Sun, stress, pollution and—sadly—time, affect everyone’s skin, no matter your age or gender. Historically speaking, skincare lines and cosmetic procedures were geared mainly toward women, but today beauty products for dudes are mainstream. A good regimen is necessary to keep your skin soft, supple and protected from the elements and natural processes. It’s no longer a stigma for men to care about wrinkles, good facial washes or moisturizers; in fact, it’s “man”-datory.
There are thousands of products to choose from, but no matter what, you should keep in mind several things when finding the right one for you. Skin naturally changes as you age, so retaining moisture is more important to anyone over 30. Environmental extremes will do a number on you, especially if you live in a hot, sunny and dry climate or close to urban areas. Whether you want to buy a product that’s good for you and the earth is a personal choice, and there are many out there. If going a step further with minimally invasive aesthetic treatments, remember that male skin is thicker and tougher than female skin, which might result in extra injections or products.
Know the Basics—and Then Some
The start of any good skincare regime is cleansing. If your face is oily, dry, acne-prone or all of the above, the right cleanser is the building block to keeping things in check. The Zo Skin Health line offers numerous options, from the hydrating cleanser to minimize dryness and irritation for sensitive skin to an exfoliating cleanser that targets surface oil but doesn’t dry out your skin. Don’t forget everything below your neck: Beautycounter’s new Counterman line has a charcoal body wash that will help detoxify and protect your skin, and the natural citrus, mint, rosemary and cedarwood oils leave a wonderfully natural scent.
Hydration will help any imbalance, be it dryness, flakiness, shine or oiliness. Alongside your water bottle, your skincare tool kit should have a proper moisturizer. Find a daytime moisturizer with SPF—a must for fighting sun damage—Alastin Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen is a good choice. And to address any sagging or wrinkling on the neck and upper chest, invest in Alastin’s Restorative Neck Complex to help tone and firm those areas.
Go an extra step with a serum, which is designed not to replace a moisturizer, but to go on before to fend off wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. Dull skin looks older, so a little dab of serum will deliver antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and anti-inflammatory Salicylic acid to help improve the texture and firmness of your skin. Zo Skin Health Daily Power Defense will help tighten and firm to protect against future damage.
All the potions and elixirs will help keep skin looking refreshed, relaxed and healthy, but along with diet and exercise, non-surgical procedures have an advantage. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, treatments such as Botox are on the rise for men—more than 160,000 of you got the injections in 2017. While it has other uses, like tempering overactive sweating, Botox can diminish wrinkles but still keep a few rugged lines for good measure. HydraFacials are also popular, quick (lunch break approved) and gentle treatments that include a chemical peel, painless extractions, and extra hydration. One perk: The skin surface becomes smoother, making it easier to get a close shave.
Light and laser treatments, such as OrangeTwist’s Clear + Brilliant and Forever Young BBL, also tackle fine lines but without the use of chemicals. With no real aftercare, these two methods are ideal for men. And although there’s no real stigma against guys taking care of their skin, spas and dermatology centers are making more men-only spaces, like the Man Cave rooms at OrangeTwist. The dude-friendly decor will keep you feeling comfy with every Botox shot, peel or facial.
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