11 Skincare Tips Every Man NEEDS To Know
Larger pores, thicker skin, higher levels of collagen, facial hair – these are all typical characteristics of men’s skin. And just like the comparable differences between the male and female body, it’s down to hormones. In particular, it’s the higher levels of androgen (testosterone) that men have, which makes male skin typically 25% thicker than female skin – how wild is that?! This is also the reason that male skin tends to appear around 15 years younger than female skin. However, as men have historically had a more laid-back approach to beauty, this means that even though their skin should technically appear more youthful than their female counterparts, it doesn’t always seem to be the case.
That said, the industry has experienced a major boom in male skincare. Whether that’s down to men feeling more comfortable caring about their skin – traditional gender roles and toxic masculinity are getting a well-deserved breaking down – or that brands are becoming more inclusive and welcoming with their product selection. Whichever came first, we hope that as society and the beauty industry evolves, men will feel continue to feel more and more comfortable giving their skin the pampering it deserves.
Today, we’re sharing top tips from the experts to help you on your skincare journey – wherever you may be! These two world-renowned dermatologists; celeb derm and Founder of Lancer Skincare, Dr. Harold Lancer, and Founder of the eponymously named skincare line, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, are revealing their tips for creating a routine tailored to your skin and lifestyle. Don’t worry, we got you.
1. Consider Your Skin Type & Create a Plan
Knowing your skin type is one of the key skincare rules! It allows you to choose products that work to balance your skin, rather than working against it. I.e. if you have dry skin, using a product made for oily skin might not give it the moisture and nourishment it needs. Once you know your skin type you can curate a personalized skin routine. Check out our guide to figuring out your skin type here.
Dr. Lancer recommends that everyone should “Create a plan. Whether you create one with your dermatologist or assess your skin concerns on your own – figure out what you are going to tackle and how. This will help you stay on track as well as see optimal results!” If it’s oiliness or breakouts, check out this guide to treating breakouts. If you’re looking to protect all that extra collagen you have and soften fine lines, check out this guide to using retinol.
2. Go at Your Own Pace
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“Start slowly – you don’t need to jump full speed ahead. Simplicity is key. You want your skin to get acclimatized to products for about three months before you start adjusting and adding additional treatments. I start all my patients on the simple 3-step Method, $270, (Polish, Cleanse, and Nourish) for their first three months” explains Dr. Lancer. If you’re left with furrowed brows RN, it basically means exfoliate once or twice a week, cleanse every evening, and hydrate your skin with a moisturizer morning and night. We also highly recommend wearing sunscreen with SPF 30+ every day – that’s how you’ll keep your skin looking 15 years younger!
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Steps & Products used:
Step 1: Exfoliate with Yo Detox Enzyme Scrub, $39
Step 2: Defend & brighten with Vit C, like The Inkey List Vitamin C Serum, $10
Step 3: Moisturize with Honey Whip Peptide Moisturizer, $43
Step 4: Protect with SPF 30+, like this white-cast free option from UltraViolet: Queen Screen SPF 50+, $47
If that sounds like too much, try this: exfoliate once or twice a week, and look for a moisturizer that contains SPF for daytime use.
3. Look for These Key Ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross adds, “For men that are new to skincare, don’t become overwhelmed. There are a lot of different products out there, but the most important thing to focus on is the ingredients.”
AHAs: AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) gently exfoliate the skin, dissolving the top layer of dead cells to reveal the smooth surface underneath. Usually fruit or plant-based, they also stimulate skin renewal and regrowth, erase pesky pigmentation, improve uneven texture and increase collagen production.
Antioxidants: Always try to use products with a diverse cocktail of antioxidants. Dr. Dennis Gross recommends ingredients like vitamins C & E, lycopene, green tea, and grapeseed extract as they help fight free radicals that break down collagen and cause premature aging.
Collagen Boosters: According to Dr. Dennis Gross, firming and brightening ingredients including vitamin C, peptides, and retinol, go a long way to help plump your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic is THE hydrating hero in the skincare industry and it should be in everyone’s routine. Why? The lightweight ingredient holds 1000 times its weight in water and works overtime to plump and hydrate the skin at a deeper level. Plus, since it naturally occurs in the body, it works on all skin types all year round! Be sure to lock it in with a moisturzer.
4. Opt for Multi-Use Products
When creating a skincare routine from scratch, Dr. Lancer suggests opting for multi-tasking products to simplify the process. He insists, “Find products that have a multi-use” adding, “I created my Polished Line with Ryan Seacrest to help optimize your daily routine. Each product has multiple uses, for example, our cleanser also doubles as a shaving cream and our moisturizer doubles as an SPF. You don’t need much, but you do want to make sure you are hitting the key points when it comes to your daily routine.”
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5. Keep Pores Clear
According to Dr. Dennis Gross, “People are obsessed with shrinking their pores.” However, he adds, “pores do not fully open and close. They act more like a camera lens – they can appear smaller and bigger depending on environmental factors. While you can’t change the actual size of your pores, you can do a lot to reduce the appearance of their size.”
To minimize the appearance of your pores, Dr. Dennis Gross recommends wearing sunscreen daily and refraining from smoking or consuming excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol.
When it comes to products, Dr. Dennis Gross recommends incorporating an active serum like the Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting & Refining Serum, $65, which works overtime to tighten pores. Enriched with pore-perfecting complex farnesol, adipic acid, mushroom, and prickly pear, it dissolves waxy buildup within the pore walls and flushes away impurities, while boosting speed cellular turnover and reducing future blockage says, Dr. Dennis Gross.
The faster you get your pores on lock, the less likely you are to experience, blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts.
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6. Moisturize (Even if Your Skin is Oily)
Dr. Dennis Gross reminds us “Oily skin needs a moisturizer too. Even though it seems counterintuitive, if you have oily skin and you forego a moisturizer, your skin will become drier and rebound with more oil production. This will lead to breakouts. If you have oily skin, look for an oil-free moisturizer and avoid comedogenic [pore-blocking] ingredients. My Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion, $60, is a unique water-break gel-cream moisturizer that is perfect for anyone with oily skin.”
We also love the super lightweight Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream, $15, as it’s packed with soothing aloe leaf juice and plumping sodium hyaluronate. The jelly-like texture is also non-greasy and absorbs into the skin in seconds.
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7. Start Your Skincare Routine Early
The term, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” does not apply to skincare. If you don’t currently have a skincare routine, it’s never too late to start regardless of how good your skin looks. In fact, according to Dr. Lancer, it’s never too early to start using formulas that increase your skin’s elasticity for plump, firm skin for years to come. Dr. Lancer confirms, “It’s never too early to start using firming and brightening products. As you get older your cells are more vulnerable to the internal processes of aging and your skin takes twice as long to refresh and create new cells.”
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8. Wear SPF Every Day
Dr. Dennis Gross reminds us, “You need to wear sunscreen every day. The sun doesn’t all of a sudden become obsolete when temperatures drop. Ask any avid skier or snowboarder, they will likely be able to recount an instance where they got sunburnt on the slopes. It does not matter what season it is or where you live, the sun is our skin’s worst enemy when it comes to skin cancer, skin damage, and premature skin aging, which is why sun protection is so important.”
Dr. Dennis Gross continues, “UVA/UVB trigger free radicals, which act like little darts on our skin, poking holes in our collagen and elastin. Sunspots actually form as a result of excess pigmentation due to too much ultraviolet light. Practicing “safe sun” and wearing an SPF 365 days a year is our best defense, and I cannot emphasize it enough.”
We’re obsessed with the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++, $34, as the lightweight formula not only offers SPF 40 and UVA protection but it’s also enriched with red algae to help protect your skin against blue light emitted by electronic devices. Another great staple is the CeraVe Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50, $16, which features a 100% mineral sunscreen filter that forms a protective barrier to reflect UVA and UVB rays. It’s also infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump, niacinamide to soothe the skin, and ceramides to maintain the skin’s natural barrier. For more SPF staples, check out our fave sunscreens here.
10. Try To Minimize Stress
It’s no secret that stress can wreak havoc on the mind, body, and soul. However, Dr. Lancer insists that for the health of your skin, you should try and minimize stress… Easier said than done, we know! To help, check out our fave anxiety-relieving products for a moment of zen.
Dr. Lancer explains why, “Stress disturbs your body’s homeostasis and throws your hormones out of whack. Not only can it affect your skin, but unrelenting stress can also result in the thinning of your hair. Focus on self-care, internally and externally, and your improvements will extend beyond your physical appearance. Not only will your skin look healthier, but you will feel healthier too.”
9. Don’t Be Afraid of In-Office Treatments
“Don’t be afraid of in-office treatments. In my practice, we are seeing a significantly higher number of males coming in for treatments, specifically for filler, Botox, and lasers” says Dr. Dennnis Gross. He adds, “Be sure that you trust your dermatologist and stay away from discounted injectable treatments. Creating a 360 skincare plan combining in-office procedures with at-home treatments will give you the best results.”
11. Love Yourself
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Finally, and most importantly, in the words of Billy Porter, “love yourself.” While we realize that everyone is on a different self-love journey, try and take a minute to appreciate the skin you’re in. Your skincare routine should be used as a moment of self-care every morning and night to enhance your natural beauty for your healthiest, happiest skin possible.
Do you guys have a consistent regime? Let us know in the comments below.
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