Basic Skin Care for Men

There are many products and ample information available for women regarding skin care, acne treatments and anti-aging systems. Some men feel that a skin care routine is not important and a splash of water and soap is all they need to care for their skin. Men face different skin care issues than most women. They have more bodily hair, specifically facial hair, than women making them more prone to visible irritation from shaving. They are commonly not as aware of the importance of basic skin care routines such as exfoliation or wearing sunscreen as well.

Step 1

Wash your face with warm water and a mild cleanser every morning and night. Use an exfoliating scrub every other day to slough off dead skin cells. Use cleansing and exfoliating products with less than 5 percent salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide if you suffer from acne. This will prevent your skin from getting dry.

Step 2

Shave your facial hair in the morning after you shower. The heat and steam from the shower softens the skin and opens pores to give you a better shave. To avoid razor bumps and irritation, shave in the direction of the hair growth and only go over each area once. Keep the skin relaxed as you shave. If you tug on the skin you may get a closer shave but the hair follicle can more easily grow back into the skin causing irritating ingrown hairs.

Step 3

Prevent skin aging by using a sunscreen lotion daily. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, only 5 percent of men wear sunscreen on a daily basis even though it is the number one way to prevent aging of the skin. Apply an oil-free or non-comogenic (will not clog pores) moisturizer containing about 30 SPF sunscreen on your face and neck each morning after you shave. Apply a sunscreen lotion to your body if it will be exposed outdoors during the day. The sunscreen will protect your skin from harmful UV rays and the moisturizer will keep your skin from becoming too dry.