The Best Skincare Routine for Men
Our skin is an essential component to our health, it protects us in more ways than one, and therefore it is important to take care of it. With proper care, your skin will not only look and feel better but it will remain healthy and functioning. Of course, as an Esthetician, I am a strong believer in investing time and money in nourishing your skin, if you consider yourself a minimalist and want to start out with the easiest skincare regimen possible this is for you.
Step 1: Cleanse
Cleansing the skin on a daily basis is essential for clear and healthy skin. If you are properly cleansing your skin you are ridding it of debris such as dirt, makeup, and oil that can clog the pores, cause acne and prevent other skincare products from working within the skin. When choosing a cleanser you will want to consider your skin type. You can do this by paying attention to how your skin feels after washing it.
If your skin feels uncomfortable or tight immediately after washing you most likely have dry skin, if it looks shiny you most likely have oily skin, if it feels normal then you probably have normal skin, and if you experience tightness in some spots and shininess in others you have combination skin. Dry skin types are better off with a creamy textured cleanser, oily skin types with a gel consistency. Your skin should never be red or feel irritated after using a cleanser, if this occurs you will need a gentler cleanser, avoid sulfates in your cleansers. If you wear a full face of makeup on a daily basis you should also consider doing a double cleanse to effectively remove the makeup.
Step 2: Exfoliate
I know there are many people that when they hear the word exfoliate they automatically think of physical exfoliation, like an abrasive scrub. Although some scrubs can be helpful for certain skin types, the best option is to opt for a chemical exfoliant. Look for products that have hydroxy acids like AHAs and BHAs. A toner containing hydroxy acids is an easy exfoliating step. You can also opt for an AHA or BHA concentrated serum. AHAs tend to be best for dry skin and aging concerns and BHAs like salicylic, are best for oily or acne-prone skin. For beginners who want to keep their regimen as simple as possible by minimizing the number of steps, you can find a cleanser formulated with an AHA or BHA, to act as a dual cleansing and exfoliating step.
Step 3: SPF/ Moisturize at Night
Applying SPF will be the last step in your morning routine, although it is the last step it is the most important for skin health and for preventing signs of aging. I recommend a physical SPF over a chemical SPF, as SPFs can contain harmful chemicals that can compromise your skin and overall health. Look for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as the only active ingredients when choosing an SPF. Be sure to apply at least a dime-sized amount of at least SPF 30 on your face and don’t forget areas of your body exposed to the regular sun. During the day an SPF can act as your moisturizer if you have normal to oily skin, if you have dry skin you may need a light moisturizer to layer underneath your SPF.
At night you will use a moisturizer in place of your SPF. The main function of a moisturizer is of course to add moisture back into the skin, but your moisturizer can also add nourishment to your skin. This can be antioxidants; for signs of aging, ceramides; for sensitive skin, hyaluronic acid; for dehydrated skin and the list goes on. The consistency and ingredients within your moisturizer should align with your skin type and concerns. In general, if you have dry skin you can use a thicker or creamier product and for oily skin, a lightweight lotion or gel consistency is best.
This simple 3 step routine is a great starting point to form the habit of caring for your skin, but once you have this down I highly recommend you continue to experience what the skincare world can offer. For example, in order to prevent aging a vitamin C serum in the morning after your exfoliant and a vitamin A serum before your nightly moisturizer is a great next step to this simplistic regimen.
For help finding your perfect beginner skincare routine and products chat with a Pomp Esthetician today!
