Up Your Skincare Routine

While women can have endless supplies of skincare products to keep their skin healthy and beautiful, men have things a little easier it seems.

It may seem like a myth but it’s scientifically proven that men have less skin problems such as discoloration or age spots and have thicker facial skin than women. This means that unlike their female counterparts, many men may find it easy to get by on the bare minimum when it comes to skin grooming and still look great.

A good example is music star Gazza, who says he doesn’t particularly take special care of his skin, be it by way of skincare products or through his diet.

“I just use normal soap which I don’t even know the name of because my wife buys all that,” he admits.

Another gentleman with surprisingly good skin that’s clearly a result of good luck and good genes is Reginaldo Marcelino. Although he is very fashion forward, Reginaldo says that when it comes to skin care routines, his is basically non-existent. “All I do right now is make sure that I use a moisturiser that contains sunscreen,” he said, however admitting that he is ready to start taking better care of his skin.

With men having thicker skin than women, it makes them less likely to be sensitive to ingredients in facial cleansers and moisturisers, says dermatologists.

What makes men’s skin even better is the fact that very few men wear make-up which usually translates to a simpler routine in skincare.

To take care of your skin, find the right products that work well for your specific skin type and if you’re not sure what yours is, a dermatologist or retail assistants in cosmetics stores will readily inform you.

As men, the odds may be placed in your favour in terms of skincare but that doesn’t mean there aren’t those who experience skin sensitivity which requires extra care. Askmen.com has practical solutions for getting better skin, including essential daily tasks that are vital. Daily cleansing, moisturising and protection go a long way to give you well balanced skin that’s healthy and well protected from harsh elements such as the Namibian sun.

Shaving poses challenges for men’s facial skin especially for those who have curly or kinky hair. Webmd.com lists irritation and razor bumps as other big problems which pose problems for men’s skin. These problems are not the end of the world though as good face care with the right products can reduce harsh bumps and pimples caused by shaving.

Choosing the right cleanser and the form in which it comes is not a tough task. For normal to oily skin, liquid cleansers are ideal. Soap bars tend to dry out the skin so it’s best to opt for those which contain moisturisers like glycerin, vitamin E oil, olive oil or jojoba oil.

Oily skin is prone to acne which is caused by excess oil that clogs pores. To treat oily skin, opt for liquid cleansers containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid or benzyl peroxide. These exfoliating agents help remove dead skin and allow for deep cleansing of pores.

Some men can get away with only using soaps which contain moisturiser, others are not that lucky. After cleansing, moisturising is key. This step in the skincare routine assists in removing dead skin and helps in keeping pores from clogging. Normal skin requires a light lotion that’s less oily while dry skin requires a thick cream. With oily skin, a toner and gel are ideal.

Celebs like Pharrell Williams, Kevin Hart and Sean Combs are known for their dedication to caring for their skin. Sean Combs told Into The Gloss that he has so many different toiletries that “every night is a different experience”.

Kevin Hart told BET “I use La Mer scrub and after I use the scrub, I use the wash. Then, I use a hot towel to clean it off. After I take it off, I then take a replenishing moisturiser and put that on my face. And I cover that with a sealant”. Pharrell admits to have consulted a dermatologist who advised him to follow a routine that includes Glytone self-foaming cleanser, a clearing toner and moisturiser.