Medically reviewed by Minimalist Health Specialist - Written by Nikitha Terence (Beauty Expert) on 23rd Nov 2020
Can men follow the same skincare routine as women, or do they need other products?
We're all familiar with this common myth: Makeup was created and made only for girls. But as the world is changing, so are the conventional mindsets of people. All thanks to the self-made media influencers who share their skincare tips and tricks for men and exquisitely showcase how makeup is becoming inclusive for both genders.
Many high-end brands are coming up with brilliant skincare items that are especially suitable for men’s skin texture. But how distinct or comparable are they to women’s basic skincare routine, and why?
Scroll down to discover some unusual facts and content on the skincare routine of men.
A brief flashback of the men’s skincare regimen
From the times when Yves Saint Laurent introduced his first highlighter pen for men in the late 2000s to the most recent fad of organic and gender-neutral products everywhere, the skincare universe has formulated skincare products keeping the beauty needs of men in mind.
All men style icons have set an example that wearing cosmetics has become an unbiased choice.
How unconventional are both their skin patterns?
The width of the skin structure is varied for both men and women. It is a well-known fact that humans, in general, produce testosterone, also known as the sex hormone, after attaining maturity, and its generation increases with time and many other biological factors like genes.
Men are said to have a higher testosterone rate, which results in much thicker skin than women. That is not it. When observed closely, you notice that men have more lasting acne and blemishes than women, all thanks to the immense sebum production level in men’s skin layers.
Puberty does play a major role, and men's skin becomes more prone to sweat secretion. This is a consequence of the ingrown facial hairs. That is why men tend to get sweaty often and always seem to have a balanced or raised body temperature.
Fun Fact:
Men’s skin is always more hydrated than women because of an elevated level of naturally formed Lactic acid, which itself acts as a humectant.
What should be taken care of before leaping to the central theme?
Initially, it was considered that men use “limited” makeup solely for entertainment purposes. But now, after giving it a lot of thought and getting inspired by the bold attitude of male social influencers, the muscular gender has opted for cosmetics to get a clean, healthy, and younger look.
Just like women, men, too, have a little distinct skincare routine that helps them look no less than a superstar every day. So to balance a healthy skin texture, we need to have a simple yet functional skincare routine that can help us to look confident and, on the whole, lessen the aging skins and make your skin look naturally healthy. So let us first look at the factors that can, in a way, prepare us well in advance for this process. These following points must be carefully taken note of during the purchase of products.
First of all, women are generally aware of their skin-related issues, and they try to rectify it with many products or to the least with home remedies. Still, there is only a slim chance that guys know about their skin type and ways to handle their troubles. So suing simple tricks, find what your skin is lagging or overflowing with.
After the first major step, you will have to alter your lifestyle habits like quit smoking, avoid stressful situations, cover yourself well enough when you are to stay for long in polluted or sunny places.
Like waxing is not a luxury but a necessity for women, the same as shaving for men. The best way to have a clean and safe shaving process is to do it when you have softened your facial hair after a shower or a face wash. Replace your razor blades often and finish off it with the application of a fragrance- free aftershave.
Most often, one significant flaw in men’s skincare products is that it comes in various fragrances or with a rich formula that gets the skin layers unbalanced. Such rough ingredients like alcohol, witch hazel, denatured oils, etc. will negatively impact our skin.
Time to get down to business!
Men, like women, have a similar kind of routine for the upkeep of their skin.
Cleanse
We take a bath every day to eliminate the bad salts and sweat from our bodies. Similarly, just a regular cleaning wash does not remove all the impurities. Still, when it is done with an exfoliator(the magic remover of the dead skin cells), the aftereffect is even more brilliant than ever. Repeatedly doing this can cause an imbalance in oily skin, and too much hot water can disrupt the microbiome of the dry skin.
Toner
According to dermatologists, after you cleanse your skin with a foaming and alcohol-free cleanser, the dirt and the stubborn in-built oil components remain intact on your skin. So toner makes sure it gets the work done effectively. Since your skin is now like a clean, dried-up sponge, the toner sets in the condition for hydration and gets set to absorb products of any consistency too. The toning products rich in salicylic acid eliminate the deep oil pores and natural plant extracts that fill in with the much-needed moisture content.
Serum and moisturizer
A serum has very tiny pores and an even lighter texture that can be used to hydrate and as a regular base for the upcoming heavier makeup products to be absorbed well. Vitamin C is the most acclaimed serum, as suggested by the experts. A lightweight moisturizer is used to pull in the moisture from the environment, and it will not leave any smooth lines over your face when used during the day.
You can put down your heavy moisturizer on the nighttime routine as it would give ample time to get absorbed. Clinical dermatologists suggest men use a retinol-based moisturizer before hitting the bed as it helps in a great deal to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
Sunscreen
The one thing that the majority of men do not care for is sunscreens. Either they are too busy for it, or they are careless to notice the enormous benefits attached to it. This small step can protect us from damage to our outer skin layer, skin cancer, and the unusual aging signs. In the case of sunscreens, always, it is recommended opting for SPF 30 or more. You can experiment with each product that takes good care of your skin and helps you with your skin concerns.
What kind of skin-damage can a man experience?
Every skin type has its problems and issues to go through, and the factors like pollution, age, climate, lifestyle habits, etc. Acne and blemishes are part and parcel of not just women’s skin health, but men also. Shaving is found to be the primary source of all skin related problems for gentlemen. But worry not, for the experts have got us covered.
Dr. William Kwan, a certified dermatologist in California, advises two very effective ingredients in the skincare world:
salicylic acid, which also happens to be an antioxidant and works great for extracting dirt from pores, and benzoyl peroxide, which fights the bacteria.
How do the gentlemen feel about this revolution?
Esthetician Joanna Kula has never seen such a hike in distributing the men’s products from her salon. This is just a small example of how men of this generation and all age groups are worried and excited about using various skincare products.
According to a survey, when men were asked the reason behind their following a skincare regimen, almost 29% of them had voiced that they wanted to look good to please that special someone either at their workplace or the girl next door!
To build on their self-confidence and showcase their hard work, men today believe that excellent skincare is gender-neutral. Anyone can achieve it provided their skin is compatible with the products used.
The Final Verdict
“Happiness is a good habit, and so is taking care of your skin.”
Self-love is a practice which many people are giving importance to. Your skin conditions can be temporary, but ensuring your skin's well-being is a lifetime job.
Men love to do makeup because they love the idea of having a clean skin tone and highlighting their attractive features too. Many cosmetics enthusiasts have mentioned that people’s perception of men wearing makeup all the time, is evolving but only gradually. There is a lot to happen in the coming era and more for the male community. Man up and take the best care of your skin!
