The Ultimate Men’s Skincare Guide
In today’s day and age, taking care of your skin isn’t bound by your gender. Self-care is no longer considered ‘feminine’–– it’s one for all and all for one. Over the last few years, the idea of skincare being limited to just women has definitely evolved. After all, men have skin too right? So why ignore it! Having a skincare routine with the right kind of products in place is a necessity. Splashing your face and calling it a day won’t do you and your skin any good. First things first, it’s important to note that across the board, skincare products aren’t gender specific. They are however, concern-based and skin type specific. With that being said, there are a lot of products that are catered to men – enter men’s skincare. This is because men tend to have thicker skin as compared with women. The ingredients present in these formulations are focused on male-centric skin issues such as oil control, deep cleansing, and even acne care. But, that doesn’t mean you limit yourself to only these options. Scroll down to see what your men’s skincare routine needs to look like.
MEN’S SKINCARE: THE BASICS
#1 – Start With A Cleanser
Make sure to cleanse your face twice a day – in the morning and before you sleep. This rinses off any product, dirt, debris, and oil from your skin and leaves it with a fresh canvas, allowing your skincare products to be absorbed better into the skin. If you’ve got oily skin, acne prone skin opt for products containing salicylic acid or niacinamide. If you’ve got dry skin, go for cleansers that are hydrating and will leave your skin feeling moisturised.
Cleanser For Oily Skin
Sisley Radiance Foaming Cream
Cleanser For Dry Skin
Shiseido Extra Rich Cleansing Milk
#2 – Exfoliate Away
Exfoliation once or twice a week is a must! Over time, your skin tends to accumulate dead skin cells, dirt, and grime, and excess oil, all of which leave your complexion looking dull and lacklustre (amongst other woes like breakouts). Exfoliating at least once a week helps remove that layer of debris that sits on your skin. This way other skincare products also tend to absorb quicker and better into the skin. You can either opt for a physical scrub or a chemical exfoliator when doing so. Just make sure to space the exfoliation sessions, allowing enough time for your skin to recover and regenerate itself.
Shiseido Men Deep Cleansing Scrub
#3 – Moisturising Is Key
No matter what your skin type, moisturising is key. This one product helps boost your skin’s nourishment and keeps it healthy. Moisturiser also aids in preserving the skin’s natural barrier, allowing it to be protected from environmental deterrents. You can always opt for a lightweight moisturiser with a high SPF for the daytime and a rich, ultra nourishing moisturiser for the night.
If you don’t have an SPF in your moisturiser for the daytime, make sure to add sunscreen to your routine too! A good SPF goes a long way and protects your skin from UV exposure and damage.
Moisturiser For Dry Skin
Minus 417 For Men Vitamin Moisturiser
Moisturiser For Oily Skin
Shiseido Men Total Revitalizer Light Fluid
MEN’S SKINCARE: THE OCCASIONAL STARS
Going beyond the basics, feel free to include a few superstars in your routine that will help enhance it. These steps swoop in to save the day—for you and your skin.
#1 – Serums
Serums are powerful little skincare products that pack a punch. They are more potent than moisturisers because they contain active ingredients that get straight to business and treat your skin. Depending on your skin type and concern, you can take your pick from an array of facial serums. The most common serums to include in your routine include hyaluronic acid (for hydration), niacinamide (for oil control + fading blemishes), vitamin C (for brightening), and retinol (for anti-ageing). These serums are usually incorporated before a moisturiser and depending on the potency, some of them are only recommended for nighttime use.
Serum For Oily Skin
Sisley Hydra-Global Serum
Serum For Dry Skin
Diego dalla Palma Milano Deep Moisturizing Booster Serum
#2 – Face Masks
Everyone loves face mask day, and you should too! Think of face masks as a way to deep cleanse and nourish your pores. They often contain ingredients that help with oil control, treat acne, deeply hydrate the skin—all by diving into your pores and giving them some TLC. Essentially, a face mask is meant to be used once a week.
#3 – Eye Creams
Eye creams are like the perfect boost of nourishment your eyes require. They often contain ingredients like caffeine and peptides that aid in tackling dark circles and under eye bags. Eye creams are different from moisturisers in the sense that they are concentrated and target all the possible under eye woes. They brighten the area, while also smoothening the appearance of fine lines or those pesky crow’s feet. Meant to intensely hydrate, eye creams are best used in the nighttime while you sleep—although, you can feel free to slather them on in the morning too!
Shiseido Men Total Revitalizer Eye Cream
