The biggest misconception men have about taking care of their skin is that they shouldn’t use anything but basic cleansers and moisturizers. This couldn’t be further from the truth because men need to take care of their skin just like women do.
And while it’s true that women tend to value looking youthful more than men do, the reality is that men need to concentrate on their skincare too.
And the better job you do of taking care of your skin, the better you can fight against wrinkles, sun damage, and pigmentation issues.
There are a lot of steps in the men’s skincare routine, and this article will help you understand everything about it.
Do men need skin care?
Yes, they do.
Whether you’re a man in your 20s, 30s, or beyond, taking steps to keep your skin healthy and looking its best will not only make you look better but will also help you avoid many skin problems.
Treating your skin right includes using the best products for men to take care of your skin. These products are formulated especially with the demands of a man in mind. They can help control acne and oily skin while keeping your skin soft and healthy.
Skincare for men needn’t be complicated or costly either. There are plenty of affordable options available which will help you maintain clear, smooth, healthy-looking skin.
Skin care tips for men
Cleanse daily
You must cleanse your skin at least twice per day. Wash your face every morning and every night with warm water and a mild cleanser (something with no fragrances or added chemicals).
This removes dirt and grime from the day, which is essential for a healthy complexion, and ensures that your other skincare products can work more effectively.
To cleanse your skin properly:
- Wash your hands and remove any jewelry (if you wear contacts, take them out).
- Work up a lather with your cleanser using warm water.
- Massage the cleanser gently onto your face and neck using circular motions.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water until you’ve gotten rid of all traces of the cleanser.
Exfoliate regularly
Men’s skin tends to be thicker than women’s and usually gets a buildup of dead skin cells faster than women’s. Exfoliating helps remove those dead cells and reduce pore size. Use an exfoliating scrub once or twice a week, preferably at night after you shower.
To exfoliate your skin:
- Apply a gentle scrub on your skin, making sure to cover easy-to-forget areas like the back of your neck.
- Using a damp washcloth or an exfoliating glove, gently scrub away built-up dead cells and dirt.
- Rinse off the product with warm water and pat your face dry with a soft towel.
Don’t skip out on moisturizer
Your skin must be hydrated enough to fend off damaging effects from sun exposure, pollution, and other elements of everyday life that dry out the skin.
Ensure to moisturize your face with a lightweight moisturizer that doesn’t contain petroleum or mineral oil, as these can block pores, leading to breakouts.
To moisturize properly:
- Take a pea-sized amount of moisturizer in your palms and rub them together for a minute to warm up the product. This will help it penetrate your skin more effectively, rather than just sitting on top of it.
- Starting from your nose and moving outward, apply small dabs of moisturizer in quick succession, smoothing each one out as you go along.
- Once you’ve covered all areas of your skin, gently tap what’s left into any dry spots or areas that still feel a little uncomfortable.
Shave properly
Shaving can be a hassle. It requires time, patience, and the right tools. But shaving properly is essential if you want to protect your skin and feel confident in your appearance.
Treat your face with care. If you use a razor, wet it, then shave in the direction of hair growth. You can also use an electric razor, shaving cream, or lotion if you have sensitive skin.
Moreover, electric razors are good for people with mobility problems and diabetes because they cause less nicking and bleeding.
Remember to protect your skin from the sun
If you plan to go outside, be sure to apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before you go out into the sun, so it has time to absorb into your skin.
For best results, look for a broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher. This means your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays — two types of radiation that can damage your skin.
How to pick skincare products for men
Picking skincare products for men can be difficult because men’s skin differs from women’s. The main goal of skin care is to keep the skin supple and moisturized while preventing breakouts by reducing excess oil production.
Here are some tips on how to pick skin care products for men:
Choose men’s products
The skincare products you choose should be designed specifically for men’s needs. Manufacturers formulate men’s products, including toners, moisturizers, and cleansers with different ingredients from those designed for women.
Look for anti-aging ingredients
Look for specific anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, niacinamide, and ceramides to strengthen your skin, reduce wrinkles and increase elasticity.
For example, retinol can help promote collagen production, while niacinamide helps increase cell turnover to promote new cell growth.
Try out different products
Trying out different skincare products for men is a good way to get experience choosing these products. This will allow you to figure out which ones you like best and which ones work best with your skin type.
Pick a product based on your skin type
You shouldn’t use products for dry skin if you have oily skin, and vice versa; always ensure to buy products specifically designed for your skin type.
For example, moisturizers with heavy oils such as olive oil or coconut oil can clog pores in oily skin. On the other hand, moisturizers with lighter oils, such as those derived from herbs, work well on dry skin.
Look for natural ingredients
Synthetic chemicals are less expensive than natural ingredients, which means they’re often used in beauty products. However, synthetic chemicals aren’t always safe and can cause allergies and other problems.
Look for natural ingredients like herbal extracts, fruit acids, and essential oils that won’t irritate your skin or cause other skin problems.
Choose a gentle cleanser for daily washing
Don’t scrub too hard when washing your face, it will irritate your skin and might even damage the top layer of skin cells.
A mild cleanser is usually enough for daily washing because it won’t irritate your face and will leave it feeling clean but not excessively dry or tight.
Benefits of skin care for men
Skincare products offer several benefits, from moisturizing your skin to addressing acne and other concerns. Here are a few benefits of skincare for men:
Hydration
Many skincare products offer hydration for more supple and moisturized skin. Look for hydrating ingredients like aloe vera gel, glycerin, mineral oil, and shea butter.
You can find these ingredients in moisturizers and lotions, as well as serums and masks designed to deliver hydration deep within your skin.
Youthful appearance
Healthy skin can make you look younger. Men who use daily moisturizers tend to look five years younger than men who don’t use any type of product at all.
Since men tend to have thicker skin than women, they require heavy-duty moisturizers to ensure their skin stays hydrated and healthy.
Smooth skin
When your skin is dry and flaky, it can look dull. If you don’t use some kind of exfoliant on your face, the dead cells will continue to build up, causing your face to look dull and grayish in appearance.
Daily exfoliation helps keep the dead cells from building up on the surface of your face. This results in increased cell turnover, allowing new cells to come to the surface where they belong.
Get rid of acne
Skincare products help in preventing acne by keeping the pores clean and unclogged by removing excess oil, dirt, and bacteria from the skin. They also help in reducing redness or inflammation caused by acne.
Sun protection
Skincare products also help to protect your skin from harmful sun rays, which can speed up the process of aging your skin and cause wrinkles.
For example, the daily use of sunscreen and antioxidant serum can help reduce sunburns and other skin conditions caused by sun damage.
FAQs
Should men exfoliate?
Yes, they should.
Exfoliation helps to slough off dirt and dead skin cells that can clog pores, leading to blackheads and acne.
Exfoliating regularly also helps increase cell turnover to reveal the smoother, younger-looking skin underneath. To exfoliate your skin, all you have to do is use a gentle scrub or loofah in circular motions over the entire surface of your skin.
Is moisturizer essential for men?
Yes, it is.
Moisturizer is especially important for men because men tend to have thicker, oilier skin than women. Besides, moisturizers provide deep hydration for the skin while leaving it feeling tighter and firmer than before.
The ideal moisturizer will vary depending on your current skin condition. For example, men with very dry skin may need an ointment or cream, while men with oily skin will benefit from a lotion or gel.
How do you know if your skin is healthy?
The best way to know if your skin is healthy is to look in the mirror and see for yourself. Healthy skin looks smooth, firm, and even-toned.
It also has a balance of natural oils and moisture, so you won’t have dry patches of skin or an oily shine on some areas of your skin.
Conclusion
While it may be perceived that men don’t need to worry about their appearance, the truth is that both men and women need to look good and keep up with each other.
Your skin needs moisturizing, exfoliating, and protection from sun damage, pollution, and dirt. It also needs cleansing and pampering too.
And yes, it makes a difference to take care of your skin, especially if you want it not just to look good, but to also feel good.
Thanks for reading.
You can find more helpful beauty tips here on MBGON.