Do you have a skincare routine?

If you are a guy, do you have a skincare routine? Here is why you need one, regardless of whether you are male or female.

Skincare routines look like activities for women past a certain age to do, but it is important for men as well. It is simpler than many people think, and there is no need for the use of complicated creams or multiple steps that simply confuse you along the way. The skin will be at its best when you take care of it properly, even though it has suffered an injury before.

The secret to having a good complexion is taking care of your skin, and having a proper routine is very important because the skin is the largest barrier that takes care of the body. Otherwise, you are more prone to infections if you do not take care of it. Proper skincare routines do not consist of much, other than cleansing, moisturizing, and protection.

Cleansing

This is the most obvious step. Just because you use some water and a face towel, it does not mean that your skin is clean. Water alone cannot remove the pollutants, bacteria, dead cells and excess sebum that the skin collects every day.

You need to wash your face at least twice a day and after you sweat – that means even post workout routines are included. After you break out a sweat and before you sleep, make sure to use a gentle cleanser.

The cleanser you use will depend on your skin type – whether it is oily, dry, sensitive or normal skin. Use warm water when beginning to cleanse, or take a shower, since this will open the skin pores and make the cleaning process more effective.

For the cleanser itself, you can use a small amount – just dime size. You do not need to use a lot of cleanser for your face, particularly because the products are expensive in the long-term, and also because the skin only needs a little at a time to become clean. A word of caution though – avoid using soap to cleanse, because most soaps have chemicals that are too harsh on the face.

Lather the face for half a minute through rubbing in a circular motion. Do not pull your skin down, unless you want an onset of early loosening of skin and wrinkles due to gravity.

After you do this, rinse the skin with cool water. This will have the effect of closing the pores, and therefore stop any oils and dirt from entering and blocking the pores. To dry the skin, pat it dry (do not rub) because this will discourage premature wrinkles due to skin stretching.

For further cleansing, you should include a face scrub that exfoliates the skin, either once or twice a week. This will stop dead cells from accumulating in the skin and making your complexion duller than it should be. In addition, do not use scrubs more than twice a week because that can dry your skin severely.

The good news is that regular cleansing will keep your skin clean, and will reduce the chances of dull complexion problems or get breakouts on your face.

Moisturizing

Again, the same amount as the cleanser should be used. It has several benefits on your skin – it keeps the skin moisturized and looking good, stops the skin from producing excess oil, and prevents the onset of the signs of aging.

You can use the anti-aging cream as a supplement to your moisturizer, especially for areas like the eyes and forehead. There are also eye creams that specifically tighten the skin around the eyes, resulting in a reduction of puffiness and eye bags.

In addition, in case you will be out in the sun for more than thirty minutes, always make sure you apply sunscreen – preferably SPF30 or higher. Your skin still needs protection against damage from UV rays, so make sure you are giving it a fighting chance.

According to dermatologists, here are some additional ways men can take care of their skin:

Thinking about product ingredients

Not all skin products are created equal, and you should consider your skin type when looking for products to use.

For instance, if you have skin that is prone to acne, the problem is the clogging of pores, so look for products that have non-comedogenic or oil-free labels because they will not clog. If you have sensitive skin, always search for products free of fragrance, as the products with fragrances will simply irritate the skin. However, on that note, do not go for products with ‘unscented’ labels, because many of them do contain masking fragrances that will still irritate the skin.

Washing the face on a daily basis

We cannot stress this enough – do not use bar soap to wash your face. It contains harsh ingredients, which will dry the skin. Always use a facial cleanser – it is best to go for a mild one – and lukewarm water (avoid hot water).

Take care during the shaving process

Some men have very sensitive skin that gets easily irritated when they use multi-blade razors. This can particularly happen when the blade shaves too close to your skin, or it works too well.

In case you experience these issues, in addition to other effects such as ingrown hairs, razor burns or razor bumps, you should choose a double-blade or single-blade razor. In addition, avoid stretching the skin as you shave, as it can lead to more injuries.

Before the shaving process begins, the hair and skin to make it softer, use a moisturizing shaving cream (there are various varieties you can purchase) and always shave in the direction of hair growth. After each swipe, rinse the razor, and to minimize the extent of irritation you can change the blade after five shaves.

Final thoughts

Skincare routines are not just for women – even men can join the bandwagon too, and have skin that has a healthy glow and ages slowly. It is important to take care of it as early as you can, and maximize the benefits of guarding your health – after all, the skin is the main barrier your body has against infection.