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Men's Skin Care

Men's Skin Care

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Skin Care Strategies for the EveryMAN

Skin care isn't the most popular subject for most men around the world, especially in comparison to women. Globally, men spend about $28 billion U.S. dollars to take care of all their grooming needs (hair, face, shaving, etc.), whereas women (are you ready for this) spend $91 billion U.S. dollars worldwide just for skin care! So are guys saving money or hurting their skin? A little of both.

The Paula's Choice Team is not looking to help men spend excessively on skin care, but without question, men need to take care of their skin. There are numerous benefits to adopting a basic skin-care routine:

  • Keeping skin healthy means it will look younger longer, and that can be important for career opportunities
  • Shaving will be easier, less irritated and inflamed, and you'll experience less ingrown hairs, too
  • Having fewer breakouts, dry spots, and oily areas looks more attractive
  • Feeling better about yourself, nothing wrong with looking better

All of the benefits above can be achieved with just a few products. A man's skin-care routine should look like this:

  • Use a gentle liquid cleanser
  • Use an exfoliant, but not a scrub as these tear into skin causing irritation and inflammation—shaving is plenty of exfoliation for any face
  • Use a product that contains beta hydroxy acid (BHA). This removes pore-clogging, old-looking skin and it also has anti-redness properties
  • A sunscreen rated SPF 15 or greater for daytime and (if needed) a moisturizer for use at night
  • If you have acne, a product containing benzoyl peroxide is essential
  • Never use products containing irritants such as alcohol, menthol, peppermint, or too much fragrance (either synthetic or natural). Unfortunately most men's products contain irritants, so be careful

There you have it, simple steps to healthier, and yes, younger-looking skin!

 

How to Determine Your Skin Type

Different skin types need different products. Once you know your skin type you can determine which products will work best for your needs. Follow the chart below to assess your skin type:

Oily Skin

Combination Skin

Dry to Very Dry

• All-over shine
• Blackheads/whiteheads (white bumps)
• Enlarged pores
• Breakouts

• Both oily and dry areas
• Prone to clogged pores in the center of your face, dry or tight on the cheeks or eye area

• Rough texture, irritated skin
• Possibly flaking, chapped
• Small pores
• Rarely breakout

 


Finding a Routine for Your Skin Type

What Products to Use
Once you know your skin type you can choose products that are best for you and your skin-care concerns. But don't worry, the routines we've put together for you will take no more than five minutes.

Note that step 3 will differ from morning to night because you need sunscreen during the day and a moisturizer without sunscreen at night, when necessary.

 

Step

Oily Skin

Combination Skin

Dry to Very Dry

1.) Cleanser,
A.M. and P.M.

Tip: Avoid bar soaps!

Try Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Cleanser
or
CLEAR Normalizing Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin

Tip: A gentle, effective cleanser can balance both dry and oily areas.

Try Paula's Choice
HydraLight One-Step Face Cleanser
or
Skin Balancing Cleanser

Tip: Avoid drying or greasy formulas.

Try Paula's Choice
Moisture Boost One-Step Face Cleanser
or
Skin Recovery Cleanser

2.) Exfoliate,
A.M. and/or P.M.

Tip: You can't scrub blackheads or acne away!

Try Paula's Choice
2% BHA Gel
or
2% BHA Liquid

Tip: A light moisturizing base works best!

Try Paula's Choice
1% BHA Gel
or
2% BHA Gel

Tip: BHA should be used all over to remove flaky skin.

Try Paula's Choice
2% BHA Lotion

3.) Sunscreen,
A.M.

Tip: Stick to liquids or mattifying sunscreen lotions.

Try Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion SPF 15
or
Ultra-Light Weightless Finish SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray

Tip: Try a lightweight, matte finish lotion.

Try Paula's Choice
Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 20
or
Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion SPF 15

Tip: Consider a sunscreen with extra moisture.

Try Paula's Choice
Moisture Boost Daily Restoring Complex SPF 20
or
Skin Recovery Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 15

3.) Moisturize,
P.M.

Tip: Use an ultra-light formula.

Try Paula's Choice
Skin Balancing Moisture Gel
or
Skin Balancing Toner

Tip: Apply moisturizer all over!

Try Paula's Choice
HydraLight Moisture-Infusing Lotion
or
Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner

Tip: Use a more emollient
formula with additional anti-irritants to soothe skin.

Try Paula's Choice
Moisture Boost Hydrating Treatment Cream
or
Skin Recovery Moisturizer

A Smarter Shave

The best time to shave is immediately following your shower, as washing your face will help soften the hairs which will make your shave smoother and less irritating. Don't use very hot water as that will irritate skin, causing redness and inflammation.

Apply a well-formulated, gentle (meaning it doesn't contain any irritants) shave gel, working it into your beard. Using a clean, fresh razor, shave with the direction of your hair growth with short strokes. Be sure to rinse your razor often! Run your hands over your face to ensure that you haven't missed any areas. A fragrance-free shave gel loaded with anti-irritants will make your shave an easier one. Try Paula's Choice Close-Comfort Shave Gel and the new Schick Hydro 3 or Hydro 5 razors.

Follow your shave with a product to help minimize irritation and red bumps—Paula's Choice Skin Relief Treatment is a liquid formula that calms your skin and minimizes redness. Applying after each shave can absolutely heal razor burn, cutting down on unsightly bumps and redness.

FAQs for Men

Q: Why is bar soap a bad thing?
A: Bar soaps are drying and irritating which irritates and inflames skin, plus the ingredients that put bar cleansers into their bar form can clog pores.

Q: What about acne on your face, neck, or back?
A: Breakouts anywhere on the body require a BHA exfoliant and a benzoyl peroxide-based product which helps clear the pore of bacteria, excess oil, and dead skin cells. Try any of Paula's Choice BHA products and Paula's Choice CLEAR Regular or Extra Strength Acne-Fighting Treatments. Benzoyl peroxide can stain clothing, so apply it only at night and wear an old T-shirt.

Q: How can I minimize the signs of aging on my face?
A: Use sunscreen 365 days a year, as UV radiation is responsible for most premature skin wrinkling. Adding a retinol/antioxidant treatment to your routine will help repair the damage done, as well as minimize the effects of present and future environmental factors.

Q: My hands, elbows, and feet are dry. What can I use that works but doesn't smell?
A: A rich, emollient moisturizer and exfoliant will heal and reduce dryness on your body. Try Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion with 10% AHA and Paula's Choice Body Butter.

Q: How can I whiten my teeth without that fake bleach tray look?
A: Drugstore teeth whitening products work as well as those used in dentist's offices. For touch-ups, Paula's Choice Brighten Up 2-Minute Teeth Whitener is extremely effective with no mess and no irritation.

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