SIMPLY SMOOTH: THE ULTIMATE MEN’S SKINCARE GUIDE

Over the past few years, more and more men have realised the benefits of having an effective and consistent skincare for men routine. However, if this is your first time having one, you may need to know where to start; here is everything you need to know about having a skincare routine.

Know your skin

The first thing you need to do is determine what your skin type is. This will help you determine what type of products you need, as well as what your skincare regime will look like.

Dry

Finding out if you have dry skin is relatively easy. If your skin becomes itchy and irritated in the Winter and doesn’t get much better in the warmer months, you most likely have dry skin. You will require a reasonably heavy-duty moisturiser, like one from Dermalogica, but you do not need to exfoliate that often.

Oily

Oily skin is also relatively easy to determine. If your skin feels greasy for most of the day, no matter the weather or time of year, you most likely have oily skin. You would need a lighter moisturiser, you would exfoliate a couple of times a week, and you may also need a toner.

Combination

Combination skin is determined by looking at your T-zone (the T-shaped area of your nose and above your eyebrows, going on the forehead, as well as your chin). This area of your face will be oily, but your cheeks and upper neck will be fairly dry.

Normal

Normal skin is fairly self-explanatory. Your skin gets a bit dry in the Winter and a bit oily in the Summer, but it adjusts itself depending on the weather, your diet, etc. This type of skin is easy to manage, with a basic skincare routine being sufficient.

Sensitive

Finally, sensitive skin is skin that doesn’t react well to stronger products, items with lots of fragrance, retinol, etc. With sensitive skin, you will need products that are alcohol and fragrance-free and specifically designed for sensitive skin.

Test products

Before you invest in any products, it is best to test as many as you can. Many beauty stores will have professionals who can help you, but this step is important if you think you may have allergies or sensitive skin.

The routine

Now that you know what type of skin you have, as well as what types of products you can and can’t use, it’s time to create your routine. While this can be adjusted and added to, these are the six things you should be doing regularly.

Cleanse

You should wash your face at least two times a day. You want to rid your skin of excess oils and dirt, clean out your pores, and also leave a fresh and clean surface that will allow the other products you use to work better.

It is also important to note that soap isn’t good enough and can also damage your skin. Almost every soap will dry out your skin instead of properly cleaning it, which can cause dryness or breakouts if you overcompensate with moisturiser.

Exfoliate

An exfoliator is used to remove dead skin cells and allow a new layer of skin to reach the surface. While it isn’t a super-damaging process, it is something that should be done in moderation, such as once or twice a week.

However, if you have very dry skin, it is best not to exfoliate that often or even at all in some cases. Exfoliating will simply cause even more irritation; it won’t remove the layer of dry skin.

Moisturize

Moisturising is important, to some degree, no matter your skin type. It keeps your skin looking and feeling smooth and fresh and can also help fight the signs of ageing, especially wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, which can develop fairly early.

While the type of moisturiser you use will depend on your skin type, you should moisturise in the mornings and at night, after you shower or bath and when your skin is still damp.

Eye cream

Eye cream is often underrated, and the difference it makes can be drastic. Puffy under eyes, bags, and dark circles can all be fixed with a great eye cream. It stiffens the skin and can make your eyes look rested and fresh every day of the week. 

You only need to use a tiny bit at a time, meaning you can invest in a high-end eye cream and have it last for a long time.

Face mask

A face mask should be part of your weekly skincare routine, as they can add a strong hit of something you may be missing. If your face isn’t moisturised enough, if you need a deep clean, or just simply want your skin to benefit from extra nutrients, then a face mask is for you.

Retinol

Finally, retinol is another product that you should add to your daily skincare routine. It is designed to bring new layers of skin to the surface, and thus reducing the appearance of wrinkles and skin imperfections.

While you can get medical-grade retinols, which are far stronger, there are many over-the-counter brands available that, when used consistently, can produce incredible results.

Top photo by Jens Lindner on Unsplash