Skin Care tips for Men

Men’s skin is very different from women’s and many men are less likely than women to fuss with their skin,. Therefore, the simpler approach to skin care, the better. Here are some simple, but effective tips that can be helpful for the men in your life.

First, how is men's skin different from women's?

Men are less likely to get hyper pigmentation (brown spots) since this is caused from hormonal activity which more women experience.

Men’s skin is thicker than women’s so they can exfoliate with a gentle scrub every day where a woman should only exfoliate 2-3 times a week.

Men produce more oil so their skin is less dry than a woman’s.

Since men produce more oil, they will have larger pores and more prone to blackheads than women.

Men will have more wrinkles than a woman since they are less likely to care for their skin with the daily use of sunscreen as most women will.

Cleansing - Never use bar soap.

The binders that hold a bar of soap together are in an alkaline base (high pH balance), which will strip all the water and natural oils out of the skin, causing the surface of the skin to dehydrate. Instead, use a low-foaming cleanser that still will give a deep pore cleaning, but won’t leave the skin feeling tight and dry. The skin cells need to stay moist in order to be healthy, as without water, acne conditions and sensitive skin will be aggravated.

Shaving - Use a shaving gel instead of foam.

The key to a comfortable shave is to condition the skin prior to shaving to soften the hair and the hair follicle. If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, this one is important. Many men shave after showering when the skin is moist, but for sensitive skin, that may not be enough. You need an emollient-based shaving cream that, when applied to the skin, softens the hair and follicle so that when a razor goes across the skin, there is less irritation. Typical foam shaving creams are not emollient enough. Look for gel-based shaving creams that instantly lubricate and hydrate, so that the razor glides easily across the skin, lessening irritation, rashes, and ingrown hairs.

Moisturizing - Wear moisturizer with sunscreen.

Knowing that the number one cause of aging is exposure to daylight, it is important to keep the skin protected by using a moisturizer (with the sunscreen built in) 365 days a year. Most men certainly don’t like anything feeling greasy on the skin, so choose formulas with zinc oxide that give a much lighter feel on the skin. You can add Z-Plus to any moisturizer for SPF protection!

Post-shaving - Avoid using alcohol-based aftershave.

Many men like the clean and tight feeling associated with using alcohol-based aftershaves, and they have been told that these close the pores. Contrary to popular opinion, pores do not open and close like doors. Using alcohol-based aftershaves only results in more problems, as alcohol causes dead skin cell buildup, keeping hair trapped in the skin, leading to more ingrown hairs and sensitivity. Instead use a calming, oil-free moisturizer that will soothe the skin after the abrasiveness of shaving instead of burning it.

Professional help - Get a deep pore cleansing facial every change of season.

Trust me when I say, men LOVE facials. They love the pampering from the face, neck and shoulder massage and they enjoy feeling their skin super clean and baby soft at the end. They’ll rarely schedule this on their own, but they’ll love you for it. It makes a great gift for his birthday and, who knows, maybe he’ll request it every year. Convince him to get a facial, and you'll get to see the results too :)

What should a man's skin care routine look like?

Cleanse the skin twice a day.

Shave, and wherever on the face he is not shaving, use an exfoliant everyday.

Moisturize within 60 seconds morning and night, and wear SPF daily.

Lastly, whenever you're doing a face mask, slowly convince him to do one with you ;)