While most skin care products market to women, it’s just as important for men to have a regular skincare routine. Your skin, after all, is your first-line of defense against bacteria, toxins, and dehydration. Before you can be comfortable in your own skin, you need to know how to take care of it.
Why Men Need a Skincare Routine
Men have special considerations when caring for their skin. Men have thicker skin which can create deeper wrinkles and testosterone makes men’s skin oilier. Additionally, men have wider pores which makes them more prone to acne. Shaving can cause ingrown hairs and razor bumps. Also, men are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma.3
It’s important to start caring for your skin in your 20s or earlier. What you do right now will benefit you for years to come.
Step 1 — Cleansing for Men’s Skin
Clean your face every morning and evening, plus after your exercise. Don’t use that all-purpose product to wash your hair and body in a quick shower. You need to choose the right product for your face. There are important differences between your bar soap, which works well to clean your body, and a facial cleanser.
Bar soap is made from oils and fats, while non-soap cleansers are made from synthetic ingredients. With bar soap you risk stripping your skin’s natural moisture barrier and drying out your skin. Cleansers, on the other hand, are gentler on your skin, protecting those natural oils for supplier and less irritated skin.4
Your skin’s pH controls the level of bacteria on your skin. The pH level of your cleanser can affect the results you get from washing your face. Cleansers tend to have a pH level more in line with your skin’s natural level while bar soap pH is much higher. By keeping your skin pH steady, you reduce outbreaks of unhealthy bacteria that can lead to acne.5
Step 2 — Exfoliating the Right Way
Exfoliating helps your skin stay healthy and free of blemishes and fights the effects of aging. It sloughs off the excess oil and dead skin cells that clog pores by removing the outer layer of your skin.
There are two types of exfoliation: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation usually signifies a mechanical rubbing of the face, either with a scrub, brush, or washcloth. Unfortunately, this can also damage the skin if it isn’t done correctly.
Chemical exfoliation uses acids to break up and remove the dead skin cells, dirt, and oil. It is gentler than physical exfoliation and can penetrate deeper for cleaner pores as long as they are used correctly. It can also help prevent ingrown hairs.
Exfoliating of any kind can irritate or cause skin to become more sensitive. Start with one night a week. If your skin reacts well, you can increase how often you use it.6
Step 3 — Moisturizing for Hydration & Balance
Moisturizing every time you wash your face to keep your skin smooth and supple. It replenishes your skin barrier and your skin tone and texture stay balanced.
There are three kinds of moisturizers. Occlusives provide a protective layer and repair for day sensitive skin. Humectants absorb water into your skin. Emollients soften the outer skin layer with natural oils preventing water loss and replenishing the skin barrier.7
Hyaluronic Acid Lotion combines the benefits of all three. Hyaluronic acid, a humectant, is gentle enough for all skin types. Occlusive and emollients like shea butter and extracts of chamomile, green tea, and olive add anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties to assist in healing. It helps skin maintain elasticity and repair the skin barrier, leaving you with smoother, balanced skin, all in a non-greasy non-shiny formula that leaves an invisible mark!
Step 4 — Sun Protection for Healthy Skin
Men, you must use sunscreen every day. A broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen is the most important skin care product you can use even if you aren’t spending time outside or it’s cloudy. You don’t have to get burned to get skin damage from the sun’s UV rays. Sun damage also causes wrinkles and age spots, making you look older.8
Best Serums & Skin Treatments for Men
Step up your skin care by adding in products that will help you fight the signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, and skin discoloration or hyperpigmentation.
Start your day with an antioxidant serum containing vitamin C to help prevent and repair damage to your skin.2 A vitamin C serum, like Vitamin C Lotion 20%, protects your skin cells from damage by boosting collagen production and cell turnover. Plus it brightens and moisturizes your skin with the highest concentration of vitamin C available and helps control acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation.
A great choice for a daily exfoliant is Azelaic Acid 14% Cream. It gives you medical-grade strength without irritating or stinging even sensitive skin. It helps minimize breakouts, pores, fine lines, and wrinkles and leaves your skin brighter and smoother.
After exfoliating, replenish your skin’s moisture with Hyaluronic Acid Lotion and top it off with a 30+ SPF sunblock.
At night, use a retinol product, like Night Renewal Cream, to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and even out skin tone. Retinol stimulates cell turnover and boosts collagen production.2 Night Renewal Cream uses a gentler, synthetic form of retinol called granactive retinoid and combines it with peptides that help protect your skin barrier and reduce inflammation. Your skin will look smoother and clearer. Any retinol product makes your skin more sensitive to the sun so it’s best to use it only at night.
Use Niacinamide Lotion 10% to help calm skin and minimize irritation. Finish your nighttime routine by moisturizing your skin with Hyaluronic Acid Lotion.
Men Skincare Tips by Skin Type
Understanding the needs for your skin will help you choose the right products for your skin care.1,2
If you have oily or acne-prone skin:
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Avoid heavy or oil-based products.
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Find products that will balance your natural oil production. One choice is Niacinamide Lotion 10%. It contains ceramides that help repair skin cells and boost collagen production. Your skin looks firmer and your pores will look smaller.
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Exfoliate at least once a week. Choose a gentle product that is safe to use daily like Azelaic Acid 14% Cream.
If you have sensitive or dry skin:
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Avoid products with fragrance, alcohol, dyes, or preservatives that can dry and irritate your skin.
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Choose a heavier moisturizer, like Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, in your morning and nighttime routine.
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Test products on a small patch on your arm before using on your face.
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Take warm – not hot – showers to keep your natural oils intact.
If you have combination skin:
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Focus on products that will balance your skin by hydrating and smoothing.
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Choose products that contain ceramides and peptides.
Shaving tips:
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Wash your face before you shave to soften skin and hair.
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Shave in the direction your hair grows.
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Don’t shave too close to avoid ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
Additionally, it’s important to drink plenty of water and choose noncomedogenic products to keep pores from clogging.
Why Choose Foundation Skincare for Men
Foundation Skincare makes it easy to start the right skin care routine. All our products are dermatologist-developed and tested and our formulations are backed by science. Each product is infused with antioxidant properties from plant-based botanicals to not only help protect your skin, but repair it as well. Products layer well together without leaving a shine or glow so you don’t have to worry about using them together. Our money-back guarantee and free shipping means you can try them without risk.
Skin care should be an important part of every man’s day. You will look better and feel better when your skin is clear, smooth and healthy.
