Man Up Skincare Products for Men
For oh so many years, skincare was targeted at women. In both product availability and marketing, men were pretty much ignored. Thankfully, times have changed, and men are now just as much a part of the health and beauty landscape.
There are plenty of products for all aspects of skin and hair care and lots of advertising to promote the male body beautiful. Although essentially the same, there are some minor biological differences between male and female skin.
For example, a man’s face can be more prone to excessive oiliness and breakouts thanks to the daily rigors of a harsh shaving routine. It is however, just as susceptible to the aging process. In the past, a man might have grabbed a squeeze or two of one of his partner’s products to try to ease any skin issues he was experiencing, but that simply isn’t the case anymore.
There are now entire brands and product lines dedicated to the specifics of men’s skincare. Men’s products are much better for men than those designed for women but there are also excellent unisex brands that are equally effective.
Here are some recommendations for products that are perfect for incorporating into a man’s skincare routine, or for men starting a skincare routine for the very first time.
Cleanser
The skin on a man’s face can be up to 25% thicker than a woman’s, and for this reason a deeper, stronger cleanser is needed that can exfoliate to the degree that the skin needs. You still, however, need to make sure that it is gentle enough to do its job without causing any irritation or inflammation. Products containing glycolic or salicylic acid are a good choice.
IS Clinical Cleansing Complex 180mL, with the help of Glycolic and Salicylic Acids, this lightweight Cleansing Gel gently exfoliates the blemish prone skin without stripping essential natural oils. It softens, helps to control acne breakouts and reduce pore size.
Matt Moisturizer
If you are a man who shaves on a daily basis, then your skin is going through quite a rough process regularly. To counteract the effects of this abrasion, something like a matt moisturizer is ideal. It provides deep hydration and will work to minimize the visual shininess that extra sebum production can cause.
Effaclar Mat Anti-Shine Moisturizer 40mL, an Anti-Shine Moisturizer that provides deep hydration to the combination, oily skin. It visibly reduces excess shininess by regulating sebum production, thereby minimizing enlarged pores.
Vitamin C
As soon as a man hits the 25 year mark, he should be thinking about using a Vitamin C serum that can hydrate the skin and help to maintain and restore the glowing vitality that a 20 something has. Vitamin C can also provide anti-pollution protection to fight against early signs of aging. Anti-aging isn’t just a concern for women, as many men are interested in maintaining their youth as well.
Endocare Radiance C Ferulic Edafence Serum 30mL, a daily Antioxidant Serum that hydrates the skin and helps restore its luminosity and vitality. It provides anti-pollution protection as well, while fighting against early signs of aging.
Retinol
A form of vitamin A, retinol is one seriously heroic skincare ingredient and is equally effective for men as women. It is one of the most powerful anti-aging ingredients available to us and it can help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production (which slows down as you age). Retinol also encourages cell turnover and the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Other benefits include softening rough patches of skin and fading age spots. As it is so powerful, it is important to start off with a low concentration and gradually build up.
Skinceuticals retinol 0.3%, is a night cream that promotes a more youthful-looking complexion by reducing fine lines, wrinkles and pores without causing irritation. It protects against free-radical damage and helps to repair environmentally damaged skin.
Exfoliators and Masks
Never underestimate what an exfoliator or a mask can do for male skin. Exfoliators immediately brighten the skin by removing dead skin cells and any build-up of debris (such as environmental pollutants). It is recommended that you exfoliate at least once a week (never daily!). Exfoliation also creates a base for a mask that can be generic to simply soften and moisturize or to treat specific issues such as preventing breakouts.
La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Clay Mask for Excess Oil & Impurities, is a 2-in-1 purifying clay face mask and skin mattifier designed for oily skin. It removes excess oil, controls shine, and eliminates invisible impurities to give a smoother, more radiant skin.
Eyecare
The delicate skin around your eyes is one of the main places where signs of aging appear first. The skin is thinner and more delicate so is more prone to lines and wrinkles. Lifestyle also shows with baggy and puffy eyes and dark circles. A good eye cream will address all issues.
La Roche Posay Redermic Eyes evens out the complexion and stimulates collagen production. While the hyaluronic acid content helps to smooth the skin and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Sunscreen
Don’t think your male skin is any less prone sun damage to more delicate female skin. Even on overcast days, it is necessary to apply a thin layer of sunscreen to protect your face from the UV rays of the sun. The sun is the biggest enemy when it comes to premature aging of the skin, so protecting yourself on a daily basis is vital for both men and women.
Eucerin Sun Gel-Crème Oil Control Dry Touch 50+ 50mL, a daily sunscreen with a very high sun protection factor specifically formulated for oily and acne-prone facial skin.
