Once upon a time, a bar of soap and a splash of water were an adequate skin ritual, but men are now more interested in saving face and spending some time on presentation.
by paul aguirre and dani ng-see quan
It’s a physiological fact — men have thicker skin than women. Skin care needs differ for men and women, so it won’t suffice for a man to use a smidge of moisturizer borrowed from the special lady in his life when the mood strikes. But let’s face it ladies, some upkeep is of the essence. Here are some tips for your man to indulge in a little T-L-C for his largest organ — his skin.
BASIC INSTINCTS
Wash and cleanse daily
It might sound like a no-brainer, but a thorough cleansing is especially important for men. Let’s get to the cardinal rule of cleansing: no soap! Thanks to the male beauty revolution, there are now dedicated cleansing products formulated with men in mind. “Most soaps have a very low pH balance (much lower than skin and even lower than water), and this will strip skin of all natural essential moisture,” shares Toronto-based beauty guru Christine Cho. She suggests he use the right cleanser for his skin type: foaming or gel cleansers work best for oily or combination skin; milky or lotion ones work best for dry skin; and normal skin types can use all kinds of cleansers, depending on which feels most comfortable.
Exfoliate
Thick skin aside, men are not immune to the occasional breakout. Sometimes a nice, good scrub is needed to prevent breakouts and reinvigorate the skin. “Since men have facial hair, they have more oil-producing sebaceous glands, and larger pores,” advises Cho. In short, men’s skin is more inclined to trap dirt and oil, requiring exfoliation. Products with essential oils that are naturally antiseptic such as tea tree oil, lavender and mint are great choices for a refreshing clean slate.
Get a smooth, close shave
Shaving dries out skin, and with dry winter air, it’s not so fun for a man or a woman. A regular activity like shaving can cause dermis dehydration, so a shaving foam rich in rehydrating minerals should be used regularly. Follow-up with a post-shave moisturizer containing aloe vera or other soothing agents to lock in moisture. Really dry after shaving? “The day after you shave dryness can be explained by the fact that shaving exfoliates your face of a layer of dry skin, exposing new sensitive skin,” notes Cho. Point: you must properly tone and moisturize after shaving (keep reading…).
Moisturize
The skin is the body’s primary barrier to the elements. Using a regular moisturizer will maintain the skin’s supple texture. There is an advantage to facial hair for men — it acts as a support structure — and coupled with skin’s thicker texture, men are less likely to develop wrinkles as quickly. To maintain this, opt for ingredients like fish oils and vitamins A, C and E.
THE Y FACTORS
Eat…
Clear, supple skin is a sign of a good digestive system too. A Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry study found blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and plums were noted to have the highest “total antioxidant capacity” of any food. These are excellent choices to protect against free radicals and plump the skin. Omega-3-rich foods like salmon, nuts and flax seed deliver essential fatty acids that create healthy cell membranes and ensure a protected passageway for nutrients in the skin and body. Green tea also has anti-inflammatory properties and will reduce water retention and bloating.
…And be merry
Exercising increases the heart rate and gets blood pumping to the surface of the skin. It also provides an opportunity for your skin to sweat out internal toxins. Not only that, but regular activity keeps all of your body’s physiological processes working properly, which is reflected by skin’s healthy glow.
Don’t Forget The Rest Of The Bod
Everyone wants to rub up against something soft and smooth between the sheets — cracked heels, dry knees and ashy elbows need not apply. Looking and feeling good is a whole-body approach. Don’t forget about the underarm, because certain deodorants can make skin in the area uncomfortably cracked and sensitive, leaving pesky residue — and no one wants that.
Male Minute
Listen up boys, I know this might be foreign to you, and you might hear this term being thrown around a lot lately, but add this to your skin regiment: a toner. So what is toner exactly? Often watery in texture; sometimes like a very thin lotion, they help restore the skin’s pH balance and prepare skin to effectively receive any moisturizers. Some toners can be sprayed onto skin, others applied with hands or using a cotton pad. This step goes right after cleansing. Christine Cho also suggests taking cooler showers and rinsing shampoo with your back towards the shower head. “If you get oily in the T-zone throughout day or evening, use an oil-blotting sheet [believe it or not: zippo paper works well]. If you’re dry at times, it may get extra oily to compensate for the dryness,” says Cho.
