boys interested in the “smellmaxxing” trend.

Sometimes, a three-step skincare set that spells the process out for you is exactly what a teen boy needs. My son, like my friends’ boys, started his skincare routine with Proactiv products. Proactiv helps treat acne and includes easy-to-follow steps, making it a great choice for teenage boys. “I have been buying Proactiv for my teenagers for a while,” said one Amazon reviewer. "It is the only face wash that helps with their breakouts. I love the price and availability.”

The most popular cologne for my friend’s 15-year-old son is this Valentino scent, which he wears because he “doesn’t want to stink for girls,” although he admits he and his friends “have no aura.” Another parent who purchased the cologne through Amazon says it’s popular with their son, too. “Got this for my son for his birthday and he loved it,” they wrote. “Very gourmand, but not overpowering. Sophisticated and soft. I could even wear it as a woman.”

My son loves the Method Men Body Wash because of its strong, yet refreshing smell. While he likes the “sea and surf” scent because it lasts all day, the body wash also comes in other scents, like juniper and sage and cedar and cypress. One mom says her son also loves the Method Men Body Wash because it’s “very moisturizing,” and it makes him feel “nice and clean after a hard workout at the gym.” 

Most men (and teenage boys) are familiar with Acqua de Gio, a cologne that remains a popular (and great-smelling) choice for smellmaxxers. It features notes of cedarwood, jasmine, white musk, and more. My son has a bottle, and so do my friends’ boys. 

“I've worn this fragrance for years and am still impressed with just how good it smells to this day,” said one Amazon reviewer. "I know favorite scents are subjective, but I don’t think anyone would not like this scent.”

I love this Neutrogena sunscreen for my own skin, and now my son loves it, too, since it’s super-moisturizing and SPF 30. According to one Amazon shopper looking for sunscreen to hydrate their dry skin and occasional acne, “this product delivers exactly what I need.” They add, “The pump makes it easy and clean to use the product, and it doesn't have any perfume, which I love.”

This facial soap bar, made with black Australian clay and Dead Sea mud to balance skin, is a favorite of both my friends’ boys because it’s easy to keep in the shower for a quick face wash. One Amazon purchaser describes the scent as “a bit masculine,” adding that the fragrance is, “like pine, bergamot, and a little citrus.”

Of my friend’s two sons, her 11-year-old loves Jean Paul Gaultier's fragrance. It comes in various sizes, like 4.3 ounces, 2.5 ounces, and a travel-sized bottle, which costs a bit less and is great for trying it out for the first time. “My 16-year-old son bought this, and I was hesitant, but now I see why he likes it,” shared one parent, adding that the teen cologne “smells great and lasts forever” and “the smell is on the sweeter side.”

A gentle, aloe-based facial moisturizer, this Osmia face cream is safe for sensitive skin. It contains ingredients like organic jojoba to soften skin and almond oil to replenish the skin’s barrier. “The Purely Simple face cream is a staple in my skincare routine,” said one purchaser. “It provides great hydration, and a little goes a long way. The scent is natural and I think this is a great cream for all skin types.”

One of the first colognes my friend’s son fell in love with was Versace Eros, purchased in a small shop on a trip to Spain. From the beautiful bottle to a memorable scent, the cologne isn’t just a hit with my friend’s son. “The scent is amazing — fresh, masculine, and perfectly balanced with notes of mint, vanilla, and cedarwood,” said one Amazon purchaser. “It’s bold without being overpowering and lasts all day, which is a huge plus.”

Everyone in my house loves this Saltair deodorant, which comes in a pack of two in the same fragrance or two different ones. Saltair deodorant is made with zinc to help neutralize odor and contains nourishing oils for the skin. My son loves the santal bloom scent. Another mom who purchased the deodorant on Amazon says, “My teenager loves the smell of these deodorants, and it keeps her smelling good after athletics.”

A great idea passed on from my friend? Buy a sampler pack of cologne for teen boys to try so they can find which types of scents they really like. This pack of 11 scent samples is less than $25 and gives plenty of designer options to boys just starting in the world of auramaxxing. “The ones I’ve smelled so far are nice,” said one Amazon shopper. “This is a tiny vial of spray cologne; each can be used several times.”

My son got yelled at by his teenage sister more than once for using her Laniege sleep lip mask, which she kept in their shared bathroom. I finally bought him his own, because boys deserve to wake up to hydrated lips, too. Plus, it doesn’t feel sticky. 

“If you’re on the fence, just get it,” one Amazon shopper wrote. “It’s totally worth the hype and has been a total game changer for me.”

Both my son and my friends’ sons say Diesel colognes are among the most popular in their friend groups. The brand’s Only the Brave cologne has hints of rosemary, amber, and lemon and smells pretty great, in my mom-opinion. “This is an excellent ‘going out cologne,’” said one Amazon shopper. “A very strong yet subtle perfumey smell. Always get a second smell when this cologne is in the air.”

My friend swears by Osmia products for her kids, since they contain natural ingredients and don’t irritate their skin. This mud cleanser is her go-to for their face-washing needs, and buyers on Osmia’s website like that it’s “gentle and effective” and “leaves your face feeling fresh and clean, not dry.”  

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