Everything you need to know to start your skincare routine
Whether you’re an expert or a beginner with no idea what to do, I’ve got you covered.
You’re never too old to start taking care of your skin and today I’m going to outline a simple skincare routine that’s easy to follow and will get you started.
I’ve designed this specifically for men who want to start taking their skin seriously. And there is nothing feminine or vain about looking after your skin you’re simply taking care of yourself. It just feels good.
Many guys believe that skincare is only required when they have a specific problem, such as acne, ageing, or other common skincare issues. While some men’s skincare items can improve specific problems, a skincare routine can actually prevent them from happening in the first place.
Your skin is an important organ, and it, like other parts of your body, needs regular care to stay healthy. It’s no different from doing weight training, running, and eating well to keep the body in shape.
A consistent skincare routine not only keeps your face looking clear and firm but great skin = great confidence.
Step 1: LEARN YOUR SKIN TYPE
This points to the skin’s normal neutral state—what it looks like when you’re not doing anything.
Normal: The skin is oil-free for the majority of the day and does not get irritated or dry quickly. Acne is rarely a problem.
Oily Skin: You have oily spots and a natural shine to your skin. Acne and buildup are common.
Dry/Sensitive Skin: The skin is quickly irritated and feels tight or dry all over.
Combination: Imagine your face has the letter “T” going down it. The horizontal bar crosses your brow, and the vertical bar extends down to the tip of your nose. This is referred to as the T field. Men with combination skin have an oily T region but dry/sensitive skin on the remainder of their face (mainly the cheeks).
Ageing skin: The skin is worn down, wrinkled, and has age spots. You’ve been neglecting the skin for several years.
Once you know your skin type you can find the right products that suit and will work for your skin.
Step 2: CLEANSE
Clean your face every morning with a men’s facial cleanser formulated for your skin tone. Cleaning your face first thing in the morning gives you a boost of energy by avoiding dry skin and impurities. You must repeat this before going to bed to keep any pore-clogging bacteria and oils from settling on your face all night.
Try Aesop face cleanser – £23.
STEP 3: EXFOLIATE
Exfoliating the skin removes dead skin cells and other buildups. This encourages the growth of healthy, healthier skin cells, which improves your complexion.
Based on your skin type, exfoliating your face can be done 1–3 days a week after cleansing it. Men with oily skin should exfoliate more often, while men with sensitive/dry skin should exfoliate less frequently.
Remember there are two kinds of exfoliators:
Chemical Exfoliators, such as the Clinique for Men Exfoliating Tonic and Abrasive Exfoliators (or scrubs) like the Lab series invigorating face scrub.
If you have sensitive skin, it’s best to use chemical exfoliants to avoid irritation.
Try Clinique chemical exfoliant – £17.50 or The Lab Series face scrub – £19.95
STEP 4: SERUM
Serums are a small addition to a skincare regimen that can go a long way. Built to have significant benefits even at low doses. It has fantastic anti-ageing and anti-blemish benefits with daily use.
Try The Lab Series future rescue repair serum – £43.35
STEP 5: EYE CREAM
Apart from your lips, the skin under your eyes is the thinnest on your face, so you must be particularly gentle here. Thankfully, eye creams are fairly simple in that they fix puffiness, dryness, or dark circles.
Try CeraVe eye repair cream – £12
STEP 6: MOISTURIZER
Your skin’s cells can’t retain as much moisture as they used to as you get older (even in your early twenties) primarily because the body develops fewer skin proteins over time (collagen).
Moisturizing provides hydration and vital nutrients to skin cells, allowing them to remain healthy and fresh, resulting in a youthful, attractive face.
But you’ll want to pick up two different moisturizers for the morning and evening.
Before going outdoors in the morning, apply a light moisturiser with sunscreen of at least SPF 30, because protecting yourself from sun exposure isn’t just about avoiding lines and dark spots; it’s your main line of protection against skin cancer.) At night apply a moisturiser that is rich enough to penetrate into your skin without clogging pores or inducing breakouts.
Try Bondi Sands SPF 50 face sunscreen – £7.00 and Eminence organic night cream – £49.00.
As you can see skincare does not have to be complicated. These are the basic steps to improve your skincare routine, men, so STICK TO IT!