The days when men were looked down on, and laughed at, for using facial care products and wanting to look well groomed, is fast becoming a thing of the past. With the advent of facial and body care products for men, more and more are embracing this new trend and making it the norm.
Men’s faces are different from women’s, and therefore the skincare practice and regimen differ slightly too. This is because men’s skins tend to be thicker and less sensitive. However, facial hair and shaving can cause wounds and irritation. Here’s a simple 3 step routine that can help you achieve a smoother and healthier complexion:
Cleansing. Before you start cleansing, make sure you get your facial hair trimmed or shaved first. Pick a cleanser that is specifically made for men, as those for women are designed particularly for feminine skin. Avoid using normal bar soap for your face, since these types of soaps have a tendency to dry out your skin and make it itchy after a wash. Instead, try to use liquid cleansers that have a moisturizing component such as Jojoba oils, Vitamin E and glycerin.
Additionally, if you have skin that is prone to acne, you may want to opt for a cleanser that has antibacterial agents. Washing more often (at least twice or thrice daily) will also help bring down the amount of excess sebum on your face, which is the main cause of pimples and acne. After washing, be sure to pat your face dry with an absorbent towel and avoid rubbing your face, as this may cause irritation.
Toning and Astringents Toners help to tighten your pores and keep your skin firmer and smoother, with one of its components called an astringent. Some types of aftershave lotion have the same effect. Toners help remove any traces of oil and dirt left after you use a cleanser, and some even contain anti-bacterial agents that help kill off acne and pimple-causing bacteria that may reside on your skin.
One ingredient you can look out for in your toner’s is witch hazel. This miracle herbal extract is effective for puffy eyes and red patches on your skin due to irritation or inflammation. Witch hazel is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that will help your skin tone even out. Avoid toners with alcohol as this can dry out your skin and make inflammations worse.
Moisturizing The final step in this routine is to moisturize. The best moisturizer for men is one that responds well to what your skin needs.
This depends on how oily or dry your skin is. For very oily skin, pick a light water based gel moisturizer; for moderate to normal skin, a light lotion with no oil content will do; for extremely dry skin, pick a heavy moisturizer that contains natural oils extracted from plants. Men with acne prone skin will benefit from moisturizers containing glycolic or salicylic acid.
Apart from applying moisture to the outer layers of your skin, another method to keep your skin plump and supple is to drink the minimum 6 glasses of water a day. This will help your skin stay moisturized from the inside.
These quick and easy steps will go a long way in helping you maintain a healthy facial glow. If you’ve never tried a step by step facial regimen, now is a better time than ever to start. You’ll realize once you begin that it’s pretty simple and easy to do.