Following a daily skincare routine is important for both women and men. However, many men don’t make it a priority. Not only do men require daily care for their complexions, but they also need a different routine to manage their skin.
It’s a fact that men and women have different skin, so men should have a routine that takes their unique characteristics into account. Here we’ll discuss these features and provide you with a detailed skincare routine for men to ensure a healthy, youthful complexion.
Why Is A Skincare Routine Important For Men?
Men should follow a skincare routine for the same reasons women follow a beauty regimen such as cleansing, unclogging pores, and keeping the complexion healthy and hydrated. According to one review [1], men have oilier skin due to high testosterone levels. Therefore, regular cleansing and exfoliating are important to prevent pimples and breakouts.
It’s also essential that men protect their skin from harmful UV rays that could lead to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and increased risk of melanoma. Applying sunblock and antioxidant-rich men's skin care products is a good start to prevent photoaging.
All skin types experience a decline in collagen and elastin levels with age. While wrinkles appear later in men, a men's skin care routine should include products that boost levels of these proteins to slow down their development.
Key Differences Between Men's and Women's Skin
The main reason that skin has gender differences [2] is that testosterone levels are higher in men, hence the unique characteristics.
Thickness: Men have thicker skin and higher collagen levels. This means they have a firmer complexion that’s less prone to wrinkles and fine lines. One study [3] found that collagen levels in men decrease steadily starting in their 20s, while levels in women remain constant until menopause during which they rapidly decline.
Aging: While men also develop wrinkles, they occur later in life compared to women. When they do appear, they are deeper and more pronounced. Men are also more predisposed to sagging skin, under-eye puffiness, and dark circles than women.
Oiliness: In comparison, men have larger pores than women. They have very active sebaceous glands that produce more oil. This makes men more prone to acne and breakouts in general. One study [4] showed that excess sebum impairs the skin’s barrier function due to inability to follow a skincare routine for men.
Shaving: Many men shave their face regularly if not daily. This wears down the upper layer of skin cells and makes the complexion much more prone to irritation. Shaving can also lead to small cuts that can get infected.
When Should Men Start Their Skin Care Routine?
For men, skin care is just as important as for women, so begin following a regular regimen as early as possible. To ensure a healthy complexion and to reduce the risk of premature aging, begin a daily regimen in your early 20s no matter what your gender is.
If you’re uncertain about how to develop the best skincare routine for men, keep reading and we will walk you through an optimal regimen - step-by-step - and introduce you to some superior products to begin your skincare routine.
Why is it Important to Identify Your Skin Type?
Regardless of gender, planning a routine for your complexion starts with knowing your skin type. The categories include normal, dry, oily, combination (oily and dry), and sensitive. Using the wrong product can cause additional concerns, as each skin type is unique and has different needs.
Oily skin produces excess sebum and is prone to clogged pores and acne, so it requires gentle cleansers and exfoliants to remove dirt, dead skin cells, and other impurities while soothing the complexion.
Dry skin requires hydrating ingredients that protect the moisture barrier, free of drying agents like sulfates. Combination skin is dry and oily and requires targeted care, hydration, and cleansing.
Sensitive skin is a type that can overlap with any of the categories. People with sensitive skin must use gentle, hypoallergenic products free of harsh chemicals and toxins.
Basic Steps Of A Men's Skincare Routine
Developing a skincare routine for men isn’t complicated. Below are the basic steps with some added tips. You should carry out this regimen in the morning and evening, skipping the UV protection at night.
Cleanse: Every skincare routine should begin with cleansing. Because men can produce up to 4 times more sebum than women, using the best facial cleanser for men is essential to remove excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells, unclog the pores, and reduce the risk of breakouts. For a deeper cleansing, follow it up with a toner.
Exfoliate: While you should not exfoliate daily, having this treatment 1-2 times weekly is essential for deep cleansing the pores and getting rid of dead skin cells and impurities. This step is particularly important for men’s skin care routines as it goes deeper into the oil glands getting rid of excess oil, which a regular cleansing might not be able to achieve.
Moisturize: Another gender-based difference in skin is that men tend to have a drier complexion, even though they naturally produce more oil. Choose the best face moisturizer for men and apply it daily - morning and evening. A moisturizer for men with a soothing effect may also help relieve skin irritations after shaving.
Sunscreen: Some evidence indicate that men are more sensitive to UV rays than women, and they have a higher risk for developing melanoma [5]. Some men may dislike the smudgy feeling when they apply this product to their facial skin, however, it’s essential to protect themselves from UV rays and prevent premature aging and skin cancer.
Following a Regular Skincare Routine: It’s important to follow the men’s skin care regimen to keep your skin in optimal health. Do this regularly rather than doing it haphazardly or only when you feel like it.
Hydration: In addition to applying the best face moisturizer for men regularly, drink about 8-10 glasses of water daily to ensure that your body and skin stay hydrated.
Smoking and Alcohol Consumption: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on the skin over time. Alcohol dehydrates your complexion, leading to dullness and faster wrinkle development. Smoking breaks down collagen resulting in premature wrinkles and aging.
Exercise: Regular exercise improves blood and oxygen circulation promoting better absorption of nutrients into the skin. This enhances the health of your complexion and gives you a radiant glow.
Choosing The Right Skin Care Products
Now that you know how to develop a good skincare routine for men, consider which products are best suited to your needs. Apply sunscreen with at least 30SPF on your face and your body. Do this as the last step in your morning routine.
We recommend the deep cleansing and gently exfoliating product Rejuvoderm Clarifying Cleanser to unclog your pores and rejuvenate your complexion without drying. The formula keeps your skin hydrated and firm, helping to smoothen wrinkles.
After using the best facial cleanser for men, your toner should follow. We recommend choosing a formula that has deep cleansing properties to get rid of excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cell buildup.
After your cleanser and toner, your moisturizer should provide you with deep hydration to plump your complexion and eliminate dryness. We highly recommend the Blackstone Collection 24-Hour Moisturizer Cream for all-day hydration and anti-aging benefits. It also has a soothing effect that helps reduce irritation after shaving.
If you want to enhance the skin around your eyes and reduce signs of aging, try the Blackstone Collection Daily Pick-Up Eye Cream to hydrate, decrease puffiness and the appearance of dark circles, tighten the skin, and eliminate fine lines.
Finally, we recommend using a lip balm daily to keep your lips moisturized, reduce irritation, and protect the delicate skin from UV rays. Look for a product with hydrating, soothing ingredients, and SPF or sun protection factor.
5 Benefits of Skincare for Men
Following a daily men’s skin care routine and using the right products has several benefits for the complexion, short and long-term. Here are some of the key advantages you can expect:
Reduces Wrinkles: Including products that boost collagen and elastin in your routine helps tighten the skin, improve elasticity, and smoothen wrinkles. In addition, using a deeply hydrating product like Blackstone Collection 24-Hour Moisturizer Cream helps plump the complexion to further reduce wrinkle depth.
Prevents Aging: Following a regular skincare routine helps prevent aging by encouraging cell turnover, replenishing key proteins, and ensuring that your complexion is hydrated and plump. Men lose collagen and elastin steadily over time, so formulas that boost levels can keep you looking youthful longer.
Unclogs Pores: Regular skincare removes dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells and unclogs the pores for reduced risk of breakouts. Men have oilier skin and are more prone to acne than women, so it’s especially important to use the best facial cleanser for men.
Offers a Smoother Shaving Experience: When your skin is tighter, smoother, and free of dead cells and dirt that irritate the pores, shaving becomes a more pleasant experience. You will also become less prone to getting bumps, nicks, and redness.
Soothes and Relaxes: A skincare routine that includes anti-inflammatory and hydrating ingredients helps soothe the complexion after shaving, speed up healing, and reduce irritation. Following a routine is also a relaxing experience that men may enjoy.
FAQs
At what age should men start skincare?
It’s important for anyone, man or woman, to begin a regular skincare regimen as early as the age of 20. This is to ensure optimal skin health, and strong protection from UV rays, and to reduce the risk of premature aging. Men’s skin care needs somewhat differ and require a unique routine.
Why should men have skincare routines?
For a healthy complexion, men need to follow a routine of cleansing and exfoliating the pores, keeping the skin hydrated, and replenishing collagen levels that decline over time. Men have oilier skin and often have dryer complexions. In this case, products such as the best facial cleanser for men and deeply hydrating moisturizers are necessary.
Are there specific skincare concerns that men commonly face?
Yes, there are specific men's skin care issues. For example, they produce higher levels of sebum and have oilier complexions. Men develop wrinkles later than women, but when they do, the lines tend to appear deep. In addition, many men shave daily which makes them more prone to skin irritation.
Do men need facial skin care?
Yes, a facial skincare routine for men twice daily starting at age 20 is very important. The skin in different parts of the body, especially facial skin, needs attention and a routine to ensure that it’s cleansed, hydrated, and protected from UV rays.
How can a man get glowing skin?
To get glowing skin, it’s important for men to follow a skincare routine. Men get oilier skin than women, so we recommend cleansing daily and exfoliating twice weekly to remove dead cells and encourage cell turnover. In addition, use the best face moisturizer for men to promote a radiant complexion.
Conclusion
For many men, skin care is considered important to women but not so relevant to them. However, taking care of the skin is just as essential to men as to women for the same reasons such as cleansing, unclogging pores, hydrating, and reducing signs of aging.
Men and women have different skincare issues, so men need to choose products that meet their needs. The Solvaderm skincare line has quality formulation giving you high-potency products including cleansers, eye creams, and the best face moisturizer for men. These products should give you a good head start as you build a daily skincare regimen to keep your skin healthy and rejuvenated.
References
1] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605215/
2] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116811/#bb0175
3] ↑https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1220811/
4] ↑https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23279047/
5] ↑https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5407289/
Melissa Feldman
Melissa Feldman lives in Toronto, Canada and works as an independent research writer. She has undergraduate degrees in both Teaching and Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Immigration. Melissa is skilled at writing compelling articles and producing academic, marketing, and creative content. She writes about a range of lifestyle topics, including health, fitness, beauty and nutrition. She has more than two decades of experience reviewing and editing publications intended for both public and professional audiences.
