Skin Care Routine For Men – Top Tips For Maintaining a Healthy Appearance

What Every Man Needs to Know About Skin Care

The skin is the largest organ in the human body. It protects our internal organs from bacteria, viruses, and other external threats. It also helps regulate our body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D.

Skincare for men is important because it can help prevent or stabilise a variety of skin problems such as acne, wrinkles, or dehydration. It can also help promote healthy skin cells and keep your complexion looking youthful as you age. This is also extremely beneficial for your confidence and well-being for the modern male whether you are 25 or 65+.

There are many different types of skincare products available for men such as moisturisers, cleansers, toners, exfoliators etc. The most important thing to remember when buying a product is that it needs to be gentle on your skin type but still effective enough to do its job and not all products are the same.

It can also be very confusing to understand what specific products actually do and whether they are right for you. Not everyone is the same so before we look into things a little further it’s important to test things for yourself to find the best solution that fits your requirements.

Identify Your Skin Type

Skin types in men are not as straightforward as they may be in women. The skin type is determined by your skin tone, the amount of oil your skin produces, facial hair density and the thickness of your skin.

Men’s skin is generally much thicker and tougher than females so absorption testing with moisturisers is advisable if you aren’t sure as you may find certain products cause the skin to look excessively shiny with minimal absorption.

It is important to identify what your skin type is, so you can optimise your skin care routine and save money on unnecessary purchases.

Oily Skin

Oily skin is scientifically known as sebum which is produced by the sebaceous glands which are found under the surface of the skin. It naturally occurs mainly around the nose and forehead but for some, it can be quite excessive and therefore results in an unwanted oily sheen.

It doesn’t have a negative impact on your health and it’s actually your skin’s natural way of protecting and hydrating itself. Excessive oily skin can also be a result of a poor diet where saturated fats are consumed in high volume.

You may also find acne-prone skin is excessively oily which is prominent in young males and generally improves with age. Your diet and lifestyle play a large part in your complexion so it’s beneficial to start making some adjustments if you believe your diet contributes to your skin’s appearance.

Dry Skin

Dry skin can also be considered sensitive skin by the way it responds to washing and seasonality changes. Many people with dry skin often experience extreme tightness and redness after being exposed to water or cold where the skin dries out and fails to retain moisture.

This is quite the opposite of people with oily skin as they tend to produce very little sebum and therefore finding the right methods for your skin care routine is essential.

How to Take Care of Men’s Skin With These 10 Proven Steps To Maintaining Healthy & Youthful Looking Skin

Below are 10 proven steps to maintaining healthy and youthful-looking skin for men:

1) Cleanse your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser that has been specifically designed for your skin type. For normal skin you may find using a cleanser isn’t needed as often so reducing it to a few times a week is sufficient. For others, use a general-purpose face wash in the morning and evening.

2) Use an exfoliator on your face at least once per week. Every day isn’t necessary but you may wish to do so if you suffer from oily skin or dead skin cells more than others. You may want to include a Glycolic Acid in this routine every couple of months. This acts as a peeling agent removing dead skin from the surface. Do not do this frequently as you’ll damage the layers of skin over time.

3) Apply a serum to help lock in moisture and improve the collagen fullness in your skin once dry. This will also help to tighten up the skin where wrinkles are prone and help obtain a healthy colour. Follow the instructions for the amount and drying time.

3) Apply moisturiser every morning after cleansing your face and body so that it can penetrate deep into the layers of your skin and lock in moisture. For those with extremely dry skin, you may need to look at a thicker cream designed for your face but it is advisable to try a serum for a couple of weeks to see if it improves retention. Body lotions may not be required as often as facial moisturisers as the skin is much tougher and less sensitive than the face.

4) Apply suncream with an SPF of 30 or higher every morning before you go out in the sun, even if it’s cloudy outside during summer. One of the main ageing contributors is UV rays from the sun which is something we neglect as a nation, tremendously. It drastically reduces your chance of getting skin cancer too. You can apply this after using a moisturiser but allow the moisturiser to soak into your skin for at least 15 minutes. For up to 38% Off RRP on suncream and other healthcare, essentials visit Pharmacy First.

5) Drink plenty of water every day to stay hydrated. Men should be drinking 3.7L of water per day every. Try to consume a small amount every 15 minutes if possible.

6) Eat healthy foods that are low in saturated fats with plenty of fruit and vegetables as part of your 5 a day. You may find this article about top tips to live a healthier lifestyle in your 40s useful.

7) Exercise regularly to help prevent the onset of premature ageing and contribute to your cardiac health.

8) Reduce alcohol consumption and try to quit smoking if you’re a smoker. Smoking has been proven to double the rate at which the skin ages due to the side effects of toxins used in cigarettes. Alcohol is also known to cause extreme redness and fatigue in the skin.

9) Spend time with friends and family. Yes, that’s right, being happy and enjoying life is a huge contributing factor to how radiant your skin looks!

10) Be consistent. Miracles don’t happen in a few days so if this is the first time you’re changing your skincare routine, give it time. It’s advisable to take pictures to monitor your progression over time.

The Importance of Shaving Your Face & Body Hair on a Regular Basis

Shaving for those who chose the hairless look can often irritate the skin if you don’t approach it the right way. Preparation and aftercare are key to avoiding redness and irritation often experienced post-shave. This is fundamentally down to a couple of things that men tend to do wrong (or more importantly what they don’t do). Here are a couple of tips for achieving your best shave every time:

• Chose the right razor, shaving cream and aftershave balm before you start. We are huge fans of Harry’s Shaving Products. Click Here to visit Harry’s where you can purchase complete shaving sets and sign up for a cost-effective subscription delivery service or click the banner below
• If you have long-length facial hair and you’re fancying a change it’s recommended to use a beard trimmer on the lowest setting before going in with the razor. Otherwise, you’re going to snag the hairs which will hurt no matter how good the razor is!
• Disinfect the sink area before use – this is often overlooked and one of the main reasons why men have skin irritation post-shave, not the razor itself which also needs to be clean or new
• Wet your face with warm water or apply a hot flannel or towel to open up the pours
• Pat your skin dry so the shaving cream doesn’t mix with the water and runoff
• Apply the shaving foam, fill the sink with hot water and wet your razor in the water
• Follow the direction of the hair growth with a smooth motion across the skin. All too often men shave against the growth of the hair follicles which generally causes redness, spots and ingrown hairs which can be extremely painful
• Rinse your razor after each motion and continue accordingly until your finished
• Rinse your face with hot water and then apply cold water which will help close up the pours. Some argue that using cold water throughout is better than warm water but we find using warm water helps keep the pours open and hair follicles easier to cut. However, choose which works better for you as we are all different
• Pat dry and wait for 10-15 minutes to allow the skin to breathe
• Apply a good quality aftershave balm to soothe the skin

You can apply a good moisturiser to the remaining parts of your upper face and body for complete hydration afterwards.

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Moisturising Is Important For Men Too

Men are often reluctant to moisturise and use skin care products. The reason for this is that they don’t want to be seen as vain or self-obsessed but times have changed and it’s perfectly normal.

Just make sure you choose a product that doesn’t leave your face with a distinctive sheen if you want something discrete. A good body lotion helps lock in moisture and keeps the body hydrated for those who have dry skin. You should use a moisturising body wash to help reduce dryness before applying a lotion after.

Men’s Eye Cream Is Important To Protect the Most Sensitive Part of the Face

An eye cream can be used on an evening before bed to help protect the delicately thin sensitive skin in this area. It can also help reduce dark spots, unwanted bags under the eyes and repair tired-looking skin which is more noticeable around the eye area. Introducing this to your skin care routine can help achieve a more complete youthful look overall.

Why Men Should Be Using a Serum Toner

There are a lot of benefits to using a serum for men. For example, it can help to reduce wrinkles and make the skin look healthier by boosting the collagen in your skin which results in a firmer and tighter look. It’s becoming increasingly popular in modern men’s skincare routine and for good reason.

Serums (also known as Hyaluronic Acid) are a must-have in every man’s skincare routine. They’re designed to be light and fast-absorbing, so they’re perfect for daytime use. Serums are typically formulated with potent ingredients that can address specific skin concerns like wrinkles, dark spots/dark circles, or ageing skin.

A serum is an anti-ageing treatment that is applied before moisturizer to give you a fuller and tighter look to the skin without being uncomfortable. It’s a lightweight formula that sinks into your skin quickly and easily without feeling greasy or heavy on your face.

Lactic or Salicylic Acid? What’s The Difference?

These are types of peeling agents used to remove dead skin cells and lift away the top surface of the skin and excess oil. They can, however, irritate people with sensitive skin so it’s best to try on another area of your body before applying them to the face but they are generally quite mild for most.

Lactic Acid is designed for removing surface skin where imperfections or marks may be present, whereas Salicylic Acid is absorbed into the skin and has the ability to lift away the natural glues which embed blackheads and bacteria into the pours. Therefore, using Salicylic Acid every so often if you have acne-prone skin is a good idea with proven results.

People with darker skin should avoid using them too frequently as they do affect the natural pigmentation in the skin which is more noticeable compared to lighter skin.

Glycolic vs Lactic or Salicylic Acid?

• Glycolic Acid is more suited to sensitive skin
• Lactic Acid is more suited to dry and mature skin types
• Salicylic Acid is better suited to oily and acne-prone skin

Overview

Introducing a few changes to your skin care routine can result in achieving healthy-looking skin without disrupting your regular grooming routine. All brands and products are approved by the dermatology association and are perfectly safe for retail in the UK.

You should always approach with causing when trying new products especially if you have delicate skin. Natural oils occur in the skin and therefore the use of skin care products should be used to assist rather than replace or used excessively as part of a balanced regime. Always read the label and follow instructions prior to use.