Guys, Are You Making These 5 Critical Skincare Mistakes?
- Written by Katie
According to a survey carried out by Mintel, half of all UK men use facial skincare products as part of their daily routine. Once a taboo, an increasing amount of men are investing in their appearance with the men’s beauty and fashion products outpacing women’s since 2010.
In general, men are becoming more aware about self-grooming with the male to female ratio in-salon increasing. More men-specific grooming services such as Face of Man are popping up, offering a range of waxing and skin treatments.
Despite the trend, there is still a stigma associated with cosmetic products for men. Some men are under the impression that using beauty products makes them less masculine.
No matter your age, gender or skin type, taking care of your body should not be ignored.
1. Applying Sunscreen Only At The Beach
Exposure to UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin. This can lead to wrinkles and leather skin.
The skin is bombarded by UV rays every day, but most men assume sunscreen is reserved for the beach or when they visit the pool. Sunscreen should be applied daily to fight off wrinkles and premature ageing caused by exposure to UV rays.
Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more and reapply every two hours if you are working outdoors. Ideally, you should select a variety that protects you from both UVB & UVA because products that do not contain UVA can accelerate the ageing process.
To find out more about UV radiation, refer to this article by cancer.org.
2. Shaving Against The Grain
Are you shaving properly?
A telltale sign that you are doing it wrong is experience irritation and bleeding after a shave. Redness and irritation can be indicate that you are shaving against the grain. Some men prefer shaving against the grain because it gives a closer shave that leaves a smooth skin texture.
Unfortunately, this method of shaving exposes your skin to razor cuts that cause uncomfortable irritation. Shaving against the grain causes the shaver to pull out hairs instead of cutting them. This can cause ingrown hairs that sometimes swell into ugly razor bumps.
3. Not Applying Moisturiser Straight After A Shower
For most men, there is no better way to revitalise the body than taking a hot steamy shower.
Did you know that your skin loses oil when you take a hot shower. This is because warm water dissolves the oil on your skin, leaving it looking dry and waxy. Similarly, when you come out of a hot shower, your skin has more moisture and heat than the surrounding air. As a result, the air absorbs this moisture leaving your skin dry.
This is why applying moisturiser straight after a shower is recommended. Moisturiser work exclusively on the topmost layer of your skin. They prevent the moisture from leaving the epidermis and also replenish our skin’s water supply.
4. Popping Pimples by Hand
We’ve all done it and regretted it.
Popping pimples by hand exposes your skin to bacteria that is on your fingers and the skin. It can cause hyperinflammation or a festering wound that leaves a scar. Moreover, popping by squeezing may burst the follicle spreading germs to deeper layers of your skin. This can cause serious infection and swelling.
Instead of popping, you should press a warm piece of cloth on the zit and massage the skin around it for some time. If the pimple is ripe, it will pop without causing damage to the skin or spreading germs to exposed tissue. If you still insist on popping, use a sterile a pin to prick the zit. Remember to apply an antibacterial ointment such as bacitracin after popping.
5. Exfoliation Is Not Just for Women
Generally speaking, there are 2 types of exfoliation: physical and chemical. For a complete understanding of what exfoliation is, this article by Healthline is a good read.
Exfoliation boosts collagen production, which is essential for radiant skin. Removing dead skin also improves the elasticity of the skin, making fine lines less prominent.
As both men and women have skin, exfoliation is valuable irrespective of age and gender. However, a professional dermatologist can help you choose the best method or product for your skin.
About The Author
Hi there! I'm Katie - a freelance writer and topic researcher based in Australia. Outside of work, I like to Netflix binge and eat gelato. Plus, my fur baby keeps me busy.
