8 Great Skincare Tips For Men
More men than ever before are striving for healthier, more youthful-looking skin. Each year our practice has witnessed an increasing number of men are turning to plastic surgery and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures to improve their overall appearance.
Great skin, however, comes with great care. Men: it’s time for you to ditch your traditionally simple skin care regimen!
Here are 8 tips to keep your skin looking its best:
1. Determine Your Skin Type
When it comes to taking care of your skin, the first (and most important) thing every man should do is determine their skin type. Skin types are commonly broken down according to the following traits:
- Dry: Skin that regularly experiences flaking or itching
- Oily: Skin that is typically appears shiny or greasy
- Combination: Skin that is dry in some areas yet oily in others
- Sensitive: Skin that reacts negatively to harsh chemicals, resulting in stinging after product use
- Normal: Skin that is mostly acne-free and not sensitive
- Acne-Prone: Skin that is prone to moderate or severe acne
- Mature: Skin that experiences aging-related issues like wrinkling or sagginess
2. Choose the Right Products
A thorough understanding of your skin type will help you to determine your skin’s specific needs. You should select skincare products that are made for your skin type (i.e. men with acne-prone skin should choose an “oil free” moisturizer while men with sensitive skin should opt for a “gentle, fragrance free” product).
3. Wash Your Face Daily
Washing your face daily is one of the best things you can do for your skin. Facial cleansing is important as it removes dirt, oil, and other unwanted impurities from the skin. Without proper cleansing, your skin would be covered with a layer of dirt and grime making it difficult for other products to penetrate the skin properly. Instead of using bar soap, which can overly dry out the skin, opt for a cleanser designed for facial use. Two of my favorite cleansers are Elta MD foaming cleanser and Obagi foaming cleanser.
4. Shave the Right Way
Improper shaving can result in problems including nicks, cuts, razor burn, and irritation which can be uncomfortable and ruin the appearance of the skin. Make sure to always use a good (sharp) razor, use a high-quality shaving cream, and shave in the direction of hair growth. Elta MD foaming cleanser is a great cleanser for shaving. Get more information on proper shaving techniques here.
5. Moisturize
The daily use of a high quality moisturizer will leave your skin looking young and bright, while keeping the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles at bay. Moisturizers work by adding hydration to the skin while simultaneously sealing water in. For best results, apply your moisturizer right after showering (while the skin is still damp). Cerave cream is available over the counter and can be applied twice daily to maintain proper skin hydration.
6. Exfoliate
Regularly exfoliating dead skin cells and other debris is the key for healthy and smooth skin. Exfoliating at least once a week will help your skin maintain proper moisture level while also enhancing the efficacy of the skincare products you use. Finishing Touch by Revision is a great exfoliating product that can be used once weekly. As an alternative, you can use a Clarisonic brush with a gentle cleanser to achieve well exfoliated, smooth skin.
7. Sun Protection
Stop early onset aging and prevent skin cancer by practicing sound sun protection daily. Doing simple things like using a broad-spectrum high SPF sunscreen and avoiding the outdoors during peak UV hours can have a significant impact on the appearance and health of your skin. I recommend using a sunscreen with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide and using SPF 30 or higher. Remember to reapply every 2 hours.
8. Skin Checks
Did you know that men may have a worse melanoma survival rate compared to women (source)? One of the main reasons for this could be a knowledge gap between the genders: women tend to be more educated when it comes to skin cancer prevention.
Men can fight back against skin cancer by performing regular skin checks (along with practicing sound sun protection). Skin cancer that is diagnosed and treated early often has a better prognosis and can be cured. Regular self-examination is a powerful tool that can alert you to changes in your skin. This previous blog post covers tips on performing monthly self-examinations; and an annual visit with a dermatologist is recommended.
Katie Fowler, MPAS, PA-C, Certified Physician Assistant, graduated from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas where she earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies. Katie joined Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in the spring of 2012. Katie is certified by the National Commission of Certification for Physician Assistants and is licensed through the Texas Medical Board.
Not long ago, I noticed that my skin feels drier than before, so I’d like to do something to take better care of it. It’s helpful to know that exfoliating dead skin cells crease healthy and smooth skin, so I’ll look into booking a facial next week. I appreciate your insight on men’s skincare advice and how to achieve a healthy routine.
Thank you for sharing these tips for taking care of our skin! I appreciate the emphasis on using gentle products and avoiding harsh chemicals. It’s also great to know that natural ingredients like aloe vera and honey can be used for skin care. I’ll definitely be incorporating some of these tips into my routine!