For decades, pampering one’s skin was viewed as a feminine ritual. But that’s not the case and never should have been the case. Both genders need to practice good facial hygiene.
According to Open Formula, 37% of men actually do practice skincare. Why is the number so low and why don’t more people practice it?
The fear of skincare
Why are most men scared to talk about skincare? Most men don’t like the idea of skincare because they see it as more feminine and categorize skincare with make-up.
People complain about acne and blackheads and wrinkles; one way to fix that is a skincare routine. Think of all the dirt, germs and pollution your face comes in contact with during the day. Just leaving your house can cause your skin to feel oily and greasy.
A survey conducted in 2014 by U.S. Dove Men+Care Hair found that “35 percent [of men] are concerned about dark undereye circles, dull skin, or other skin imperfections, 5 percent more than the number worried about going bald.”
Having soft skin is not gender specific. For a man, moisturizer may be the last thing they’d think of trying, but a moisturizer may just be what they need. Moisturizer also helps with dry skin or sun burnt skin by trapping moisture into the skin. People tend to get dry skin in the winter and when your skin becomes dry your body naturally makes more oil. The extra oil can clog your pores, which may lead to more breakouts. The right moisturizer can prevent your skin from becoming dry and irritated. It makes you feel refreshed. Most moisturizers are not scented so the stereotype of it being feminine needs to change.
The age of skincare
In a survey conducted by Tiege in December of 2019, 1000 men age 18 and above were questioned online about skincare. The poll showed that 33% of men surveyed admitted to not washing their face every day with 63% not using face wash regularly.
Regular skincare routines shouldn’t start at adulthood. It is crucial for teens and even preteens to wash their face due to hormones and sweat. The ideal age is 12 according to Yourbestselves.com but if you play sports or are sweating more than usual, one may want to start earlier.
Why use a skincare routine?
Research conducted by Ipsos found, males 51+ are more likely to have a daily skincare routine because they want to look younger. By that age some damage might already be done to your skin. Ipsos also noted that “males 18–34 don’t feel the pressure to look younger but do want to look as good as possible to attract women.”
As we grow older, our skin loses its strength and elasticity. To keep it looking firm and smooth for as long as possible, it’s important to follow a skin care regimen. This includes basic cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing. No one can stay youthful forever, but we can significantly slow down the aging process with a proper skincare routine.
Skin care improves your skin health. Your skin is your largest organ and begs to be taken care of. Skin care slows down aging and it boosts your confidence. Some problems you can get from a lack of skincare are dark spots, dull/dry skin and uneven skin tone.
Advice
Mr. Sal Cerchio, an English teacher, explained his skincare routine which is to wash your face in the morning face wash at night same face wash and charcoal. Cerchio said, “skincare [products] that everyone should have is lotion, floss, mouthwash, and moisturizer. Also, he said the skincare that is least effective is any skincare that says it will take away your acne the first day.”
Cerchio also gets his eyebrows threaded and feels that it is not a gender exclusive activity. Caring about one’s appearance improves confidence.
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that “everyone, including men, identify and understand their skin type:
- Sensitive skin may sting or burn after product use
- Normal skin is clear and not sensitive
- Dry skin is flaky, itchy or rough
- Oily skin is shiny and greasy
- Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others
Understanding your skin type will help you learn how to take care of your skin and select skin care products that are right for you.”
Charcoal
Activated charcoal may help remove impurities and dirt from the skin, improving its texture and appearance and removing dead skin cells. Also, it makes the appearance of dark spots less visible and deeply cleanses the skin. If you use a charcoal peel-off mask, especially more than once a week can strip your face of essential oils and lipids that help protect your skin from dehydration and pollutants. This can result in extreme dryness, redness, and irritation, as well as an increase in pimples and other blemishes. So, be mindful of that when using this product.
