Skincare for men

Many men seem to have an aversion to caring for their skin. Somehow a quick clean and a close shave is the extent of their basic skincare routine.

Without question, men need to give greater attention to the care of their skin for the same reasons women do:

• Healthy skin looks and feels younger

• Breakouts, clogged pores and dry scaly patches are reduced

• Proper care balances moisture and renews skin for a toned-looking, smooth complexion

• Skin that is less irritated and inflamed makes shaving easier and lessens ingrown hair

How does a gentleman begin a skin-care regimen? It’s a simple change in products for most and the addition of a nourishing exfoliant and moisturizer for all. A good start is forgetting what you see in men’s product advertising. Lots of men's products contain problematic ingredients that are designed to create a strong smell and perpetuate the macho image engrained in every 13 year old boy. You would think the tingling sensation men think is desirable would signal how bad it actually is for skin. If you look beyond the rugged, masculine hype, you’ll see poorly formulated, chemically-based concoctions that can hurt skin and create red bumps, breakouts, razor burn, dry patches or even worse skin conditions.

While men do have a thicker dermis (lower layer of skin) and larger oil and sweat glands than women, none of the hormonal differences between genders affects basic skin care needs. The same product formulations women use to minimize fine lines or prevent wrinkles, reduce pore size, lessen dark spots, heal dry skin, minimize oily shine and eliminate acne work just as effectively for men.

Now that we’ve shared what not to do, here’s what a man's skin-care routine should look like:

• First and foremost, ditch the drying bar soap and use a gentle liquid cleanser instead

• Shave following a shower when hair is softened, using a gentle shave gel so the shave is smoother, razor burn is reduced and redness minimized

• Always use warm, not hot water to preserve skin’s natural moisture barrier

• Hydrate and restore skin’s balance with an all-natural moisturizer after every wash or shave

• Use a gentle exfoliant weekly, but don’t scrub harshly to cause irritation and inflammation—shaving is enough of rough treatment for any face

• Never use products containing irritants such as alcohol, menthol, peppermint that will launch skin into tingling irritation, and steer clear of chemical additives, including: paraben, sulfates (SLS), mineral oil, harsh chemicals or detergents

To achieve better skin, read product labels and select those with all-natural ingredients for your daily grooming. Stop by our website to check out highly rated products that pass the all-natural ingredient test.

The old adage that men look rugged or gain character with wrinkles is a myth, and ‘no pain, no gain,’ has no place in any skincare routine. Irritation and dry flaky skin is never beneficial to skin health nor is a blemished face or back. Healthy skin lends confidence, and confidence spurs a charisma and swagger that is appealing to both men and women alike.