Written by Amy Scalia
As times have changed, so have perceptions around beauty and masculinity. Guys are now reaching for something more than their dad’s soap and water routine when it comes to their skincare. But with more options, come more decisions. Here’s a rundown of what experts recommend for men, along with some simple tips to embrace for a routine that your 40-something self will thank you for.
It’s Not About Beauty
Healthier, younger-looking skin makes you look and feel better. That’s the biggest reason why more men are adopting healthy skincare routines, according to Dr. Peterson Pierre, board-certified specialist in dermatology and cosmetic dermatology at the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, CA.
“Men's skin care is one of the fastest growing segments of the overall beauty industry, and with good reason,” Dr. Pierre adds. “It has become more culturally acceptable for men to spend time grooming and looking their best compared to 20-30 years ago. In addition, there are many known benefits to implementing a regular skincare routine.”
Benefits include a deeper clean, longer-lasting hydration, DNA and sun damage repair, effective blemish treatments, as well as a delayed onset of fine lines and wrinkles.
Men’s Skin is Different
There are several distinct differences between men's skin and women's skin, according to Dr. Pierre, largely due to differences in hormone levels as well as genetics and environmental factors. “Our skin tends to be thicker and have more collagen and elastin than women's skin, which offers great benefits because they help delay the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. But once they appear, they tend to be deeper,” he explains. “Our skin also tends to produce more oil which can lead to increased pore size, blackheads as well as acne.”
Dr. Pierre says the most common skin concerns for men include: shaving, acne, breakouts, dryness and irritation. “All of these issues can be prevented with proper skin care,” he adds, “so finding the right skincare products is essential.”
Men’s Skincare Basics
A healthy skincare routine allows you to nourish and protect your face. First, start with something to deeply remove dirt and oils, like the Beau Brummell Charcoal Facial Mask.
This charcoal face mask draws out impurities from your pores and improves smoothness by promoting skin cell health. Essential oils soften the skin and leave you feeling refreshed.
Seal in the moisture with a serum like the Brightening Face Serum or Sensitive Face Serum.
Then, protect with a moisturizer. Dr. Pierre recommends using an oil-free, non-comedogenic, zinc-based sunscreen that's light and transparent.
Dr. Pierre says vitamin and antioxidant-rich products help fight free radicals and can repair much of the damaged DNA that happens over time. The Jaxon Lane Bro Mask is an antioxidant packed, ultra-hydrating face mask to throw into your routine once a week to give you clear, smooth, nourished skin.
The Bro Mask targets problems most common to men, such as redness, sun damage, dehydration, breakouts and fine lines. It uses green tea to soothe, niacinamide as an acne-fighting version of Vitamin B3, collagen for anti-aging, and antioxidants like ginger and licorice root. The mask is a thick hydrogel, versus paper, for maximum hydration and absorption of active ingredients. And it comes in two parts, which allows you to just use the top half if you have a beard.
“Simplicity is key when it comes to men's skin care. Most of us simply won't put on 5-10 products daily regardless of the benefit,” Dr. Pierre explains. “[These] take seconds to apply, will easily fit into any schedule and will be well worth the investment.”