March 19, 2024
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Skincare Style and Grooming

Don’t Be Crusty– Essential Skincare Knowledge for Men

Growing up, the extent of skincare advice I got from my parents consisted of being told to wash my face. Beyond that, I was just handed a razor and some shaving cream and expected to figure out what to do with my skin on my own.

That’s a pretty common experience for a lot of guys. Most guys grow up knowing very little about how to take care of their skin.

Failing to take good care of your skin, however, can contribute to the following:

  • Acne
  • Wrinkles
  • Dry, uncomfortable skin
  • An uneven complexion
  • A Higher Risk of Developing Skin Cancer

Remember: your skin is your body’s largest organ and is a vital first layer of protection for your overall health. Taking care of your skin will help you look better, feel better, and be more healthful.

The Basics of Skincare

Skincare routines can get out of hand very quickly. Some sites and skincare gurus will recommend a list of products that’s a mile long and could cost you several hundred dollars per month to purchase all of the supplies you need.

Luckily, you can take good care of your skin and greatly improve your skin health in a few easy steps and at fairly low supply costs.

Exfoliating

At least twice per week, you should be exfoliating. I’m not just talking about your face– you should be exfoliating your entire body.

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and buildup on the surface of your skin. It helps your cleanser and moisturizer work more effectively and is thought to also help with preventing wrinkles and cleaning build-up out of your pores.

If you shave your face, exfoliating before shaving can help you get a closer shave and prevent razor bumps.

There are plenty of facial exfoliating scrubs you can use on your face. I recommend looking for an exfoliating scrub with a high concentration of exfoliant (AKA you want it to feel gritty). You also don’t want to get a facewash that uses plastic microbeads as its exfoliant. Not only are microbeads awful for the environment, but they’re pretty ineffective at exfoliating your skin.

I’ve had luck with Alba Botanica’s Face & Body Scrub. I get it at the grocery store pharmacy for around $9.50 per tube, which lasts quite a while. It makes my face feel super smooth, and its exfoliant is natural willow bark.

Using a scrub-style wash on your body is also an option. However, I’ve found that using an exfoliating body cloth is more effective for the rest of my body. With it, I can use my normal body wash. Plus, the length of it helps me wash hard-to-reach places on my back. Since it’s machine washable, I chuck it in the wash once a week when I clean my bath towels to keep them clean and free of bacteria.

If you do use some form of a scrubber or a washcloth, be sure to wash it frequently. These tools live in warm, damp environments. They will grow bacteria and mold if you’re not cleaning them regularly, and if that happens, they will be pretty ineffective at helping you get clean.

Cleansing

You should wash your face every day, usually morning and at night. Depending on your skin type and individual concerns, the type of wash you want to use may vary.

You can get an effective, beneficial face wash at most pharmacies, grocery stores, or retail stores. Brands like Alba Botanica, Neutrogena, PanOxyl, Burt’s Bees, Cetaphil, and CeraVe all make effective face washes that are affordably priced.

If you have acne-prone skin, you’ll probably want to pick a cleanser that contains either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Both ingredients help to kill acne-causing bacteria and act as an astringent, eliminating excess moisture from the surface of your skin.

However, it should be noted that salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are fairly harsh chemicals, so it’s extra important to moisturize each and every time you wash with them. Additionally, no matter how well you rinse, benzoyl peroxide will end up bleaching your towels and maybe even your clothing; for this reason, I prefer salicylic acid washes.

Personally, I currently use Lumen’s charcoal scrub as my go-to face wash. I will probably write up a full review of Lumen soon, but I’m still too new to using it consistently to have a strong opinion. So far, though, I’m happy with it.

Moisturizing

After washing and drying your skin, you need to apply a moisturizer. Moisturizers will prevent your skin from feeling tight and dry, and most moisturizers will also deposit skin-enriching nutrients that help it maintain elasticity and strength.

The best moisturizer you can use is one that is fragrance-free and contains an SPF.

A scented moisturizer isn’t the end of the world. The fragrance isn’t going to be bad for your skin. I typically avoid them, however, because most guys also wear a scented deodorant and may have a scented aftershave or cologne. All those scents combined, plus a scented moisturizer, is just too much.

However, SPF (sun protection factor) is non-negotiable, especially for your face. Wearing something with an SPF does more than prevent you from getting sunburned. More importantly, it helps protect your skin from harmful UV radiation, which increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Along with skin cancer, UV exposure is a major contributing factor to premature aging signs, such as leathery skin and wrinkles.

You may want to get a face-specific lotion. Facial lotions are formulated not to clog your pores, look overly shiny, or irritate acne.

A lotion with an SPF is still ideal for your body, but finding something that absorbs into your skin and that you like is most important. Some brands have “manly” lotion options, but if I’m being honest, they are just slightly more expensive repackages than their other lotions. Go for a standard body lotion or shea butter to save a few bucks and get the same results.

What About Advanced Skincare?

Believe it or not, but if you’re exfoliating regularly, cleansing your face daily, and moisturizing every time you cleanse, you’ve already got the basics of skincare down. You’re better at taking care of your skin than most men.

You absolutely can if you have more specific concerns or want to go above and beyond.

Serums

Most facial serums are applied between cleansing and moisturizing. They’re concentrated formulations that have a specific purpose. A Vitamin-C serum, for example, will give your skin a fresh glow.  Anti-wrinkle serums reduce the appearance of fine lines and help prevent new wrinkles from forming. Other serums help with discoloration, rosacea, dullness, and prevent damage.

Serums typically feel moisturizing, but they need to be sealed with a moisturizer.

Masks

Masks are typically used once or twice per week. Like serums, most masks will be formulated for specific outcomes.

The most common masks that you’ll see online are exfoliating masks. These include clay masks and peel-off masks. This type of facial mask adheres to your skin as a liquid, and as it dries, it holds onto impurities and dead skin on the surface of your skin. When the mask is peeled off or removed, it takes the build-up.

Other types of masks are more therapeutic. For example, some masks help you feel relaxed and have a cooling, soothing sensation for your skin. Others may help with things like reducing inflammation or tightening your skin.

Eye Creams and Eye Masks

Eye creams and masks are placed below the eyes. This part of your face is particularly prone to discoloration and drooping. If you’re familiar with the term “having bags under your eyes,” you know what I’m talking about.

Your under-eyes can visibly display exhaustion and sometimes require a little extra attention.

Like serums, eye creams and masks are typically meant to be applied after you have cleansed your face, and then you can seal them with a moisturizer.

Blake Reichenbach
He/ Him. Founder of Self-Improvement. Blake is a writer, gym addict, dog dad, researcher, and general life enthusiast. He's passionate about helping others reach their goals and live happier, more fulfilling lives. Both ISSA and ICF certified, Blake is a personal trainer and wellness coach who loves to challenge his clients to rise to their full potential.