A Man’s Guide to Skin Care

Skin care is not synonymous with gender. Rashes, irritation, acne, dull and dry skin – it can happen to the best of us.

There is no reason why men should care any less than women about their skin health. The reality is that, regardless of your gender, you owe it to yourself to take care of your skin.

Creating a skin care routine can be intimidating, considering all the different products out there to choose from, ranging from cleansers to moisturizers. That said, it’s a lot less scary when you start small.

As much as these products can change your routine forever, before investing in trendy products, invest in the basics. Start with some simple habits to integrate skin care into your daily routine.

Don’t let all the products on the shelves distract you. These are some essential habits every man needs to integrate into their routine:

Exfoliate: For Smooth Complexion

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, which leaves your complexion looking brighter and smooth, and prevents your pores from getting clogged. That said, there are many ways you can exfoliate.

You can exfoliate with scrubs and even certain face masks. Yes, despite what many may think, face masks are not only for women – they are for men too!

Men love the detoxifying hydrogel mask from Erno Laszlo that exfoliates your face by removing dead skin cells and brightens your complexion with powerful anti-oxidants.

Exfoliating can not only brighten your complexion; it can reduce any fine lines too! It’s a multi-purpose habit that will make a world of a difference when integrated into your routine. It’s important to note, however, that over-exfoliating can cause irritation. Try to limit your exfoliating to twice week.

Cleanse: For Clean Skin

Cleansing is an effective way of getting rid of the excess dirt and oil that has built up on your face over the day. By keeping your face clean, you are preventing this build up from settling in your pores and triggering breakouts.

GQ suggests cleansing your face twice a day – when you wake up, and before you go to bed.

Moisturize: For Softness

Dry skin is uncomfortable. It’s itchy, can manifest as a rash, and is overall something that you can avoid. It’s important for men to moisturize their face twice a day to keep it hydrated and smooth.

Moisturizers contain nutrients and vitamins that not only soften your skin but protect it from environmental factors known to dry out your complexion. Unlike exfoliating, the more you moisturize the better.

Oils: For Beards & Shaving

It’s no secret that as a man, you can grow a lot of facial hair. If you are going to commit to a beard or mustache, it needs to be taken care of. Integrate some beard care products into your skin care routine. Invest in a beard oil that will soften and condition your facial hair to reduce dryness and boast a shine you can be proud of.

When you go shave to groom your facial hair, it’s important to prepare your skin with a shave oil that will protect it from razor bumps, burns, and ingrown hairs.