In honor of Father’s Day, let’s talk about men’s skincare!
Skincare is very important for men because they naturally have larger pores and produce more oil and sweat than women. So, naturally men need a skincare regimen just as much as their ladies. Keep these tips in your back pocket, fellas!
An Ideal Skincare Routine:
Cleanse
Every man should start their day by washing their face with warm water and a good cleanser! A lot of guys wash their face with the same bar of soap that they use for their body, which is NOT okay! This will dry out your skin and clog your pores, which is the opposite of what you want when washing your face.
Moisturize
Apply a moisturizer while the skin is still damp to seal in hydration! For men with combination or dry skin, an oil-based lotion is great (Image’s Vital C Serum or SkinCeuticals’ CE Ferulic are both awesome), whereas men with oily skin should look for a water-based product (SkinCeuticals’ Phloretin CF is great!). Your skin will thank you later!
SPF
To keep your skin youthful, healthy, and radiant, never go outside without sunscreen! The sun’s rays penetrate the skin all year round so it is important to protect yourself. A moisturizer with a built in SPF of 30 or higher is a perfect way to ensure that you don’t forget!
Exfoliate
It is a great idea to use a gentle scrub to exfoliate 1-3 times a week to slough away dead skin, stimulate the growth of new skin cells, and unclog pores, in not only your face but also your back and chest. Men often struggle with breakouts on their back and chest and a scrub can go a long way in combating that. Be gentle when exfoliating the face and rougher on the back and chest. We do NOT recommend exfoliating every day as it can strip your skin of its natural oils, drying it out in a harsh way. Don’t forget to follow exfoliation with moisturizer while the skin is still damp!
Before bed, cleanse and moisturize just as you did in the AM. Additionally, apply retinol. Retinol helps speed up the production of healthy cells and their rise to the skin’s surface, shedding off dead skin, allowing younger, more youthful looking skin to be revealed. It also helps stimulate collagen production, which plumps the skin and gives it volume, minimizing fine lines/wrinkles and shrinking pores. Simplify by applying a moisturizer with retinol at night.
Shaving
The art of shaving can be quite difficult to master, which is why we have developed some tips to help you along the way!
#1: Before you shave, lather up with warm water to allow your pores to open and the hair and skin to soften.
#2: It’s a great idea to shave in the shower because the steam will allow for your pores to remain wide open, resulting in a smoother shave.
#3: Allow your shaving gel/cream to sit on the skin for a minute or so before beginning your shave.
#4: A common shaving misconception is that you will achieve a closer and smoother shave if you shave against the grain! Doing so causes more irritation and leads to razor burn and ingrown hairs! Instead, shave in the direction that your hair grows.
#5: Use an alcohol-free aftershave to avoid drying out your skin. (Always follow with moisturizer!)
#6: Choose hypoallergenic products without fragrance to avoid skin irritation.
#7: Leave yourself enough time. Rushing through your shave will never turn out well!
Protect Your Scalp
Unfortunately, with age comes some unpleasantries such as thinning and balding hair, especially for men. Some embrace it while others try to combat it, but either way, you must protect your scalp! For the best protection, wear a hat when being exposed to the sun. If you aren’t fond of hats, some hair products now have SPF built in, or you can use a spray-on sunscreen in the areas where the scalp is exposed.
Lifestyle Tips For Healthy Skin:
Hydrate
It is extremely important to drink as much water as you can! We recommend 64oz per day to ensure that the water makes its way to your skin. Your skin is the last organ of the body to get any drop of water because the other organs take priority, so it is necessary to drink a lot of it! Dehydrated skin causes fine lines and wrinkles, so drink up!
Sleep
Try your best to get as much sleep as you can. While you sleep, your skin cells rejuvenate which will prevent breakouts, fine lines/wrinkles. Get your recommended 8 hours of sleep and you will feel great, and your skin will thank you for it!
Eat Healthy
Food that is high in sugar and fat can lead to breakouts. Choose fruits and vegetables instead and their antioxidants will help your skin stay clear and radiant!
Don’t Stress
Don’t worry – be happy! Stress may seem inevitable at times – with long workdays, deadlines, traffic and bills, however, stress is known to cause breakouts and wrinkles. Whether it’s deep breaths, the gym, or some TLC with your loved ones, it is important to keep your cool and combat stress as best as you can.
Happy Father’s Day to all of the fathers out there! Follow our guide and show off youthful and healthy skin!
