Moisturizing is not something that’s for one gender alone. Men and women both have skin, but how we care for it differs a little based on the simple fact of facial hair. As the weather turns colder, your skin can quickly lose its natural moisture. Even though men should be moisturizing and taking care of their skin year-round, it’s especially vital in the fall and winter months. A skin care regime for most men can be broken down into six points.
Shaving
Going against the grain is not recommended with most things. The same can be said for shaving — we don’t recommend it with facial hair. Going against the natural growth of your hair can cause unnecessary irritation to the skin. What makes it worse is when you shave the same area a few times and don’t use a proper shaving cream or treatment. To avoid damage to your already sensitive winter skin, get yourself a high-quality shaving cream, a good razor and shave with the direction of the hair growth.
Cleansing
Use a great cleanser to get rid of the dirt and grime from the day. Steer clear of bar soaps on your face and neck area. Bar soaps can dry your skin harshly and cause cracked and dry skin. Opt for a cleansing lotion for your body and a cleanser specifically for your face. Look for cleansers that are for hydration to help your skin to combat the cooler temperatures.
Exfoliating
Exfoliating is a vital part of a healthy skin regimen for men. It is important to scrub dead skin away so that new, healthy skin can come to the surface. What’s important to note is that when men shave, they’re exfoliating the skin that comes in contact with the razor. Over-exfoliating can damage skin and should not be a part of a daily routine. If you do shave daily, make sure you use an eco-friendly scrub in the areas you do not shave once or twice a week. You can exfoliate with a loofah or scrubbing mitt on your body, but these are too intense for the more delicate skin of your face.
Cream
Cream is the one thing everyone thinks of when you say skin care. A good cream is a vital part of healthy skin care for men, but it’s not the entire process. In the cooler months and when the season changes, it’s important to moisturize skin more often. Put cream on when you get out of the shower and just before bed. If you want to find something more inconspicuous to use, opt for a scent-free body lotion. Keeping lotion at work can help with dry, cracked hands or hangnails.
Don’t forget your lips. Dry, cracked lips do not need to be a part of your winter. Get a good quality lip balm from a beauty or hair salon in Victoria, BC. Trust us, your smile will thank you. We suggest getting a few and keeping them in places you frequent, such as work or your car.
SPF
Just because you feel like the sun has gone into hibernation for the winter doesn’t mean that it’s gone. SPF is something we should all be taking into account in our daily routine all year round. The fall is a great time to get into the routine of putting on sun protection before leaving the house.
Diet and Lifestyle
Water, water everywhere, and you need to drink every drop. Keeping your skin hydrated in the cooler weather involves drinking it in as well as external care. Be sure to stay hydrated, and drink a lot of water this fall.
Warm showers are lovely, but they dry out your skin and hair. We aren’t suggesting cold showers, but a nice warm shower can help your skin and hair retain its natural moisture. A hot shower can be something you treat yourself to rather than a daily occurrence.
Knowing which products to use for your skin type can be a daunting thing. We recommend re-evaluating your skin each season change to see if it needs something different. Asking a professional at a beauty or hair salon what they think you need for your skin type can make your daily care routine much easier. Skin care for men is tricky because you’re also dealing with hair care. If you want to get a tailor-made regimen to use this fall, come in and see one of our specialists at our hair salon in Victoria, BC today.