Us men have always kept it simple when it comes to skincare. However, you cannot expect to have clear, flawless skin if the most you do is shower daily and wash your face every once in a while. Right now is the perfect time for you to start learning more about skincare and what triggers breakouts, acne, blemishes and spots, and most importantly, how to avoid them.
We've enlisted top skincare specialists to help us come up with tips that everyone can adopt. All are pretty easy to follow. Here's what we've got:
Moisturise
A general confusion we tend to find is the belief that oily skin does not require moisturisation. A very common mistake and you need to avoid it. Moisturise at all costs, especially after washing your skin. Moisturising will help your skin retain moisture and stop your pores from overgenerating their natural oils which will clog pores; as a result, you'll find acne considerably reduced (if you are prone).
Moisturising will also help reduce wrinkles and fine lines and give your skin a youthful glow. For the best results, moisturise after you shower or wash your face and try using products with naturally hydrating ingredients such as vitamin E, shea butter, aloe or essential oils.
Ditch the soap and get a good face wash
Proper cleansing of your skin is vital if you want to avoid breakouts, uneven skin tone or acne. Cleansing will help remove debris, dirt and clogged pores and oils from your skin. We'd recommend using a gentle face wash to cleanse your face ideally in the morning and before bed.
And while you're at it, you may want to avoid soap on your face, full stop. Soap is built with fatty acids and harsher chemicals which are solely designed to remove dirt and oil from your skin and to tend to leave your skin dry and itchy by stripping away your natural body oils. However, a gentle face wash will not only remove dirt and oil but also maintain your natural body oils and pH and keep your skin more hydrated.
Exfoliate your skin
We recommend that you exfoliate at least twice a week. Exfoliating too often can cause skin irritation and messes with the natural ph balance of your skin. To exfoliate effectively gently scrub your skin which removes dirt, oil and dead cells plus any other pollutants that may have got in your pores through the day. The idea is to gently scrub the dirt off and open up the pores. If your face is red after exfoliating, you've scrubbed too hard.
Choose the right number of razors
It feels like the big brands are constantly realising new shaving kits, four blades, five blades, six blades, what will they think of next, it’s madness. So what should you do? Well, If you suffer from the odd ingrowing hair or sensitive, acne-prone skin then you may want to stick to just two blades in your razor. Multi-blade razors can work a bit too well and leave behind bumps and ingrown hair. What's also important is that you're not applying too much pressure to avoid irritation on your skin.
Watch your shaving technique
How can you get the perfect shave that won't harm your skin? Firstly, we suggest showering before shaving, or better yet, shave while you're showering! The moisture will help soften your skin and hair making it easier to remove. You can also simply wash your face with warm water to soften the hair. Lastly, apply a light layer of shaving cream and most importantly, shave in the direction of hair growth!
Wash your face after exercise
It is important to wash away any accumulated bacteria and sweat residue after your workout. Skipping this step can lead to irritation, acne breakouts, and clogged pores. Opt for a mild cleanser and wash your face with lukewarm to cool (not cold) water.
Be careful with sun exposure
Harmful UV rays from the sun can lead to premature signs of skin ageing such as dark spots and wrinkles and in the worst-case scenario, skin cancer. We know you’ve heard it before but to prevent skin damage from the sun, always use sunscreen. Before stepping out, apply a layer to all exposed parts of the skin, including the neck, face, and ears. Go for a moisturising sunscreen, preferably SPF 30 and above. Also, remember to reapply your sunscreen every two hours or so, or right after swimming.
Hydrate
As we’ve mentioned before moisturise is key and the skin but it also needs to be hydrated from the inside out. To keep your skin hydrated, drink the recommended amount of eight glasses of H2O every day. Water helps to flush out toxins and maintain a proper pH balance in your system and give you healthy, glowing skin. Proper hydration will also reduce acne, wrinkles, and spots. Hands down one of the easiest and cheapest ways you can care for your skin.