Men’s Skin Care Guide

The skin is the largest sensory organ in the human body.¹ Since time immemorial, women have been known to pursue soft and beautiful skin, while the importance of skin care in men seems underrated and overlooked. 

Men often mistakenly assume that skin care is too complicated or time-consuming. Read on to learn why this isn’t true at all. 

Core Benefits of Men’s Skin Care Routines 

Here are some of the key benefits of a good skin care routine for men:² 

1. It keeps your skin healthy, which contributes to your overall health.
2. It can slow down the signs of aging and make you look younger.
3. Looking after your skin now can minimize medical expenses in the future.
4. It’s easy, and you’ll see results very quickly.
5. Once established, a skin care routine is simple to maintain.
6. Looking good can make you feel good, thus boosting your confidence.
7. The discipline developed by maintaining a skin care routine can help you build other good habits and make healthy lifestyle changes.

Men’s Skin Care Guide 

Most men prefer a simple skin care routine as they pursue healthier, younger-looking skin. A skin care routine doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Here are some important factors you need to consider while creating a skin care routine for yourself.

Know Your Skin Type 

Men have thicker skin with deeper wrinkles caused by muscle movement. Testosterone can also give the skin an oily texture.³ Despite these differences, the main skin types remain the same for men and women. These include:⁴

• Normal skin: This is the most common type of skin that is generally clear and not overly sensitive to products or chemicals.⁵
• Sensitive skin: This type of skin can exhibit redness, rashes, and sensations like tingling or burning when exposed to strong chemical products.⁶
• Oily skin: This type of skin has more active sebaceous glands (oil-producing glands), so the skin can feel greasy or oily. This skin type is more prone to acne.⁷
• Dry skin: This type of skin has a rough and flaky texture, possibly due to excessing scrubbing, washing, or certain products. This skin type is sensitive to cold weather, with a higher chance of developing eczema.⁸
• Combination skin: This type combines oily and dry skin types. The texture ranges from oily to dry in different areas. For example, the center of your face and your forehead (the T-zone) may be oily, while your cheeks may have a dry texture.⁹

Choose the Right Products 

Most skin care products have been developed to clean, moisturize, and protect the skin, but knowing your skin type is essential to choosing appropriate products. Here’s how to pick the best products based on your skin type:¹⁰

1. Select the right cleanser: Cleansers essentially act like soap. However, ordinary soaps are too strong and can dry your skin while cleaning out dirt and debris. Opt for pH-balanced, gentle cleansers instead. Cream-based cleansers are great if you have dry or sensitive skin. Foaming cleansers are most suitable if you have oily skin.
2. Pick the right moisturizer: Hyaluronic acid is the main ingredient in most moisturizers. This substance can pull in water and keep your skin hydrated and soft. Such products are best if you have dry skin. You can also use ceramide-based moisturizers to help lock in moisture. 
3. Use salicylic acid and glycolic acid: These products can exfoliate your skin’s surface. Salicylic acid can penetrate oil-producing glands and is great for acne care. These types of cleansers are most suitable if you have oily skin.
4. Avoid products with fragrances: Fragrances can cause allergies when they come in contact with your skin, resulting in rashes, itching, and redness. Avoid scented products if you have sensitive skin. Also, beware of products with a “fragrance-free” label, as they can contain masking fragrances that irritate the skin. 
5. Avoid alcohol-based products: These products can have antiseptic properties and help protect against infection, so they’re often used in aftershaves. But they can cause a burning sensation and dry out the skin. They’re not a good choice if you already have dry skin. Opt for a good moisturizer instead.

You may also want to consider your ethnicity while choosing products, especially when it comes to sun protection, and don’t limit yourself to those marketed to men. Most skin products are unisex and can be used by men and women. When trying new products, pick ones that are available in sample sizes or are easily returnable if they don’t work for you.¹¹ 

A Sample Skin Care Routine for Men 

Men’s skin care routines include a few simple steps.¹²

Step 1: Wash your skin at least twice a day with a cleanser, once as soon as you wake up and before bed. Also, wash your face after a workout or if exposed to pollution outdoors. Don’t use extremely hot water as this is harmful to the skin. Use your fingers instead of a cloth for cleansing, and don’t scrub too aggressively. Gently pat dry.¹³

Step 2: After cleansing, use a moisturizer to replenish the moisture barrier of your skin surface. This can protect your skin against harmful chemicals, pollutants, and irritants in your surroundings.¹⁴

Step 3: Always apply sunscreen before leaving the house, even on cloudy days. This can protect your skin against harmful ultraviolet rays that cause wrinkles, sun spots (pigmentation), fine lines, and even skin cancer. Your best choice is a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.¹⁵

Step 4: While shaving, use warm water with gentle shaving cream. Shave in the direction your hair grows to minimize irritation. Rinse your razor after each swipe and replace your blade after five to seven shaves. If you have dry or sensitive skin, consider using an electric shaver. Use a moisturizer instead of alcohol-based aftershaves and a face scrub twice weekly to remove dead skin and prevent ingrown hairs.¹⁶

Step 5: Monitor your skin regularly. Keep an eye out for new moles, suspicious spots, or discolored patches that itch or bleed. Men older than 50 have a higher risk of developing melanoma, a dangerous skin cancer. This cancer is easily treatable when detected early, so seek medical advice as soon as you notice any undesirable changes in your skin.¹⁷

The Bottom Line 

There’s no right age or best time to start a skin care routine. Making time for skin care can be challenging at first, but it is easy to maintain once you build the habit.

Many different skin care routines are now available for people of all ages, genders, and skin types. Check out My Skin Treatment for more men’s skin care tips and other helpful information.

SOURCES:

1. American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Skin Care Tips for Men.”
2. NIH News in Health: “Keep Your Skin Healthy.”
3. Cleveland Clinic: “Skin Care for Men: What You Need To Know.”
4. American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Skin Care Tips for Men.”
5. American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Skin Care Tips for Men.”
6. Cleveland Clinic: “Skin Care for Men: What You Need To Know.”
7. Cleveland Clinic: “Skin Care for Men: What You Need To Know.”
8. Cleveland Clinic: “Skin Care for Men: What You Need To Know.”
9. Cleveland Clinic: “Skin Care for Men: What You Need To Know.”
10. Cleveland Clinic: “Skin Care for Men: What You Need To Know.”
11. Healthline: “The Effortless Man’s Guide to Basic Skin Care.”
12. Cleveland Clinic: “Skin Care for Men: What You Need To Know.”
13. Cleveland Clinic: “Skin Care for Men: What You Need To Know.”
14. Cleveland Clinic: “Skin Care for Men: What You Need To Know.”
15. American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Skin Care Tips for Men.”
16. American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Skin Care Tips for Men.”
17. American Academy of Dermatology Association: “Skin Care Tips for Men.”