Man's Guide to Skincare
Man's Guide to Skincare
If you’re looking to step up your skincare game, this is for you. There’s more to it than buying products, but there’s no need to be intimidated. Below, you’ll find just enough information to get you started—it’s ok to take your time. Eventually, you’ll get the hang of things and be handling skincare like a pro.
Know Your Skin Type
- 1.Normal
- 2.Oily
- 3.Dry
- 4.Combination
- 5.Sensitive
Look for Active ingredients
This can sound intimidating to some, but it’s not rocket science. Active ingredients do the work that the product you’re using promises. Each product claims to address particular concerns for your skin type, but the active ingredients in the product are what get the job done. This, of course, depends on the formula, the amount of ingredient used, and quality. Every ingredient is used to combat a different skin issue or to promote a desirable result. Think of it as you would medicine—you wouldn’t take Pepto for a headache, so with skincare, you learn what ingredients work best for your skincare concerns at any given time.
It can be useful to do a little research and learn as you go, but in general, know that antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, lycopene, green tea, and niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) can protect and brighten your skin.1 While retinol can help with skin texture, acne, and wrinkles.2 Using those most likely won't steer you wrong (though retinol can cause sensitivity so always use it at night or with SPF). It’s not necessary to learn everything at once and mistakes will be made. What’s important is that you get to know your skin and what it needs. Some helpful resources:
- The Essential Dictionary of Skincare Ingredients
- Byrdie's Skincare Ingredient Glossary
- How to Cocktail Skincare Ingredients, According to Your Skin Type
Read Labels
I recently had a conversation with a guy who boldly admitted that he never reads his pro
duct packaging. No judgment here, but it’s beneficial to know as much as possible about the products you’re using. Labels do more than describe what a product does or promises to do. It’s vital to know the product shelf life (that little jar symbol with the number inside of it) or if an ingredient in the product will be irritating to your skin, such as strong fragrances. Labels tell you how often you should use a product so you don’t have to do any guessing. Finally, labels let you know how much of an active ingredient used in the formula of the product. One important thing to note: generally, the ingredient with the highest content will appear higher on the list. This information helps you become more knowledgeable in your purchases and know that you're spending money on a product that has active ingredients, instead of a bunch of filler.
A Daily Regimen For All Skin Types:
Below, I've put together a sample skincare regime that can be used by anyone. You can choose these exact products or use what works best for you. The goal is a build a consistent routine suited to your needs and skincare goals. This regimen should be repeated day and night for the best results. You can expect to add and subtract products accordingly throughout the year and as your concerns change.
Step 1: Gentle Cleanser
- Purpose: To keep your skin clean and clear
- Use: Twice daily, day and night
- My suggestion: The Ordinary The Squalane Cleaner
Step 2: Exfoliator
- Purpose: To remove dead skin cells and help skin cell turnover
- Use: Once or twice a week
- My suggestion: Paula's Choice 2% AHA Liquid Exfoliant
Step 3: Toner
- Purpose: To balance your skin's pH levels and add hydration
- Use: Twice daily, day and night after cleansing
- My suggestion: HommeFace The Herbal Spray Toner
Step 4: Serum
- Purpose: To deliver active ingredients to the skin to help with specific skin concerns
- Use: Twice daily, day and night (you can rotate which serum you use in the a.m. vs. p.m.)
- My suggestion: The Ordinary Buffet + Copper Peptides 1%
Step 5: Moisturizer
- Purpose: To hydrate the skin and lock in moisture
- Use: Twice daily, day and night (you can choose a lighter moisturizer for daytime and a heavier one for nighttime if you prefer)
- My suggestion: Boscia Cactus Water Moisturizer
Add-on: Face Mask
- Purpose: To give an instant brightening, clarifying, or hydrating effect to the skin.
- Use: Once a week
- My suggestion: Baxter Of California Clay Mask AHA
Final Takeaways
- 1.Know your skin type
- 2.Be aware of any skin conditions you might have
- 3.Find out if you're allergic to any ingredients
- 4.Learn what active ingredients work best for your needs
- 5.Always read product labels
- 6.Always toss products that are past the printed expiration date
- 7.Repeat your skincare regimen day and night for 30 days to see real results (though you may see results earlier)
- 8.See a dermatologist at least once a year
- 9.Visit an esthetician regularly for facial treatments
- 10.Be patient with yourself and your skin
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