Essential skin care products for men

By Charlotte Howard, 19th Aug 2010 | Follow this author | RSS Feed | Short URL http://nut.bz/3oj9rglq/
Posted in Wikinut>Health>Youth & Beauty>Beauty & Skin Care

Even men have to take care of their skin, and should not be without these essential skin care products.

Skin care for men
Cleanser
Toner
Shaving Gel and Razor
Aftershave
Moisturiser
Exfoliator
Deodorant
Sunscreen
Shampoo and Conditioner

Skin care for men

Men are often forgotten about when it comes to skin care, although in the age of the ‘metrosexual’ more products are appearing on our shelves. You may hear some people saying that the only essential skin care products are soap, water and deodorant but this untrue. Leaving your skin uncared for makes you more susceptible to disease, infection and general unsightliness. But what skin care products are essential for men to keep them looking young, fresh and healthy?

Cleanser

A good cleanser will help to remove dead skin cells, dirt and grime. Cleanser is used to clean and prepare the skin for further treatments. There are many cleansers out there on the market, but it would be advisable to invest in one that contains moisturisers and, if possible, is alcohol free. Some cleansers, like soap, can ‘dry out’ the skin, stripping it of its natural oils, which can make your skin feel tight.

Toner

A toner’s purpose is to clean out the pores. It goes deeper than a cleanser and will remove any dirt and grime missed. The toner will also help to balance your skin out, making broken capillaries and ruddy complexions appear more even. It also helps to prepare your skin for shaving.

Shaving Gel and Razor

Whilst there are many electric razors now available that do not require shaving gels or creams, it is still best for the skin to use a manual razor. Dry shaving can cause the skin to become irritated, and the hair will be stiff and harder to trim. As with the cleanser, a shaving gel or cream that contains moisturisers will be more beneficial. The razor should be sharp at all times. A blunt razor requires more pressure to cut the hair, which in turn can damage the skin and cause in-growing hairs.

Aftershave

There are many scents available, but the best aftershave is one that you actually apply to your skin. The point of an aftershave is to soothe any possible irritations and re-hydrate your skin. Sprays just do not do this effectively, so gels and balms are best.

Moisturiser

Moisturising is possibly the most important part of facial care. Dry skin can speed up the aging process, causing wrinkles and lines and a leather-like appearance. Daily moisturising will help to smoothen out skin by re-hydrating it. It is advisable to buy a moisturiser that contains UVA and UVB filters to help protect the skin against harmful rays. The SPF factor is not usually very high though, so further protection will be necessary during the warmer months.

Exfoliator

Exfoliating the skin will remove any excess dead skin cells. This is not only good for the face, but for the entire body. Using an exfoliater on a regular basis will help to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy. You do not need to use it every day though, once a week is often enough. Exfoliation is brilliant for your hands and feet too, removing any possible callouses.

Deodorant

Body odour is highly unsociable and needs to be combated. Whist sweat itself is the body’s natural way of keeping cool, it can cause embarrassment. Body odour is actually caused by the bacteria growth in stale sweat and by keeping clean you can limit this without the use of deodorants and antiperspirants. However, it is still recommended that you use deodorants on a daily basis after you have had a wash.

Sunscreen

Even men can become sunburnt, and are putting themselves at risk of skin cancer. A high SPF sunscreen will limit the risk of damaging the skin. If you want a tan, use a self-bronzing lotion – it’s safer and healthier.

Shampoo and Conditioner

The hair on our heads is frequently damaged by styling and the elements we expose it to. Shampooing will clean the hair, stripping it of the dirt and grime, but it will also take away the moisture. A good conditioner will help to re-hydrate the hair and protect it against damage.

There are, of course, many other products on the market aimed at men’s grooming, but they are not what are considered to be essential. The items listed here will not only keep you looking good, but will help keep your body healthy and protected against bacterial infections. Remember, looking good makes us feel good.

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Meet the author

Charlotte Howard
I write for Helium.com, and am also a published author. Somehow I also manage to be a busy Mum to 2 young children and housewife as well!