Skincare Advice for Men
Skincare Tips for Men
If you’re female there’s no end of advice available for you on how best to look after your skin. For men, while it’s no longer seen as strange that you want to look and feel your best, it can be difficult to find reliable advice. So, what are the basics of looking after your skin at home?
Keeping it clean
The basis of good looking skin is cleanliness so using the right skincare products on your face is essential. There are plenty of liquid cleansers available in drugstores although traditionally men seem to prefer using bar soaps to liquids. Bar soap is better for normal or oily skin, but if you’re prone to dryness you may be better using a liquid cleanser. Don’t be shy, come and see your esthetician for advice if you don’t know what suits your skin type. In general, if you notice that your skin feels tight after washing it, it’s probably dry and you would benefit from a liquid cleanser. If you have very oily skin, look for products which contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or benzyl peroxide which will help to remove the top layers of dead skin cells and get to work deeper down into your pores. They also have antibacterial agents to fight infection.
Moisturizing is essential for men too
Despite many skincare products saying that they contain moisturizer, the best way to keep your skin supple and in great condition is to always use a separate moisturizing product.
- If you have dry skin, choose a cream.
- A lighter lotion works best for normal skin and won’t clog pores.
- Oily skin responds well to a skin toner or gel formulation.
As with cleansers, products containing glycolic acid or salicylic acid are good for acne-prone skin.
If you are noticing the signs of aging, you could ask your salon about products with retinol which can help to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Avoid them even cropping up by always using a sunscreen – either a separate product or a moisturizer containing sunscreen.
Shaving and your skin
Regular shaving can irritate the skin on your face and neck, so if you’re feeling the burn you could opt for a shaving cream or lotion that contains aloe to soothe any irritation. Use a little more water with your products as you are lathering and leave it on a bit longer to soften hairs.
You could also give shaving oil a try. It helps to moisturise skin and soften hairs before you shave and so reduces the impact on your skin.
If your problem is recurring razor bumps, a shaving product which contains glycolic acid or salicylic acid may help. Always choose a hypoallergenic, unfragranced product to avoid irritating your skin even more.
Other tips include shave in the direction that hairs grow, or using a razor with a built-in moisturizing strip, followed by an aftershave lotion and moisturizer.
For more advice on looking after your skin, and products to suit you, why not come in and see us?
