men’s skin care made simple
September 22, 2006 by Cash
Let’s face it, many men shy away from proper skin care because they think it’s either too complicated or too expensive.
Men might also think using ‘let’s face it’ in a post about skin care is a horrible pun, but these men are wrong. Bow before my brilliance.
The truth is, there are really only three simple steps that need to be followed to take better care of your skin, and the products required need not be expensive.
Step 1 : Cleanse
Obviously, keeping oil and dirt off your face is essential to reduce break outs and give your skin the opportunity to breathe and remain healthy. For this reason, you should be using a mild cleanser every other day.
I personally use Zirh’s “Clean” (reviewed by Glenn here) but there are plenty of less costly alternatives in your local grocer’s shaving aisle. Just be sure to choose something designed for men, as our skin is quite different than that of a woman.
Some products to consider:
- Gillette Complete Skincare Cleansing Wash (under $10)
- Nivea for Men Purifying Face Wash (under $10)
- Zirh Clean ($16)
- Aveda Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser ($28)
Step 2 : Exfoliate
No matter how much cleansing you do, your skin’s natural cycle of death and rebirth will continue. This means that dead skin cells are building up on your face, and need to be cleared away to make room for the new, healthy cells.
For this to occur, you need to use an exfoliator every other day. An exfoliator is basically a more forceful cleaner that can clear away debris such as dead skin cells.
Shaving with a traditional razor blade is perhaps the best exfoliator, but obviously it doesn’t take care of the rest of your face. For that purpose, here are some products to consider:
- Nivea for Men Energizing Face Scrub (under $10)
- Zirh Scrub ($16)
- Jack Black Face Buff Energizing Scrub ($17)
Step 3 : Moisturize
Keeping your skin moisturized is essential for keeping it healthy. The sun, wind, and dry air take its toll and can result in premature wrinkles, discoloration and even cancer. Using a moisturizer with an SPF rating of at least 15 in the morning, and before bed can help protect against the elements and keep you looking younger longer.
Some products to consider:
- Gillette Complete SkinCare Facial SPF 15 Moisturizer (under $10)
- Nivea for Men Revitalizing Lotion Q10 (under $10)
- Zirh Defend ($30)
- Jack Black Face Moisturizer ($26)
Additional tips:
- Using an eye cream, such as Zirh’s Restore ($26) can help reduce the appearance of bags and wrinkles, especially after a late night
- Washcloths can be damaging to skin. Try Aveda’s Shammy Cloth ($9 for approximately 6 cloths) instead.
- If you are concerned about aging (and we all should be) consider adding a daily anti-aging treatment to your regimen. Zirh’s Rejuvenate ($43) and Nivea for Men’s Active Firming Lotion (under $10) are two choices.
Shop Online:
Technorati Tags: skin care, acne treatment, zits, blemishes, easy skin care, men’s skin, men’s skin care, men’s health
Good tips!
I also use a toner after cleansing the skin. Definitely worth a try if you don’t have one in the mix.
One thing about finding a good moisturizer is finding one that won’t make you break out. You have to find one for your skin type (oily, normal, dry). Just a little piece of advice
GREAT point raquel. If you have friends that have had success with a particular product, it might makes sense to try a bit of theirs before paying for something that might give you a bad reaction (break outs, etc).
Sadly, most stores don’t have ’samples’ available of these items, although you could always try their websites and or customer service phone numbers to request a sample direct from the company.
I think overall, men’s skin tends to be more resilient to product and therefore this isn’t as big of a deal as it is for women, but it’s still something to consider.
Is that a typo to only use the cleanser every other day?
Today a cleanser, tomorrow the exfoliator.
The exfoliator can be considered a ’super cleanser’ and there’s no reason you have to use both on the same day.
I’m a fan of Neutrogena’s line for men. Exfoliators, oil-free face cleansers, post-shave lotions… it’s all pretty good, and around $6-7 per product. Just be sure to smell one before you buy… they all have a similar scent and it can be overwhelming to some.
…Men’s skin care needn’t make you a girly man?…
Men face a tough challenge when it comes to skin care. Usually, they feel that either the products required are too complicated, or they’re too expensive. You can’t just grab and use whatever your significant other uses; those products aren’t for…
Tim, thanks for the comment; I have in fact used Neutrogena’s line in the past as well and it’s very good. I forgot about it when writing the article.
I have found no better exfoliator than the one from “The Art of Shaving”. Zirh’s is nice too and probably cheaper. In fact I have found no better shaving products all around than those produced from The Art of Shaving. They are pricey but well worth it. Also, using the exfoliant on shaving days is a sure fire way to a super clean and close shave. I follow up with a cold damp towel before the after shave cream to get the pores closed again.
I was going to ahead and pick up some Zirh products but none of the local drug stores carry it (Rite-Aid, Eckerds, CVS). Any brick and mortar retailer that has these?
SMango, I know here in Denver it’s available @ Foley’s.
[...] Truth be told though, an excellent addition to any man’s skin car arsonal should be an occasional facial. A facial is more than a luxury–it’s hygiene for the skin,” says Nina Curtis, aesthetician and founder of The Nile Institute skin-care center in Beverly Hills, California. As the largest organ in the body, our skin is in a constant state of renewal, shedding dead skin cells every 28 days Facials help remove this dead-cell buildup, rejuvenate the skin and help it function properly, says Curtis, who adds that without this step, your skin can look dull or break out. [...]
[...] Urban Monarch is currently featuring me as their newest friend, and I must say that I’m honored. I’ve covered quite a few of their posts, including Men’s Skin Care Made Simple, How To Save Money At The Bar, and How To Become A Regular, and I’m constantly impressed by the quality of the stuff that they put out. Described as a perpetual project to help men become better men, Urban Monarch defines an urban monarch as someone who is masculine, evolved, liberated, ubiquitous and savvy. If you haven’t yet checked them out, head on over there and see what they’re all about, because the machine of evolution for the modern man must roll on. [...]