Men are now increasingly joining the skincare bandwagon, which was considered to be mainly a woman’s domain previously. Yes, menfolk are becoming more conscious of their appearance and planning their skincare routine for younger-looking skin. Well, there are some basic differences between men’s and women’s skin, insofar as men have thicker skin than women. However, the key elements of skincare roughly remain the same for both genders.
In this article, we will explore all about men’s bodycare routines and the differences between men’s skincare and women’s skincare.
Understanding Your Skin Type
Before men go about drawing their skincare plan, it is important they first understand their body type:
Ø If you have sensitive skin, you may experience a stinging or burning sensation after using skincare products
Ø People with normal skin do not face sensitivity issues when they use bodycare products
Ø Where people with dry skin are concerned, their skin may feel rough, itchy, or flaky
Ø Oily skin imparts a shiny and greasy appearance
Ø Combination skin seems dry in some parts and oily in other portions
Once you understand your skin type, you can learn how to care for your skin and how to select skincare products that match your skin type.
Learning About Skincare Routine
Skincare is all about maintaining your skin’s health and protecting it, which does not include only keeping your skin clean. As part of your skincare ritual, you should use an effective cleanser for personal hygiene, a moisturizer to moisturize your skin, and sunscreen for sun protection. Certainly, you may also have to add a bevy of other skincare products to address your acne issues, dry skin, aging signs, and greasiness.
Studying the Differences Between Men’s Skincare And Women’s Skincare
The skincare routines for men and women are quite similar. However, there are hormonal differences between men and women, in as much as the testosterone levels of men are higher than women. Hence, men’s skin is 25 percent thicker than women’s skin and they both behave differently.
Men also have higher testosterone levels that cause larger pores, more greasiness, and denser hair follicles, generating more sebum.
Because of these differences between men’s skin and women’s skin, men are advised to use products that are specially developed for their skin’s needs. They should use skincare products with higher concentrations of active ingredients that can penetrate their thick skin to provide the much-needed nourishment to their bodies.
Decoding the 5-Step Men’s Skincare Routine
(i) Cleanse
When it comes to your cleansing routine, you must use a cleanser to wash your face twice a day. As soon as you wake up, you should use a face wash to clear off the sweat, dirt, and bacteria that build up in the night. Then, when you are preparing to sleep at night, you should again cleanse your face to clear off the sebum, oil, and dirt.
(ii) Exfoliate
The skin experts recommend exfoliating your face with a face scrub twice a week. By doing so, you remove any dead skin cells and unclog your pores for radiant-looking and smooth skin. Face scrub penetrates your pores to loosen any skin impurities for their easy removal. Now, you have a choice between chemical exfoliators and abrasive exfoliators. People with sensitive skin are advised to use an abrasive exfoliator to avoid any adverse reactions.
(iii) Apply Eye Cream
The skin surrounding the eyes is thinner than other facial portions. That’s why it requires highly concentrated ingredients to retain its moisture and volume. Eye cream, along with rejuvenating your skin, helps to treat a variety of skin concerns, such as fine lines, puffy bags, and dark circles. You can exploit the goodness of eye cream by using it twice a day after cleansing your face in the morning and evening.
(iv) Moisturize
Maintaining your skin hydration helps to enrich your skin health and it is recommended to apply moisturizer twice a day, which includes once in the morning and at night. You should also choose a moisturizer that matches your skin type, which could be oily skin, dry skin, normal skin, or sensitive skin. A moisturizer is one of the essentials in your skincare kit because it replaces the nutrients that are lost because of cleansing and exfoliating.
(v) Sunscreen Application
The sun’s rays can harm your skin in various ways. Hence, make sure to wear sun cream whenever you are exposing your skin to the sun. In doing so, you can reduce the aging signs, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Kosmoderma’s Photo Protect Sunscreen Gel SPF 40 offers optimal skin protection from the sun’s damage-causing UVA and UVB rays. You can apply sunscreen to your face and neck 15 minutes before you go outdoors, which gives the skin enough time to absorb the cream.
Conclusion
Besides following the basic 5-step men’s skincare routine, there are some other products that men can add to their list. These include facial serums, face masks, and shaving balm. Only make sure to consult your dermatologist to learn more about your skin type and determine skincare products that are best suited to your skin type beforehand.
FAQs:
1) Can both men and women use the same skincare products?
Various unisex skincare products are suitable for both men and skin. Nonetheless, men can also use products that are designed for thick and oily skin.
2) What are the specific ingredients that men should seek in their skincare products?
Skincare products contain a host of ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, ceramides, and salicylic acid. Depending on your skin type, your skin doctor will advise you on the ingredients to use and the ones to avoid – to improve your overall skin health.
3) What should men look for when choosing sunscreens?
If you are spending time indoors, you should apply sunscreens with SPF 30 or more. When you are going outdoors, you should wear sunscreens with SPF 50 or more and wait for 15 minutes after sunscreen application. By using sunscreen regularly, you can shield your skin from the harmful action of the skin whilst preventing premature aging.
