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5 Mistakes Men Keep Making While Caring For Their Skin
The 5 most-common mistakes guys make while caring for (or, ignoring, in some cases) their largest organ: their skin!
September 17, 2014
3 min to read
If you were to ask the guy in your life what skincare products he uses on his face, chances are high that he simply doesn't use anything--other than, maybe, bar soap.
In a study produced in Men’s Grooming Consumer Report, 75 percent of men ages 18 and up are not currently using any facial skincare products.
The study states that the perception of facial products being too "girly" could possibly be deterring men from using skincare--unless, of course, acne is concerned, in which case the reports suggests men may feel more comfortable caring for that ailment.
“Our skin is our largest organ and we need to feed our skin the way we feed our bodies,” says Dr. Sanjiv Saini of MD Dermatology, with locations in Edgewater and Lexington Park, Maryland. “Unfortunately, many men are washing their face with a bar of soap and rushing out the door. This isn’t the way to keep your skin healthy.”
Here are 5 mistakes men make while caring for their skin:
MISTAKE #1 Bar Soap. Bar soap contains binders to hold soap together and has a higher pH balance than products that are specifically designed for the face, therefore leading to dry skin. Dry or dehydrated skin is bad for the long-term health and look of skin. If he has normal to dry skin, he may prefer a milk-, lotion- or cream-based cleanser. If he has normal to oily skin, he may prefer a foaming or gel cleanser.
MISTAKE #2 Bad Razors. Avoid cheap razors. He should choose a razor that fits his skin’s sensitivity and beard coarseness. A moisturizing shaving gel is key to providing a barrier of protection, so he shouldn't be shy about using a quality product. Keep in mind that facial hairs are much softer after using warm water, so he should splash warm water on the areas where he will shave.
MISTAKE #3 Skipping After-Shave. Using after-shave hydrates and soothes, as well as sealsthe skin after a shave. Be sure he purchases an alcohol-free after-shave as alcohol dries the skin.
MISTAKE #4 Not Moisturizing Daily. Keeping skin hydrated makes it look and feel healthy as well as slows down the aging process. Look for a moisturizer with vitamins and antioxidants, such as Co-Q10 and green tea. Antioxidants protect skin from free radical damage, which in turn slows down aging.
MISTAKE #5 Skipping Sunscreen. Use a physical sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher daily. Men who don’t use sunscreen increase their risk of getting sun damage, which can result in redness, irritation, extra blood vessels, brown spots, wrinkles and skin cancer.
Pro Tip: “It’s essential to use a cleanser at night to wash away the dirt and oils of the day. Then use an alcohol-free toner to balance skin’s pH balance. Finally, use a night cream with peptides to leave skin looking younger,” Saini says. “Skin cells do their repair work most effectively at night. It’s vital to take care of your face now by taking precautions with sunscreen and the right cleanser. You only get one chance to keep your skin healthy!”
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