Men Have Special Skincare Needs

Men have their own special concerns and preferences when it comes to skincare. For some men the whole thing is confusing and they are not sure what products they should be using or how to use them. For others, they don’t want to waste time  with multiple-step skin care regimens. Many men have strong preferences in the scent and feel of products. So let’s go over a few necessary products to keep the skin healthy and clear.

As a man, your skin tends to be thicker and tougher than a woman’s. The fact that you shave can also bring up unique problems. You need products that penetrate well and take into account that you most likely shave daily. Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a condition that is caused by shaving.  Too close of a shave causes the hair to bend back and regrow into the skin causing red, irritated bumps. Make sure you use warm cloths to open up hair follicles before shaving.

A good cleanser can also be used during shaving to help prevent infection, soothe irritations, and help turn over dead skin cells. Remember, there is no need to scrub or  cleanse more than twice a day.  A good cleanser will gently remove dirt and bacteria.

The second step should be your “active”product. This is the product that has active ingredients to make a change in your skin. The product that you choose is based on what you’re looking to change in your skin. Do you struggle with acne?  If so, this step should contain salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to kill acne bacteria. You can also use a product with glycolic acid in it to break down the dead skin cells which cause a plug in the skin leading to acne.

If you’re looking to keep your skin looking young and protect it from damage, you’ll want products containing antioxidants like Vitamin C and E. If you have sun damage or are older, you want anti-aging ingredients. Look for retinols, growth factors and peptides to reverse aging. Consider using a prescription strength Retin A. Dermatologists agree that there is no better anti-aging product, especially when aging is due to sun exposure.

And speaking of sun exposure, the final step for your skincare regime should always be applying a sunscreen. Sun exposure not only pigments the skin, but breaks down the collagen and elastin which keep you looking young. The sun can also aggravate skin conditions, like rosacea and acne. Look for a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. The label should say “broad based” sunscreen which means it blocks both UVA and UVB rays.

Skin care can be simple, quick, and effective. Now you can put together your own three step skincare routine and be on your way to healthy, clear skin. Check our our store at www.SkinGift.com for great products made just for men! Here are just a few you may want to consider.

IS Clinical Cleansing Complex, IS Clinical Active Serum, IS Clinical SPF 20 Powder Sunscreen

SkinMedica Facial Cleanser, SkinMedica TNS Vitamin C Complex, SkinMedica TNS Recovery Complex, TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer SPF 20

Obagi C-RX System Cleansing Gel, Obagi C-RX Clarifying Serum, Obagi C-RX Sunguard SPF 30 Obagi Clenziderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser, Obagi Clenziderm M.D. Pore Therapy, Obagi Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35