The men’s skincare industry has grown leaps and bounds over the past few years, but we still see some men washing their faces with soap and calling it a day. Your skin is your body’s largest organ so it is important to take care of yourself both inside and out!
With so many different products available and endless advice from everyone around you, deciding to start a skincare routine can seem impossible. We’re here to simplify the task by providing our best skincare tips for men.
Find Out Your Skin Type
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to skincare. Before you can properly look after your skin, you need to know your skin type.
A simple way to test your skin type is to wash your face with a mild cleanser, and then leave it to dry without putting on any additional products. After half an hour, look at your skin. If it feels tight, you probably have dry skin. If your face appears shiny all over, you likely have oily skin. If the shiny patches are only around your nose and forehead, your skin type falls in between these two and is known as combination skin.
So now that you know what type of skin you have, what’s the next step?
Build Your Skin Care Routine
The best skincare routine is one you can maintain, and we’re talking long-term. This means your products have to fit your budget, and the application of them needs to fit into your schedule.
When deciding what products you are going to get, divide them into three categories:
Wash
We recommend getting a regular face wash to use both morning and night. For drier skin, look for a face wash with a cream-like consistency. For skin on the oilier side, you can choose a foamy face wash. Some men may also choose to exfoliate a few times per week. This may depend on your shaving habits, as shaving is actually a good way to exfoliate! However, gentle exfoliation can help remove dead skin and sometimes may also help prevent ingrown hairs. There are certain washes that may have beads that exfoliate your skin by “scrubbing” (we recommend smooth beads, not coarse ones that could cause damage). There are also washes with chemical exfoliators, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, that will exfoliate without scrubbing.
Moisturize
The belief that oily skin doesn’t need to be moisturized is one of many common skin myths that are around today. Moisturizing oily skin can actually help regulate oil production! If your skin is oily or you do not like the greasy feeling of moisturizer, find a water-based moisturizer, such as a gel, and use it once a day (preferably right after you wash it).
Sunscreen
Sunscreen with a good protection factor (SPF) is the most important part of any skincare routine. Many different factors can affect your risk of skin cancer. You can help lower your risk of skin cancer by applying daily sunscreen, especially to the more exposed areas of your skin, such as your face, ears and neck. To help keep your skin routine simple, you may choose a moisturizer that contains SPF. We recommend at least SPF 30 and preferable a product that has zinc as one of the active ingredients. Remember, even if you are just going to the work, you are exposed to the UV rays through the windows in your car and in your office.
Dry skin might need to be moisturized more than once a day. Again, your skincare routine is entirely unique. Choose an oil-based product, with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which help your skin retain moisture.
Lifestyle
Often the difference between good and great skin is a healthy lifestyle. Extra things you can start doing to look after your skin include:
- Make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydrating your skin.
- Eat a balanced diet so your body has the nutrients it needs to help heal and repair your skin.
- Again – avoid overexposure to the sun, and have skin cancer screenings about once a year.
- Get enough sleep! Your skin is the first place where tiredness will show.
There are many other steps that we can add or subtract from your skincare routine based on your preference. Many men choose to use Retin-A nightly to build collagen and treat fine lines and wrinkles. They may also schedule regular hydrafacials to ensure clear, healthy skin. No matter what routine you choose, it is important to prioritize seeing your Board Certified Dermatologist at least annually for a skin cancer screening.
It won’t take long for your routine to become second nature – and you won’t regret putting these habits into place when you start getting compliments on your youthful appearance! If you would like to schedule a complimentary skin consultation or a skin check with a Board Certified Dermatologist, please call Siperstein Dermatology Group at 561-364-7774.
