Reddit would be the last place you would think about when it comes to skincare tips and advice. Similarly, it is rare to think of getting some top ideas, products, and opinions for the men’s personal care aisle in your local store where you may find a multi-use product. But the reality of things is finding the practical skincare answers that you will have to look somewhere in between.
The volume or skincare product options are vast, and this makes knowing which is the best choice, such as a hard and confusing process. It probably is the reason many men do not have any skincare routine in the first place. Why? It most likely is because they do not want the hassle of figuring out what's what and which is best, and why. But then again, it could be that they must do not care. However, it is wise for everyone – men and women – to care about their skin.
Good skincare is an essential part of putting up an effective fight against common skin problems such as wrinkles, sun damage, and acne, among others. How we care for the skin will have a positive impact both for the long and short term. If you do not want to hear, “have you been getting enough sleep?” and hear more of “you look absolutely vibrant and amazing.” Then you need to show your skin some TLC.
Most guys think that washing their face with soap and water is all it takes to keep their skin looking great. The reality is that it all demands consistency and being committed to caring for your skin. Such a strategy may involve some bit of healthy experimentation will different skincare products until you find what works best for you. But the entire process does not have to be long and daunting. That is why we desire to help you figure it out and know the difference between various products.
Below, we shall focus on beginner skincare up to the advanced.
Beginner
For many people, the commonplace approach to caring for their skin is washing with hand soap and most likely never having used any moisturizer. Introducing such skin to the world of quality care can be done in the following steps:
1. Facial Cleanser
A dry and clean feeling is what comes to mind when you think of clean skin. Such a feeling is not ideal for every part of the body. It may work for the rest of the body but not the face. Dry skin means that it is stripped of the essential oils that keep it moisturized. That causes it to look flaky and cracked. Therefore, you need to clean the face using a facial cleanser that contains moisturizing compounds and some bit of salicylic acid to help manage oil production. You need to cleanse your face with such a product in the morning and night (twice a day).
2. Eye Cream
The eye cream can be a solution to a lot of issues. For instance, do you hate those dark circles that never seem to go away? Are you tired of the puffy bags and wish to get rid of them? Or do you have fine lines and wrinkles? Then use some eye cream and see all these things fade away. The skin around the eyes is thin and thus loses moisture easily and quickly. Apply the eye cream after cleansing the face twice a day (morning and night).
3. Moisturizer
Most men abhor using moisturizers because they do not like how it feels on their skin. You do not have to battle all day with the feeling of having glop all over your mug. Not all products have such an effective; therefore, you can find one that you can tolerate. The objective is to see what keeps your skin from feeling and looking dry but also ensure that you are comfortable with it on your face. It should help the skin maintain moisture, thus aiding it to look vibrant. Check the product’s labels and pick what has words such as “gel” or “lotion” instead of “cream.”
4. SPF
Applying sunscreen should be a daily routine. You need to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays. Such rays have been closely associated with the rapid onset of signs of aging and other adverse things such as skin cancer. Therefore, if you are keen on looking young, then you need to use some quality sunblock on your face and skin. Interestingly, most men do not wear sunscreen for the same reasons as those of not using moisturizers. But his should and is no longer an excuse. And it is wise not to assume that the sunblock elements in the moisturizer products you use will suffice. You need to buy some quality sunscreen that has some hydrating compounds as well. It will make it possible for you to use it along with your moisturizer.
Intermediate
Congrats for making it this far; now you know how to clean your face, and you have found the ideal combination of moisturizer and sunblock for your face and skin. You are now ready for the next level of your skincare routine. The next level will involve the following steps:
1. Chemical Exfoliator
Exfoliation is essential because it will help rid your skin of dead cells that can clog up the pores and cause things such as acne. The cells also prevent the moisturizers from doing what they are meant to do, and this makes your face look dull. You may hear some people suggest that exfoliation should be at the beginner phase. But what they do not know is the men who shave unknowingly exfoliate whenever they are shaving. But know in this case, we are talking about doing this on purpose. It should be something you do at least once a week and avoid using a scrub that is too hard. Get an exfoliator that contains alpha hydroxy acid that will be gentle on the skin while getting rid of the dead cells.
2. Serum
If your skincare regime were a smoothie, then serum would be the booster you want in it; it will be the potent elements that are stronger than your moisturizer. The serum is meant to impart active compounds and nutrients into the skin, fast and effectively. Fortunately, there is one design for every skin concern. But then again, you need to figure out which works best for your skin. In this case, you need to look at the various issues or concerns you have about your skin and get a serum that addresses all of them. The safe bet is to go for serum products that have hydrating and skin-building ingredients. You should use it twice daily after cleansing your face but before applying the moisturizer.
3. Mask
When it comes to a face mask, you will have hundreds of different options. But with all the available products out there, they all are designed to supplement the skincare routines. Think of them as you would the serums; a more concentrated product full of specific ingredients that address particular concerns. Men who are new to masks are advised to start by using a clay mask, which is designed to cleanse deep into the skin pores removing oil and dirt that may have built-up in them.
Advanced
By now, you have mastered how to face your skin clean, well-hydrated, and free from the dead skin cells. You may even have a collection of serums and masks on your itinerary; if so then you qualify to join the big leagues. Here the game is played in the following steps:
1. Retinol
Do not mistake retinol for an exfoliator. It is a type of Vitamin A that is essential for cell rejuvenation, thus a key component in fighting the signs of aging. It is an advanced option and regarded as such because it can be harsh on sensitive skin. To use it on sensitive skin, then you must apply some sunscreen to mitigate the heightened sensitivity to light due to the use of retinol. Keep in mind that retinol can also make the skin flaky. Therefore, you should start by using the gentle version that has a high moisturizing element.
2. Toner
Men who are battling with acne or have oily skin can benefit from using a toner. It will make the skin look bright and vibrant. Swipe some of the toner on the face using a clean cotton pad. It is advisable to use it after cleansing the skin to get rid of buildup oil and dirt. If you are the type of guy that has reservations about padding your face with a cotton pad, then go for a gel form toner.
3. Night Cream
The idea of wearing a unique moisturizer at night does not seat well with many men. But as you rest such a thing, your skin will be trying to rebuild itself. The night creams are designed to hydrate the skin. They also have active ingredients, such as peptides, that aid in the rejuvenation and regeneration processes. Therefore, consider using something different other than using the same moisturizer day and night. You will benefit more if you have separate and uniquely made cream for night use.
Coming up with an effective skincare routine from scratch can take a few simple steps. Moreover, what you come up with should yield notable results that will make you see some difference after a couple of weeks. Rahi Chadda model and founder of Panache & Marina is an advocate for regular skin treatments and he started his own clinic inspired by the idea.