Men’s Skin Care Routine: The Grooming Manual

There is a widespread misconception that skincare routines and beauty products are the exclusive domain of only women… wrong! Men need to have a regular skincare regimen as much as women. After all, the face is exposed to the same elements (sun, cold, pollution etc.) whether you are a man or a woman. Many guys think that choosing and then maintaining their skin care schedule can be confusing, time consuming and even expensive!

But trust us, men’s face care routine is as essential to protect from acne, wrinkles and even sun damage. Actually building a skin care habit is not as hard as men think, and the difference that it will result in your face, in just a few weeks, will be worth it! Also, think of all those wonderful compliments that will come your way from women when you present a radiant & well groomed look!

Here are some simple but effective skin care tips for men. Read on …

Basic men’s skincare routine

• Cleansing

  Guys, washing your face with any soap and hoping for the best does not mean facial care for men! If you get a too clean & dry feeling on your face after washing with soap, it means that the essential oils in your face have been stripped away. Use a specific gentle facial cleanser that contains moisturising ingredients which will restore the oils in your face. Using this cleanser twice a day should do the trick.

• Moisturising

  Many men think that moisturisers make their face seem greasy. But there are alternatives such as lightweight moisturising formulas (in gel or lotion formats instead of creams) that will keep the skin well hydrated without making it look oily.

   

• Eye creams

  Those dark circles under the eyes are a certain put off not to mention unhealthy. Using a good eye cream can get rid of the puffy under eye bags, wrinkles and fine lines and give your face a fresher look. Ideally use an eye cream in the morning and night after cleansing.

   

• Sun protection

  Apply sunscreen everyday… not just in summers but all year through. Prolonged exposure to UV rays damage your skin so a good SPF with broad spectrum that has skin-hydrating ingredients works best as anti-ageing protection.

   

Intermediate men’s skincare routine

• Exfoliate

  Get rid of those dead cells on your face regularly as they reduce the effect of the moisturisers, make skin dull and clog your skin pores causing other problems such as acne. Of course, men exfoliate every time they shave. Although if you are exfoliating deliberately avoid using a scrub (it can be harsh) and instead use a gentle exfoliator alpha hydroxy acid for more gentle results.

• Face serums

  Serums are more effective than the regular moisturisers and pass on active ingredients/nutrients more quickly and effectively. There are serums for all skin types, choose ones that contain hydrating and skin-building ingredients. Use twice a day, after cleansing and before moisturising.

• Face masks

  Masks give specific skin care such as they help deep cleans pores, and remove built-up dirt, oil and pollutants. Clay/mud masks are quite effective for beginners.

Advance men’s skincare routine

• Retinol

  Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that helps cell regeneration, and acts as an anti-ageing agent. Ideally men should choose a product that is gentle on skin (retinol can make skin flaky) and has moisturising ingredients. Men with sensitive skin should wear sunscreen before applying retinol.

• Toner

  Toners are quite useful in getting rid of excess oils, keeping pores unclogged and generally keep the skin clear and fresh. Use after cleansing.

• Night creams

  Night time skin care routine, before going to bed, is important as the skin rejuvenates during sleep. Night creams contain hydrating agents such as peptides which helps the skin to revitalize.

Self-care tips

Apart from these detailed men’s face care procedures, there are some basics that all guys can follow

• • Don’t use cheap razors that can harm the skin
• • Don’t forget to use a good and effective after shave lotion
• • Don’t go outdoors without sunscreen
• • Don’t skip on your face cleansing routine
• • Don’t forget, your skin needs the right moisturisers as well

Now that you have all these skin care tips, make sure you incorporate them in your daily routine. You will surely feel like a new man!