You know you probably need a better skin care routine, but maybe you aren’t sure where to start…
Men are not typically used to pampering themselves or being pampered. It’s too often considered “sissy” or “un-manly.”
After all, information on men’s skin care is often more difficult to find (at least in retail stores) as women’s skin care. However, this doesn’t mean that men’s skin care isn’t as important!
This guide will take you through the basics of putting together a healthy facial skin care routine—just for men.
Table of Contents
1. Cleanse
Splashing some water on your face and calling it done isn’t good enough anymore. It’s time to invest in a quality cleanser. You may want to consider an unscented product (fragrances tend to cause irritation). Other key words to look for include non-comedogenic (which doesn’t cause acne) and sulfate-free.
2. Physical Exfoliation
Physical exfoliation can be super simple: just wet a washcloth, drag that sucker across your face, and bam—you’re done.
You can also step it up a notch by using a fancy cloth designed specifically for exfoliating. Exfoliation cloths are designed to loosen skin cells without damaging the skin. You can find most exfoliating cloths at most pharmacies and drug stores.
3. Chemical Exfoliation
Chemical exfoliation helps get rid of all the stubborn gunk that physical exfoliation often misses. The most common chemical exfoliant is salicylic acid, which is heavy-duty enough to deal with most adult acne, but gentle enough to avoid causing irritation (when used in moderation, of course).
A popular example is a box of Stridex Maximum Strength Pads (in the iconic red box) for around $5 in most grocery stores or pharmacies.
4. Moisturize
You should moisturize at least once a day, even if you feel like your skin isn’t dry. Most people are chronically dehydrated. (Do you drink anywhere near 7 glasses of water daily? I know I don’t…)
A good moisturizer can help your body hold onto the water that it does have, keeping your skin in working order (and hopefully blemish-free).
Make sure to wait at least 15 minutes between applying other products and moisturizing. This is because most moisturizers neutralize the active ingredients in some chemical exfoliants and acne treatments, which decreases their effectiveness.
5. Sunscreen
Did you know that you need to wear sunscreen (especially after you shave) even when the sun isn’t out, or during the fall and winter? The sun emits harmful UV rays 365 days a year. There may be the odd winter day that’s so cloudy and dismal you can skip it. However, one of the best things you can do for your skin is to wear sunscreen daily.
The easiest way to make sunscreen part of your daily routine is by choosing a daily moisturizer that already contains it. For example, most of CeraVe’s daily lotions and moisturizers are also SPF 15+, making them a good choice for everyday wear.
6. Protect Your Lips
Your lips are part of your face skin too, so don’t leave them out! Caring for your lips can be as simple as applying some Vaseline every night before bed, though there are plenty of options out there if you’re looking for something more. Anti-aging lip creams are easy to find, as are exfoliating lip scrubs to help dry skin.
Furthermore, you may find that your lips become dry and cracked, and may even bleed and become painful during drier, winter months. Get into the habit of keeping a tube of chapstick with you. Burt’s Bees is one of our favorites. So, pucker up!
7. Shave Better
You probably spend 10 minutes a day dragging a razor across your face skin. So, you better make sure the razor—and the shaving products–you use are top notch.
We recommend spending that extra $5 for premium razor blades, and read up on how to prevent skin irritation when shaving. There are plenty of small adjustments you can make to keep your skin happy, such as switching your shave gel or shaving with a different type of razor.
Happy and Healthy Skin = a Happy Man
So, there you have it: A simple facial skin care routine, from exfoliating to sunscreen to treating and preventing acne and beyond. Now, pick up that loofah and get started. A successful man starts with happy skin, after all.