Grooming essentials

Skin facts: Men’s skin is thicker than females’ by 24 percent. Their skin is more easily dehydrated and their pH level has more acid. Men produce twice as much sebum, making their skin oilier. Men also lose skin firmness between the ages of 30 and 50.

A man’s skin needs just as much – if not more – attention and care as a woman’s. The big problem is that most men do not know how to tend to their skin. Not since the French Revolution, when men wore powdered wigs, high heels, perfume, makeup, and beauty eye patches, has the focus been so intense on men’s beauty aids. For decades, men’s skincare was frowned upon as sissy stuff. Not much was said about men’s skin and hair.

With the introduction of the metrosexual phenomenon in 2000, men began focusing on their grooming and the use of skincare products. Soccer player and Posh Spice’s husband David Beckham is a good example. He takes really good care of his skin by having a good skincare regimen with the best products to make him look absolutely gorgeous.

Unlike David Beckham, however, most men don’t waste their money on products they deem unnecessary for their skin. Washing their faces with soap and water is their most basic routine. Using sunscreen and moisturizer would be out of the question. When it comes to the daily trauma of shaving, men buy whatever is on the counter, not knowing that these products might be irritating and may result in razor burn.

Shaving is the most typical start to a man’s day, and it is the first area where they make mistakes. Most shaving creams and pre-shave products contain irritating ingredients such as alcohol, mint, and camphor, as well as high levels of potassium or sodium hydroxide. These skin irritants make the hair follicle and skin swell, forcing the hair up and away from the skin, supposedly allowing for a closer shave.

Skincare products and routines are thought to be only for women, but men have skin, too. And just like women, men can do wonders for their skin by simply learning a few basic principles of skincare. For starters, men need to understand what type of skin they have, how to care for their skin, and how to develop a skincare routine they can live with.

Before you can select skincare products, you need to know what type of skin you have. Although women often learn these differences as soon as they can hold a bar of soap, many men find the question perplexing. Skin is skin, right? Wrong! Your skin can be normal, oily, dry, sensitive, or a combination.

If your pores are small and the overall skin tone is even, then you have normal skin.

Oily skin is slightly moderate to greasy. So the pores are medium to large and prone to pimples, blackheads, whiteheads.

Dry skin, on the other hand, feels tight and itchy.

Sensitive skin is prone to rashes and breakouts from any kind of irritants such as sun, perfumes, shaving cream, temperature extremes, and even soap.

Combination skin exhibits an oily "T-zone" (forehead, nose and chin) with dry skin on the cheeks and around the eyes. It is not uncommon for these oily zones to be reversed.

Now that you know what kind of skin you have, and you’ve purchased skincare products tailored to your skin type, how do you know what to do with them? Many men have a fitness regimen, a financial plan, and a daily schedule. But mention a skincare routine and they run for the hills. Skincare is not just for women. In fact, men who exercise regularly are prone to having more skin problems than women who do the same. That’s because they’re stretching their skin, not cleansing it properly, and not protecting it from the elements such as sweat, sun, and wind.

But don’t worry, taking care of your skin doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the bathroom. It just means establishing a simple routine to keep your skin look and feel its best.

There are three basic steps to a good skincare regimen:

• Wash. Sure, you take a shower in the morning before work, but do you take time to wash your face as well? Gently wash your face twice a day. In the morning, facial cleansing will remove any perspiration and debris accrued while sleeping and, at the end of the day, it will get rid of sweat and pollutants that have accumulated on your face throughout the day. Using an all-natural herbal soap is suggested.

• Tone. If you have dry or sensitive skin, skip this step. Toners are usually alcohol-based and may irritate these skin types. But normal, oily, and combination skin can benefit from the extra cleansing and pH restoration of an alcohol-free toning product.

• Moisturize. Hydrate your face with a quality, skin-type appropriate moisturizer. If you spend any time in the sun at all, choose a moisturizer that includes a sun block of at least SPF 15. This will protect your skin from the sun and save you the hassle of remembering to apply another product.

The quest is on to find brands and products that actually work for men. Here are a few suggestions:

Zirh

Zirh Skin Nutrition is a skincare line designed to provide maximum results for men who take skincare seriously. If you want a light face moisturizer, try Zirh’s Defend. Since some people are allergic to alpha hydroxy acids, this moisturizer contains avocado oil, which conditions the skin. The water-soluble collagen in the dermis is increased, leaving the skin deeply nourished. It also has SPF 15 to protect the skin from harmful sun exposure. Available at My Beauty Hub, 6750 Ayala Avenue.

Clarins

Clarins Men skincare products contain plant extracts with purifying, energizing and soothing properties. Clinical tests have proven maximum effectiveness with their lightweight, non-oily, comfortable textures. The Under Eye Serum is a lightweight serum for normal to slightly dry skin with a tiny amount of water-binding agents and antioxidants. This clear, non-oily serum minimizes apparent puffiness, dark circles and provides moisture to this delicate area. The hazelnut extract helps minimize the appearance of skin slackening and fine lines. It immediately refreshes the undereye area. Available at Rustan’s Department Store.

Nickel

Nickel (French slang for "squeaky clean") is a unique and exciting range of skin and lifestyle products developed by the exclusive Nickel Men’s Spa in Paris. After a heavy night of partying with cigarettes and alcohol, the skin becomes dehydrated and dull. Nickel’s Morning After Rescue Gel will do the trick. It is a shock treatment that contains natural wheat and soybean-based proteins to make the skin radiant and soft. An amazing thing about this product is the biomechanical properties that stretch and firm the skin. The hamamelidacea extract is a decongestant that prevents circles and pouches from forming. It also contains caffeine and menthol-enriched un-roasted coffee complex, which reactivates and stimulates your skin’s natural processes. Available at First Aid, Greenbelt 3 and The Power Plant Mall, Rockwell.

Clinique

Clinique’s dermatologists believe that correct skin typing determines each skin’s individual needs and is the starting point for great skin. If you have dry to very dry skin, use Clinique’s M Lotion. It is a standard moisturizer that relieves skin dryness, soothes the skin, and provides moisture. Also, it helps ease shaving irritation and keeps skin in good working condition. Men of all skin types can use as needed, where needed, on clean, exfoliated skin. Available at Rustan’s Department Stores.

Lancome Homme

With the creation of Lancôme Homme, Lancôme offers men visibly efficient products specifically developed for male skin. Lancôme’s Complete Revitalizing Treatment smoothens and visibly improves skin texture by strengthening it. Skin becomes more resistant, recharged, repaired and protected. It is suitable for all skin types, especially those showing signs of aging.

Nivea

Nivea for men is an advanced line of enriching skincare and soothing aftershave products especially designed for the active, healthy men’s lifestyle. The Nivea Shaving Gel Fresh Cooling revitalizes and moisturizes the skin while shaving. It contains menthol and vitamin F for immediate cooling and optimal care. Dermatologically-tested, the shaving gel is enriched with advanced moisturizers that improve the condition of the skin and help protect against razor burn.

Anthony Logistics

Anthony Logistics For Men has taken a very comprehensive approach to men’s personal care. To degrease the face, try Anthony Logistics Deep Pore Cleansing Clay. It contains softening apricot kernel oil, toning calendula, nourishing vitamins A, C and E to help absorb excess oils and tighten pores. Smooth all over a clean face, avoiding the eye area and leave on for five to 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and say goodbye to skin impurities. Available at Beauty Bar.

For the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, it was a common practice for men to use makeup as part of their culture. Nothing shocking, right? Now, Jean Paul Gaultier is brave and bold enough to create the first makeup line for men. However, straight men aren’t ready to dust powder on their faces or even wear lipstick and blush just yet. Or are they?