I was quite hesitant as to whether or not post this. Why? Because when I say “basics” I mean basics. Most of you will think “Daniel…we know this!” However, recently I came across guys (and ladies #notkidding) who didn’t have a skincare regimen, believing that an occasional grease with expired moisturizer will do! Well, it won’t. Nowadays, men’s grooming is on the rise and we should all memorize those three magical words: cleanse, tone, moisturize. (Repeat after me: “cleanse, tone, moisturize“)
First off: Your Skintype
Know what you are made off, meaning you should know whether your skin is normal, dry, oily, combination and/or sensitive:
- Normal skin is just that – nothing particularly out of the ordinary
- Dry skin is prone to flakiness, feels often tight and usually develops rough patches
- Oily skin means that you are the shiny one among your buddies – your face produces more oil, especially around your T-zone (forehead and nose)
- Combination skin? Lucky you. It’s a mix of all the above
- Sensitive skin reacts with redness and itching
Once you have determined your skintype, you’re able to find products most suitable to your skin’s needs as most skincare products are tailored to a specific skintype.
For Starters: A Three-step Skincare Routine for Men
Yes, as simple as that. You are new to skincare? Let me assure you that you don’t need fancy serums and expensive gadgets . YET 😉 Don’t get me wrong, we will get to these things later in upcoming posts. However, before we do that I want to make sure we have a solid foundation to build on.
Step 1 – Cleanse
Most of us are not fortunate enough to have skin that is able to naturally achieve a perfect pH balance. Thus, every skincare regimen should start off with a cleanser. It’s your basic face wash that removes excess oils and dirt from your pores. Although the process itself is incredibly simple, many guys wash their face ineffectively. In order to avoid this, simply wet your face with warm water to help open up the pores and loosen dead skin. Take a small amount of your cleanser, lather, and start massaging your face and neck in small circles. If you have facial hair, get in there as well before rinsing it off with warm water. Make sure to really get it all off as cleanser/soap residue can clog your pores and be a major trigger for breakouts. Rinse again with cold water to minimize the appearance of your pores.
Step 2 – Tone
This step is often overlooked in a guy’s skincare routine. Sill, toner contain active ingredients that remove the last bits of dirt, refreshen your skin and minimize the appearance of pores. Apply by soaking a cotton pad with a little bit of toner and swipe it gently over your face. Since razor burns are one of the most common problems with men’s grooming, use a soothing shaving tonic after your shave to leave your skin less irritated.
Step 3 – Moisturize
Now – as a final step in your skincare routine – apply a daytime / night time moiturizer (yes, you do have to do this before you go to bed, too #sorrynotsorry). A daytime moiturizer is essential as it builds a protective barrier. Unless you are on the way to a photoshoot, make sure your moisturizer comes with SPF to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Your night time moisturizer will probably be “richer”, feeling heavier on your skin. This is completely normal and helps your skin regenerate and replenish itself over night when you are asleep.
Keep Going
And that’s it. Easy peasy, huh? Like many things in life, skincare stands and falls with resilience. It’s called “routine” for a reason you know… So just keep at it and you will soon be rewarded with great looking skin.
This article originally appeared on HisUrbanEsprit.com.
