A New Skincare Routine for Guys
The skincare industry is dominated by female products, but that doesn’t mean that guys should ignore their skin!
In fact, if you’re a guy, you should be taking extra special care of your skin. According to a study conducted by the University of Nottingham, women prefer a healthy complexion even more than a face with masculine features.
So, whether you have a square jaw or a double chin, how your skin looks (which you can change!) could be more important than your actual bone structure, which you’re stuck with thanks to genetics.
We’ve done a lot of research and found the best tips to keep men’s skin clear and healthy while avoiding premature aging.
- Wash your face with warm (not hot) water and a gentle cleanser.
Okay, we get it. Guys are tough. But that doesn’t mean your skin is. A lot of guys are guilty of washing their face in the shower with scalding hot water and whatever soap they can find.
This treatment is terrible for the skin. It can lead to dryness and wrinkles.
Instead, use warm water and a gentle face cleanser (not a bar of soap) to wash your face. Dermatologists often recommend Aveeno. It’s readily available at drugstores, and it won’t break the bank. Yet, it’s gentle and scientifically formulated to help attain healthy skin.
- Optimize your shaving routine.
Shaving can be a great exfoliator, but it can also damage the skin.
Avoid cheap razors and be careful with multi-blade tools that leave you prone to razor burn and ingrown hairs.
Perhaps the most important to know about shaving is that there’s an ideal time to do it. Experts recommend shaving in the shower or immediately after. The warm water and steam soften the hairs, making them easier to shave.
- Use the right aftershave.
Aftershave can soothe the skin but resist the urge to get a strongly-scented product. The chemicals in those brands can irritate the skin.
Instead, use an after-shave with hydrating properties that soothes and seals the skin to lock in moisture. Check the label before you buy and avoid anything with alcohol in it. Alcohol should be in your martini, not your aftershave.
- Don’t forget the moisturizer.
Use a fragrance-free product daily. You don’t need to slather your skin. A quarter-sized dab should be enough to cover your face. Dermatologist-recommended brands include Cetaphil, Jack Black, and Kiehl’s.
You can also step up your game with retinol-containing products. These are known to help skin cells turn over faster, diminishing tell-tale signs of aging like wrinkles, especially around the eye area.
- Watch your diet.
Skin health comes from the inside out. No matter how well you take care of your skin on the outside, if you’re not taking care of your body on the inside, then your skin won’t achieve maximum glow status.
It turns out that there are ingredients that contribute to the breakdown collagen and make it difficult to rebuild and repair itself. Sugary sweets top the list of foods to avoid because they cause a process called glycation.
Funnily enough, the ingredients glucose and fructose create AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-Products). We all have AGEs in our skin, but if you see someone who is young that appears older than they are, it’s likely due to the lifestyle choices that have elevated the number of AGEs they have.
AGEs happen when people smoke, spend too much time in the sun, and eat sugar, fried foods, and animal products. For example, a hamburger contains more than 4,800 AGE units per serving while a veggie burger only has 20.
Do you have any skincare tips for guys? Let us know in the comments!
