With hundreds of brands of skincare products currently on the market it’s easy to see why falling back on a bar of soap for your daily face cleansing routine is an easy solution. But your face is one of the first things people notice about you and the route to healthier looking skin is easier than you might think. Especially now that numerous companies have realized the necessity for skincare that caters to the specialized needs of men’s skin.
On average, men’s skin is about 15% oilier than that of women, it is also much thicker. In addition to which on a daily basis can mean exposing your skin to sun and pollutants which will ultimately lead to a face that looks worn down and prematurely aged.
So let’s go over the basics:
#1 – Don’t clean your face with bar soap
We do not recommend using soap
While plenty of men’s lines now advertise bar soap formulated to cleanse without drying, it’s still best to look for a face wash that caters to your needs. Cleansers can come in either cream or gel form. As a rule of thumb gel cleansers will be a bit heavier and better suited to oily skin as they tend to lather up more. Contra-wise, cream based cleansers will be gentler and not as drying for skin that might be more susceptible to the elements. Try to avoid cleansers that promise to slough away dead skin with ground up bits of nut or seed extract. These things can cause tiny tears in your skin leaving your face looking more weathered. And be sure to give your face a good scrub. This will remove the oils and other impurities which build up in your pores throughout the day.
#2 – Toning
Toning your face is the same as toning your muscles. It defines your skin giving it a healthier look. Toners are a liquid based product that shrink your pores, which in turn keeps out impurities (i.e. fewer breakouts) and can also help prevent ingrown facial hairs.
Look for toners that have alpha hydroxyl or glycolic acid. These ingredients will help shrink your pores the most.
When applying a toner look for one that comes with a spray applicator as they will be easiest to use. Just a few quick sprays after cleansing is all you really need.
#3 – Moisturise
After cleaning and toning, moisturising is the last most important step. Even if you suffer from occasional breakouts it’s still important to keep your skin hydrated. Oil free moisturisers are available for men with oilier skin. This will help to hydrate without adding to the natural oils whose buildup can lead to acne.
And don’t forget that when applying moisturiser you should be applying it to both your neck and face. Your neck is just as susceptible to premature stress induced aging as the rest of your skin.
In addition to these three steps there are countless other products on the market targeted to various trouble areas:
Nickel Eye Countour Lift
- A good under eye cream is always a great add-on as the skin beneath your eyes is thinner and unlike the rest of your face does not produce oil. This lack of hydration will cause wrinkles to appear faster making you look years older.
- Other treatments can be found for spot treating acne, making lines less visible, even getting rid of razor burn.
- And lastly, always read labels and be sure to not overuse products on your skin. Less is often more and piling on skincare products won’t immediately fix things.
- And remember that topical solutions only go so far. Proper nutrition and exercise are just as important to skin care as they are to the rest of your body.
In a final effort to make purchasing skincare products easy I’ve compiled a list of a few of my favourites:
-Cleansers: Anthony Logistics Glycolic Facial Cleanser, Kyoku for Men Daily Facial Cleanser
-Toners: Anthony Logistics Alcohol Free Toner
-Moisturisers: Zirh Protect Daily Facial Moisturiser, Polaar Dual Action Moisturiser
-Eye cream: Nickel Eye Contour Lift
-After shave: Kyoku for Men Razor Repair Balm
