Skin care is important regardless of gender, no matter what society would like you to believe. With a good skin care routine, you can have a clean face without any blackheads, zits, and razor bumps. When you first look into the world of skin care for men, it can seem quite confusing, frustrating, and tedious. This guide will show you it really doesn’t have to be like that.
Identify Your Skin Types
Before you start prepping for other steps, the first thing you have to do is figure out your skin type. Check which of the following descriptions matches your skin.
Normal Skin
You don’t notice your skin is dry or oily. It’s soft, looks fine without special care, and doesn’t have any noticeable imperfections.
Dry Skin
We can all have dry skin due to outside factors like low humidity, being in hot water for too long, and being exposed to harsh weather. While the effects of dry skin are temporary for most, for some they can be permanent, especially if even simple skincare is ignored. Signs of dry skin include small cracks, itching, redness, and peeling.
Oily Skin
You’ll recognize oily skin easily thanks to its roughness, greasy appearance, and larger pores. Hormones and genetics can both cause your body to produce excessive fat, therefore making your skin oily.
Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, you’ll notice your skin has a stronger reaction to shaving, weather shifts, and new products you introduce to your care routine. This reaction can be in the form of breakouts, redness, tightness, itching, and discomfort.
Combination Skin
This type has the characteristics of both dry and oily skin. It’s simple skincare science—this usually happens because of uneven sebum production and secretion. So some parts of the face are oilier (typically the T-zone) while others are drier.
Moles
If you have a lot of moles, you should have them examined regularly. While they’re usually harmless, sometimes they can change color, size, shape, or even bleed and itch. These are warning signs that you shouldn’t ignore.
Scaly Skin
Your skin can become flaky due to various environmental factors, but this can also be a sign of allergies or infections. If you can peel off big scales of skin from your face, it may be time to visit a doctor before you start developing a new routine.
Tips for Basic Skin Care for Men
Start by washing your face with a simple cleanser daily. The best way to implement this routine is to do it right after you shower.
Also, if you’ve never used skin care products for men before, try experimenting with cheaper face wash brands first. That way, you’ll get a feel of how a certain product works and be able to tell if it’s right for your skin.
Aside from the price, pay attention to:
- The type of face wash – Some face washes come in the form of soap, while others are liquid. Decide which one is more convenient for you.
- Your skin type – Using our guide above, figure out your skin type and only search for products specifically made for it.
- The brand – Research the brands that appeal to you and check out what other people have to say about them. It’s also a good idea to turn to dermatologist recommended skin care products. It’s one of the ways to ensure the products you’re buying are top-notch.
- Your facial hair. Proper beard care is an important element of maintaining a clean, youthful face. Pay attention to your hair type when choosing skin care and beard care products, as the wrong ones can make your skin and hair oilier or drier, depending on your skin and hair type.
Should Moisturizer Be Added to Men’s Skin Care Routine?
Everybody needs to moisturize at one point or another, regardless of their skin type. Guys with (very) dry skin need to make it part of their daily routine. Others should use moisturizer during windy and cold days, especially in winter. During this season, your skin can get particularly dry, so it’s good to revitalize it.
The problem most people, especially guys, have with moisturizers is that these products can feel too heavy once applied. Some of them can clog your pores, feel sticky, and feel like your skin can’t breathe.
However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be using moisturizer. It just means you need to find the right one for your skincare routine. If normal moisturizers feel too heavy, try ones with lighter formulas.
Best application practice: Look for gels and lotions instead of creams. Creams tend to feel heavier, and lotions and gels are easier to apply, especially for beginners. If your skin is generally dry, moisturize once a day. If your skin type is normal, apply moisturizer daily but only during those seasons when it feels dry. Men with oily skin can feel free to skip it unless they notice dryness in places.
Proper Skin Care for Men Also Implies Exfoliating
A lot of men skip exfoliating although it should be an essential part of skincare for both men and women. The reason is that it helps remove dead skin cells, dirt, and various pollutants, which can clog your pores and hinder the effectiveness of skin care products.
The fact of the matter is that you exfoliate every time you shave facial hair. However, just because you get rid of the dead skin cells on the lower part of your face, it doesn’t mean you get rid of them altogether.
Best application practice: Exfoliate daily. If you’re a beginner, you’ll probably be overwhelmed with how many different exfoliators there are on the market. Choose products which contain alpha hydroxy acid. It’s vital for male skin care since it’s more gentle on the skin. Scrubs work well, too, but they might be too harsh, depending on your skin type.
What About Eye Cream?
Dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles and fine lines are something that most of us struggle to get rid of. These problems are especially common among people who are sleep-deprived, work a lot, or have an iron deficiency.
Understandably, taking care of this issue has to be part of any skin care routine for men. To freshen up the skin under your eyes, all you have to do is use eye cream. Some men will wonder why they need a particular product for this part of the face instead of using what they already have.
The thing is—the skin under your eyes is much thinner than the skin on the rest of your face. That’s why it loses moisture far more easily and quickly, so you need a cream with more concentrated ingredients that will be up for the job.
Best application practice: Ideally, you should use eye cream twice a day as part of your skin care routine. Apply it once in the morning and once before you go to bed. Remember to wash your face thoroughly beforehand.
The Importance of SPF
Excessive exposure to the sun and ultraviolet rays can be very harmful for your skin. It can make your skin age prematurely, cause sunburns, and even lead to skin cancer. Your body might be covered in a protective layer of clothes, but your face isn’t. This is why you should use sunscreen every time you go out.
The problem with sunscreen is much the same as the problem with most men’s facial care products. It can feel too heavy, especially if it’s hot outside, and it makes you feel like you’re sweating excessively. The best way to tackle this is to find products with SPF factors. Though high-quality products of this kind can be more expensive, they’re worth it.
Best application practice: Wash your face before applying sunscreen. Wear it every time you go out. Look for products that both protect and hydrate the skin, so you can skip on moisturizer that day and still feel fresh. The bonus is that the cream won’t feel heavy on your face.
Masks: Homemade or Store-Bought?
Masks have the same effect as the other male skin care products listed here, but you don’t have to use them daily. With their high regeneration power, they’re basically a treat for your skin.
If you’ve never used them before, you may be wondering about the difference between homemade and store-bought masks. It comes down to the following aspects:
- How much money you’re willing to spend – Homemade masks are generally less expensive than store-bought men’s skin care products. They usually require cheaper ingredients or those you already have at home. Store-bought masks’ prices can vary a lot, depending on the brand and the quality.
- How much hassle you want – While homemade masks can feel more rewarding because you made them yourself, not everyone is up for the challenge. When you want to treat yourself and your skin, sometimes it’s just more relaxing if you buy a mask.
- What ingredients you want – With homemade masks being part of your men’s face care habits, you know exactly what you’re putting onto your skin. However, the basic ingredients also mean that you may miss out on some special active ingredients that can be found in store-bought masks.
- How sensitive your skin is – If you’ve got sensitive skin, you should definitely go for homemade masks. They’re generally milder and you don’t have to risk inflammation by different harsh chemicals that some store-bought masks might contain.
Is Night Cream a Necessary Part of Skincare for Men?
Your skin heals while you sleep. To aid the process, you can put on night cream before bedtime. Its active ingredients will help your skin create new cells more quickly and speed regeneration along, thereby helping you look fresh and young.
Best application practice: Apply night cream every day before bed. For an even better effect, use a moisturizer with the same properties as the night cream during the day.
What’s Retinol?
Retinol is actually derived from vitamin A, and it’s a crucial element of the best anti-aging skin care for men. This is because retinol helps the production of new cells and the disposal of old ones. It may sound similar to exfoliation, but the key difference is that exfoliators just get rid of what’s already dead and don’t assist skin-cell regeneration.
However amazing the properties of retinol may sound, keep in mind that it can be really harsh on your skin, especially if it’s sensitive. When first introduced to men’s skin care routine, retinol can (but doesn’t necessarily) make your skin flaky, red, and irritated. The best thing to do here is to find a very gentle version and see if it works for you.
If you stick with it, retinol can be very beneficial for your skin in the long run. It should make it look younger and revitalized.
Best application practice: Use retinol every few days to get your skin used to the feeling. Since your skin will be more sensitive to UV rays, it’s best to stay out of the sun as much as possible and apply retinol before bedtime. Sunscreen can also help decrease that sensitivity during the day.
Do I Need a Toner Too?
When it comes to the best skin care for men with oily skin, it’s probably best to skip moisturizing but they shouldn’t skimp on toner. Toner’s used for deep cleaning—it can cleanse your pores better than almost anything else. It also helps reduce oil build-up and prevents the skin from looking greasy and shiny.
Best application practice: The frequency of use depends on a given product and how often your skin gets oily. Use a cotton pad to evenly distribute the product over your face. You can also use a toner in gel form if you prefer.
Conclusion
As you can see, skin care for men comes down to having a good routine and finding the right products for your skin. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different routines and products, as well as to make your own face masks and scrubs at home. We’re sure you’ll achieve the desired results in no time.
If you enjoy lifestyle- and health-related topics, feel free to check out our articles about the fitness industry, keto dieting, the effects of high cholesterol, and much more!
