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In This Article:

• Recommended Skin Care Products for Men
• Skin Care Strategies for the EveryMAN
• How to Determine Your Skin Type
• Finding a Routine for Your Skin Type
• A Smarter Shave
• FAQs for Men

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.
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Recommended Products for Men's Skin Care

Skin Care Strategies for the EveryMAN

The Paula's Choice Research 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 (and dating) opportunities
• Shaving will be easier, skin 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 (or unmanly) 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

These simple steps will lead you to healthier, and yes, younger-looking skin! Check out our suggested routines below.

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. Here are details about the three skin types men are most likely to have:

Oily skin has an all-over shine, may have blackheads or white bumps, typically has acne breakouts along with enlarged, often clogged pores. Skin feels and looks greasy during the day, even when you're not active or perspiring.

Combination skin is most common. Your skin will have both oily and dry areas, with the oily areas being in the center of your face. Cheeks typically look and feel normal or they may be slightly to very dry. The eye area typically is drier than the rest of your face.

Dry skin has a rough, uneven texture and may feel too tight or show visible flaking or signs of chapping. Redness may be apparent, too, especially if you've been using drying skin-care products. Pores are generally small and you rarely struggle with breakouts or blackheads.

Among these three basic skin types, sensitive skin can be present, too. You'll see signs of irritation, lingering redness, and generally find that most skin-care products make your skin feel worse, not better. The key is using gentle, fragrance-free products and that usually means avoiding products aimed at men (these tend to be loaded with fragrance and other problematic ingredients that can trigger sensitive skin or make naturally sensitive skin more reactive).

Finding a Routine for Your Skin Type

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.

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.

Follow your shave with a product to help minimize irritation and red bumps to calm 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. Routinely using bar soap on your face can also impede shaving, potentially leading to razor bumps and a more frequent need to replace your razor blade.

Q: What about acne on my 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. 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.

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.