C’mon, admit it, despite that nonchalant attitude about so-called skincare stuff, you really do care about grooming, looking and smelling good. A report issued by Univision revealed that 34% of you actually shower twice a day (more than twice as much as non-Latinos). What’s more, it turns out you use nearly twice as many moisturizers, fragrances and hair styling goods and price isn’t a deciding factor. Yes, we’re serious here. So ditch the macho attitude and check out this quick and dirty guide to keeping your skin clean, healthy and looking good.
Cleanse Daily
Wash your face in the morning and at night. Simple right? But it’s even more important during the summer. Men’s skin is generally oilier than women’s skin and also has larger skin pores – making guys more acne prone – and the summer heat can wreak even more havoc since heat and humidity accelerate oil production. Translation: more shine, grime and clogged pores. Avoid cleansers that contain alcohol, fragrance or dyes, which can be harsh on your skin. Instead, go for washes that are chemical-free, suggests Mona Gohara, M.D., a dermatologist in Danbury, Connecticut and assistant professor at Yale University. You may also want to look for those designed for your specific skin type – oily, dry, normal, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, hyper pigmenting – as well.
Try: Man Cave Face Wash ($9.99), is made with Willow bark, green tea and spinach. Plus it promises to wipe away dirt without over drying while protecting your skin from inflammation.
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Exfoliate Gently
A gentle scrub once a week will help remove dead skin cells and free up ingrown hairs that may prevent your cleanser from getting deep down and doing its job. “General exfoliation improves the smoothness and appearance of skin, and stimulates blood flow to the skin creating a healthy glow,” says Miguel Sanchez, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and Director of Dermatology and Syphiology at Bellevue Medical Center. Avoid abrasive cleansers or cleansing products such as puffs and loofahs, which can irritate skin. Instead, look for foaming cleansers and gels containing pumice, sea salt or granulated fruit seeds, suggests Dr. Sanchez. Be sure to test out the product on a small patch of skin before putting it on your face, too. A facial can also help exfoliate your skin; it really does help to deep clean your pores and get the gunk out, plus, it can be relaxing.
Try: Kiehl’s ‘Facial Fuel’ Energizing Scrub for Men ($32), made with apricot kernels for a gentle deep buff.
Shave Lightly
Shaving can chafe your face. If your skin is already raw from being outdoors, you risk irritating it more, especially those with sensitive skin. Keep it feeling nice and smooth with proper prep and technique. And if you still experience razor burn, try a little over-the-counter cortisone cream to alleviate irritation suggests Dr. Gohara, it’ll help soothe the bumps.
Try: Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel (starting at $4.14) is just as soothing as it sounds thanks to their signature oatmeal ingredient. It also promises to prevents razor bumps.
Check out more tips after the jump…