There are few things that make men feel and act confident. Nowadays, many men dress better in order to express their personal style, they eat healthily and enjoy talking about fitness, working out and supplements, but most of them neglect one important aspect – their skin. For a very long time, skincare was an unknown topic for men but that is slowly starting to change today. Many people are wondering, should guys have a skincare routine too?
Well, knowing that the skin is our largest organ which serves as our first line of defence, there are a few things we can do to keep it healthy. Men skin care routine is just that – an effective way that takes commitment, consistency and care, but it’s very beneficial in long term. You’ll need to experiment and find the right skin care products for men to keep it healthy and glowing.
Know Your Skin Type
Learning the different skin types is essential to find what really works for yours. If you ask most guys what are the 5 basic skin types, they will hardly name two. Take a look at the answer:
Normal: Your skin is oil-free most of the day and doesn’t get irritated and dry so often. You rarely have acne.
Oily skin: Your skin is shiny and greasy by the end of the day. It has oily areas and visibly enlarged pores around your nose, chin and forehead and you easily get acne.
Dry Skin: Your skin has a rough texture and feels tight and at times irritated.
Combination: You mostly have dry skin on your cheeks and excessive oil on the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin).
Sensitive skin: Your skin easily gets irritated and has red rashes or bumps, and may negatively react to new products.
After you have properly determined your skin type, you can choose the proper mens cosmetics for you and start reaping its benefits.
Cleanse Your Skin
Cleansers are a staple in any skincare routine. They will help any product you use afterwards to be better absorbed and therefore more effective. Depending on its formula, you can choose a product with ingredients such as calming mint and lavender extras that not only remove toxins and debris but also soothe the skin.
Soap-free solutions will maintain your skin’s natural moisture without stripping it of its natural oils. For best results, use a facial cleanser made for your skin type and choose skin care products for men that are gluten-free, paraben-free and don’t contain artificial fragrances. It’s recommended that you wash your face twice a day: in the morning and at night. That way, you’ll remove all toxins and oils, bacteria and debris your skin has accumulated during the day. Just wet your face with warm water, place a dime-size amount on your hands and rub it all over your face in circles for about 30 seconds. If you have a beard, add another 15 seconds so that the product can really enter your skin. After you’re done, rinse off with warm water and pat your skin until dry.
Use a Facial Scrub
Exfoliating your face skin is very important because that way you remove the dead skin cells which clog up your pores and dull your skin complexion. Gentle facial scrub formulas are most suitable for congested, acne-aged and sun-damaged skin. Besides exfoliating, if a scrub contains Glycolic Acid, it may also stimulate collagen production and promote cell renewal. It’s recommended that exfoliating should be done 1-3 times a week, after cleansing your face but before shaving. Scrubbing will help your hair protrude above the skin so that you can remove it while shaving. And that’s how you’ll avoid having hair grown into your skin.
Apply Moisturizer
Moisturizing your skin is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine. It will make your skin firmer and will prevent water loss and achieve an anti-aging effect. A good moisturizer will deliver hydration and the right nutrients to your skin cells, making your skin face look youthful and healthy. The active moisturizer formula may contain hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, vitamin C and E, and grapeseed extracts to fight free radicals and protect your skin from environmental stress. These ingredients will also hydrate your skin, making it soft and smooth. Apply it twice a day, in the morning and at night.
Protect Your Skin from UV Rays
Although you may find moisturizers with SPF, it’s a good idea to invest in this product separately. Sun rays are a serious threat to our skin health, therefore proper protection must be applied. Make sure your SPF is not less than 30. But, to be on the safe side, you can go for a sunscreen with SPF 50+ which will deliver superior protection. Pick lightweight formulas with matte finishes that won’t leave any white spots. With ingredients like zinc oxide, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, sunscreen may provide UV protection, hydration and nourish your skin at the same time.
