Men's skincare 101.

Men's skincare 101.

Barefaced, bearded or somewhere in between, it’s time to talk about men's skincare. Admittedly, we don’t often cover this one (sorry, fellas) but do we really need to? Is men’s skin really that different? We're here to myth-bust the often mysterious market of men’s skincare.

The not-so-major difference. 



Generally, the average, healthy man’s skin is thicker than their female counterparts, but only by around 20%. It appears thicker, firmer and more resilient and, thanks to higher testosterone levels, has more active sebaceous glands - leading to larger looking pores and a little extra shine. Is it enough to warrant a full-scale men-only skincare routine? Not really. So unless it’s hyper-masculine black or blue packaging and manly names you’re after there isn’t usually any major differences between the formulas within. We’re guessing you want a little more from your skincare and money, right?


Set the shaving scene. 



Having a thick skin doesn't mean you can’t be sensitive at times. Shaving your face - even with the most advanced (or expensive) tools ultimately removes a surface layer of skin along with it. This can create sensitivity, razor burn and often leads to annoying ingrown hairs - an unfair side effect of trying to stay well groomed. Pre-shave cleansing and exfoliating here is key. By cleansing, you’re removing pent-up bacteria that will otherwise transfer to your razor, and subsequently the rest of your face - ew. With exfoliating by buffing off dead skin cells and roughness you set the scene for a closer shave. You can do this mechanically - and easily - with a 2-in-1 exfoliating cleanser before, or if you regularly use acid-based exfoliators you should already be good to go...


A clean (skincare) shave.



Next up - prep that beard. A shaving oil trumps foam as you can see where you’re going with your razor, as doing a double swipe is only going to up the chances of any possible irritation. Plus, rich in soothing oils, it moisturizes your skin pre and post shave, or doubles up as a beard oil if you decide to grow it out. Anyway, once your done dehairing, follow up with an after shave balm. Emphasis on the word ‘balm’ here, as traditional ‘aftershaves’ splashed on by our forefathers often contained alcohol, which will only sting freshly shaved skin, irritate and cause dryness. Ours contains not only skin-soothing agents, but pumpkin enzymes, which help to minimize risk of ingrowns by speeding cell turnover. 


Don’t feel the burn. 



Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask is a men's must have: it helps to calm, soothe and moisturize when experiencing just-shaved tightness. Ridiculously moisturizing, you can leave it on overnight, or wash off and apply Global Protection Day Cream, which will feel instantly soothing, too. 100% wear sunscreen. We can’t stress it enough. Write it down - wear sunscreen. Men’s skin, while traditionally showing signs of skin-ageing later in life, actually ages at a faster rate. Plus, harmful rays can further irritate delicate, shaven skin. Sunscreen is the easiest, best preventative measure against skin ageing - so get your Clean Screen on every time you leave the house. Your future self will thank you. 


Be a man who masks.



Really want to upgrade your skincare regime? Add masks to your routine. Our Invisible Pores Detox Mask is a clay, oil-absorbing paste that soaks up excess sebum, toxins and sweat. Ideal before a night out or for purifying skin after a sweaty gym session. Same goes for Glycol Lactic Mask, which will clean out your pores, and also exfoliate, smooth, de-age and energize the look of tired skin. It’ll help give you a closer shave but don’t use it on freshly shaven skin, as it’s natural fruit acids will sting this already sensitized area. And did we mention? Don’t forget to use sunscreen…