For some, skincare is a science. For others, it's an art. But we can all agree that when you're just starting out, it's overwhelming. Not everyone can get away with drugstore cleansers and prayers. For those of us who aren't blessed with good genes and good skin, it'll cost you time, money, and patience to get the fresh glow.
In our last stories in this skincare series, we broke down all the foundations of skincare and everything you'd need to start your own routine. But before you start your routine, we've got a couple of men's skincare tips to keep in mind.
1| Take Your Time
We know that men love the old adage that "less is more." A multi-step skincare routine can be troublesome, but instead of thinking of your skincare routine as inconvenient, consider it therapeutic instead. Change your mindset by thinking of your 20-minute skincare routine as your downtime to unwind after a rough day.
2| Have Patience
No product will give you an overnight makeover. Have patience and don't give up because you aren't seeing results immediately. Give products a week to six weeks to yield results. Remember, skincare is a long game.
3| Separate Day vs. Night Routines
You'll have two routines to set up: day and night. Your day skincare routine will end with sunscreen, while your night skincare routine can include heavy-duty products like retinol. Retinol also doesn't mix with a lot of ingredients, which is why having a separate night routine for retinol is better.
4| Apply Products Based on Consistency
Skincare products will vary in consistency, and the general rule is to apply these products in order of consistency from the lightest/thinnest consistency to the heaviest or thickest consistency. The reason for this is pretty self-explanatory: your serums will barely impact your skin if it's applied on top of a heavy layer of moisturizer.
5| Double-Check Ingredients to Prevent Bad Reactions
With all sorts of ingredients in skincare, it all boils down to chemistry. Before you buy products, note the ingredients and research if they'll mix well with your current products. Dermatologists will give you a full break down on why these ingredients won't mix, but here's the SparkNotes version:
Don't mix:
- Retinol/retinoids and alpha and beta hydroxy acid (AHA/BHA)
- Retinol/retinoids and benzoyl peroxide
- Retinol/retinoids and vitamin C
- Retinol/retinoids and salicylic acid
- Niacinamide and vitamic C
- Vitamin C and AHA/BHAs
- Salicylic acid and glycolic acid
Unless you want your face to be inflamed, avoid mixing these combinations altogether.
6| Don't Believe the Hype
TikTok is a trap (most of the time). Products that claim to fix your skin overnight are more often than not unnecessarily harsh. Good skincare products take time as they slowly but steadily allow your skin to adjust to the product. Consistency is better-and safer-for your skin.
7| Adjust Your Shaving Technique
We know shaving can be a hassle, especially when you're short on time. But how you shave can undo all the work of your skincare routine if you aren't taking care of your beard. It goes without saying: never shave without wetting your face first. This step softens your skin and hair so shaving won't irritate your skin. Opt for moisturizing shaving cream and single- or double-blade razors for a less aggravating effect.
8| Wash Your Face After You Exercise
Listen, we know you need to bulk up. But while you're working on those quads, never forget to have a thorough shower afterward. What's the point of a thorough skincare routine if the dirt and grime of your gym workout is still stuck to your face throughout the day?
9| Apply Products Gently
This is where we start preaching that your body is a temple. We understand the urge to slather and spread products roughly just to get it over with, but your skin doesn't deserve this projected rage. Pat toner gently, spread serums gently, apply sunscreens gently. You get the gist.
10| Consider Your Ethnicity When Purchasing Products
Before anyone screams racist, here's the deal: skincare products tend to be geared toward the country of origin simply because of their market of testers. Western products might be popular, but don't be afraid to try out Filipino or Asian products that might be more suited to your skin type, especially in this climate.
11| Forget Gender
The biggest mistake men make when it comes to skincare is avoiding female skincare products like the plague. But here's the catch: some of the best skincare products are marketed to women. Don't miss out on brands like Estee Lauder, Laneige, and Dear, Klairs just because the packaging doesn't appeal to your gender. You'll be doing a disservice to your skin if you do so.
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