For most of society women’s skin has usually been at the forefront when it comes to all things skincare related. Most of the advertising that surrounds skincare commonly focuses on concerns that are targeted towards women. However, nowadays we can see that more and more men are starting to take notice of their skin, and starting to adopt better skincare routines.
In this blog we will discuss everything you need to know about men’s skin, the most common skin concerns that men face and what products are best suited to treating these concerns.
Men’s Skin
You might think that men and women’s skin is much the same, however it’s actually the contrary. Men’s skin is approx. 25% thicker, with higher levels of collagen, and their skin is prone to excess oil and enlarged pores due to differing levels of hormones. Men’s skin also comes with it’s own set of concerns. One of the most common being ingrown hairs and razor burn from frequent shaving.
Despite men having different skin to women, their skin still requires a regular skincare routine that consists of proper cleansing, hydration and nourishment.
Most Common Skin Concerns and How To Treat Them
The most common skin concerns affecting men are usually 3-fold. Genetics, lifestyle, and environment. Genetic factors usually relate to differing hormone levels. Lifestyle factors can be related to diet, exercise and grooming, and environmental factors can mean increased UV exposure.
Here is a list of some of these concerns:
- Ingrown hairs – men genetically have higher levels of testosterone, which usually means denser hair growth. This can increase the risk of hairs becoming trapped in the follicles and causing painful inflammation and infection.
- How to treat: For the treatment of ingrown hairs, it is vital that the skin is being regularly exfoliated of dead skin cells. When skin cells build up on the skin they create a barrier blocking new hairs from exiting follicles. Gently exfoliate the skin using a natural AHA gel-based exfoliant cleanser 1-2 times per week in order to keep the epidermis soft. It is best not to use a scrub as this can be too harsh on irritated and inflamed skin.
- Razor rash – Shaving is a popular aspect of men’s grooming, but unfortunately the constant scraping away of skin can irritate the skin’s natural hydrolipidic barrier leading to inflammation, redness, breakouts and dryness.
- How to treat : It is more important to aim to preventing this issue as opposed to treating it. In order to reduce the risk of razor burn the skin should always been deeply cleansed prior to shaving. A good quality razor is imperative as old, blunt razors can drag the skin, causing irritation. Finally a nourishing shaving cream must be used when shaving to allow for proper glide on the skin, and a hydrating and soothing aftershave balm should be applied to help reduce irritation, rehydrate the skin and rebalance the pH of the skin.
- Acne/oily skin – As discussed previously, men usually have higher levels of testosterone. Testosterone stimulates sebaceous gland activity and can lead to higher levels of oil production. The more oil the skin produces, the higher the risk of congestion in the form of blackheads, pustules and sometimes cysts. More oil also means larger pores.
- How to treat: For oily or acne-prone skin it is important to use products that contain gentle and rebalancing ingredients such as camphor oil, tea tree oil, zinc. The skin also requires deep cleansing morning and night using a gentle cleanser containing natural AHAs from plant extracts. An example of a good cleanser is the CENTELLA Gel Nettoyant containing white hibiscus extract. It is best to use a moisturiser that contains purifying extracts such as zinc, Centella asiatica, fruit acids, camphor and tea tree oil.
- Pigmentation and sun spots – 49% of men don’t use an SPF and are less concerned with sun exposure, even during summer months. This can lead to an array of skin problems, such as pigmentation damage and sun spots. Both men and women should use an SPF 30 from the month of March until October when UV rays are highest.
- How to treat: Wear a broad-spectrum SPF30-50 daily, re-applying every few hours when sun exposed. For the treatment of pigmentation and sun spots, using a cleanser containing natural AHA extracts can gently exfoliate the skin and lighten areas of pigmentation. It is imperative to use an SPF30-50 in combination with any exfoliation of the skin as they skin will be even more vulnerable to UV rays.
- Dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin – A lot of men suffer from dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin, especially as they age. Men are also less likely to cleanse their skin as often as women, and sometimes go without using a moisturiser. This can further exacerbate issues with dryness, dehydration and sensitivity.
- How to Treat: Use products containing natural ingredients that will help to soothe, hydrate and nourish the skin. Ingredients such as Shea butter will nourish and soften the skin, rosehip oil will help to reduce inflammation and sensitivity, and hyaluronic acid will help to boost hydration and alleviate symptoms of dehydration.
So it appears that men face just as much issues surrounding their skin as women do. Although they may face slightly different concerns, they equally need just as much care for their skin. Adopting a regular skincare regime using natural and organic ingredients is important in maintaining the health of the skin and protecting it against some of the issues that can affect men’s skin.
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