To say that men are not known for spending a lot of time on skin care is to make the understatement of a century. Although there has been a general increase in guys buying into skin care, many still use the same soap to wash their face that they used to wash their armpits only a few minutes earlier. Let's face it, skin care can be a scary world, especially for guys who haven't been shopping for acne products this century! There are billions of products out there, so not only do men have to brave aisles and aisles of skin care products in order to grab one and make for the cashier, they also risk buying a product that doesn't even meet their needs. Many guys would rather suffer, and suffering isn't that bad if you have great skin; however, men, like women, can also suffer from acne, and that old bar of shower soap doesn't do much to help with that!
Acne skin care for men doesn't need to be complicated. On the contrary, many men find that using a very basic skin care regimen helps their skin clear up noticeably, without the dozens of acne care steps that us women go through daily. Another difference between men and women's acne skin care is the number of products involved. Where women may be willing to use three different products each for a different effect, men can often get away with one product that has multiple functions. An example of a simple skin care plan for men is as follows.
Morning:
Step 1--use a mild, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free cleanser to get the face clean after a good night's sleep.
Step 2--follow this up with an oil-free moisturizer that contains a non-comedogenic sunscreen of at least SPF 15
Evening:
Step 1--use that same morning skin cleanser to wash off the accumulated grit and grime of the day
Step 2--apply a topical retinoid to act against acne and reduce oiliness of the skin
It's that easy!! Anthony Logistics for Men has a number of facial cleansers and moisturizers that satisfy these requirements, as do the Jack Black, DDF, and Peter Thomas Roth skin care lines, amongst others. Guys can get topical retinoids over the counter for mild to moderate cases of acne, but they may need a stronger prescription treatment if their acne is more severe.
In addition to the low-maintenance acne skin care regimen above, there are several other things that men can do to look after their skin and prevent acne breakouts. One particular source of irritation unique to men is shaving. Preparing the face with warm water prior to a shave can help minimize nicks and irritation by increasing the elasticity of the skin. Lathering properly is also important for preventing acne, and shaving with the grain as opposed to against the grain can prevent shaving rash that appears from too close a shave. Electric razors are much better for acne than blade shaving, but if guys prefer a blade, single blades are the least harsh on acne-prone skin.
A final skin care tip for men is to be wary of hair care products containing alcohol or oils that can wreak havoc on one's skin. Another option is to style hair in such a way that it doesn't touch the face, or to shower and wash hair at night so the product doesn't migrate onto their face via their pillow.
While the world of skin care may still be a little intimidating, many skin care products are now aimed for the specific needs of men. Simple, low-maintenance, and effective, all many guys need for acne prevention is a decent cleanser, a good all-round moisturizer with sunscreen, and a mild medicated acne cream to wear at night. Healthy skin is in, and both gals and guys can benefit from a regular skin care regimen.
