Men’s Skin Care Comes of Age

Rugged men don’t care anything about skin care, do they?

Well, actually, they do – and the proof is in the market today, illustrated in the soaring sales of men’s skincare products. In 2021, Global Industry Analysts, Inc., predicted that the global men’s skincare products market could reach $16.3 billion by 2026 – that’s a billion with a “b”.

While men tend to gravitate toward simplicity in their daily routines, they also want to maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin. The high demand for men’s skincare products shows how strongly men have accepted the challenge of achieving an advanced level of skin care.

Do men need their own lines of skincare products?

Because men produce more collagen and sebum (oil) than women, men’s skin tends to be thicker and oilier than their female counterparts. The increase in collagen and sebum makes it difficult for some skincare ingredients in women’s products to be effective on a man’s skin.

How can men select the best care routine for their skin?

To select appropriate skin care products, men should first identify their skin type, which can be one of the following:

• Normal, clear, and relatively oil-free skin
• Oily skin and acne-prone skin that is shiny and greasy
• Dry skin that is flaky, itchy, and rough
• Sensitive skin that may sting or burn after product use
• Combination skin, which is dry in some areas and oily in others

What are the essential elements that men should consider for skin care?

Skincare regimens can be complex, but men should follow a baseline routine to maintain a healthier and more youthful complexion. For the simplest routine, the basic steps of skin care include:

1. cleansing,
2. moisturizing,
3. and exfoliating.

Board-certified dermatologists can recommend products for targeting specific skin concerns that are appropriate for each skin type.

What should men look for in cleansers?

Cleansing is always step one, as removing dirt and achieving clean skin is a must. Men should cleanse their faces every morning and evening to remove the oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that accumulate on the skin’s surface.

Cleansing helps the pores to open and also renews the outer skin to keep it youthful, smooth, and with a radiant appearance. A face wash enables other products to penetrate better into the skin. Cleansers should be both mild and hydrating.

Older men experience decreased cell turnover as they age. A twice-daily face wash can help gently remove this buildup of dead skin cells and reveal a more youthful-looking complexion.

It is important to avoid harsh soaps that can hurt the skin’s protective barrier, damage the skin, and aggravate skin conditions. For your face wash, also strive for fragrance-free products to avoid unwanted chemicals.

How do you choose an effective cleanser?

Pay close attention to product labels and ingredients, and choose cleansers that are appropriate for your skin type and are paraben-free. If you have acne-prone skin, look for oil-free cleansers that won’t clog your pores.

If you have sensitive skin and other skin concerns, use mild products that are fragrance-free, as added fragrances can leave skin feeling irritated and dry.

Some recommended cleansers are formulated with aloe vera, green tea extract, and Camilla leaf extract and are designed to remove debris and impurities while calming and protecting the skin.

What is not recommended as a cleanser?

Avoid bar soap, which can contain harsh ingredients that may dry out the skin. Facial cleansers are specifically formulated for the skin on your face, unlike bar soap and body wash products. You should also ensure that your skincare products are oil-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free.

What are the dangers of parabens?

Parabens are chemical preservatives that are widely used in cosmetic and skincare products. Products with parabens should be avoided because parabens are known to increase:

• Estrogen levels in the body
• Cellular damage related to UV exposure
• Risks to certain cancers
• Skin sensitivity, causing allergic reactions

Is it important to cleanse the face after working out?

Cleansing after a workout is definitely a must, as sweat can mix with dirt and bacteria, clog pores, and cause breakouts. After your workout, use your personal skin care products to cleanse your face. If you skip this step, you run the risk of breakouts and dull skin.

Avoid using the gym’s products since commercial products may not be alcohol-free and paraben-free, and could harm your skin and strip it of moisture.

How often should you apply moisturizers?

In the morning, after the skin is cleansed, apply an oil-free and water-resistant moisturizer with SPF 30+ properties to guard your skin against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Even incidental sun exposure can add up and cause skin damage. At night, after your evening facial cleansing, you can use a moisturizer without sunscreen.

What benefits do moisturizers provide?

Men no longer have to use the same moisturizer products that women do. There are effective moisturizers designed just for men’s skin, and a skincare specialist can recommend the best moisturizer for your skin type.

Moisturizers deliver vitamins and nutrients to the skin, provide deep hydration, and create a barrier to protect the skin from damaging environmental factors such as pollution.

Applying a moisturizer in the morning replenishes moisture lost during sleep, and using a moisturizer at night adds nutrients that help skin cells regenerate as you sleep.

What are exfoliation recommendations for men?

Exfoliating helps to eliminate dead skin cells and to further cleanse your skin. This process also helps to unclog your pores and prevent ingrown hair. Exfoliation will make your skin healthier and help rid your skin of blackheads and/or acne.

Salicylic acid can be used as a pre-shave exfoliant because it is also an anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant that can combat redness and damage.

For various skin concerns, benzoyl peroxide can also be used to rid skin of bacteria that may cause bumps, but it is harsher than salicylic acid and could cause stinging or burning in sensitive skin.

How often should you exfoliate?

Exfoliating once or twice a week is typically recommended. Men’s most straightforward skincare routine is cleaning their facial skin twice daily (morning and evening) and exfoliating twice a week.

Maintaining this skincare routine will help men avoid acne, redness, wrinkles, dark spots, or other typical skincare concerns. Exfoliating before shaving can prevent the razor from clogging with dead skin cells.

What are common skincare concerns that men face?

Shaving often causes men to experience bumpy skin, increased oil (sebum) production, and irritated skin. Dermatologists frequently treat men for razor burns, razor bumps, ingrown hairs, or pimples. An appropriate skincare routine in conjunction with shaving can improve skin and minimize these irritations.

A good shaving cream should contain ingredients that protect and hydrate your skin to minimize irritation and leave your face feeling light and smooth after shaving instead of tight and dry.

How can men lessen the irritating effects of shaving?

For a comfortable shave, rinse the face with warm water to open pores and soften the hairs on your face. Apply the shea butter or a calming shaving cream, and then shave. Rinse the face and wipe away any excess lotion. No matter what shaving cream you use, it should contain ingredients that will protect and hydrate your skin to minimize irritation.

Shave in the direction of hair growth, and after shaving, use an aftershave mist with antioxidant and antiseptic properties to help soothe and protect your skin.

Can shea butter be used as an effective shaving cream?

For men with sensitive skin, applying shea butter as a facial lotion before shaving allows the razor to glide smoothly over facial hair and still provide a close shave. Shea butter also has healing and soothing properties, and helps prevent razor burn and the outbreak of red bumps after shaving.

Is it recommended to apply a serum after shaving?

Applying a serum after shaving can make a big difference in achieving clearer, younger-looking skin. Serums are formulated with high levels of active ingredients (such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and peptides) that work to calm irritations and brighten skin.

What are the specific benefits of Vitamin C and Vitamin E for men?

Vitamin C is an incredible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrient that improves skin tone and texture, hydrates the skin, and reduces signs of aging. Vitamin C serum can brighten your complexion and protect your skin against damage caused by sun exposure and harmful free radicals. 

In addition to vitamin C serum, vitamin E is another antioxidant known for its anti-aging properties. Vitamin E protects skin cells from free radicals, which helps slow down signs of aging, and is often used in sunscreens and daily moisturizers due to its photoprotective properties.

Why is hyaluronic acid an important component of men’s skincare?

Hyaluronic acid is an effective ingredient in many skin care products that can help men erase fine lines and reduce wrinkles. Not only does hyaluronic acid help skin to look younger, but it also replenishes moisture in the skin, repairs skin that has been damaged by UV rays, and rejuvenates the outer layers of the skin for a refreshed appearance. As an anti-aging tool, hyaluronic acid also has antioxidant properties to help protect skin from the elements.

Are there essential oils that are beneficial for facial skin?

Tea tree oil can help soothe dry skin by reducing itching and irritation. It has also been shown to be more effective than zinc oxide and clobetasone butyrate creams in treating eczema. 

The antiseptic properties of tea tree oil contribute to its ability to combat oily skin, and its anti-inflammatory properties help relieve the discomfort of dry, itchy skin. You can add this essential oil to your skincare regimen by mixing 1–3 drops of tea tree oil into your toner, moisturizer, mask, or sunscreen. 

What are other ways to protect your skin?

To avoid sun damage that can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer, it is vital to apply sunscreen daily to all exposed areas of skin, including your scalp, ears, and neck.

For best protection, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and reapply it every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.

A sunscreen product can protect your skin from harmful UV rays that can cause premature aging. Sunscreen products also help maintain an even skin tone and prevent skin cancer.

What should men know about acne?

Acne includes the presence of blackheads, whiteheads, and other types of pimples on the skin. The cause of acne can be traced to the sebaceous glands, which release generous quantities of sebum during adolescence and continue to do so throughout life.

Sweating can aggravate acne, which manifests in men mainly on the face and back. Breakouts on the back often happen in hot weather or after exercising. Shaving bumps on the face can appear to be acne, but ingrown hairs or shaving mistakes are often the real cause.

How can facial acne be treated in men?

Using a gentle washcloth on your skin, wash your face twice a day with cleansers recommended by a board-certified dermatologist. When shaving, use a prescription antibiotic foam that you can mix with your shaving cream to help prevent breakouts.

After shaving, apply a soothing serum, gel, or cream containing benzoyl peroxide, retinol, or salicylic acid to your facial skin. To avoid experiencing shaving bumps, use an electric razor, and don’t shave too closely.

What are the skincare benefits of face masks?

Applying face masks once or twice a week can help remove dead skin cells and excess oil, unclog pores, reduce large pores, fade dark spots, and improve skin texture and tone. 

Masks (such as clay masks, for example) contain active ingredients – such as hydroxy acids, lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid – that can draw out impurities that tend to clog larger pores or irritate the skin. 

Do clay masks work well for all men’s skin types?

Clay masks work well for all men’s skin types – even for men with dry skin because the specially formulated clay allows for the penetration of moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera. 

These masks can help shed dead cells, improve acne, reduce signs of premature aging, and improve circulation, resulting in more youthful, vibrant skin with a radiant appearance.

For men, what causes dark circles under the eyes?

Dark circles under the eyes can occur for various reasons, including lack of sleep, smoking, drinking, genetics, and allergies. 

Sleep seems to be the main culprit, as bags and dark circles tend to appear under the eyes when you don’t get enough sleep.

How can these dark circles be treated?

Dark circles under the eyes are a common problem, and their causes and intensity can vary from person to person. While some eye creams have proven to be effective in treating these dark circles, there is no one-size-fits-all eye cream for this purpose. A dermatologist can prescribe an effective eye cream according to the root cause behind your dark circles.

How can Sofwave™ technology further improve men’s facial skin?

Starting in our mid-20s, we all begin to lose collagen and elastin in our skin, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. Innovative Sofwave™ Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam (SUPERB™) technology uses ultrasound energy that passes through the skin’s surface, heating the mid-dermal tissue at just the precise depth and temperature to rejuvenate collagen fibers—increasing collagen results in an improved overall appearance of the skin. 

How safe is Sofwave™ technology?

Physicians and patients worldwide appreciate the safety features of this advanced Sofwave™ technology, which requires no needles, incisions, or anesthesia to safely restore your skin to a more youthful appearance.

How is this safety achieved?

Sofwave™ ultrasound energy cannot penetrate deeper than 2 mm, thus preventing skin injuries. Additionally, the system’s Sofcool™ cooling mechanism provides safety through real-time skin temperature monitoring, protecting the uppermost skin layer from burning. 

Patients feel only minimal discomfort during the 45-minute procedure. After this procedure, patients are able to return to their daily activities immediately.

Has the U.S. FDA cleared these Sofwave™ treatments?

Sofwave™ SUPERB™ technology is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a non-invasive dermatological aesthetic treatment to improve facial lines and wrinkles, and for lifting eyebrows and lax neck and submental tissue.

Interested in a Sofwave™ procedure?

If you are interested in improving your skin through a Sofwave™ procedure, and would like to find a Sofwave™ practice near you, please contact us!