Soap and water may be the traditional skin care regimen for men, but a guy's skin can benefit from the same kinds of beauty regimen that women use. A growing number of men's skin care products available at drugstores and department stores shows that men recognize the benefits of good skin, too.
Choose Products Made for Men
Using your girlfriend's acne scrub or moisturizer won't hurt you, but it may not be powerful enough to improve your thicker skin, says Patricia K. Farris, M.D., a New Orleans dermatologist, in "Cosmopolitan" magazine. Farris explains that skin care products for men have more intense concentrations of active ingredients than products designed for women so that they can more effectively penetrate your thicker skin.
Use a Pre-Shave Oil
If you shave, a pre-shave oil can save you from unattractive nicks, cuts and razor bumps, according to "Details" magazine. Massaging a little pre-shave oil--you won't need more than a dime-sized drop--over the area you intend to shave will soften up your whiskers and give your razor a smoother surface. A squirt of olive oil can stand in for shave oil in a pinch.
Don't Skip the Exfoliator
Exfoliating scrubs away dead skin cells on the surface of your skin that can cause acne and make your skin look older than you'd like, explains Mehmet Oz, M.D., in "Esquire" magazine's "Ask Dr. Oz" column. Oz recommends using an exfoliating scrub once or twice a week for best results. If you just can't stomach the thought of scrubbing up, drying your face with a rough towel can also have an exfoliating effect, Oz says.
Protect Your Skin After Shaving
A man's skin may be extra sensitive after shaving, so protect it by splashing it generously with cold water after you put down your razor--doing so will help calm your skin and close your pores, explains "Details" magazine. Then apply an aftershave that suits your skin type--an alcohol-based lotion if your skin tends to be oily and acne-prone, or a moisturizing balm if your skin is normal or on the dry side, recommends "Details" magazine.
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