We aren’t joking when we say self-care is the most important thing next to breathing, because if you don’t take care of yourself, who will? And skin care is the most elite form of self-care one can do for themselves. Had a bad day at work? Apply a face mask, and resume watching that series you couldn’t stop thinking about the whole day while sipping on a hot cup of your favourite beverage. And men, a solid skincare routine is the basic necessity for good grooming. Why wouldn’t you want to properly maintain your skin knowing that it leads to fewer breakouts and reduces flaky skin while delaying visible signs of ageing? Why you should be taking skincare more seriously, you may ask? In short, to enhance your appearance almost instantly and age more gracefully with time and even more importantly for the satisfaction that comes with daily self-care rituals, it simply just makes you feel like you have achieved something.
No, you do not need a cabinet full of products to get baby-soft skin. It honestly just comes down to these simple five steps. As much as we would go on and on talking about retinol, face serums, active ingredients and other treatments, right now we’ll focus on building the perfect foundation for your skin-care routine. Restricting it to helping you understand the type of skin you have and techniques as simple as cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and hydrating for now. Trust us, this is just the guide you need to perfect your skincare routine and perfect your facial kit.
- Understanding your skin type:
Your skin can broadly be divided into:
Dry skin: If you experience flakiness and itchiness on a regular basis then you are likely to have dry skin as it lacks the lipids to retain moisture due to low sebum production. The best solution for the lack of moisture retention lipids is to keep moisturizing your skin as it reduces itchiness while hydrating your skin and making it feel supple.
Oily skin: As a polar opposite to dry skin, excessive sebum production results in oily skin which makes your skin prone to enlarged pores, blackheads and pimples. If not treated properly, this type of skin tends to take in dirt in the pores resulting in breakouts. A clay face wash is ideal to help cleanse pores and reduce oil secretion.
Combination skin: Oily t-zone and dry cheeks makeup for combination skin. In order to manage this skin type, it’s advisable to cleanse your face thoroughly twice a day. Using a toner on your T-zone and applying face cream on the drier areas is the best way to combat combination skin types.
Sensitive skin: Flushed skin, rashes, rosacea or severe reaction to products are a result of sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, then you need to take utmost care of your skin with an appropriate skincare routine in order to prevent breakouts.
Normal skin: Smaller pores and a balanced sebum secretion keep the skin stabilized. This type of akin doesn’t require a lot of care, a simple cleansing and moisturizing makes up for the skincare.
- Skincare Routine:
Here are some products that need a forever reserved spot in your men’s facial kits.
Cleanser:
The best way to start your morning and nighttime skincare routine is to always cleanse your face to get rid of any and all the dirt, pollution and excess oil that’s been sitting on your face. It also helps in priming up your face for the rest of your skincare routine. The cleanser you go for largely depends on your skin type. Gentle cleansing for dry skin, gel-based formulas for oily skin, salicylic acid formulated cleansers for sensitive skin and the normal skin type can opt for any cleanser. Cleansing is a very important part of men’s facial kit.
Toner:
Often skipped or forgotten, toner is particularly important for men struggling with acne, signs of ageing and ingrown hair. The application of toner requires soaking a cotton pad with your toner and rubbing that over your face, neck and the back of your neck. You can also pour out a quarter-sized amount of toner directly onto your palm, rub it over your palms and then gently dab your hands on your head, cheeks and neck. It is recommended to use a toner with salicylic acid present in it for acne issues and to fight the signs of ageing, the use of a toner with glycolic acid is preferable. Get toner added in you facial kits for men for a better result.
Serum:
Serum is considered to be the most important step of your facial kits for men and skincare as it gives you an instant brighter and fresher look. Generally packed in a bottle that comes along with a dropper, it is advisable to pour 2-3 drops of serums onto your fingertips and rub it across your forehead, swiping it on your cheeks from the bridge of your nose in an outward manner. A retinol-based serum is preferable for those whose concerns are related to ageing. Dry skin type can use a hyaluronic acid-based serum and for those struggling with hyperpigmentation or are just looking for a serum that works on dullness, a vitamin-c-based serum is their answer. Finally, those with acne issues can go for a salicylic acid-based serum.
Under Eye Cream:
The skin located under your eyes is the thinnest on your face if not lips and therefore, one needs to be especially sensitive around this area. Luckily, eye creams are effective and very easy to use. These creams focus majorly on puffiness, dryness and dark circles. Whatever product you use, squirt out some on the tip of your ring finger and dab it under your eyes starting from the outer corner towards the inner corners of your eyes.
Moisturizer:
The last and final step to finish your skincare routine is moisturizing your skin. It is advisable to use two different types of moisturizer, one in the morning that includes SPF and one for your nighttime routine that seeps into your skin without clogging your pores. Apply the product on your face, neck and back of your neck regularly. Always make sure to have moisturizer in you facial kits for men
And there you have it, a simple five-step skincare routine that not only helps you understand why skincare is important but also helps you combat your skin issues according to your skin type. So avoid dry, flaky, acne or signs of ageing by incorporating these products into facial kits for men.
