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Why skin care matters for men - Skin is the body’s largest organ and therefore an important player in your health and overall immunity. Keeping the skin on your face healthy is also important to help fight visible aging. When the skin is well cared for, wrinkles can often be minimized and a youthful appearance maintained.

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Why skin care matters for men - Skin care and a steady routine helps you look your best and therefore can improve confidence. When your skin looks healthy and well-rested, you may experience a boost in confidence.

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Prevent skin cancer -

Men actually have a higher risk than women of being diagnosed with melanoma and other skin cancers. Wearing UV protection will help minimize this risk.

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Treat skin conditions - Every face differs and has varying needs. Having a daily face regimen and skin routine will help prevent and alleviate issues like acne, dryness, razor burn, clogged pores, and even sun damage.

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How to build an effective regimen: Cleanse (daily) - Washing your face will remove dirt, oil, dead skin cells, pollutants, and bacteria. Cleaning before bed will also allow any treatments subsequently applied to work the most effectively.

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Exfoliate (weekly) - Once or twice a week, cleaning off dead skin cells with an exfoliate scrub will help keep deep pores clean, smooth out rough skin, and prepare your face for an even closer and better shave.

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Treat targeted concerns (daily) - Concerns such as aging, acne, dark spots, razor irritation and more can be targeted directly using serums or creams designed for each specific issue. For example, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide wash can both help with a lot of acne issues, while retinol and vitamin C serums help with aging skin.

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Moisturize (twice daily) - Moisturizing traps water in the skin and forms a protective barrier. This barrier fights the elements while keeping your skin hydrated and balanced. Lightweight gel or lotion should be used for oily skins, while richer creams work well for dry or mature faces.

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SPF (daytime) - Sunscreen on your face is absolutely necessary to keep skin from burning and to keep skin youthful. Experts suggest using at least SPF 30 and to reapply every two hours you’re outside.

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Night cream (nighttime) - Before bed and after cleaning your face, apply a richer nighttime cream. Formulas with antioxidants and retinol will help your skin repair and rejuvenate and increase cell turnover while you rest.

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Tailor to your skin type: Normal skin - If there are no major issues such as dryness or breakouts, then your skin is likely classified as normal and the aforementioned cleaning, SPF, and moisturizing will work perfectly.

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Oily and acne-prone skin - This type of skin is often shiny in appearance and known to have blackheads and suffer breakouts. To help prevent this, use an oil-free, salicylic acid cleanser, gently exfoliate two to three times a week, spot treat with a prescription of benzoyl peroxide gel, and use a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher.

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Dry or sensitive skin - Be sure to take extra care with this skin type. Use a gentle cleanser and hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid. Additionally, heavy, fragrance-free SPF will keep this type of skin in prime condition.

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Pick your skin care products - There are so many options at shops and online that it can quickly become overwhelming to choose. Tips to keep in mind when you're shopping include checking the label for your skin type, reading the active ingredients, and avoiding heavily fragranced products.

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Pick your skin care products - Focus on non-comedogenic product options, and keep it simple, as too many different products can irritate your skin. Additionally, consider trying samples and doing patch tests where you apply a small amount of a new product to your arm for 24-48 hours before applying it all over your face.

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Lifestyle tips for better skin - While the skin care regimen provides the basics, it’s important to look at certain lifestyle habits that can also affect skin health. For example, it’s essential to shave properly; use a sharp razor and shave with the grain. Additionally, one should quit smoking and work to manage stress.

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 Lifestyle tips for better skin - For optimal skin feel and appearance, be sure to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, eat antioxidant-rich foods, drink plenty of water, and, most of all, limit alcohol intake.

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Tips for continuing a skin care routine: Start simple - Mastering the basics first is the key here. If you try too many new things at once, not only can you irritate your skin, but you’ll be more likely to give up since it’s a bigger shift in your usual daily pattern or takes up too much time.

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Make it a ritual and schedule reminders -

Build these habits into your other regular, daily grooming routines. If need be, consider scheduling reminders on your phone or calendar so you don’t forget any steps.

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Track progress - Take before pictures and periodically take selfies and compare them so you can see, and appreciate, the progress you’ve made in caring for your skin.

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Invest in quality products - Using products that have great reviews and that you enjoy using will entice you to follow through each day on your skin care routine. These products don’t necessarily have to cost a ton, but investing in your skin will pay off in the long run.

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Don’t skip steps - Some days are easier than others to feel like skipping your skin care routine. But even if it’s nighttime and you’re exhausted, be sure to do the bare minimum like washing and moisturizing. A little discipline will help you achieve your skin goals sooner rather than later.

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Understanding skin and the aging process - Skin ages due to both intrinsic factors like genetics as well as extrinsic factors such as from sun exposure, pollution, and general lifestyle choices.

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The importance of hydration - Hydration, both drinking enough water daily and applying creams and lotions, will help the skin maintain its elasticity, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and prevent overall dryness.

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Seasonal skin care adjustment - In the winter, be sure to combat dryness and flakiness with heavier moisturizers, humidifiers, and gentle cleansers. In the summer, the importance of lightweight moisturizers is key. Increase SPF usage and invest in products to control oil and sweat.

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FAQs: How can I determine my skin type? - It’s very important that you carefully assess your skin type. Think about factors such as oiliness, dryness, and sensitivity when deciding which products and treatments to use.

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FAQs: What is the importance of a skin care routine? - Skin care routines help your skin stay healthy and balanced, and address specific skin concerns early and proactively, and can thereby prevent future, more serious issues.

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FAQs: Is a skin care routine just for women? -

No. Definitely not, as we hope we've shown. Men absolutely should pay attention to and care for their skin to keep it vibrant and healthy.

Sources: (Boston Derm Advocate)

See also: Things you didn't know can happen to men's bodies

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