Do men really need to worry about skincare?
Absolutely! For many men, skincare is probably an afterthought. However, with the growing availability and acceptance of facial care products designed for men, there really is no excuse for a guy to limit his skincare regimen to just shaving. Daily facial care is just as important for you men as it is for women. After all, doesn't everyone want to maintain a youthful, healthy glow and protect our skin from premature aging? Many of you guys put a lot of effort into your diet and fitness routines, but forget that the first thing someone notices about you is your face, not your abs.
Skincare does not have to be a complicated, drawn-out process. And we're going to make it easy for you. Good facial care for men consists of the same elements as it does for women: cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting. Guys, you actually have an advantage over women when it comes to maintaining youthful skin longer. A man's skin is about 20% thicker than a woman's. It is typically firmer because it is richer in collagen and elastin. This makes you less prone to wrinkling, and more resistant than a woman's skin to sun and other enviromental factors. With these advantages, however, comes skin more active with sebaceous glands, in other words, more oily with larger pores. And also, because of shaving, your skin tends towards dehydration more quickly.
So where do you start? You start with the basics - cleansing. Daily washing keeps the pores unclogged which can prevent a variety of common skin problems including blemishes and ingrown hairs. Our Cleansed Daily Aloe Facial Cleanser will get you started.You can also use one of our complexion bars including Citrusy Chamomile or Creamy Calendula .
What's next? Apply a moisturizer. Because the action of daily shaving can be harsh and drying to your skin, replenishing your skin's moisture balance is very important. Be careful in the shaving product selections you make avoiding those with alcohol and menthol which can be irritating. Of course, we highly recommend Flower Peddler Shaving Soaps! We suggest you follow up with Lubed, our daily facial moisturizer without an oily feel. Our Aftershave Balm also makes an excellent skin conditioner.
Exfoliation is also a great way to remove any debris that may be blocking your pores and dulling your complexion. We suggest you do this once or twice per week using our Buffed . You may find you actually get a closer shave following a scrub. Exfoliation can also significantly brighten the appearance of your skin and allow other skincare products to work more effectively.
Deep cleansing once a week with our Glacial Facial Clay Mask will tone, revitalize, and remove impurities and excess oils from the skin while improving its texture and appearance.
Perhaps the easiest way to maintain healthy skin, however, begins with diet. Proper nutrition with adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, and proteins, and especially water help sustain our body's first line of defense against the elements. Taking multi-vitamins rich in anti-oxidants, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, and limiting exposure to the sun are all ways you can help support healthy skin. Drink plenty of water (6 - 8 glasses per day) to help preserve skin's elasticity and prevent dehydration. Avoid smoking. And use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher! Sun damage and poor nutrition are the surest ways to speed up the aging process.
Skincare for men really does not differ from that required for women. Cleansing and moisturizing are key. Remember guys, proper skincare does not have to involve large amounts of time or your girlfriend's bath products; only a few minutes a day with products designed for you, will have your skin looking its best.