Yes, guys can have nice skin too! 

Soft and healthy skin was once considered women’s business in Western culture, but thankfully that is changing. You don’t have to be a lady to appreciate healthy skin and these days the manliest of mugs often got that way by having a little bit of care. This means that men are totally allowed to have healthy, glowing skin… but because of the rough and tumble past with men expected to be brawny, burly and downright dirty, many men don’t know how to care for their skin. 

Living Dangerously

While some men may want to argue this point, the skin is the largest organ on the body. It gets bombarded on a daily basis from toxins, chemicals, cigarette smoke and more. All of which are bad for the skin and overtime can make it unhealthy. Unhealthy skin will not function as well, just like any organ in the body.  If the skin is left untreated that can cause it to be prone to disease. 

On the reverse side of this topic, healthy skin has the following qualities: 

• Even and clear color
• Smooth and supple, without blemishes
• Elastic rebound and repairs quickly 
• Hydrated without flaking or ashen texture 

There are some people that focus on how their skin looks and that is what prompts them to take care of it.  In doing so, it brings about a more physically appealing look.  Having healthy skin is reason enough to motivate men to take better care of their skin. 

Manly Skin Care Basics

Men have always had a bit of routine for their faces in the morning. Afterall, they have one thing going on that women do not… Facial hair. For men that have beards or mustaches, they know that work is required. However, there is a lot more going on than just hair. 

Just like ladies, the skin on the face requires special attention to stay healthy. Afterall, it often gets the most sun and has more exposure to things that make skin age. For this reason, men should take some consideration and add a bit more love to their skin to their morning routine especially. 

Guys that strive to have younger looking skin, want to keep it looking fresh, and healthy they also should consider an evening routine as well. Simple routines done in the morning and night will help to keep the skin looking great for years to come. 

Determine Your Skin Type

To get started with a routine for skincare for men, the first step is knowing more about the skin itself. Understanding the skin is the first step in taking care of it. All people have different types of skin including tone and complexion, however the types of skin are broken down into the following categories: 

• Sensitive – Reacts easily to product use 
• Normal – Clear without sensitivities
• Dry – Patchy, flaky and sometimes rough
• Oily – Greasy looking with an extra shine at times
• Combination – Sometimes oily, sometimes dry, sometimes both in different areas

Stock Up on Tools

Just like with any project, tools are needed to get the job done right. Before starting, make sure that there is enough supplies for the task at hand. For skincare there are a number of items that are needed. There is no need to spend a fortune, often the simpler and cheaper skin care products will do the trick. That being said, make sure to pay special attention to the type of products and make sure that it is designed for the correct kind of skin.

Cleansers

there are typically two types of cleaning products for the skin. One for the face and one for the body. For individuals with normal skin, sometimes body products will be just fine for cleaning the face when in the shower but it is still smart to have a simple face wash on hand for additional morning or night routines.

Tips

• For specific issues with the skin such as dry or itchy skin, blemishes or even wrinkles, there are specific products that can handle these issues as well. 

• There’s no need to worry about special cleaners for men or women, because at the end of the day skin is skin. 

• For moderate to severe acne, consider consulting a dermatologist for a complete acne treatment since the underlying issue is most likely not going to be caused by dirty skin or clogged pores alone.

Toners

Glycerin is the component and toners that help your skin appear smooth and clear. This should be used each time, after washing. Typically, it is for the face only but if there are issues with patchy discoloration it could be used on any part of the body.

Toner helps to reduce the size of pores which prevents clogging and decreases oil. Additionally, it helps to draw moisture to the skin to keep it hydrated. Using toner regularly allows for a more even complexion. 

Tips

• Apply an even layer using a damp cotton ball or pad for even coverage. 
• Always make sure that skin is clean and clear before applying toner.  If it is not, then dirt can get trapped when the pore size is reduced.

Moisturizer

Like cleansers, moisturizers are often divided between body and facial purposes. Lotions are moisturizing creams that when applied to the skin help to lock in hydration and keep the skin supple. They also are helpful for increasing elasticity and firmness which keeps the skin looking youthful and fresh.

There are a number of moisturizing lotions to choose from on the market and aside from taking skin type into consideration, pay attention to the ingredients. A quality hydrating lotion should be applied to the body once-daily to lock in moisture and to keep the skin supple.

Tips

• Natural oils and cocoa butter are solid choices for when dried or chapped skin and to prevent clogging, consider a water-based formula.
• For the face, it is recommended to use a morning and evening moisturizer. 
• Ideal for morning applications, lotions that include sunscreen of at least SPF 30 can be used on the face.  This not only hydrates but also reduce wrinkles and skin damage. 
• Re-apply lotion with sunblock throughout the day as needed.
• In the evening before bed, apply a thin layer of nighttime moisturizer after washing and leave on while sleeping to help heal and restore the skin.

Shaving Creams and Aftershave

Men with facial hair are smart to invest in shaving cream and aftershave to keep the skin healthy between shaving. A quality cream brushed over the hair before shaving will help to reduce razor burn and keep the skin protected. 

Tips

• Always shave in the direction that your hair grows rather than against it to avoid ingrown hairs.
• Men with curly facial hair should consider a defoliant to prevent ingrown hairs. 
• Avoid using toners and aftershave at the same time. Consider using aftershave when shaving, then skip the toner application during the following cleaning so that the skin does not get too dried out. 

Deep Cleaning 

Every now and then it is a good idea to deep clean the skin. The tools for this are not designed to be used everyday, but rather on a weekly or monthly basis.

Pore Uncloggers

Commonly known as pore strips, these are pieces of paper with adhesive on them that when applied to the face with a bit of water will pull out blackheads. They are most commonly used on the nose or T-Zone sections.

Charcoal

Charcoal cleansers and masks can be used to remove debris, pollutants and excess dirt from the skin.

Loop Extractor

This tool is designed to remove white and black heads or to pop pimples without causing infection.

Routine for Clean

While there are cleansing systems and products out there, most of them include the tools above.Some specific skin care systems claim to be effective because of the way the instructions to apply state.  They do not include the benefits that the tools that are sold with the system bring to the table. This is because with these systems, they require application at certain times and reinforce daily cleansing routines.

Body Cleansing

The skin needs to be cleaned, to some degree, everyday. depending on skin type this might mean a full shower everyday and for others it may mean something more of a sponge bath in order to reduce drying and itchiness. Either way some care should be paid every day.

Facial Cleansing

Believe it or not, some people simply don’t know how to wash their face properly.  Soap and water alone should be avoided because it dries out the skin and can leave an invisible film. This is especially bad for the face which has sensitive skin around the eyes and lips and sometimes nose. 

The simple formula for facial cleaning includes:

1. Cleansing
2. Shaving or applying toner
3. Moisturizing

For facial cleansing follow the directions on the facial cleanser. This will usually include washing with warm water and a washcloth. It is important not to rub the skin dry, but rather to gently pats in an upward motion. This will help to keep the face hydrated, avoid tearing pores which can cause additional blemishes, and to reduce pore size.

After cleansing, toners and moisturizers should then be applied. Finally, one last note concerning men’s faces, is that shaving should be done after cleansing the face. Many men will shave first and clean afterwards, but this can cause clogged pores and excessive dryness. Consider cleansing and then shaving. When aftershave is used, replace the toning step if the cleaning process. 

A Final Step to Ensure Healthy Skin

One last tip for a well-rounded skincare regime is paying attention to what you eat and staying hydrated.  Food provides the essential minerals and nutrients to keep skin healthy and water is essential for hydration and elasticity.  Consider a daily supplement that includes all of the needed nutrients, minerals and vitamins for men. They will provide the essential building blocks for the body which includes the largest organ that is the skin. Additionally, be sure to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water on a typical day and increase water intake when it is excessively dry or hot out. Between a regular cleaning machine and paying attention to a healthy diet, every man can have healthy looking skin.