The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it is important to take care of it. This means investing in a good skincare routine that you do regularly. Basic steps such as cleansing, moisturizing, and wearing SPF can have long-lasting results and keep your skin looking and feeling healthy and vibrant. A consistent skincare routine can also help treat and improve any skin issues such as acne and dark spots and result in a glowing appearance. A lot of advertising is done for women’s skincare products, but the fact is that people of all genders need to take care of their skin. Skincare for men looks only a little different than a woman’s skincare routine, and they share the same fundamentals.
Establishing Skincare Routine for Men
There are four basic steps to a healthy skincare routine. Additional products and steps can be added to this routine to address specific skin concerns.
1. Cleanse in the morning and at night.
In the mornings you might want to cleanse with water only, as too much washing can strip your skin of its natural oils. During the day your skin encounters dirt and pollution, so it’s important to wash those away at night before they can soak into your pores overnight. Using a mild foaming cleanser can strip away the pollutants and preserve the good oils in your skin. Most dermatologists recommend using a cleanser before you shave. You might also incorporate an exfoliator a few times a week. If you have sensitive skin, you will want to exfoliate less frequently and stick to using a gentle cleanser more often.
2. Apply serums after shaving.
Throughout the day our skin encounters harmful pollutants and free radicals from air pollution, cigarette smoke, and UV rays. Incorporating a serum into your skincare routine helps reduce the damage that these can cause to your skin. Serums with ingredients such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and peptides can keep your skin healthy, firm, and youthful, and should be applied after shaving and before moisturizing. At bedtime, a retinol cream for men in their 30s and older can be applied to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Moisturize morning and night.
After applying serums, the next step in a healthy men’s face care routine is moisturizing. A good moisturizer for men helps lock the serums into your skin, so it’s important to apply after your serums. For men with dryer skin, a cream-based moisturizer can help keep skin hydrated. You can also opt for a lighter moisturizer during the day, especially when the weather is warmer.
4. Wear sunscreen every day.
Sun exposure is responsible for a variety of skin problems, the most serious of which include skin cancer. It is imperative to incorporate an SPF into your skincare routine every day—even on cloudy days. Harmful UV rays are still present even when the sun is not. Use an SPF of at least 30 and be sure to cover all areas of your skin that might be exposed to the sun throughout the day. It’s also helpful to carry along sunscreen with you in the car, for example, so you can remember to reapply every two hours if you are going to be outside.
These four steps seem simple enough, but practicing them with regularity can intimidate many men, especially if you are unsure which products to use and are not sure of your skin type or what problems your skin might have. Talk to your doctor about specific concerns and get started right away taking steps to keep your skin looking youthful, healthy, and vibrant.
