It is no secret that the beauty and skin care industry focuses mainly on women. Women spend a lot more money on skin care and they invest much more time in their beauty routine than men. So what is holding men back from adopting a good skin care regimen? The problem certainly isn’t the lack of men’s skin care products on the market. A recent report showed that beauty and skin care launches specifically targeted at men have increased by more than 70 percent since 2012. So availability isn’t the problem. And according to a recent survey conducted by beauty brand Dove neither is money. The problem is time. And the fear of being seen as vain and soft. Men don’t want to spend their precious time taking care of their skin and they worry that using too many creams and potions will hurt their masculinity. That is why today we are giving some pointers on how to put together a quick and easy skin care routine for men that won’t take up too much time and won’t destroy your sense of manhood.
1. Stick to the basics
Sticking to the basics will not only save you time but it will also save you quite a bit of money. You don’t need a separate night cream, a special serum to apply before your moisturizer and three different exfoliators. The only real essentials are cleanser and moisturizer. Everything else is optional.
2. Choose products that are adapted to your skin type
Make sure that you use skin care products that are suitable for your skin type. If you have dry skin you will need a richer moisturizer than someone with oily skin and if you have sensitive skin you probably won’t get away with using your wife’s tea tree gel cleanser. The label on a skin care product usually indicates what skin type it is for, but a good rule of thumb is that those with dry and sensitive skin need thicker creamier textures while combination and oily skin types should stick to more lightweight lotions and gels.
3. Don’t let the ‘for men’ label fool you
Don’t feel pressured to only use skin care that is specifically targeted at men. The only thing that separates these ‘for men’ products from all other skin care products is the marketing, the packaging and maybe the scent. The formulas are no different. If you feel more comfortable using a ‘for men’ moisturizer that is promoted by Hugh Laurie instead of Eva Longoria, no problem, go ahead. Just know that regular skin care products work just as well.
4. Be consistent
Be consistent and stick to your routine. Oil and dirt gathers in your pores while you sleep, so it is essential that you start every day with a clean slate. First, use a good cleanser. Next, apply moisturizer to keep your skin nourished and protected throughout the day. At the end of the day you simply repeat the same steps: thoroughly cleanse your skin to take off all the oil and dirt that has accumulated during the day and then apply moisturizer to replenish your skin and to help it recover from the day’s aggressions while you sleep.
5. Don’t be afraid to extend your routine
Feel free to add more products and more steps to your routine once you get used to daily cleansing and moisturizing. You could for example add an exfoliator or a scrub to remove dead skin cells, you could start treating yourself to weekly or bi-weekly face masks or you could look into problem-specific skin care products such as anti-wrinkle serums, brightening creams or acne treatments. You can really go as basic or as extensive as you like. Just do what you feel comfortable with and make sure to stick to products that are suitable for your skin type.
Good luck!
Melissa Van Roosbroeck is a style and fashion writer.
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