Since the invention of the word “metrosexual,” men have been a more willing to consider an actual skincare regime, but many still aren’t performing the basics of skincare. It should be stated for the record that not taking care of your skin has equally adverse affects on women and men - this means wrinkles. Lucky for the men that society deems you “rugged” instead of just plain old, but tell the truth - if you had the choice to have wrinkles or not, wouldn’t you choose not?

So, here’s what you should be doing . . .

Shaving

Really the only difference between taking care of women’s skin and men’s skin is that men shave. You will want to find a shave gel, cream or foam that is gentle, containing no irritants of any kind. Ideally, you want to stay away from menthol, peppermint, alcohol, lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit, eucalyptus, camphor or mint. And choose something fragrance free. You’re aftershave should also be free of the above ingredients, but if you can’t find one absent of them, use a traditional irritant-free toner.

Three Basic Steps

Throw away that plain old bar soap - this will only make your skin dry and cause it to break out! There are three steps that are found in any skincare regime: cleansing (with a properly formulated cleanser), toning and moisturizing (with moisturizer containing sunscreen) - in that order, twice a day. Any skincare brand worth it’s salt will have each available and it’s really just up to you to find one that is right for your skin-type - tack down a sales person to make sure you are choosing correctly. If you don’t know where to start, check with a cosmetics counter; many now carry skincare specifically for men, and if they don’t, they should be able to direct you to somewhere that does. Or you could call a spa - most do facials and they could give you suggestions about where to go for the goods.

An additional step that should be part of your regime is exfoliation. This should be done at least once a week, or as otherwise directed.

Facials

Not just for women. I mentioned checking with a spa for skincare tips, but actually going in for a facial is ideal. Your skin will benefit greatly from a professional treatment, and the esthetician can tell you exactly how you should be caring for your skin.

Treating Blackheads

Again, a facial can solve this problem, or you can use a take home cleansing mask - the most effective ones are usually made of clay. Don’t worry, using a mask doesn’t mean you need to lay there with cucumbers over your eyes, a towel wrapped around your head with your face covered in green mud. You can actually just use a little bit and target the specific area.

Let’s face it, we all want to look good, right? But taking care of your skin isn’t just about vanity; it’s about maintaining health and, okay, looking good too.

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