Face Care Tips for Men's Skin Health

From sun protection, to exfoliation, a man’s face care routine doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Follow our five quick and easy tips to clear and healthy skin.

1. Wash your face to remove impurities

Throughout the day, the skin comes into contact with countless aggressors in the environment – think pollution, dirt, oil and viruses. This is why it’s important that you cleanse away all of those impurities and leave the pores clear before bed. This also reduces the risk of breakouts which can erupt when the skin becomes congested.

2. Exfoliate once or twice a week to remove dead skin

If your skin starts to appear flat and dull, you should start to introduce an exfoliating product into your grooming routine once or twice a week. Exfoliating cleansers and shower gels gently remove dead skin cells with ingredients such as fruit acids while unclogging the pores of sebum and debris. Your skin will look brighter and more even as a result.

3. Wear sun protection all year round

The sun emits two types of UV rays: UVA which is present all year round and penetrates deep into the layers of the skin causing structural damage and accelerated ageing signs, and UVB which is strongest in the summer months and responsible for tanning (and burning) the skin. You should protect the skin from UV damage every day with a broad-spectrum sunscreen in order to prevent fine lines and wrinkles appearing sooner than they should.

4. Don't rush shaving

Most men often choose to shave in the morning when they’re short on time. But this can lead to a number of issues including razor burn (from not letting the shaving foam sit on your skin long enough), scraping the skin and even shaving against the grain. Avoid these issues by shaving the night before and enjoy taking the time to do it properly. Your face will thank you.

5. Treat spots, don't squeeze them

It can be very tempting when you see a spot breaking out to squeeze and pick at it. But this can leave red marks, introduce infection and generally prolong the amount of time the spot stays around for. Instead, apply a targeted treatment that’s formulated with ingredients such as zinc and salicylic acid. This will help to control sebum levels and unclog the pores so your spot will disappear in no time at all.

6. Eat a healthy balanced diet

The face is a good indicator of what’s going on inside and late nights, a poor diet and too much alcohol can quickly show on the skin leaving it dull, dry and puffy. Try to maintain a healthy balanced diet full to help your skin stay hydrated and healthy looking. It’s also advisable to keep alcohol consumption to a minimum and drink plenty of water – around two litres a day.

7. Prioritise sleep

Sleep is essential for the skin to function properly and it’s during our ‘rest mode’ that the skin gets to work renewing and repairing itself. That’s why you may find that your skin feels tight and dry when you’ve had a late night or are sleep deprived – the skin simply hasn’t had enough time to carry out basic functions. Try to prioritise sleep wherever possible, winding down a couple of hours before you go to bed and even enjoying the odd early night.