
All too often men neglect their skin, believing that all the products
on the market are designed for women and that they don’t need
fancy soaps to get clean. Most men use the same bar of soap to wash
their body and face. With this line of thinking it’s no surprise
that many men suffer from dry, rough skin that is easily irritated by
shaving.
Following just a few skin care tips for men can bring
about dramatic changes in how his skin feels and responds to shaving.
Shaving is actually beneficial to men, it provides a form exfoliation
to remove dead skin cells. The only problem is most men’s skin
is not conditioned for daily hair removal.
The first step to smooth skin that’s irritation
free is cleansing. The face should not be washed with the same anti-bacterial
soap that it used on the body. This soap is very harsh and will excessively
dry out skin. Instead look for a more gentle facial wash that contains
glycolic acid and wash in circular motions.
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that can help remove
dead skins and will prime the skin for shaving. On the days that the
man doesn’t shave he should apply moisturizer within three minutes
of stepping out of the shower. This will lock in moisture and keep skin
soft.
Men should look for a moisturizer that contains aloe vera
and vitamin E to help prevent razor bumps. The moisturizer should also
state that it is non-comedogenic. This means the formula won’t
clog the pores and cause a breakout.
Shaving every day is hard on the skin and can create a
cycle of irritation. Men should limit shaving to every other day if
possible. When they do shave it’s important to shave either while
still in the shower or immediately after while the pores are still open
from the warm water and while the hair follicle is still soft.
A warm lather that contains aloe vera will keep skin soothed
during the process. After shaving he should apply an aftershave or some
kind of toner. The aftershave will soothe nicks and cuts and help to
restore the skin’s pH balance, plus it smells great too. Men with
sensitive skin should use an aftershave or toner that is alcohol free.
Moisturizer should then be applied after the toner or
aftershave. Moisturizers should also contain some level of sun protection.
Sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging in the skin and
the use of cleansers with alpha hydroxy acids can make skin more sensitive
to the sun.
Consistency is the key to keeping skin healthy. The face
should be washed once in the morning and once at night to remove the
day’s dirt and grime. With diligence the skin can be dramatically
improved and shaving irritation will be a thing of the past. Simply
following the above skin care tips for men will leave a man’s
skin smooth, touchable, and smelling great.