Men are from Mars; women are from Venus… or at least, that’s how the saying goes.
One area where men and women are definitely different is skincare, both in terms of their needs and their preferences. Guys don’t want to follow a complicated, multi-step regime that requires slathering on a bunch of serums and creams. They usually don’t like using products marketed mainly to women either, which can be an issue since most skincare lines do target female customers.
And some guys just feel a little silly or vain if they start using a cream designed to get rid of the lines around their eyes.
But there’s an even bigger reason why many traditional anti-aging and skincare products don’t work for men – the products aren’t only marketed toward women; they’re formulated for women too.
Since a guy’s skin just isn’t the same as a woman’s, he’s not going to see the same results.
The difference between men and women’s skin is due to increased testosterone, which usually makes a man’s skin considerably thicker than a woman’s. The increased thickness leads to tougher skin that’s more resistant to potent skincare ingredients. Excess testosterone can also mean increased sebum production, so men are often prone to acne even after puberty. Add in the hassle of facial hair, and guys have plenty of skincare issues to deal with.
When it comes to anti-aging concerns, though, men don’t have to worry about collagen loss as much as women because their collagen density is higher to begin with. Since collagen loss plays such a big role in premature aging, men often look younger than women of same age. However, because guys are less diligent about applying sunscreen, they can still experiences age spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of premature aging.
Given those issues, the best skincare regime for men is a simple one – there’s a greater chance a guy can stick to program if it doesn’t include too many products and it’s better for his skin if he’s not piling on tons of potentially pore-clogging lotions and creams. Instead of a traditional cream or liquid cleanser, a bar style is a much better option for guys. While Dermalogica’s Clean Bar resembles a bar of Ivory Soap, it is entirely soap-free so it doesn’t strip the skin of moisture. But the Clean Bar is still effective enough to remove impurities and break down the surface oils in a man’s skin to prevent clogged pores and acne. With warm water, work up the bar into a lather in your hands and gently massage into your face and throat before rinsing. You can use the bar morning and night to keep your skin clean and healthy.
On days when you’re shaving, follow up with the Dermalogica Daily Clean Scrub. Not only does the scrub remove dead cells that can lead to clogged pores, it preps the skin by lifting the beard to ensure a closer, smoother shave. You can use the scrub on areas of beard growth and any oily spots on your face up to three times a week. If you have a particularly thick, heavy beard, you may also want to use the Dermalogica Pre Shave Guard, which softens hair and shields the skin to prevent razor burn. It comes in convent twist-up stick form, so it’s easy to apply directly to your beard before shaving.
If you can’t find a shaving product that doesn’t irritate or dry out your skin, Dermalogica has several options that may work. The Close Shave Oil works for all skin types and is particularly effective for grooming mustaches and goatees since it’s a clear product. The Soothing Shave Cream is a hydrating formula that works well for dry or sensitive skin. For oily skin, the lightweight Invigorating Shave Gel is the best option. You can follow up any of the shaving products with the Post-Shave Balm, which moisturizes the skin, helps prevent ingrown hairs, and actually helps fight oil and shine throughout the day.
To ward off fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, don’t leave the house without applying a good sunscreen. Dermalogica’s Daily Defense SPF15 protects the skin from aging UV rays, while providing hydration and absorbing shine. Apply it to your face, neck, ears, and the back of your neck to make sure that you’re fully protected.