Winter means that your skin takes some harsh blows from the environment, so it’s really important to make some changes to your skincare regime in order to make sure it is bright and healthy when spring arrives. A lot of men still feel that there’s a stigma attached to grooming and taking care of themselves, however this is no longer the case and in modern society you’re actually the odd one out if you don’t take some kind of pride in the way you look.
The condition of your skin is exceptionally important. Clear skin makes you look and feel better – and it will make you more attractive to potential love interests too. Although there’s no need to dedicate an hour of your life to follow your girlfriend’s religious regime, it’s important you make time for at least a little bit of pampering.
Identify your skin type
In order to create a proper skincare regime that’s guaranteed to work and easy to stick to, you first need to identify your skin type. Using products on your face without knowing your skin type could actually mean you’re doing more harm than good. It’d be like shopping for a new T-shirt without knowing your size – bound to end in disaster. If you’re not aware that there are different skin types then use this guide to try and identify yours:
Normal: If you have normal skin then you’re exceptionally lucky and will have a lot of people who are envious. If this is your skin type then you’re unlikely to suffer many problems so your skin won’t be oily, flaky or sensitive and will instead be smooth to the touch.
Dry: Dry skin is a big problem in winter but some people suffer all year round. This skin type is often characterised by small pores and will often see your skin becoming flaky and possibly rough to the touch.
Oily: Oily skin can be annoying as, if not controlled, it can quickly lead to breakouts of spots and acne. This skin type is usually suffered by people with larger pores and the skin becomes shiny due to a layer of oil that forms on the surface.
Combination: Combination skin is perhaps the most common skin type and involves an oily T-zone – forehead and nose – but dry or normal skin in other areas.
Sensitive: If you often find you have red, itchy or irritated skin, whether it’s because of your chosen washing powder, hair wax or shampoo, then it’s likely you’ve got sensitive skin which will need to be treated with special, milder products in order to prevent irritation.
Make cleansing a regular part of your routine
When the idea of skin products is broached, the majority of men will reply with: “I’m fine using soap”. Well, this isn’t true. In fact, using soap isn’t fine at all and can cause your skin a lot of trouble as it dries your skin out – even more so than a cleanser. A cleanser does dry your skin somewhat, but this dryness is rectified by using a moisturiser later on. Cleansers are used to completely clear your pores of oil, dirt and other toxins that have built up throughout the day. However, they don’t contain the harsh chemicals or detergents that will irritate or cause flakiness to the skin.
Choosing a cleanser really isn’t difficult once you’ve established your skin type and will help to balance the natural oils in your skin, leaving your face feeling clean and refreshed.
Once you’ve chosen your specific cleanser, there is a particular way to apply it and rinse it off again:
- Splash your face with warm water as this will help to open your pores and allow the cleanser to work even deeper.
- Lather your cleanser onto your face by rubbing in a circular motion. Be careful not to rub too hard as this will cause irritation and will not make your skin any cleaner – a mistake that a lot of people make.
- Rinse the cleanser away with warm water – avoid using hot water as it will dry out your skin.
- When drying your face, you should never rub it with a towel as it irritates and can also contribute to the development of wrinkles; instead pat it dry softly with a clean towel.
Make time to exfoliate
A lot of people overlook the importance of exfoliating, but not doing it will leave your complexion looking dull. Exfoliating isn’t difficult, but it’s not something that should be done every day, unless you use a daily exfoliator like this one from Dermalogica. Instead consider using an exfoliating scrub as part of your regime a couple of times each week. This will help to remove dead and dull skin cells and reveal a brighter, clearer complexion beneath as well as keeping your pores unblocked which will reduce acne breakouts. If you can, try and work your exfoliator in on the days you would normally shave as it’ll cause your hair follicles to rise, making for a better shave.
Moisturise
Whether you stick to a strict skincare regime or not, the majority of men will already moisturise – although they probably won’t admit it. However, it’s something that every man should make an effort to do – especially during winter. Over winter your skin becomes dry because the cold temperatures and the wind suck essential moisture.
The moisturiser that you use should once again depend on your skin type because rich, heavy moisturisers – although great for dry skin – are likely to cause breakouts of spots if used on oily skin. During the winter, you should make an effort to moisturise twice a day after you wash your face in order to rehydrate the skin.
So there it is – the essential lowdown on male skincare. Now you know what you need, it’s down to you to do something. So pick up a cleanser, exfoliant and moisturiser and watch the blotches, blemishes and spots disappear.