More men are now pursuing healthier, younger-looking skin, making it a great time for men to evaluate their skin care routine and learn more about how to take care of their body’s largest organ. Although when it comes to skin care, traditionally, men keep it simple.
There are key differences between men and women’s skin; for example, men’s skin is thicker than women’s skin. Therefore the approach for care would not be the same.
Besides the general thickness of men’s skin, some other skin attributes include:
• Sensitive skin: may sting or burn after product use
• Normal skin: clear and not sensitive
• Dry skin: flaky, itchy or rough
• Oily skin: shiny and greasy
• Combination skin: dry in some areas and oily in others
Understanding your skin type will help you learn how to take care of your skin and select skin care products that are right for you.
To help men develop healthy skin care routines, the following are the top 10 tips:
1. Consider product labels and ingredients
The skin care products you choose will depend on your skin type. If you have acne-prone skin, look for cleansers and moisturizers that say “oil free” or “non-comedogenic,” as these won’t clog your pores. If you have sensitive skin, use mild, “fragrance free” products, as products containing fragrances can leave skin feeling irritated and dry. However, beware of products labeled “unscented,” as many of these contain masking fragrances that can still irritate your skin.
2. Wash your face daily and after exercise
Since regular bar soap often contains harsh ingredients that can be drying to the skin, wash your face with a mild facial cleanser and lukewarm – not hot water.
3. Watch your shaving technique
For some men, multi-blade razors can work too well or shave too closely to your skin. If you often experience razor bumps, razor burns or ingrown hairs, use a single- or double-blade razor instead and do not stretch your skin taut while shaving. Before you shave, wet your skin and hair to soften it. Shave in the direction of hair growth. Rinse after each swipe of the razor, and change your blade after five to seven shaves to minimize irritation.
4. Moisturize daily
Moisturizer works by trapping water in your skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and make your skin look brighter and younger. For the best results, apply moisturizer to your face and body immediately after bathing, showering or shaving while the skin is still damp.
5. Check your skin regularly
New spots or moles that itch, bleed or change color are often early warning signs of skin cancer. If you notice any suspicious spots, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Men over age 50 have a higher risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than the general population. However, when caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable.
6. Wear sunscreen whenever outdoors
To help prevent sun damage that can lead to wrinkles, age spots and even skin cancer, before going outdoors, apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin, including your scalp, ears, neck and lips. For best protection, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.
7. Make after-shave your new best friend
After-shave hydrates and soothes the skin; it also seals in the skin after a nice shave. Your after-shave should be alcohol-free because alcohol dries your skin.
8. Exfoliate
Generally for most men with oily skin this will be twice a week. However, for men with dry skin, exfoliating should be done only once per week. When you exfoliate you remove and slough off the built up dead skin cells and gunk from your body. For most men, a chemical exfoliant (cream) is going to be the best course of action. However, to avoid irritation, it must be done correctly.
9.Watch what you eat
You are what you eat, which means the health of your skin is also affected by the diet choices you make. Choose fruits and proteins over fried fatty foods. Take water regularly too.
10. Avoid doing anything that damages your capillaries
In other words, don’t squeeze pimples and blackheads if you want flawless skin in the long run. What do you in your twenties will affect how you look in your forties and beyond. If you succumbed to temptation and just had to pick a pimple, put a triple antibiotic ointment on the blemish.
These tips are guaranteed to provide ultimate skin care guide for men; they are practical and effective.
