Gentlemen, don’t be afraid to show the ladies in your life that vain side of you. They won’t mind. I should know, my guy has been spending time in the spa too, and it has become one of the regular bonding moments we’ve shared for years now.
Do men really care about their skin? In an industry report released by the Euromonitor International earlier in 2016, sales in men’s skincare category are on the rise, with $342 million worth Internet sales alone recorded in 2015. While razors and blades drove the growth, market analysts are expecting all men’s skincare categories to contribute a staggering $21 billion in revenue by the end of this year.
Is there a compelling reason why you should be worried about your skin?
Yes and no. In case you haven’t already noticed, your skin ages more slowly than the ladies in your life even after all those years you’ve been neglecting your skin (shrugs). Some attribute that to your muscle mass and hormones — you’re basically wired to resist skin aging more than we can. That does not, however, give you the excuse to keep adding up to the damage!
Yes, your skin IS different.
Your skin is thicker than a woman’s. To be exact, thicker by as much as 25%. It could be your testosterone that is making you capable of resisting aging caused by environmental and intrinsic stressors, and it could also be because you seem to be less emotional than we are —hmmm. Nevertheless, just as our skin thins out with age, so does yours.
- You age more slowly than women. Unfortunately for us, your naturally high collagen levels allow your skin to recover faster from damage, even with less effort (and creams) you put on your skin.
- You have thicker epidermis than women. Talk about damage protection! Your skin is built to resist environmental causes of skin damage.
- Your skin is structured differently from a woman’s. Your skin is more tightly knit. We can only wish ours was built the same way so we could do away with our cellulite and stretchmark problems.
- Your skin is naturally oily. Again, thanks to your testosterone (shouldn’t ladies been better off with this hormone too?) On the downside, this makes you prone to acne from puberty and well into adulthood.
How to take better care of your skin
So, you may be divided still on whether or not you should get on a skincare routine too —after all, you have your very human nature working to your advantage. If you don’t stop adding to the damage, however, you will be wasting on your advantage. So, here are 7 ways experts agree will help you overcome skin aging:
- Cleanse and tone. It is your acne prone skin’s best protection against pimples and blemishes. I have an older brother who has been acne challenged since his teens. His visits to several dermatologists didn’t seem to help the situation, and our guess was because he was being prescribed a long list of products exclusively manufactured by the clinics he frequented. Only when he started using a cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide and simplified his routine did his acne begin to be tamed. Follow through with an alcohol-free toner to draw out impurities and excess oils.
- Exfoliate. If you insist on being lazy, you can always get professional help. Still, you’re better off doing it yourself. You can always ask your woman if you need help — she will know.
- Shave mindfully. Don’t just pull out your goatee and moustache in any direction you wish! Shave only in the direction of your hair and only after you shower when it’s easier to pull it out.
- Be selective about the products that you are using. Don’t just pick up a product that reads, “For Men”. Make sure you understand fully what benefits it will bring to your skin. Your acne prone skin is also sensitive to harsh ingredients so you’ll want to stay away from sulfates and alcohol containing products as much as possible.
- Moisturize. Your skin will become oilier if you deprive it of moisture. Choose only sheer, lightweight moisturizers to avoid clogging your pores.
- Older men in their mid-30s and beyond need eye cream too. It is usually your eye area that shows signs of aging skin so you should give skin around these parts special attention with an eye cream.
- Use sunscreen. Apply everyday without fail.
Face it! There is nothing too feminine about getting the best skincare you can give your skin.
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Photo: Getty Images
Great post. It’s also good for men to think about and take care of their skin. Big fan of the last point – use sunscreen everyday. Yes the sun does not discriminate by race, age or gender. Everyone needs sun protection – especially as 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. The sun is a leading cause of skin damage and premature skin aging for all people – young and old.