Traditionally, skincare has always been very female-oriented. However, times are changing…
Statistics show that 84% of men between the ages of 18-44 use facial skincare products of some form. In fact, the average male in the USA spends around $250 each month on skincare.
While that may be the case, there’s still a serious lack of advice and expertise out there when it comes to skincare for men. Many men want to dive even deeper into the world of skincare but aren’t confident about how to go about doing so.
That’s where Introlift can help. Today, we’re going to be focusing on skincare for men. What should you be doing for your skin? Which products do you actually need? And are there any professional treatments worth looking into? Keep reading for all of the answers, and more!
Male Skin is Different From Female Skin
When it comes down to it, skin is skin. However, there are a few differences between male and female skin that should influence your choice of products.
To start with, men have thicker skin. The dermis is about 20% thicker than that of a woman’s. This is due to the higher levels of testosterone that a man has, which stimulates increased skin thickness.
Men also have a larger number of pores than women. This is why they tend to produce more sebum. As a result, they’re more susceptible to oily skin problems, such as clogged pores, acne, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Of course, let’s not forget the effects that shaving can have. While it’s a great way to exfoliate, it also adds extra friction to the skin, which puts it under more stress. This can lead to irritation and sensitivities.
Why does all of this matter? Because many of the skincare products out there are designed for women. There’s nothing wrong with using these, but make sure that you keep these differences in mind while you’re shopping. Ideally, go for the more potent products with a high concentration of active ingredients to ensure that they penetrate your thicker skin. You’ll also need to avoid pore-clogging ingredients while seeking out products that will help to mattify your complexion. Ensuring that your skin feels soothed and calm at all times is also essential if you regularly shave.
Let’s now talk about how you can go about doing all of that!
Keep Your Skin Clean
When it comes to skincare for men, cleansing is absolutely essential. Due to how male skin produces so much extra oil, it doesn’t take much for the skin to end up feeling greasy. This makes it even easier for pollutants and dirt to stick to the skin, after which they’ll begin to enter into the pores and cause some serious damage.
Unless your skin is naturally on the drier side, cleansing twice a day would be advisable. This should be paired with an exfoliant once or twice a week. While your cleanser will tackle surface impurities, an exfoliant will dive deeper to clear out the pores.
If you could do with some extra help with cleansing and exfoliating your skin, check out Introlift’s RF Aqua Facial Lift. This treatment not only cleanses and exfoliates the skin, but it also incorporates extractions. This is a procedure that clears out compacted pores. It’s perfect for getting rid of blackheads and whiteheads and will also help to prevent more blemishes from forming in the future.
Hydration is Everything
In order for your skin cells to function properly, they need a steady supply of moisture. Many people think that drinking plenty of water will give their skin cells all the moisture that they need but, unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. While it’s true that the water you drink does play a role in keeping your skin hydrated, your other organs benefit from it first. This leaves little for your skin, making topical hydration a must too.
Fortunately, keeping your skin hydrated is easy with the right skincare products. Serums and creams are best for this – look for formulas that contain several humectants. These are ingredients that have moisture-binding properties, meaning that they can immediately leave the skin looking plump and feeling quenched. Some of the most effective humectants to keep an eye out for when shopping for skincare for men are:
- Hyaluronic acid/ sodium hyaluronate
- Glycerin
- Squalane
- Aloe vera
- Honey
- Lactic acid
If your skin needs an extra dose of hydration, then consider treating it to a facial. Treatments like the 24K Nano Gold Recovery Facial are fantastic for giving the skin some intense hydration. This formula is infused with sodium hyaluronate, vitamin E, and acai fruit extract, all of which will help to improve skin hydration levels while evening out the skin tone. You’ll also be able to choose from a few extras, including radio frequency, ultrasound treatment, and LED light therapy.
Protect Your Skin From the Sun
The sun’s UV rays are responsible for many of the most common skin concerns out there. From fine lines and wrinkles to dark spots and an uneven skin tone, all of this can be avoided to a huge extent if you’re diligent about sun protection.
It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about skincare for men or women – the rules are the same when it comes to sun protection. Always keep your skin covered with at least an SPF 30, ensuring that the formula you pick is a broad-spectrum blend. This ensures that it will protect from both UVA and UVB rays.
One essential sun protection tip that every pro will share is to follow sun protection measures year-round. It may not feel necessary in the winter months, but the sun’s UV rays are always around, meaning that your skin is always vulnerable to their sometimes irreversible damage.
Tackle Your Skin Concerns Head On
Are forehead wrinkles getting you down? Or perhaps you hate the acne marks that have peppered your face since your teenage years. Whatever it may be, don’t shy away from dealing with the skin concerns that bother you.
Find yourself a reputable medical spa, such as Introlift, and explore the many treatments that are out there.
For example, if you’re worried about acne, wrinkles, an uneven skin tone, or general dullness, the Micropeel Plus 20 Solution face peel would be ideal. It boasts a 20% salicylic acid content, which is a beta-hydroxy acid that dives deep into the skin to help with all of the visible skin concerns we just mentioned. Face peels can seem intimidating at first, but this one doesn’t come with much downtime. In return, you’ll be able to experience a truly revived complexion.
Microneedling is another treatment that’s becoming increasingly popular when it comes to skincare for men. The fact that it makes use of lots of tiny needles may sound daunting at first, but it’s a painless procedure that triggers your skin’s healing process. This encourages cell regeneration, which helps with everything from acne marks to wrinkles to enlarged pores.
Finally, let’s talk Botox. It’s a classic treatment for doing away with fine lines and wrinkles. Results start to become visible a few days after the treatment, with these then lasting for three to six months. While it does require an injection, the discomfort is minimal – it feels like a very mild sting. This, combined with its exceptional results, is partly why Botox has become such a go-to for those seeking a younger-looking appearance.
Establish a Good Skincare Routine
If you’re new to skincare for men, the very first thing to think about is developing a skincare routine. When it comes to skincare, consistency is so important, and a skincare routine will help you to give your skin the regularity that it needs.
Which skincare products should your routine consist of?
Cleansing should always be the first step. As we mentioned earlier, it’s something that should be done twice a day. Ideally, you would follow your cleanser up with a toner. This will help to keep your skin’s pH level feeling balanced. With that said, a toner isn’t absolutely essential. If you’re trying to keep your skincare routine minimal and basic to start with, then go ahead and give the toner a miss for now.
Next, add in a serum. Pick a product that targets your main visible skin concerns, and feel free to use two or three serums in your routine. Again, you could choose not to use a serum at all, but we would highly recommend doing so! These lightweight formulas are packed full of powerful active ingredients, making them ideal for improving the complexion in so many different ways.
Then, top it all off with a moisturizer. Choose a cream that’s suitable for your skin type to give your skin what it really needs. While many men suffer from excess oil production and enlarged pores, this isn’t the case with all men. Some have drier skin that experiences more sensitivities, so find a moisturizer that caters to your skin’s individual needs.
Of course, if you’re following this routine in the morning, then a layer of SPF is needed as well. This, unlike some of the other steps that we’ve mentioned above, is completely non-negotiable.
Eat the Right Foods
When it comes to skincare for men, the focus is often on topical skincare. However, the food that you eat plays a massive role in your complexion too.
Foods filled with salt, sugar, and highly processed ingredients don’t do your skin any favors. They’ll only speed up the rate at which your skin ages, leaving you experiencing wrinkles sooner than you should.
On the other hand, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and nuts are fantastic for your skin, as well as your overall health. Fill your plate with these ingredients and your skin will take on a smoother, brighter, and healthier glow.
Skincare for Men at Introlift
We offer a wide range of treatments at the Introlift Medical Spa, and these are suitable for all genders. However, we can also put together treatments that prioritize male skin concerns. No matter the skin issues you may be dealing with, a consultation with us will soon help to put you on the right track.
Click here to book a consultation with us and find out more about our skin treatments for men.