They may pretend it isn’t the case, but men can be just as interested in taking care of their skin as women are. One notable difference, however, is that unlike women, men want their skincare concerns to be dealt with all at once and have trouble understanding the importance of a daily skincare routine and maintenance treatments. While this is unrealistic, there are some skincare basics men should know about. Here, some skincare tips all men should know:
NOT ALL CLEANSERS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Men have thicker skin than women- about .5 mm thicker, in fact. Men’s skin also tends to be oilier and with larger pores. Add to this men’s tendency to break out in a sweat and the fact that they tend to buy whatever cleanser they find in the aisle of the drugstore (or use body soap to cleanse their face! yikes!) and it can all add up to a skincare recipe for disaster. For fresh and healthy skin, men should use a cleanser specifically made for their skin type- ie; a cleanser that will strip away dirt and oil without stripping their skin of moisture. We love Image’s Ormedic Balancing Facial Cleanser ($27.90), a no fuss gel cleanser with a blend of organic chamomile and green tea that cleanses and balances the pH of skin, leaving skin soft, hydrated and clean without the need for a toner! Updating to a better cleanser also means less razor burns and cuts, which is a win-win for all parties involved.
SALICYLIC ACID IS YOUR FRIEND
a cleanser with salicylic acid helps keep ingrown hairs at bay
Since men’s skin is more prone to excessive oil and shine, alternating between a gentle cleanser (like the one mention above) and one containing Salicylic acid can make all the difference. A good cleanser with salicylic acid like Image’s MD Reconstructive Cleanser ($25) used every other day will control oil and help avoid ingrown hairs without stripping away essential oils.
SHAVING 101
As you can imagine, shaving introduces a whole other list of problems to the skin, like red bumps, dryness, and ingrown hairs. To avoid these, men should make sure to alternate between a gentle and an active cleanser containing salicylic acid to soften skin; a softening shave cream paired with a sharp razor (don’t forget to change the blades regularly) will further assure a clean shave and hydrated skin. Follow your shave with a soothing moisturizer and your skin will thank you.