“Do guys need a skincare routine?” is one of the most commonly googled questions around men’s skincare.
The fact that this is a frequently asked question shows how little we talk about men’s self-care. Guys, if you have skin, you need to take care of it. It’s not just about your appearance or vanity (though, there’s nothing wrong with taking pride in the way you look). Your skin is your body’s largest organ and taking care of it is a good, healthy habit to practice.
What are the staples in any skincare routine?
Cleanser
A cleanser is used to wash your face. You may choose to wash your face with good old fashioned soap and water, but generic bar soaps can strip your skin of moisture, as they have a higher pH than liquid cleansers. Over time, this may cause the skin to look more dull and feel less plump or dry to the touch.
Cleansers help remove grease, sweat and dirt from your skin – hey, we’re not calling you grubby, but it’s natural for dirt to build up from our surroundings. Cleansing your skin properly every day helps minimise the risk of break outs and clogged pores caused by oil build-up. If you have particularly oily skin, opt for a gel cleanser that caters to oil control, such as the Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Gel by Clinique.
Exfoliator
Exfoliating is the process of removing dry/excess skin cells from the top layer of your skin. Exfoliating one to two times a week helps keep your skin feeling silky smooth. It’s also another great habit for preventing breakouts, as it rids the skin of surface debris. If you shave regularly, you may also notice your skin becomes dryer or broken as your hair regrows, breaking through the surface. Exfoliating helps remove this skin.
Traditional exfoliators have particles that feel gritty, to slough off dry skin, but you may find these products too abrasive, especially if you have sensitive skin. Go for an exfoliating liquid toner if you’re concerned about this. The Ultra Facial Toner by Kiehl’s is a popular choice.
Moisturiser
Using moisturiser is like giving your skin a drink. You may find your skin feels more comfortable after applying moisturiser, especially when the weather’s chillier. It may also appear more glowy and youthful with regular moisturising, as dry, dehydrated skin is more likely to show fine lines and signs of ageing.
If you suffer from acne or breakouts, you should still apply a moisturiser. It’s a myth that this causes spots. In fact, when your skin lacks moisture, it may be more likely to over-produce oils to compensate, contributing to breakouts. Simply go for a lightweight moisturiser if you don’t want to use anything too rich, such as Mesoa’s Revitalising Moisturiser.
Does diet make a difference?
Certain foods have been known to cause or exacerbate acne breakouts. Simple carbohydrates and sugary foods are amongst the culprits. These include foods such as chocolate and sweets, white bread and pasta and processed foods such as crisps, crackers and cookies.
Highly processed foods don’t offer much (if any) nutritional value either, so you could try cutting these out of your diet and monitoring your skin’s response. While this is general advice for improving your skin, everyone’s body is different and your skin’s response to your diet is personal to you.
For a more accurate picture of diet’s impact on your skin, keep a food diary and make note of any skin changes in line with your diet choices. If you struggle with food monitoring, don’t reach for the fitness tracking app, simply jot down what you eat (roughly, you don’t need to log every last bite) on pen and paper, without attaching caloric value to your food.
Understanding hormonal acne
Spots or pimples form when there is excess sebum build up on or under your skin. Sebum is an oily substance that’s produced by your sebaceous glands. If this substance is left on the skin (and not cleansed away), it may create a breakout. Your hormones (specifically androgens, including testosterone) stimulate sebum production, which is why a spike in your hormones can result in a skin flare up. Your hormones can spike for a number of reasons, including stress, lack of sleep, poor diet and illness. Living as healthy a life as possible can help stabilise your hormones, but you may be able to get treatment if you’re struggling to manage your hormonal acne.
What to do when your skin doesn’t play ball
Dealing with acne and breakouts can be frustrating, but it’s actually pretty common. 85% of people in the US have experienced acne at some point in their lives. While a good skincare routine and healthy diet can help keep breakouts at bay, there are many lifestyle factors that may affect your skin. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and you would like to explore your medication options, you can begin your online consultation here.