What’s up with Men’s Skin? We’ve Answered Your Skincare Questions
Men need to take care of their skin too. Though there are some differences between men and women’s skin, we all need to prevent acne, soothe irritation, and deal with signs of aging! Here are some questions from the men in our offices (and lives) and the answers to them.
What is the difference between men’s and women’s skin?
First and foremost, there’s facial hair, you may have noticed! This takes up a lot of time in terms of a daily routine, not to mention how long it can take to find a shaver that does a good job. Luckily nowadays you can just search ‘shavers reviewed‘ and get some guidance so that’s one problem solved. In addition, a man’s skin is about 25% thicker than a woman’s, and the texture is tougher due to higher testosterone levels. Men also have larger oil glands and pores so there’s more oil, meaning in general men have oilier skin and can be more acne-prone. On the other hand, shaving exfoliates skin regularly, which is a good thing, but it can also irritate skin or cause ingrown hairs. Men also have more collagen, so their skin may seem to age slower than women’s.
What’s the best way to take care of my skin?
In general, given the similarities and differences, men can use the same dermatology-inspired R+F Regimens women do, but sometimes a little differently. For example, SOOTHE Regimen is helpful in keeping up the moisture barrier and relieving sensitive skin too. Try the SOOTHE Gentle Cream Wash as a face cleanser and shave lotion. Skip the Moisture Replenishing Cream if your skin feels oily. In the SPOTLESS Regimen, try the Daily Acne Wash prior to shaving to gently exfoliate and wash away oil, reducing the appearance of shine and leaving skin feeling clean and refreshed. UNBLEMISH Regimen has a Gentle Exfoliating Acne Wash which can be used prior to shaving to deep clean and unclog pores and help eliminate blemishes. The bio-degradable beads in the REVERSE Deep Exfoliating Wash do the work for you to reduce dry cells and allow your razor to glide over smoother-feeling skin. And in the REDEFINE Regimen replace your Daily Cleansing Mask with Micro-Dermabrasion Paste on damp skin to soften the beard and reduce dry skin cells that clog pores, and help prevent ingrown hairs and razor burn. Rinse, pat dry, then shave as usual. You can also address specific issues with add-on products, like tackling puffiness and tired-looking eyes with Active Hydration Bright Eye Complex that brightens and soothes fragile skin around the eyes.
My skin sometimes feels uncomfortable and looks reddish, what can I do about that?
You can still be a strong, protective and active guy but know that just as you can be sensitive, your skin can too — we won’t tell! In fact, men are just as likely to have sensitive skin as women are, but they’re less likely to say so. You can have a genetic predisposition that makes you more susceptible to the environment, including stress, climate change, travel, sun exposure, cosmetic overuse and friction or rubbing. The SOOTHE Regimen is designed to relieve dry, irritated sensitive skin and visible redness by helping restore the moisture barrier with lipids and non-irritating ingredients that calm and soothe skin. The SOOTHE Rescue Mask contains calamine to neutralize irritants and reveal softer, smoother-looking skin in just 10 minutes and also reduce visible redness over time.
Also pay attention to what triggers redness, you may have rosacea, a skin condition. If you determine what might initiate that flushed look, you can make better choices! Internal triggers such as coffee, alcohol and spicy foods can cause redness. Too many sweets can create a more acidic environment where bacteria thrive and pustules form. Externally, the sun, heat, pollen, pollution or being rough with your skin can exacerbate redness and irritation. If it’s severe, you may want to seek out a diagnosis and treatment from a dermatologist.
I’ve heard men have a lot of hormones that contribute to acne, what’s up with that?
It’s true. Male sex hormone are androgens and include testosterone which stimulates sebaceous (oil) glands that can trigger clogged pores and acne. Hormones also make the cells that line hair follicles more sticky, so pores become clogged more easily propelling your pimple potential! Real or imagined stress increases hormone production. So, take a few deep breaths, calm yourself and take the offensive against the acne army.
SPOTLESS Regimen is specifically for the kind of acne that teens and young adults experience. Clusters of clogged pores and breakouts dominate the T-zone (including the forehead, nose and chin) because this is the oiliest environment This 2-step system eliminates acne, deep cleans pores and controls the appearance of oil and shine. The UNBLEMISH Regimen is formulated for adults who have drier and more sensitive skin with slower cell turnover. Your clogged pores may still be on your nose, but breakouts also happen lower on the face in the U-zone (lower cheeks and chin). If aging is also your concern, UNBLEMISH is designed to tackle signs of aging.
What about shaving, and ingrown hairs? Is there something I’m supposed to do after I shave?
Many men have a tough beard, meaning ingrown curly hairs coupled with easily irritated skin. Razor bumps! Here are some steps you can take to prevent that. Your skin will love you for this!
1. Smooth the surface. Remove dead skin cells that send razors skipping and chipping in the skin leaving your neck stinging with razor burn. Gently massage Micro-Dermabrasion Paste in a circular motion on damp skin over the entire face to clear the runway for your razor for a smoother glide. This removes dead skin cells and helps curly hair to pop through the surface instead of growing inward.
2. Soften the beard. Using Micro-Dermabrasion Paste helps swell and soften hairs for a cleaner easier cut. Make sure to shave with a sharp, single-blade razor in the same direction that the hair is growing.
3. Calm the skin. After the shave, apply SOOTHE Sensitive Skin Treatment to visibly reduce redness, dry flaky skin and keep skin smooth and ready for your next shave. Or try Active Hydration Serum to add extra hydration to skin.
4. Protect. Always use a sunscreen and why not make it work harder for you? REDEFINE Triple Defense Treatment in a 3-in-1 moisturizer, treatment and sunscreen that will also help minimize the appearance of lines. Or try SOOTHE Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, a lightweight formula that absorbs quickly and it calms, soothes and minimizes visible redness
Can men use face masks too?
Of course! One of the best things a guy can do for a quick refresh before an important event, presentation or date is to use the REDEFINE Rejuvenation Mask. Its bubbly blue formula has hydrating Hyaluronic Acid and Glycerin to draw moisture from the air and lock it onto skin for healthier and younger-looking skin. SOOTHE Rescue Mask helps if your skin is red or dry from the sun, heat or cold. It will make skin feel more comfortable with intense hydration and it also calms skin with calamine. The UNBLEMISH Clarifying Mask reduces excess oil, unclogs pores and removes impurities from the surface of the skin in just 10 minutes. It uses the maximum concentration of purifying Sulfur to reduce visible redness and blotchiness that comes from breakouts. If your skin appears kind of lifeless and you want to pump up your confidence, try the REVERSE Radiance Mask for a visibly smoother texture and more luminous complexion in just 10 minutes. Over time it will visibly even out skin tone for a brighter look.
