I really love the fact that men are starting to make a conscious effort to look after their skin. However some men would really like a good and easy skin care regime but just don't know where to start.
A simple quick routine will help to reduce those unsightly blackheads as well as creating smoother looking and brighter skin.
Here are TOB's 5 skincare tips specifically for men:
Cleansing your skin is the perfect way to remove excess oils in the morning. Men tend to love facial washes as they are easy to use and are refreshing.
Some cleansers have exfoliating agents called AHA's or/and BHA. These are amazing for those who get lots of blackheads or those who experience ingrown hairs. As you cleanse, this type of cleanser will exfoliate the skin and help to refine large pores. Please note that exfoliating cleansers may cause irritation on sensitive prone skin. This cleanser is perfect for men with oily skin.
Simply apply 1 pump of your chosen cleanser on to wet hands and massage into face for 30 seconds. Then rinse off.
Cleansing can be applied both morning and night.
Some great exfoliating cleansers are SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, Medik8 betaCleanse and Aspect Purastat 5.
Examples of non-exfoliating cleansers include Synergie Ultracleanse, Waterlily Lime Tea Purifying Gel Cleanser, and Aspect Gentle Clean Cleanser.
Facial washes without AHA's can be used as an alternative to shaving creams and can reduce the chance of irritation.
After cleansing reapply the facial wash to your shaving areas. Allow the cleanser to soak into your skin for one minute and then shave as normal.
One of our most popular products for shaving is the Waterlily Lime Tea Purifying Gel Cleanser. My husband has been using this cleanser for a few years now, replacing his regular shaving cream. Not only did it reduce the amount of irritation he would get in the neck area, he loves the smoothness of his skin afterwards and also loves the fresh aroma.
Use a toner on areas that are oily and congested. There are toners on the market that are designed to reduce oiliness and pore size by refining the skin. A good example of this one is the Synergie Evapore8 or the Cosmedix Purity Balance. Just add a small amount to a cotton wool disc and apply to the relevant areas.
A Vitamin B3 serum can be used as a moisturiser . The active ingredient Niacinamide helps to regulate oil control, hydrate and strengthen the skin. Aspect Extreme B or Synergie Vitamin B Serum are ideal.
Oil-free moisturisers are also beneficial for men's skin. Some contain calming ingredients that would be perfect to use after shaving. Their job is to hydrate without adding extra oil to the skin. Some examples of oil-free moisturisers include Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum, Synergie Hydrogel and Waterlily Papaya and Ylang Hydrating Gel Infusion.
Men are just as prone to sun damage as women are. In fact the Melonoma Institute states that compared to women, men are 2.5 times likely to die from a melonoma. see http://www.melanoma.org.au/understanding-melanoma/melanoma-facts-and-statistics/
This may be because some men are not identifying unusual moles on their skin, or simply forget to apply sun protection. All men should use sun protection on a daily basis. Yet many men feel that sunscreens are just too oily.
However there are sunscreen formulated to help reduce oiliness too: Cosmedix Reflect and Centella Sun Protection Cream are perfect for this.
For those who want sun protection with a built in moisturiser, Aspect Hydra Shield and Synergie Uberzinc have this dual action effect.
The sporty man will love Aspect Dry Touch. It is non-greasy and waterproof for up to 4 Hrs with an SPF50.
Together with Aspect Skincare we have designed the Men's Survival Kit suited to three different skin types. Oily,dry and sensitive. These kits are perfect for men who would like to start a skincare routine.
If you require more advice on men's skincare, please contact Marisa on sales@timeoutbeauty.com.au
