Fellas! Think you don’t need a skincare routine tailored to your skin type? Find out why you could be missing a trick if you skip the skincare
Face facts: it’s not just the ladies who need a tailored skincare routine. “Men’s skin is different to women’s,” says Eucerin’s medical manager, Dylan Griffiths. “Due to higher testosterone it’s oilier and hairier, and the skin is also thicker. When you consider all this, it’s beneficial to have products with various textures to support the thicker skin and penetrate past stubble or beards.”
Put simply, your skincare regime should consist of a few key steps, morning and night, with a couple of extra bits thrown in once or twice a week.
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for choosing the right skincare routine, but that doesn’t mean you have to play a game of beauty bingo in order to find the right products for your skin type (we promise).
Get to grips with your skin type
Before you can choose the right skincare routine for you, it’s time to get skin smart and suss out what skin type you’ve got.
This is the Laid-back Larry of skin types, the one that doesn’t make a song and dance about anything, but that’s not to say it doesn’t need looking after.
Step 1: Sweep the day (and night) away with cleanser
Cleanse your skin morning and night to get rid of grease, grime and daily build-up. That way, you’ll have a clean canvas to allow the rest of your skincare regime to really get to work. Take your pick from our range of cleansers for men.
Step 2: Scrub up with exfoliator (but only a couple of times a week)
Give your skin a good scrub with an exfoliator once or twice a week to help buff away any dead skin cells and reveal the real, brighter-looking you. Check out our choice of exfoliators to find your perfect match.
Step 3: Take it off with toner
This is the bit in between cleansing and moisturising that you’ll be most tempted to skip, but don’t! Toner helps get your skin super-clean, meaning your serum and moisturiser work even harder. We’ve got a great range of toners to choose from, so you’re bound to find one your skin loves.
Step 4: Slap on the serum
This is the pre-amble to your moisturiser, and if you’re missing this step then you’re missing a trick. And you don’t really need to slap it on – just a few drops can deliver real results deep into your skin, and serums are great for targeting specific skin concerns such as ageing. See our assortment of serums for more.
Step 5: Hydrate your face with moisturiser
A moisturiser will help keep your skin looking and feeling smooth and supple. Moisturisers come in all shapes and sizes, but if you’ve got normal skin then you can pretty much take your pick of the bunch. Check out our range of man-friendly moisturisers.
Don’t be a Slick Rick! If you’ve got oily skin you’re probably prone to breakouts and blackheads, and you may notice your face has a visible shine that gets more intense throughout the day. A decent skincare regime can help kick oil and shine into touch.
Step 1: Give dirt and grime the heave-ho with cleanser
First up, you’ll want to grab yourself a shine-fighting cleanser designed to unclog pores and get rid of excess sebum and build-up. Check out our choice of cleansers designed for oily skin.
Step 2: Reveal a radiant new you with exfoliator (but only a couple of times a week)
Schedule in an extra five minutes to exfoliate once or twice a week if you’ve got oily skin, to help free your skin of the stuff that’s clogging your pores. Our range of men’s exfoliators is sure to have something to do the trick.
Step 3: Restore a bit of balance with toner
Take care with the toner if you’ve got oily skin, as using the wrong one can dry out your skin and encourage it to produce even more oil – nightmare! Our balancing toners can help keep oily skin in check.
Step 4: Add a subtle moisture boost with serum
Choosing the right serum is essential for oily skin. Hyaluronic acid is a great choice, as it’s lightweight and will provide a gentle dose of moisture without clogging pores (we know, the name sounds a bit scary, but trust us on this one). Take a look at our range of hyaluronic acid serums to find out more.
Step 5: Keep skin sweet with moisturiser
It’s tempting to miss out the moisturiser when you’ve got oily skin, but that can actually encourage your skin to create more oil if you skip the moisturiser. Instead, invest in a featherweight moisturiser designed to give heavyweight results. Check out our choice of oily skin moisturisers that really pack a punch.
Dry skin can feel rough and tight, and be prone to redness, flakiness and irritation. Hydration is key for keeping dry skin in check, so stock up on skincare sidekicks designed to do the business!
Step 1: Create a blank canvas with cleanser
First up, if you’ve got dry skin it’s important to use a gentle hydrating cleanser to avoid upsetting it even further. Micellar water is a great option as it’ll clean your skin without stripping it of natural oils.
Step 2: Get buff with exfoliator (but only once a week)
Tempting as it may be to grab that exfoliator and get rid of any flakiness, it’s important not to over-exfoliate if your skin is dry. Once a week is fine, and a gentle exfoliator is going to be the best man for the job.
Step 3: Freshen up with toner (but only once a day)
Those with dry skin can skip this step, but if you do choose to use a toner, make sure it’s an alcohol-free one and only use it once a day to avoid drying out your skin even more.
Step 4: Smooth things over with serum
Pick up a serum that contains mostly natural ingredients so there’s less chance of irritation to your skin. Take a look at our range of serums formulated with natural ingredients.
Step 5: Make your skin’s day with moisturiser
Parched skin needs special treatment, so you’re going to need to bring out the big guns when it comes to your moisturiser. Look for a moisturiser that’s been formulated specifically for dry skin – check out our range here.
Think redness, flare-ups, tight-feeling skin, spots and blemishes. With a little TLC though, you’ll soon have your sensitive skin back to its sweet-natured self.
Step 1: Get (your face) naked with cleanser
To help keep sensitive skin on side, use a cleansing milk or micellar water to help soothe your skin, and go steady.
Step 2: Be a smooth operator with exfoliator (but only once a week)
Only exfoliate sensitive skin once a week, and remember to be gentle. If you’re rough with your already-cranky skin, that’s only going to make things worse for both of you! Find the perfect scrub for your sensitive skin from our range.
Step 3: Get skin squeaky clean with toner
We’ve got a range of comforting toners that can help clean skin without causing imbalance or irritation. If you know your skin is super sensitive to certain ingredients, choose one with as few ingredients as possible to reduce the risk of reaction.
Step 4: Serum
Hyaluronic acid is a game changer for those with sensitive skin, thanks to its gentle properties. Follow with a sensitive moisturiser to really pack in the benefits. Check out our range of hyaluronic acid serums to find a perfect partner for your sensitive skin.
Step 5: Dial up the hydration with moisturiser
Make sure your sensitive skin gets the hydration it needs without any of the hassle by choosing a moisturiser that’s hypoallergenic and fragrance free. Find the right one from our line-up of moisturisers for sensitive skin.
The eyes have it
Eye creams are entirely optional, but if you want to address specific concerns such as lines, wrinkles and dark circles, they can be a great addition to your skincare routine. Take a look at our range of eye creams for men.
Sweet dreams, skin
Once you’ve got your morning routine sussed, don’t forget to spend a few minutes on your skin before bed too. Your skincare steps should basically be the same as in the morning, except you’ll want to invest in a separate night cream especially for when you’re catching those zzzs, as Dylan explains:
“The skin functions differently at different times of the day. Night cream contains nourishing ingredients and is particularly rich, because when we go to bed our skin gets to work. When we’re asleep, blood flow increases and various hormones (amongst other things) are distributed, which are responsible for regenerating the cells. Night creams, combined with healthy sleep, promote the regeneration of the skin."
A product that takes a heavy-duty approach to your skin while you get some shut-eye? Sounds good to us! Our range of face creams for men have been designed to work their magic overnight without you having to lift a finger (once you’ve rubbed it in, obviously).
Let’s not forget face mask Friday. Or Saturday, or Sunday…
…you get the gist. Basically, set aside some time once a week to slap on a face mask and your skin will thank you for it. Trust us. Check out our range of face masks for men to find one to suit your skin type.
And there you have it: proof that whatever your skin type, there’s a skincare routine out there for you, and it’s easier to follow than you think.
