Face Skin Care and Tips and Routine for Men

The skin on a man’s face may be a little thicker than it is on a woman’s, but that doesn’t mean men’s skin is immune to the inevitable signs of aging, such as facial wrinkles, lines, age spots, and more. People are saying 40 is the new 50, but that saying doesn’t hold up if your skin is aging prematurely. Men at any age — even those still in their 20s and 30s — can benefit from a skin care regimen, to prevent or reverse changes that happen over time.  

 

 

 

What Causes Facial Aging Among Men?

Aging skin produces less elastin, or elastic tissue, and collagen, a protein and important building block for healthy skin, bones, hair, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Skin on the face also becomes thinner, more transparent and fragile as the epidermis (top layer of the skin) and dermis (the layer under the top layer) flatten together.

But it’s not only the natural aging process that causes the skin to look older. Lifestyle also plays a principal role in aging skin. Premature aging can occur as a result of exposure to sun and pollution, smoking, alcohol consumption, and stress. Skin on the face, particularly around the eyes, puts life’s excesses on display.

 

 

Understanding Your Unique Skin Type

In order to best prevent and treat the signs of aging, it’s helpful to understand your skin type so that you can implement a skin care routine for men that’s tailored to your unique skin and body composition. Identifying your skin type can be done via simple observation at home.

• If you have oily skin, you’re likely to notice a shine to your skin that feels oily to the touch. You may experience frequent breakouts and have large pores on your face due to excess sebum production.
• On the other hand, dry skin may feel rough to the touch and makes your face feel tight. It gets easily irritated and itchy, and it’s more susceptible to fine lines and wrinkles.
• Combination skin means you have both oily and dry regions of your face. You may also have sensitive skin, which can be oily, dry, or combination skin. Sensitive skin is easily irritated by perfumes, dyes, or environmental factors.
• If you’re blessed enough to have normal skin, you have none of the above. Your skin is smooth, balanced, and rarely breaks out.

 

A KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) Skin Care Regimen for Men

You have the means to prevent, slow, and even reverse aging skin simply by applying topical face treatments for men. When it comes to tackling skin care concerns, two or three products might be all you need; men’s skin care isn’t complicated. In fact, simple routines are usually the most effective and easy to maintain. Consistency is key.

The three most important skin care products to have in your arsenal are a cleanser (based on your skin type), a moisturizer, and a sunscreen. These should be used at least once per day.

 

Sunscreen

Skin cancer is a particular threat for men. SkinCancer.org has reported that “… in the U.S., men who are 49 and under have a higher probability of developing melanoma than any other cancer, and from ages 15 to 39, American men are 55 percent more likely to die of melanoma than women in the same age group.” Yet, in a study of more than 700 men only 17% reported using sunscreen daily.

Dermatologists, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, recommend sunscreen products that are:

• Broad spectrum
• SPF 30 (or higher)
• Water resistant
• Moisturizing

Apply sunscreen every day before going outside; skin damage can occur in under 20 minutes.

 

Moisturizer

Moisturizing gives the face a healthy appearance by trapping water in and hydrating the skin.

It’s important to check the label to make sure you’re buying a moisturizer that will do more good than harm. If your skin is already oily, look for a moisturizer made for oily skin. The same goes for sensitive skin; if that’s what you have, look for a product with “sensitive skin” on the label. Apply moisturizer daily so your skin stays feeling healthy and hydrated.

 

Cleanser

Even though your face might not look or feel dirty enough to wash, you’d be shocked and disgusted if you could see under a microscope how much dirt and pollution accumulate in your pores over the course of a day. If you don’t wash all this dirt away daily, you will be more prone to aging, breakouts, and dryness. At the beginning of each day and after each time you exercise, wash your face thoroughly with warm water and a gentle cleanser. This will remove these impurities and keep your face looking and feeling fresh.

 

 

How to Select the Right Skin Care Products for Men

Anti-aging creams should be specifically formulated to tackle certain skin aging concerns like wrinkles, skin tone, sun damage, and so forth. Look at the science behind the products rather than the hype. For example, there are two ingredients in anti-aging skin care products that have been shown in scientific studies to make a difference in skin aging.

 

Retinoids

Retinoids are common ingredients in anti-aging creams. These vitamin-A based products have been shown in studies to help reverse and prevent wrinkles, improve skin texture, and increase collagen production. Retinols, the version found in over-the-counter skin care products, often cause skin irritation. Many stop using these products because of the side effects.

Men who have skin allergies or dry skin should probably avoid products with retinoids or retinols. Those with darker skin types and/or spend a lot of time in the sun should also think twice about using creams, lotions, or serums containing retinoids or retinol.

 

Defensins

Another ingredient shown to have an equal anti-aging effect without all the potential for skin irritation is defensins, an ingredient found in DefenAge skin care products. Endorsed by leading dermatologists, DefenAge’s age-repairing products are formulated to improve the visual appearance of most facial aging skin concerns.

DefenAge’s Men’s Skincare Kit is an all-in-one regimen that makes skin care easy and effective.

It includes DefenAge’s core skin care regimen:

• 8-in-1 BioSerum (in a mega size) to help keep facial skin looking young;
• 24/7 Barrier Balance Cream to moisturize and protect the skin barrier; and
• 2-Minute Reveal Masque to exfoliate dead skin cells and brighten your face.

The kit also includes a hemp-cotton sport towel and toiletry bag, making it the perfect gift for the man-cave medicine cabinet or for traveling. All DefenAge skin care products are made in the USA and meet clean beauty standards.

 

 

Dermatological Treatments for Men

Skin care products are wonderful for prevention, but they only go so far in reversing the effects of aged skin. Sagging skin, deep wrinkles and lines, and extreme skin tone issues might require a trip to the dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

Some treatments and procedure to consider include:

• Injectables, such as fillers or neuromodulators (one is Botox), to treat lines and facial volume loss
• Laser and light procedures and devices to resurface facial skin, improve skin tone, and smooth the skin surface
• Chemical peels to resurface the skin
• Surgery, including facelift surgery, to lift sagging skin

While injectables generally do not require downtime, many other skin rejuvenating procedures do result in red or peeling skin, including some laser treatments, chemical peels, and surgeries.

 

 

Become More Knowledgeable About Your Skin

Want to learn even more about how to counteract the effects of aging and maintain a youthful appearance? DefenAge is a scientifically backed skin care brand headed by leading industry experts who offer trustworthy advice on all things skin care. Visit our blog today to explore skin care topics beyond men’s face care.