Skin Care In Men
Today many men are realizing the importance of skin care and the market is flooded with a large number of products targeting the men. Many guys think that choosing and then maintaining their skin care schedule can be confusing, time consuming and even expensive! The male skin differs from that of a female structurally, functionally and hormonally. Skin of men is more thicker, sweaty and oily than women. Men are more exposed to pollution and Sun exposure than women on daily basis.
There is a widespread misconception that skincare routines and beauty products are the exclusive domain of only women… wrong! Men need to have a regular skincare regimen as much as women. Men are not compliant in applying creams and other things hence we need to minimize the number of creams and choose the products accordingly.
Gel based application or liquid based applications work fine for men than messy creams. Gels are better for a normal to oily skin, creams and lotions better for a dry skin. Neutral pH products are better suited to sensitive skin as they don’t leave the skin dry.
Cleansing
The cleansing will help to remove the dirt, pollutants, grease and excessive oil from the skin, preventing the pores from clogging.
Oily –for a male skin that tends to be oily by nature; cleansing is all-important to provide the proper skin care. This procedure should be done at least twice or thrice every day. Choosing an appropriate face wash goes a long way in eliminating surface oil. Glycolic acid/ salicylic acid based cleansers have skin exfoliation and renewal properties and are best suited for oily male skins.
Normal –There are many advanced cleansers out there that improve your complexion, liquid cleanser improves your complexion with Lactic acid, tea tree oil, aloe.
Dry- a moisturizing neutral pH face wash is what a dry skin needs especially if one spends important hours in a day in the air-conditioned rooms which leave the skin drier. A face cleanser which gives after wash tightness is inappropriate for a dry skin
Sunscreens
Most men don’t use sunscreen on a consistent basis and tan very easily. Apply sunscreen everyday… not just in summers but all year through.
Choose a broad spectrum fluid or gel based sunscreen which protects you from UVB as well as UVA damage and does not look messy at the same time. The dry touch sunscreens are very popular with men as they don’t reflect a greasy look. Choose physical sunscreens containing Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide which are more water resistant and long acting.
Moisturizers
Many men think that moisturisers make their face seem greasy. Choose Non-Comedogenic lightweight gels or lotions containing hyaluronic acid, tea tree oil. Use at least once after having a bath. Due to regular shaving, the male skin can easily become dehydrated. So every man should have moisturizers among his skin care products. Though some shaving foams/gels themselves have an in-built moisturizing effect, it is recommended to use a moisturizing gel or cream after shaving.
Advanced skin routine includes use of Night creams containing hydrating agents, vitamin c and retinol on regular basis to keep the skin young and healthy. Scrub your face monthly to exfoliate the skin and clear up the clogged pores , even can use a clay face masks now and then.
Shaving
Shaving foams/gels/creams, as well as, after-shave lotions are also important among men’s skin care solutions. Irritating ingredients such as alcohol, menthol, mint, and camphor, as well as high levels of potassium or sodium hydroxide might be lurking in the shaving products, and you end up with razor burn.
It is also very helpful to change razor blades frequently and rinse the blade between strokes. All men need a gentle, water-soluble cleanser; a gentle shaving product followed by a gentle, non-irritating aftershave or shaving lotion or an alcohol-free topical anti-inflammatory product
