Have you ever caught your boyfriend, husband, or friends eyeing your skincare products, or even using them to create their own skincare routine? Although many skin care products are suitable for both genders, products formulated for men may work better for them, as men’s skin actually has a few structural differences compared to women’s skin. For example, besides the well-known fact that men grow facial hair, the hormone testosterone that is found in higher levels in men causes skin to be thicker. Men’s skin also tends to be a tougher texture than women’s. In addition, sebum production is greater in males after puberty, which accounts for why sometimes men’s acne lasts longer than women’s.
What skincare products should men include in their routine?
Cleanser: It’s important for everyone to cleanse their skin of oil, dirt, and impurities that may build up on your skin, no matter the type. GlyDerm’s Gentle Cleanser is a great option for men that are looking to clear up acne with gentle exfoliation, but also may suffer from sensitive skin. With a soapless formula and .2% glycolic acid, it’s the ideal gentle cleanser for men suffering from acne in addition to anti-aging, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation.
Moisturizer: Whether your skin is oily, dry, or combination, make sure you have a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. If a man chooses to shave his facial hair, his skin may often be dry and irritated after shaving, so it’s important to make sure their moisturizer rehydrates his skin and helps to soothe irritation. For light hydration plus anti-aging efforts, the Clinician’s Complex Clinicians Complex “For Men”: Peptide Plus Cream is a great option. It’s infused with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera to soothe and hydrate skin while also plumping and lifting.
Shaving: Speaking of shaving, the shave cream that a man uses matters. It’s important to create a smooth and hydrated base to shave your face in order to avoid irritation, ingrown hairs and infection. The products you use before and after your shave can make or break how your skin feels and looks post shave. Port Products Face Shave Formula contains coconut oil, willow bark extract, aloe vera, apricot kernel oil, green tea and lavender to soothe skin irritation, moisturize and smooth skin for the best shave possible. To keep your skin soft, smooth, and irritation-free after shaving, the Fur Stubble Cream doubles as a moisturizer and aftershave treatment with lavender and tea tree oil and other natural extracts to soothe inflamed skin and soften prickly stubble. If you prefer just a gentle moisturizer after shaving, the Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid Replenishing Cream is great for sensitive skin, as it helps to replenish essential lipids and soothes itching and redness.
Sunscreen: The most important step- sunscreen! No matter what your plan is for the day, you should always remember to apply your sunscreen. Too much time in the sun can expose your delicate skin to damaging rays that can cause wrinkles, dark spots and even skin cancer. For an oil-free sunscreen suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin, Elta MD’s UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 is the way to go. This sunscreen contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid and utilizes 9.0% zinc oxide for chemical-free protection for your skin.
Anti-Aging Care: Although it seems that men age at a slower pace than women, it’s still important for men to prioritize anti-aging in their skincare routine to prevent wrinkles, lines and dark spots. Men may often find their first sign of aging to come in lines on their forehead. A Vitamin C serum is great for morning use to help even out the skin tone, reduce wrinkles, and protect the skin. The SkinMedica Vitamin C+E Complex is great for those looking for anti-aging and nourishing benefits in one serum, as brightens skin throughout the day with an extended-release formula. For a more targeted anti-aging treatment, the iS Clinical Active Serum uses glycolic, lactic, kojic, and salicylic acids to not only create a more youthful appearance, but to also fight breakouts and imperfections.
Foot Care: Some men often forget the care of their feet, which often leads to rough, broken skin and calluses on the heels. Your feet are the base of your entire body and need to be taken care of just like the rest of your skin. The Baby Foot Original Peel is formulated to help slough the dead skin off of feet. It contains 16 types of natural extracts that exfoliate and moisturize the foot to remove dead skin cells and reveals the smooth, fresh skin underneath.
Skin Regimen: If the thought of having to put together a whole skincare routine is overwhelming, a skincare regimen may be the best bet for starting your skincare journey. Jan Marini has two great systems depending on your skin type, including the Normal/Combination Skin Care Management System and the Dry/Very Dry Skin Care Management System. Both kits include:
- Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser: a cleanser with glycolic acid to gently exfoliate the skin
- Jan Marini C-Esta Serum: a Vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid and dimethicone to hydrate the skin
- Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Protectant SPF 33: a lightweight sunscreen that can be worn every day
The Normal/Combination kit also includes the Bioclear Lotion and the Transformation Face Cream, both of which help soothe and clear the skin of damage, aging, and breakouts.
The Dry kit also includes the Bioclear Face Cream and the Age Intervention Face Cream, both of which help to deeply hydrate and fight signs of aging.
Hair Care: Last, but not least, even though your hair isn’t necessarily part of your skincare routine, it still needs the same amount of TLC you give your skin. The Virute 6-in-1 Styler is a styling cream that primes hair for softness, shine and hydrating and seals and styles hair. This product doesn’t leave your hair wet or crunchy, yet provides a super light and conditioning hold for your hair.
Skincare is a practice that benefits all, no matter what gender, ethnicity, skin type or tone you are. When you begin to prioritize your routine, you’ll notice the difference that skincare makes in your life. Be sure to share this blog with your favorite skincare-loving man – I know I definitely fit in that category 🙂
