Key Points:
- Skin care is important for everyone, including men.
- A consistent skincare routine can support healthy skin, regardless of your gender.
- Men's skin has some unique characteristics. Shaving brings specific skincare considerations for those with facial hair.
There's a widespread cultural emphasis on women's skincare routines—just look at advertisements, women's magazines, and the sheer number of products at the average woman's bathroom sink. But skincare isn't a gender-specific luxury. Everyone, including men, can benefit from specialized skincare routines tailored to their skin's health needs.
Let's take a look at why skin care is important for everyone, what special skin care considerations men have, and what skin care routines men—especially those new to skin care—can follow to get started.
Skin care is a form of health care, regardless of your gender
Skincare is often heavily focused on women, creating the impression that it's a feminine pursuit, focused on beauty and anti-aging. While skincare can help improve or maintain your skin's appearance, its primary function is to restore and maintain its health.
For example, by regularly using sunscreen, you protect your skin from harmful UV rays, reduce the risk of skin cancer, and prevent premature aging. Using a gentle cleanser keeps your skin clean and clear by removing dirt, excess oil, and impurities that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Meanwhile, a moisturizer hydrates the skin, improves its barrier function, and helps prevent dryness and irritation.
Skin health is an important part of self-care, regardless of gender. If you're a man new to skincare, here's what you need to know.
Special skin care for men
From a A review of 67 studies related to skin care found that when comparing the biophysical properties of skin between men and women, the following properties were generally reported in men:
- Higher sebum levels: Men produce more sebum (skin oil) due to higher levels of sex hormones like testosterone. As you might expect, this can lead to oilier skin, which requires more frequent cleansing.
- Increased skin pigmentation and thickness: Men generally have thicker skin and more pigmentation, which can affect how their skin responds to sun exposure and aging.
- Deeper facial wrinkles and more sagging: Men often have deeper wrinkles and more prominent sagging skin, especially under the eyes, due to thicker skin and the effects of gravity over time.
Shaving and facial care for men
Regularly shaving your face can impact your skin's health. Shaving doesn't just remove hair—it scrapes away the top layer of skin, which can cause tiny tears and strip the skin of its natural oils. This leads to irritation, razor rash, ingrown hairs, dryness, and sensitivity. Shaving products with fragrances or harsh ingredients can also disrupt the balance of the skin microbiome.
We recommend using a sharp, clean razor and shaving in the direction of hair growth. Choose fragrance-free products and consider applying a gentle moisturizer after shaving to restore hydration and repair the skin barrier. If you experience dryness or irritation after shaving, try Gladskin's best-selling products , which restore the balance of the skin microbiome.
Simple skin care routines for men
First, keep in mind that achieving healthy skin is a gradual process. Introducing multiple products at once makes it difficult to assess their effectiveness or identify potential negative reactions. We recommend reading our article on adding new products to your routine to learn more about best practices.
Yet, a good skincare routine can be quite simple. A basic skincare routine should include three essential steps: cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection.
A simple facial care routine for men
Morning: Start by cleansing your face with a cleanser to remove any oils that may have accumulated overnight and prepare your skin for the day. Then, apply a moisturizer to hydrate and support your skin's barrier. Finish with a gentle sunscreen with SPF 30+ to protect your skin from harmful UV rays and prevent sun damage.
Evening: Use your cleanser again to remove dirt, oil, and sweat from the day, leaving your skin clean and ready for your nighttime routine. Then apply a moisturizer to replenish moisture lost during the day and support your skin's recovery process overnight.
Skin care routines for the rest of the body
Whether you shower in the morning or evening, using a mild shower gel in the shower helps cleanse your skin of built-up sweat and dirt. After your shower, apply moisturizer all over your body to keep your skin hydrated. If your skin is prone to dryness, you may need to apply moisturizer both morning and evening, regardless of when you shower.
If you're exposed to the sun, apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to exposed areas of your body, such as your arms, legs, and neck. Don't forget to reapply regularly if you're outside for extended periods!
Additional times to use cleansers and moisturizers on your face and body:
- After sports and/or outdoor activities , to remove sweat, dirt, oil and environmental pollutants.
- After swimming , to remove chlorine or salt, both of which can dry and irritate your skin.
- After shaving , use a moisturizer to hydrate the skin and support the skin's natural barrier.
Finally, cold temperatures and dry climates draw moisture from your skin – you may want to reapply moisturizer more often in these conditions.
Find your skincare routine with Gladskin
Ultimately, a skincare routine is a practical choice for anyone looking to improve their skin, including men. But here's the problem: While skincare is an important part of overall health, many skincare products contain ingredients that can actually exacerbate skin problems like dryness, acne, redness, and so on .
Gladskin's skincare range is designed with a focus on supporting the skin's microbiome, the delicate balance of beneficial bacteria that helps keep your skin healthy. Our scientifically proven, microbiome-friendly ingredients nourish your natural skin barrier and promote healthy skin.
Whether you're dealing with dryness, sensitivity, or simply want to improve your routine, Gladskin products offer a gentle yet effective approach to skincare that works in harmony with your skin.
Discover how Gladskin helps you take optimal care of your skin. Browse our products today!
