Men’s skincare is a thing, but a good men’s skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Here’s why.
Some people have great skin effortlessly. Despite subpar eating habits, they don’t break out. Despite not catering to their complexion, they have minimal signs of aging. That must be nice, but having healthy, youthful-looking skin requires a bit more effort for most people.
For most of us, we have to rigorously wash, moisturize, and apply sunscreen to maintain healthy skin. That might mean having two routines—a morning routine and an evening routine—and a dozen different skincare products.
Have you ever wondered why the majority of people with strict skincare routines are women? Surely it’s not just marketing. It’s actually biology.
Men’s skin is biologically different than women’s skin. Therefore, a proper men’s skincare routine looks different than women’s skincare.
Men’s Skin Care vs. Women’s Skin Care
First, let’s discuss why men’s skin is different from women’s skin. It comes down to three main factors:
1. Men’s skin is thicker. Researchers say that men’s skin is up to 25% thicker than women’s skin. Since the Stratum Corneum (a.k.a. the skin barrier) is thicker, men’s skin appears firmer and tighter than women’s skin.
2. Men’s skin has a higher collagen density. We all know the importance of collagen, which is why men are lucky to have so much of it. The higher collagen density in men’s skin set them up for delayed intrinsic aging.
3. Men’s skin is oilier. Some people say that oilier skin ages better than dry skin. While this is debatable, the fact that men’s skin is oilier than women’s skin is not. Men have larger pores and more active sebaceous glands than women. This makes them more prone to breakouts yet less prone to dehydrated skin.
Knowing the biological differences between men’s and women’s skin makes it clear why their skincare routines should target different skin issues.
Men have the advantage of a thicker skin barrier and more collagen, but they struggle with overly oily skin. Men’s skin care can balance their moisture levels and prepare for a clean shave, while women’s skincare targets hydration, anti-aging, and protection.
Why Men’s Skincare is Important
If men biologically have thicker skin, is a proper men’s skincare routine even necessary? The answer is yes.
It’s especially important for men to cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and use SPF protection.
Cleansing and exfoliating are important steps in a typical men's skincare routine because it regulates oil. This can prevent clogged pores and acne. Exfoliation is especially important because shaving a regular part of men’s grooming, and exfoliating removes dead skin cells to make for a cleaner shave.
Despite having a thicker skin, moisturization is an essential step in a proper skincare routine for men. After shaving, men’s skin can feel dry and rough. Although they have more oil than women, they still need to replenish hydration levels with a water-based moisturizer.
Finally, one of the most important steps in a men’s skincare routine is to apply sunscreen. Many people, women included, skip this vital step. Incorporating a daily face SPF product can protect skin from external factors like UV radiation, free radicals, and other environmental stressors that cause premature aging.
While women are more adamant about caring for their skin, the importance of skincare routines for men can’t be ignored. Men’s skincare products are becoming increasingly popular as men become aware of the importance of caring for their skin. While they do have a slight advantage, men still have to put in a bit of effort to maintain healthy skin.
The Ultimate Skincare Routine for Men Who Care
If you’re reading this article, you’re either:
- A man who has never touched a moisturizer in his life
- Someone who wants to get the men in their life to take better care of their skin
If you’re in the first group, you may be thinking, “Does a men’s skincare routine have to contain a million skin care products like women?”
Regardless of if you’re a man or woman, a healthy skincare routine doesn’t have to be overly complicated with an endless list of products.
A simplified yet effective men’s skincare routine should at least contain the following steps:
1. Cleanse
Since men have oilier skin and are more prone to acne, cleansing regularly is a must. Men are less prone to dryness and dehydration than women, so a basic oil-free cleanser should suffice. If it’s winter, a more hydrating cleanser may be needed.
How often should men cleanse? A good rule of thumb for people with oily skin is to cleanse twice a day. So, a proper men’s skincare routine should start with a good cleansing in the morning and evening.
Best Face Wash For Men
2. Exfoliate
It’s especially important for men to exfoliate their skin for two reasons:
- Having a thicker skin barrier means more dead skin cells. These dead skin cells mix with sebum and can cause further breakouts. Exfoliating will take care of this build-up to improve acne and reveal a smoother surface.
- A smooth surface is important for facial shaving. Since men have more facial hair than women, they shave their faces more frequently. Since dead skin cells can clog up your razor, it’s best to exfoliate before shaving to get a closer shave.
Best Face Exfoliator For Men
3. Shave
Looking after facial hair is an important part of men’s skincare. If you shave your face, you may experience dryness post-shave. A moisturizing shave cream can help prevent the feeling of tightness and itchiness associated with shaving. A good shave cream can also prevent irritation.
Some men prefer to grow out their facial hair, so they shave significantly less or not at all. If you never or rarely shave, a facial hair oil (a.k.a. beard oil) can replace this step. Beard oil not only moisturizes facial hair but also the skin beneath it. It can be difficult for men’s skin care products to penetrate past thick facial hair, but beard oil does the trick.
Best Cream And Oil For Men
4. Moisturize
The root of all skincare routines is the moisturizer, and the same goes for men’s skin care.
While there are skincare products marketed to men, men don’t have to stick to moisturizers that come in blue and gray packaging. What’s important is the ingredients.
Men may not need as many intrinsic anti-aging ingredients as women because of their thicker skin barrier. However, men are still exposed to the harsh elements, which can cause environmental skin damage and external aging.
Here’s what to look for in a men’s face cream:
- Safe, non-toxic ingredients
- Contains antioxidants
- Suitable for skin type (usually oily, acne-prone skin)
- Optional: Contains SPF
Best Face Moisturizer For Men
5. SPF
If your moisturizer doesn’t contain SPF, then this will be an additional step—and it’s one of the most important.
Although men don’t age intrinsically as quick as women, they’re still predisposed to external aging every day from radiation, free radicals, etc. Combat unnecessary sun damage with a safe SPF product.
Best Sunscreen For Men
The Bottom Line
Do men need skincare as much as women do? If external factors weren’t an issue, probably not. But because our skin is constantly exposed to harsh elements, a proper men’s skincare routine is a must.
Men’s skincare can be knocked out in 5 simple steps: cleansing, exfoliating, shaving, moisturizing, and using SPF. It doesn’t take much effort to care for men’s skin, so implementing a men’s skincare routine isn’t a huge commitment.
Is men’s skincare an entirely new concept to you? If you need advanced product recommendations or want to know if your current routine meets our safety standards, let us know at Liz@lizskincare.com. We’d love to hear from you and get you started on a men’s skincare routine that suits your needs.
