a guide to starting a skin care routine in your 30s





your 30s are arguably some of the best years of your life. you’re strong, healthy and you probably have more money than you ever did in your 20s. this is the decade where you feel like you’re finally hitting your stride. you’ve got everything figured out - except for your skin care routine. a solid skin care regimen in your 30s is key to preserving your good looks well into the next decade. here’s how you can start. 
1. swap your soap for a daily facial cleanser if you’re still using regular bar soap to clean your face, it’s time to rethink your daily cleansing habits. bar soaps often have high ph values that can mess with your skin and cause a slew of problems such as acne and dry skin. we recommend saying goodbye to your bar soap and using a daily face wash for men that’s formulated for your skin. a facial cleanser is designed for your face and will wash away dirt, grime and oil without over-drying your skin.
2. moisturise to hydrate and protect your skin moisturising is an essential part of any guy’s skin care routine, regardless of his age or skin type. a good moisturiser will lock in hydration and keep your thirtysomething-year-old skin looking youthful. when shopping for a men’s moisturiser, be sure to find one with spf. according to a 2013 study published in clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, roughly 80 percent of visible facial ageing can be contributed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. in other words, the sun is ageing your face like no other. by applying a daily moisturiser with spf to your face, you can protect your skin from harmful uv rays and keep wrinkles at bay for longer.
3. give dull skin a good scrub face scrubs are another essential component in your skin care arsenal. a gentle face scrub will help slough off dead skin cells that can build up and cause dull, lifeless-looking skin that often plagues guys in their 30s and beyond. the key to using a face scrub properly is to limit its use to once or twice a week. using your face scrub any more than this can potentially dry out the skin. in your 30s, your skin is still doing a decent job at shedding dead skin cells on its own. even so, it doesn’t hurt to use a face scrub to boost the process along and breathe new life into dull-looking skin.
4. make eye cream part of your routine whether happy hour went on later than expected or you just had a late night, a lack of sleep can show up on your face. those under-eye bags that make you look perpetually tired aren’t a good look and can potentially have serious consequences for your career. don’t believe your skin could be hurting your career? age bias in the workforce has been well-documented. according to a 2015 study published in the british journal of management, researchers suggest that older-looking candidates are less likely to be hired than their younger counterparts because old age is associated with lower health and fitness. adding an eye cream for men to your skin care routine is a small step that can quite literally pay off. in any case, you’ll be much happier waking up in the morning without seeing unsightly eye bags in the mirror.
5. be proactive about wrinkles some guys don’t get wrinkles until their 40s, while others start noticing them in their mid-20s. no matter how many wrinkles you have, now is the time to start thinking about an anti-ageing skin care routine. an anti-ageing skin care regimen doesn’t need to be complicated. if you’re already using eye cream, consider adding a face serum for men to your skin care arsenal. face serums are essentially lightweight moisturisers that are packed with anti-ageing ingredients such as peptides, antioxidants, retinol and ceramides. this high concentration of active ingredients provides a potent, anti-ageing blast to the face that can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
6. use sunscreen daily while you may not spend as much time outside as you did in your 20s, protecting your skin from uv rays should still be a top priority. skin cancer can develop at any age. in fact, it’s one of the most common cancers to strike young adults, according to the american cancer society. using sunscreen has been proven, time and again, to significantly reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. by applying sunscreen to your body every day and using your daily moisturiser with spf on your face, you can prevent sunburns and lower your risk of skin cancer in the process.
7. indulge yourself with a men’s facial why wait until your skin is old and wrinkly before giving it the vip treatment? your 30s are the perfect time to start scheduling regular appointments with an esthetician and reaping the benefits of a facial treatment. while getting a men’s facial might seem strange at first, the benefits speak for themselves. facials can be tailored exclusively to your skin’s unique needs and help solve a variety of skin care woes, from acne blemishes to dull skin and wrinkles. with many anti wrinkle injection clinics offering facials, getting rid of wrinkles has never been easier. not to mention that facials come with a sneaky side benefit: total relaxation. with their warm towels and gentle facial massaging, you’ll soon feel your worries start slipping away. you’re basically getting a two-for-one deal.
it’s commonly believed that a man in his 30s is in his prime years. however, you can easily stretch these years into the following decade with the right skin care routine. with a few anti-ageing skin care products, proper sun protection and consistency, you can achieve better skin now and in the future.

The Effortless Man’s Guide to Basic Skin Care

Minimalist tips for any man looking to invest in self-care

If you’ve been skipping out on skin care, it’s time to talk. You don’t need to do much to repair, protect, and even pamper your mug. We’re recommending the most basic adjustments for long-lasting results. Come learn how to combat breakouts, shaving irritations, and those fine lines that’ll creep out of nowhere. 

Plus, a little shine on the outside treats the inside, too. 

Here’s how to get started — or how to brush up your game, because there’s always something new to help buff up your glow. 

A simple skin care regimen

As with anything we do and expect results, skin care requires consistency. But developing a routine can seem daunting if you don’t know what to do or use. 

1. Cleanse

One thing dudes have gotten right is not washing their face every single morning. This is because washing too much can ruin your skin’s natural oils. 

But this only works if you wash every night. We start each day with a clean slate, so why not let your skin end on a fresh note, too? Don’t let dirt and pollution soak into your pores overnight. 

Kwan recommends using a mild foaming cleanser before you shave to help reduce surface oil. As long as you don’t have sensitive skin, you can alternate between an exfoliating cleanser for an enhanced shaving experience and a mild wash. 

Pro tip: If you have oily skin, you can use a hot towel to clean your face in the morning. Splash with cold water for a refreshing boost.

2. Repair

Our skin takes a beating over time, thanks to free radicals causing oxidative stress. Without going into a chemistry lesson, oxidative stress relates to our bodies’ negative reaction to bad things like:

• air pollution 
• cigarette smoke
• industrial chemicals 
• UV rays

“An antioxidant serum, for example, like vitamin C, is helpful to reduce damage and should go on in the morning underneath moisturizer,” Kwan says. 

Apply after your shaving routine. 

Pro tip: Before bedtime, Kwan recommends a retinol cream for those in their 30s and up. “Retinol helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles,” he explains. 

3. Moisturize and protect

In the a.m., follow up your antioxidant serum with a moisturizer that has at least SPF 30. Sunscreen isn’t just for the beach or outdoor sports. Incidental sun exposure, like the time you spend walking to the train or sipping a beer on the patio after work, adds up and causes skin damage. 

At night, opt for a lightweight moisturizer without sunscreen. 

Pro tip: You don’t have to moisturize at night if your skin isn’t dry! Moisturizing is a lot like drinking water. Do it when you need it.

How to pick products

From luxury beard oils to tasty, pocket-friendly lip balms, more products have hit shelves with men in mind. Now the dude-specific skin care industry has been more on-point than ever. Which is great — but the influx might also leave you feeling at a loss for what to buy. 

Here are a few things to consider. 

1. Know your skin type

“Men tend to have oily and thicker skin, mainly due to the effects of testosterone,” Kwan says. Many products for fellas will be formulated to combat oil. But if you have flaky, dry skin, seek out products that address that. For dry skin, Kwan recommends a cream cleanser and a heavy moisturizer. 

You may also have a mix of oily and dry patches. If so, look for products formulated for combination skin. And if you have sensitive skin, you may be prone to burning, stinging or irritation. Choose products listing as few ingredients as possible. 

Pro tip: Try “cocktail moisturizing.” This isn’t a fuss-free way to do skin care, but it can be game-changing for combination skin. Instead of using an “all-in-one” moisturizer, try tackling your individual skin concerns with targeted products.

Products to try.

2. Forget gender

“Men-specific products are nice, but many skin care products are unisex and typically are suitable for men and women,” Kwan says. 

Don’t limit yourself to skin care lines based on packaging. If you’re hoping to avoid scents, look for fragrance-free products. Or opt for items with earthy or woodsy essential oils, like sandalwood or cedarwood. These can also have a calming effect.

3. Consider your ethnicity

Your heritage may affect your skin type and skin care needs. “African-American men tend to have more ingrown hairs, usually related to the natural curl of the hair,” says Kwan, a specialist in ethnic skin. “For these men, I often recommend using a depilatory instead of shaving to reduce razor bumps.” 

“Asian and Hispanic men are more prone to irregular skin pigmentation,” he continues, “so they should be careful of sun exposure and perhaps add a skin-brightening product to their regimen.”

Products to try: 

4. Experiment

“Choosing skin care is often as easy as trial and error,” Kwan says. “If possible, buy products from a store that allows returns, or start with samples.” 

If you’re still at a loss for what to put in your medicine cabinet, one way to play around with products is to order a subscription or sample box that sends you a selection of travel sizes based on your preferences. 

Managing skin irritation and eruptions

Bumpy textures are usually the biggest concern guys face when it comes to skin care, Kwan says. He often treats men for razor burn, ingrown hairs, or pimples. 

Shaving is one of the most common

 causes of irritation, but a proper skin care routine in conjunction with shaving can improve skin.

“Start with something simple, like a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide wash in the shower daily,” says Kwan. This type of cleanser will help treat most bumps, like folliculitis, ingrown hairs, and acne. “I do recommend electric razors if you get ingrowns or too irritated from shaving. They tend to be a bit easier on the skin.”

Body Waxing for Men

Body Waxing for men is a simple and affordable method of hair removal. (Regrowth varies according to the individual. Sanitary state of the art techniques and waxes are key for a successful waxing session.

Does ‪#‎waxing‬ hurt?
Unfortunately the first time you get waxed is always the most uncomfortable. This subsides with time as the ‪#‎hair‬ becomes thinner and easier to remove. I have undergone extensive training and have mastered various skills and techniques to ensure your treatment is as comfortable as possible. ‪

I am going on vacation. How soon should I get ‪waxed‬?
The recommended time before going on a date, vacation or preparing for any big event wedding day etc is 2 - 3 days. This will allow any redness to pass.

Body Waxing for Men

What should be avoided after ‪#‎waxing‬ ?
DON'T get in a hot bath tub, hot tub or shower after waxing
DON'T sun tan, go swimming in chlorinated pools or apply deodorant or make up for up to 24 hours after waxing
DON'T receive any chemical peels or microdermabrasion treatments for at least one week after waxing
DON'T exfoliate your skin until at least 3 days have passed

 Body Waxing for men is offered at Liz Skincare Miami. 

Liz Mesa

http://www.lizskincare.com