First things first, figure out your skin type
Knowing your skin type is the first step to caring for your skin. This will tell you how your skin normally behaves and will help you choose products to address the individual concerns of your skin. Don’t worry, it’s not too hard to find out. Just take this short skin quiz.
Cleanse your skin in the morning and at night
Cleansing is the first step of any good skincare routine. This helps remove any pollutants, sweat or buildup that has accumulated on your skin throughout the day or night. Not only does washing your face feel refreshing, but it helps prevent breakouts or flaking from occurring. Find a cleanser that’s good for your skin type. If you have oily skin, you’ll want an oil-free cleanser that won’t clog your pores. If your skin is on the drier side, choose a mild, creamier formula that won’t be too harsh on your skin.
Generally speaking, men have thicker and less sensitive skin than women, but it’s still a good idea to avoid using bar soap on your face. Bar soap is often very harsh and made with irritating ingredients that can strip your skin of its moisturizing natural oils. Once you find a cleanser that’s right for your skin, simply apply it in an upward circular motion to your face, rinse off and pat dry.
After cleansing, always apply moisturizer
Just as important as cleansing is moisturizing. After cleansing, your skin is extra sensitive and vulnerable as a lot of moisture has been stripped away. While this is essential for removing buildup and preventing breakouts and blackheads, it’s important you restore that lost moisture by applying a lotion or moisturizer. Again, it’s important to choose a formula that suits your skin type.
For oily skin, choose a lighter moisturizer or one with a gel-like consistency. If you have drier skin, use a thicker, creamier moisturizer. Apply in an upward, circular motion to avoid tugging on your skin, which creates more wrinkles. You should apply it after cleansing in the morning and night and anytime throughout the day when you feel your skin getting dry.
Shave the right way
When it comes to shaving, there are several steps you should take for a cleaner shave free of dry skin, ingrown hairs or unwanted nicks and cuts.
- Exfoliate
It may sound unnecessary but before shaving, it’s always a good idea to exfoliate. Scrubbing your face with an exfoliant will help remove dead skin cells and strip away bacteria and dirt that can get pushed into your pores with your razor.
- Steam it up
Shave in the shower or right after getting out of the shower. Not only will this save you time, but the steam moistens your face and helps open pores. This makes hair follicles stand up better, which makes it easier to get a closer and smoother shave.
- Always use a shaving cream
Shaving cream protects and moisturizes your face. Look for a rich shaving cream that contains moisturizers like Vitamin E, shea butter, coconut oil and argan oil. If possible, avoid shaving creams with alcohol as alcohol dries out your skin.
- Go with the grain
Maybe your dad already gave you this lecture in high school, but always remember to shave with the grain, using short and even strokes. While shaving in the opposite direction may feel like you are getting a closer shave, what it is actually doing is cutting the hair to below skin level. This can cause ingrown hairs when the hair grows back.
- Aftershave
Aftershave may seem like a relic of the past, but it is actually an essential step for keeping skin moisturized after the irritation of shaving. Aftershave has come a long way since the 1900s. Today, many contain natural astringents like witch hazel and aloe vera, which help soothe the skin and close pores.
- Not shaving? Consider a beard oil
If you are growing or maintaining a beard, beard oil can help keep hair groomed and soft while moisturizing
Last but not least, don’t forget your SPF!
The sun is the most damaging force on our skin. The sun’s powerful UV rays impair our skin’s DNA, causing wrinkles and increasing our risk for skin cancer. That’s why it’s vital to apply SPF every day, even if you aren’t headed to the beach. Look for a moisturizer that contains SPF or apply sunscreen after your moisturizer. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Look for a factor of 30 or 15 at a minimum.
