How To Maintain A Skincare Routine For Men

Men who take care of their skin are major green flags!!! Skincare is an essential lifestyle practice and it's high time we all acknowledge that including and especially people with tight schedules.

Protecting your skin which protects your body from all sorts of physical stresses like UV rays, pollution, harsh climatic conditions, and various microbes is essential since a healthy skin barrier helps in maintaining an overall healthier body and subconsciously healthier mind. But does one product work for everyone? To answer that let us agree that we know that our skin is unique and thus our skin care needs are unique too, investing in a skincare routine suited for your skin type and concern can do wonders in the long term. It doesn’t make sense for a dry skin type person to go for a Moisturizer For Oily Skin. Hopefully, by the end of this article, it will help you curate your own skincare routine considering your skincare type and concern.

Let’s understand the basics of skincare while curating a skincare routine you should take your skin type (oily/dry/combination/normal) and skin concern (acne, PIE/PIH, Hyperpigmentation, melasma, fine lines, etc) under consideration.

Perform this simple test to find out your skin type: Wash your face with any cleanser and let your skin dry on its own and now wait for around 60 seconds.

Let’s break the skincare routine for skincare enthusiasts of all levels, starting from men who are beginning their journey to those who are already on it and want to advance.

Skincare for beginners: You are never too late to start anything in life, especially skincare. If you are an aspiring skincare enthusiast and planning to build a skincare routine you need to keep in mind the CTMS for the products and their order of application. Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer, and Sunscreen to be elaborative.

Cleanse your face at least twice a day with any face wash of your choice to make sure you have a clean canvas for the further layering of products. If your skin type is dry or sensitive it is best to opt for natural SLS-free face washes.

Toning your face further helps balance your skin’s pH thus keeping it moisturized and also helps in minimizing the appearance of pores. Toners could both be hydrating and at the same time prevent dirt build-up on the skin. Calendula toners efficiently control oil and prevent the greasy appearance of skin, hydrating toners are recommended for dry skin types.

Moisturizers are for everyone. Often the oily skin hunks think it's best to skip on it, but skipping on the moisturizer triggers our sebaceous glands to make even more oil to compensate for the skin’s natural oil you just washed away. Picking a light, hydrating, and oil-free moisturizer is recommended.

Sunscreen is a non-negotiable part of any skincare routine. It protects from, sun damage, tanning, photoaging, pollution, and skin cancer. It is recommended to wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or above, proper reapplication is also advised for optimal results.

If you already are doing the above and want to take your skincare game to the next level viz the intermediate level skincare routine, it is best to introduce exfoliants, serums, and eye creams.

Exfoliation twice a week helps in removing the topmost, dead layer of skin. Irregular exfoliation might lead to breakouts as well, a pesky zit here or a bumpy pimple there takes a toll on your confidence and eventually your mental health, to avoid that it is advised to use salicylic acid cleanser or an anti-acne serum for the same.

Serums that provide hydration such as hyaluronic acid serum help maintain a healthy skin barrier and transepidermal water levels thus preventing any breakouts or dullness, giving your skin a youthful and plump appearance.

Face masks either hydrating, exfoliating, or repairing are also a good choice to include in your weekly skincare regimen. Aftershave care would include incorporating a hydrating and soothing face mask to help your skin soothe and repair.

Eye creams are a long-term investment as the skin under our eyes is thinner and thus more prone to develop early signs of aging like wrinkles and pigmentation. It is advised to include a cream that can serve the dual purpose of depigmenting and anti-aging, retinol and Vitamin-C based under eye creams help with both.

Now comes the advanced skincare routine or we can call it the ingredient/treatment-focused skincare routine. Advanced skincare routine includes molecules that address a particular skin concern. It requires an awareness of the actives and acids of the product you are using. I am sure those social media influencers have helped you get familiarized with an array of molecules/ingredients but what ingredient is for you? The listicle below explains the major skincare ingredients so you can make an informed decision before investing in any skinfluencer-suggested product that doesn’t even address your root cause.

Vitamin-C: Vitamin-C needs no introduction when it comes to the skincare benefits. It is a powerful antioxidant that prevents free radical oxidation and thus the photodamage. It works effectively in managing discoloration and pigmentation, it also is a great ingredient to include in your under-eye creams. It helps in boosting collagen production and thus maintains the skin elasticity thus also preventing the signs of aging.

Niacinamide: It is an ingredient that is good when applied alone but works great when paired with other ingredients such as retinol or hyaluronic acid. It is the "Jack of all trades" in the skincare world, since it addresses all the skincare issues but doesn’t alone suffice. It is one of the safest ingredients to include in your skincare and thus is very beginner-friendly.

Retinol and Bakuchiol: If you believe in minimalism and want to keep your skincare routine minimal yet effective, retinol should be your go-to molecule. It works by increasing cell turnover and in turn, reverses the signs of aging and prevents further damage to the skin, it also helps in managing acne, acne marks, and hyperpigmentation. Basically, anything and everything you need in a skincare product. Now it is vital to acknowledge that it is to be used only in your ‘PM’ skincare routine since it is readily photosensitive and since it is a very strong molecule it is always advised to take it under your doctor’s supervision.

If you have already tried retinol and it did not work for you, do not lose hope, Bakuchiol is the best alternative to it with similar effects and benefits.

AHAs/BHAs/PHAs: All of these are exfoliants with varying degrees.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid are the most common forms of AHAs that are widely used in skin care products for exfoliation. Mandelic acid is also getting awareness lately in the skincare world.

Beta-Hydroxy Acids: Salicylic Acid is the best-known BHA and for good reason, it penetrates deep into the pores and breaks down the dead layer of skin, it also controls oil production, preventing any further breakout, and it is a great molecule to include for managing active acne, salicylic acid serums or toners are readily available and can be used for an effective skincare routine.

Poly-Hydroxy Acids: These are the mild exfoliating molecules for sensitive skin types since they are relatively larger molecules and do not cross the deeper layer of skin thus working at surface-level exfoliation. Gluconolactone, galactose, and lactobionic acid are few PHAs to name a few.

Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides: Rightly put they are strong hydrating and barrier-strengthening ingredients. Hyaluronic acid helps retain the water in the skin and provides significant hydration whereas Ceramides strengthen the skin barrier.

All of it might seem like a lot but it is important to acknowledge that you do not require a 10-step skincare routine, keep it simple, pick the ingredients that address your unique set of skincare needs, and keep it minimal. Include a basic Cleanser, toner, treatment, moisturizer, and sunscreen routine, you can skip moisturizer on hot humid days if you are using any hydrating toner such as a Calendula Toner, or could use a moisturizer for oily skin since they are lighter and water-based.

It is best to approach skin health holistically, having a diet with ample anti-oxidants and protein not only helps you with the muscle gains at the gym but also covers your skin health in the course, exercising for better blood circulation along a consistent skincare routine really makes all the difference. Skincare is an essential part of everyone’s life, especially for the ones with jam-packed schedules, it is high time to acknowledge that having a consistent skincare regimen is an investment and not an expense.

Healthy skin is a clear indication of your overall health irrespective of your gender. Do not keep your basic instinct of protection and provision when it comes to your own skin, protect your skin with an array of skincare products like moisturizer, make sure to use a moisturizer for oily skin if you lie in the oily skin type and a calendula toner to help maintain the pH of your skin. Protect and provide your skin like it has been doing it all your life.

He is the founder of Klaycart. He has been working in the field of health and wellness for the past 15 years.