Did you know that men's skin is 20 per cent thicker, 70 per cent more oily, and 40 per cent more sweaty than women's skin? Case in point; a skin care routine for men is not a luxury, it's a necessity. After all, acne, fine lines, wrinkles, premature ageing, and hyperpigmentation, aren't bound by gender. Curating a skin care routine for men entails finding the right products and ingredients that work for your skin type while addressing your concerns. Now, there are two ways in which you can do this: dive deep and do your own research, or trust the women to guide you (because we've done plenty of research). Either way, here's our comprehensive guide to the ultimate skin care routine for men!, handpicked by women...because when it comes to skin, we do know best!
01Understanding Men’s Skin
"Men's skin, particularly the dermis (the deepest layer of skin) is around 20-25 per cent thicker than women's skin," explains consultant dermatologist, Dr Manasi Shirolikar. "They also have more active sebaceous glands and more visible pores due to a higher androgen level in their bodies, and produce more sebum than a woman would." Adding to this, Dr Madhuri Agarwal, MD, founder of YAVANA Aesthetics, states that environmental exposure, stress levels, and testosterone hormones also impact men's skin, which is what makes it different from women's skin. Contrary to popular belief, however, men don't require separate products. A skincare routine for men should instead include products catered to their skin's type and needs.
02Skin Care For Men: Common Skin Concerns
Men tend to face excess oil production and therefore deal with skin concerns such as acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and clogged and enlarged pores. Due to shaving as well, razor burns, ingrown hair, irritation and inflammation are also common occurrences. "Also, while men may show signs of ageing later in life, they are visible in the form of saggy skin, dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles, their appearance and skin's deterioration accelerate," adds Dr Shirolikar.
03Skin Care For Men: The Routine
Cleanse - Start your skin care routine for men by opting for a gentle face wash for men that suits your skin type — remember to wash your face twice a day. Look for cleansers that contain active ingredients so that you can target the required skin concerns. "Avoid bar soaps," warns Dr Agarwal. "You can also use chemical exfoliants that contain salicylic acid or glycolic acid once a week." This helps exfoliate the skin, remove dead skin cells, cleanse clogged pores, and so much more! Treat - This can be in the form of a face serum and/or a moisturiser. Opt for an ingredient-focused approach—look for ingredients that help target your concerns. When it comes to your moisturiser, Dr Agarwal recommends using a gel-based formula if you have oily skin and a lotion if you have dry skin. Tatcha Water Cream Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser Ingredients To Look Out For
- Acne and oily skin: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, and retinoids, that help with oiliness, unclogging of pores, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne - Ren Ready Steady Glow AHA tonic
- Shaving-triggered issues: Centella Asiatica, aloe vera, and niacinamide, to soothe the skin - Lakme 9 to 5 Naturale Aloe Aqua Gel
- Dryness: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane - Pond's Hydra Light Hyaluronic Acid Complex 2% Serum
- Ageing related: Retinoids, peptides, and vitamin C. - Dermalogica Biolumin-C Eye Serum Brightening Vitamin C Serum With Chia Seed Oil and Pond's Youthful Miracle Serum Protect - Of course, even a skin care routine for men isn't complete without SPF. Always remember to protect your skin with copious amounts of sunscreen. Apply it to your face, neck, ears, and other exposed areas! "Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 and PA+++ daily at least once every morning even indoors," suggests Dr Agarwal. And, don't forget to reapply your sunscreen every two hours of sun exposure.
04Bonus: Beard Care
For many, beard care is a part of any skin care routine for men. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most neglected! Here are some expert-approved beard and skin care tips for men that one should be extremely mindful of.
- Frequently use a beard shampoo or cleanser to thoroughly clean your beard.
- If you have oily or acne-prone skin, avoid using beard oil.
- Avoid using thick creams, waxes, or heavy oils on your beard. These can cause buildup in the hair follicles, which in turn causes breakouts.
- If you do want to nourish and condition your beard, use a beard moisturiser or balm to do so.
- Always sterilise your grooming tools before use.
- Get frequent trims of your beard — this helps keep hair loss and frizz at bay. It also allows you to keep an eye on the skin beneath your beard.
- Lastly, opt for a diet low in sugars and high glycemic foods as it will help control breakouts.
05Skin Care For Men
Skin is skin, so why the disparity with gender? A skin care routine for men doesn't require an extensive 10 or 12-step process, but neither does it follow the 'one-product-fits-all' approach. With the right CTP routine by your side, maintaining healthy skin from within and keeping all the unnecessary woes at bay couldn't be simpler.
