.png)
.png)
This is probably one of my favorite topics…men. They need TLC and skincare too. Before meeting me if you asked my husband what he used to wash his face, he would tell you soap. Then, if his skin was feeling a bit dry, he’d use the same lotion on his face that he used on his body. Oh, my, Lord! Granted, my husband isn’t Mr. Metrosexual, and I didn’t expect much, but geez, he needed help. On occasion, I would actually catch him “caring” about his skin. I’d walk into the bathroom and he’d be looking at the blackheads on his nose – squeezing the crap out of them in my magnification mirror. He’d utter – “I really need a facial,” but he’d never do it. I don’t think many men are too far off from him.
Most men really aren’t taught much about skincare. Usually we get this information from our moms who are eager to share it with their daughters, but somehow forget to impart this valuable information to their sons. Or, somewhere along the way, guys just think it’s silly and don’t understand why we spend so much money on skincare and makeup. If I showed my husband my monthly “maintenance” bill, I think he would lock me out of the house.
An advantage that men have, is that they usually shave daily, so they automatically exfoliate regularly without even thinking about it. Why do you think men age slower than we do? Another advantage they have is that they usually aren’t tugging and pulling at their faces. They pretty much ignore it unless for shaving. I can’t speak for all men though. I have friends who wouldn’t dare cancel their monthly facial appointment, or skip their quarterly Botox injections – but let’s face it (pun intended) – these guys are rare.
So, what is the difference between male and female skincare? It should be simple, however, there are ways that men differ with women in their skin composition that require a bit of tweaking when figuring out their proper skincare routine.
Men have thicker skin (by 20-30%). Thicker skin tends to age better (lucky bastards). When the dermis of the skin is thicker, cells are more densely packed therefore, fine lines and wrinkles don’t show up as easily.
Men also have more hair follicles especially on their faces. The follicles are also much thicker. They then tend to have problems with ingrown hairs and razor bumps. An issue some men may have is folliculitis barbae – a condition that affects the beard area (especially around the neck), that is due to the staphylococcus bacteria. It can cause bumps and become severe enough (sycosis barbae) to cause scars and permanent hair loss. I once saw a very bad case of folliculitis, and it is quite difficult to get rid of. Usually, it is treated by avoidance of shaving for several weeks and/or application of topical corticosteroids.
Men produce more oil. This is a double-edged sword. The oil keeps the skin wrinkle-free, but at the same time, men don’t really want to walk around with an oil rig on their face.
The most important thing to learn is that proper cleansing is important. A gentle or mild cleanser to prep the skin for shaving is key. If you don’t need to shave, you still have to wash your face. When you cleanse, just like with women, you have to use circular motions all over the face for at least 30 – 60 seconds. This ensures that any dirt and debris is removed from the skin. Use a soft lukewarm washcloth to remove the cleanser.
The next step which can be done twice a week, is to use a very gentle scrub. If you’re not someone who shaves every day, use the scrub on the days you shave. This will help lift the hairs of your skin and prevent ingrown hairs. You’ll also get a very smooth shave following the scrub. If you’re someone who suffers from adult acne, this will also help. There are several scrubs on the market that are geared towards men’s skincare.
Next comes the shave (if you’re doing it). Shaving oils have become very popular on the market now. These are great because they really help lubricate the skin in order to avoid irritation. Please, don’t use bar soap because it will dry your skin out and also change the pH.
Once you’ve shaved and taken all the oil residue off, you can use a toner, but I find that this is an unnecessary step. Save your money and jump to a nice moisturizer that hydrates your skin. I’ve seen some male-centered moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid that will keep your skin nice and hydrated while not making your skin greasy.
And now (drum roll please), if you really want to impress, use eye cream. Yes, eye cream. It will keep the skin around your eyes hydrated and when you’re 55 and looking 35, you can thank me.
I want to encourage men to get regular facials. If you’ve never had one, just try it. You’ll wonder why you’ve waited so long. You get someone else to clean your face, guide you through the products and get a super nice massage that will leave you relaxed and refreshed.
%402x.svg)