I owe this article to our male customers. However….
I understand that reading about skin care is not the pastime of choice for most men.
That is why I am redirecting my request to our dear women:
Please take care of your men. For they do not know what they are missing!
The purpose of this article is not to undermine our men’s’ ability to take care of their skin. Men know a lot about waxing cars and conditioning baseball gloves. However, it has never occurred to them that the same level of care should be applied to their own faces.
Kudos to those men that are looking after their skin. When it comes to most, however, that is not the case. My husband is a perfect example. He shaves and uses aftershave daily. As a result, his skin is dry and flaky. When asked, “Why aren’t you using a moisturizer?”, he did not have an answer. To him the whole idea was a nuisance that went against the very fabric of masculinity.
Curious, I started asking my male colleagues and friends about their skincare. Surprisingly, most of them “Do not think about it”. My next question was: “If you were to think about it, would you like your skin to feel different?” Almost all answered, “Yes, especially in the winter time/ after being exposed to the elements”.
Please give your beloved ones the gift of happy skin via a well-formulated moisturizer. They will be forever grateful. Otherwise, they will keep suffering with dry flaky skin, while religiously applying conditioner to the leather interior of their car.
(pictures can be changed as long as they reflect the same concept)
Let’s talk about skincare for men
Rule #1 of skincare for men – Routine Should be very simple!!!
Rule #2 of skincare for men – Routine Should be very simple!!!
Otherwise it’s not going to happen. The word “routine” alone is enough to turn them off skincare.
Let’s start by highlighting the differences between male and female skin.
Male skin is 10-20% oilier than women due to testosterone. It is also up to 15-30% thicker. Male skin has larger pores and smaller oil glands.
That being said, all skin falls into the same basic categories:
- Sensitive skin may sting or burn after product use
- Normal skin is clear, calm and feels comfortable
- Dry skin is flaky, itchy or rough
- Oily skin is shiny and greasy
- Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others
Understanding their skin type will help them learn how to take care of their skin and select appropriate skin care products. Ask them if their skin feels tight, dry, or greasy.
Wash
Men and women alike, we wash our favourite toys after each use. We don’t want our bikes/cars/ATVs to corrode. Similarly, we have to wash our faces daily, especially after exercise or vigorous activity because sweat glands get clogged, and that can result in breakouts.
Regular bar soap often contains harsh ingredients that are drying to the skin, so we suggest a mild facial cleanser and lukewarm (not hot) water. You would never use corrosive detergent or a hard brush to wash a brand-new Porsche.
Men have to deal with numerous shaving related issues. To minimize those try this:
Prepare the face. This can be achieved by warming the face in the shower before shaving. Shower steam along with a facial cleanser are a winning combination for softening the skin.
Razor burn, bumps and ingrown hairs can all be symptoms of a shave too close to the skin. For some men multi-blade razors can do that, causing a variety of issues. We recommend switching to a single- or double-blade razor instead so it does not stretch the skin taut during the shave.
Use a moisturizing shaving cream and shave in the direction of hair growth. Rinse the razor after each swipe and switch the blade often.
Once shaving is complete rinse skin thoroughly with warm water to remove residual shaving products and debris. Splash the face with cool water to close the pores before finishing your skin conditioning program.
If breakouts persist try incorporating a scrub into the daily cleanse. Ingrown hairs are common offenders and can be prevented with consistent exfoliation. Exfoliation will help release the trapped hair and expedite cell turnover.
Moisturize daily
Moisturizer works by inducing water and nutrition into the skin. It alleviates the feeling of dryness, tightness, and irritation. For best results, moisturizer has to be applied to body and face immediately after the shower/shave while the skin is still damp.
Winter sport lovers require extra protection. Environmental defence is a universal need. In the winter time, we suggest a non-water based moisturizer, like our 5 in 1 skin remedy balm. Water-based products freeze when applied to the skin creating crystals that damage your skin.
Compare the leather in your car when the conditioning lotion is applied regularly and the leather that was never subjected to this type of treatment. This comparison will be applicable to the condition of man’s skin subjected to daily moisturizer or not.
Use Sunscreen
Ask your beloved ones to apply sunscreen to all exposed areas including face, neck, head, ears and lips whenever they are outdoors. For best protection, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply every 2(two) hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.
Facial hair
A lot of men are embracing their facial hair. A well-groomed beard truly is a beauty asset. However, it must be well-groomed. Hydrate and soften the beard and mustache. Use beard butter or any other conditioners. Trim frequently!
I am yet to meet a woman that complains about her husband being well-groomed and smelling great.
As we evolve as a species the norm of hygiene evolves with us. 100 years ago an average man would never consider teeth whitening. Today it is a totally normal procedure to undergo.
Dear women, please bring your beloved ones into 21 century.
Facial care for men is the new NORM!
