Quick Tips for Men and Their Skin

I know this blog is probably frequented by women more than men, and I also know men don’t tend to think as much about their skin care needs. But I also thought it was high time to address some quick pointers for men’s skin care – and the women who are most likely to make sure they follow directions.

Wash your face. And I don’t mean with a regular bar of soap or body wash. There are plenty of inexpensive face wash options out there that won’t leave you smelling like a girl. For example, Dove carries a men’s line of washes for your body AND face.

Exfoliate your face. Put the sandpaper down. You need to exfoliate several times a week to remove dirt and grime from your face that can cause acne and razor bumps. Look for either a scrub or use nylon gloves when you wash to knock out two steps in one. If you’re wondering how to exfoliate, check out our blog post on the topic.

Moisturize your face. Again, there are face lotions out there designed for men, so don’t think using a moisturizer means smelling fruity all day. Choose one with an SPF of 30 or higher and you’ll again knock out two birds with one stone. Check out Neutrogena’s men’s product line that carries several different types.

SPF on all exposed areas. Sun damage isn’t limited to just your face; it can affect your whole body. Think about those older men whose skin looks like tanned leather. Use a body lotion with SPF 30 or higher to keep your skin protected (and make it a little softer).

Heat up before shaving. Put a warm, damp towel around your face before shaving, or even shave in the shower. The heat will help open your pores and soften your facial hair, giving you a closer shave and exfoliating your skin at the same time.

Lather up before shaving. Make sure to use a lotion, cream or gel product when you shave your face. Just soap and water doesn’t cut it. The more smoothly the blades move across your skin, the closer and better the shave you’ll get.

Shave with hair growth. Don’t shave against the “grain,” so to speak, which will only cause irritation. Shave in the direction your hair grows to cut down on razor bumps and irritation.

Don’t rub, pat dry. Rubbing your face dry will only cause irritation. Pat your face dry and immediately follow up with an after-shave product.

Protect your eyes and lips. These are sensitive areas on your face, so you want to keep them kissable and looking good. Again, there are manly products for these areas, so choose ones you like and use them on a daily basis.

Powder up. Whether you’re an athlete or a couch potato, guys have lots of crevices that can get itchy with a little bit of sweat. Use an antifungal powder or spray to keep jock itch and athlete’s foot at bay.

If you have any other skin care concerns, don’t hesitate to ask. Leave them in the comments below, and I’ll try to help you out!