Let's Talk Mens Skin Care For A Minute
Gone are the days when Men skin care products were hidden in stores or never spoken about and WELCOME to the new world where looking after your skin is no longer frowned upon, its just good practice!
FACT: Skin is the biggest organ on our bodies, so it's time we look after it!
Get your handsomest skin ever with our latest tips on men's skin care covering shaving tips, expert grooming advice and all product recommendations and more. This article is geared towards men, their skin tends to be thicker and tougher. This causes deeper, furrowed wrinkles from repeated muscle movement, plus higher testosterone found in men also can make your skin more oily.
“A lot of men misunderstand the benefits of good skin care with cosmetic treatments and have a misconception that it is really complicated, but it doesn’t have to be and for sure isn't,” says Dr.Doktor. “You can have a simple routine that’s as easy as taking a shower - Cleanse, Moisturize & Protect”
Historically men caring for their skin carried a certain stigma which is just plain awful! We're so happy this is now being overcome and we're entering a healthier time for men to take some time and look after themselves. Traditionally mens skin care has been simple, however more men are now proactive with looking after their skin, which in turn helps keep their skin healthier and younger-looking all of which can be achieved with just a few simple daily steps.
Now we've called out the elephant, let's move on to the good stuff and how our men can stay healthy and keep their skin looking fresh!
SKIN TYPE
The first step we recommend you take, is to better understand your overall skin type. This may vary across the different parts of your body. The best way to identify the type of skin you have starts after a bath or shower, take a look at your overall skin and see what you notice. As the day goes on take another look and see if you notice any changes and at the end of the day have an another look before another bath or shower. There are roughly five skin care types:
- Normal skin is clear and not sensitive.
- Dry skin is flaky, itchy or rough.
- Sensitive skin stings or reacts after product use.
- Oily skin is shiny or greasy.
- Combination skin is dry and may be oily in other areas.
Now that you know what type of skin you have, you can now start to explore the right products for you.
3 STEP PROCESS - CMP
1) CLEANSE
Ideally, you'll bathe twice a day and when you do, you'll cleanse your face too and if you are an active workout enthusiast, time it so you can bathe or shower shortly after. Cleansing 3 times a day is a little too much especially if you're using products every time.
Hot water can strip the oils from your skin, which are so important at keeping it fresh and healthy, so use warm water with your cleanser. When cleansing your face, use your fingertips to massage the cleanser into your skin, then rinse off completely avoiding the eyes. When drying, don’t rub all the moisture off. You’ll want to pat dry instead.
2) MOISTURIZE
After cleansing and whilst your skin is still a little damp, you'll want to lock that water in with a good moisturizer for both your face and body. This will help lock in your skins moisture and keep it protected throughout the day or night.
3) PROTECT
We will keep saying this one as it is so IMPORTANT, wear sunscreen! You'll want to have one for your face and body, face sunscreens are a little lighter. The good news is that there are so many products now that have both a moisturizer and sun screen protection, so there's no excuse not to keep your skin protected!
SHAVING TIPS
Follow these basic steps regardless of what part of your body you're shaving to make sure your skin stays fresh and you don't accidentally cause damage:
- Your hair will be softer after a warm or hot shower.
- Use a gentle shaving cream to prevent rashes or ingrown hairs.
- Shave in the direction of your hair growth to reduce irritation, yes we know it's so tempting to go against the hair growth for a super close shave! Be cautious when using an electrical razor as they can cause more irritation.
- If you're prone to razor burns, try a razor with a single blade.
- Apply a gentle moisturizer to your skin after the shave.
- Use an exfoliant on parts of your body where you're prone to ingrown hairs.
WANT TO TAKE IT A FEW STEPS FURTHER?
Wow, good for you! Less is often more, but with skin you want to do all you can to keep yourself protected. Follow these additional tips for even healthier and fresher looking skin!
Antioxidant Serum
An antioxidant serum like vitamin C can help protect your skin from free radicals, substances in the environment and in your body that can cause harm to your cells through normal processes like breathing and aging. These are power houses for helping you look sharp all day long!
"These should be applied after you cleanse and before you moisturize", says Dr.Doktor..
Retinol
This is an absolute powerhouse and you can learn more about what it is and what it does here. “Retinol is a superstar when it comes to anti-aging. It helps with fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage and even hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Doktor. We recommend applying retinol in the evening and definitely were sunscreen the following day as it can make your skin more sensitive.
WHEN SHOULD YOU START?
Simply put, now. It's never too late to look after your skin and if you choose the right products and routine for you, you should start seeing positive results in a few weeks.
INGREDIENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR
This is really important, yes great marketing will get our attention but carefully read the labels and ingredients. What you put on your skin is similar to what you eat. After you've figured out your skin type, look for products that suit your skin type. Products that are oil free are generally good for oily and acne prone skin. If you have sensitive skin, use mild, fragrance free products.
OUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS
We love our skin care line and we know you will too. You can learn more about our line up here.
For Cleanse:
We have two cleansers, our Exfoliator + is a mild, brightening evening scrub with bio-friendly exfoliants removes dull, dead skin cells and excess oils to reveal healthier, younger looking skin. Our Cleanser + is a antioxidant-rich, purifying cleanser effectively washes away dirt and impurities, while antioxidants and natural botanicals nourish and rejuvenate the skin, resulting in a healthier, more vibrant looking complexion.
For Moisturize:
We have three moisturizers, Eye Hydration + contains hyaluronic acid formulated for the delicate area under the eye creates a plumping effect to minimize visible fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. It helps the skin retain moisturize and keep the eye area soft. Vitamin C encourages skin cell renewal to improve dark, under-eye circles.
Our Moisturizing Cream contains hyaluronic acid formulated for the delicate area under the eye creates a plumping effect to minimize visible fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet. It helps the skin retain moisturize and keep the eye area soft. Vitamin C encourages skin cell renewal to improve dark, under-eye circles.
Lastly, our Moisturizing Cream + is an advanced moisturizer for all skin types. Contains vitamins A, C, and E, Co-Q10 and green tea in an aloe base (pulp of the plant). Ceramides assist in keeping moisture in skin. Powerful humectants -Yucca glauca root extract and Glycerin. Squalane, an emollient naturally found in healthy skin, helps to soften skin. Great for the dry skin patient who requires a heavier, but elegant moisturizer.
For Antioxidant and Retinol:
Our Repair Serum + is a high-potency vitamin C helps protect skin against oxidative stress while addressing the visible signs of aging: lines, wrinkles, loss of volume, dullness and discoloration.
Our Renewal + Serum 3x is the ultimate Skin Renewal Serum including amazing ingredients such as All-trans-Retinol, Green Tea, Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid all of which work together to assist the Skins natural cell recovery processes for healthier skin.
Our only two recommendations as you start or continue this journey are to make sure the products are right for your skin type and once you have the products stick to a routine.