Skincare for Men: A Routine for Every Age

In the past, few men admitted to using skincare products. Now, the already booming skincare for men’s market is expected to explode in the coming years. Do you want to get left behind? We thought not. 

Here’s how to help counteract those late nights, early mornings, the eco-system lurking under your face mask and the endless scrolling and screen time with a winning skincare routine for men that will put your best face forward. 

Why a men’s skincare routine is important

“A man’s skin is 25% thicker than a woman’s, which is why we differentiate between men’s and women’s skincare as a brand,” explains Charlotte McHale, Clarins Training Manager. “The reason for the difference? Testosterone levels result in a denser epidermis and men’s skin is subject to slightly different aggressors. So when a man starts shaving, for most men, that’s when their skin really changes.”

According to a Clarins study of 1,000 men aged 18+, most men have a daily skincare routine lasting between ten and 30 minutes. The most commonly-used products? Soap and water (yes, really!), followed by a cleanser, moisturiser, eye cream, and spot treatment. A whopping 91% of males have at least one skincare bugbear.

Interestingly, says McHale, “men tend to shop for skincare as problem solvers, while women tend to be more aspirational shoppers. Men tend not to think about their skin until something goes wrong. Which is why it’s so important for them to get into a good routine.”

Common men’s skin problems

The reason so many men have embraced a skincare routine is to combat all those common skin problems – SIS International Research lists these as spots and discolouration, shaving rash, acne, uneven skin tone, lines and wrinkles. 

Sadly, few men use the right products to counteract these issues. In fact, about 25% of men with dry skin said they don’t use moisturiser and only one in five use anti-ageing men’s skincare. 

Boost your men’s skincare routine with these five essential products

1. Invest in a double-duty cleanser: an Exfoliating Cleanser, £21 does both jobs and prepares your skin for shaving. The exfoliant includes natural lava powder and salicylic acid microbeads, which are gentle on the skin. It can be used every day, morning and evening. Focus on the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and finish with cold water to tone skin and close pores.
2. Do not skimp on moisture: you have to moisturise your skin, no matter your skin type, to keep it hydrated and healthy and protect it from the elements. Use the non-greasy Super Moisture Balm, £32 morning and night, with its extra-hydrating organic leaf of life extract and soothing, energising bison grass. 
3. Be shaving savvy: choose a shaving gel that looks after your skin, nourishes it and protects it, like Clarins Men Shave and Beard Oil, £24. Lather on every day. It banishes skin irritation and razor burn, while bison grass and Chinese galanga extracts leave skin soft and smooth. When shaving, remember: shave your face in the direction of hair growth. Use warm (not hot) water to soften hairs and open pores. Then rinse with cold water to close pores and reduce redness.
4. Don’t forget the eye area: to reduce the natural signs of ageing, use Line-Control Eye Balm, £41,50 morning and night. It prevents fine lines and wrinkles and de-puffs even after a late night. Also, lifts and firms, while maritime pine extracts fade dark circles. To use, add a small drop to your fingertips and gently tap onto bags and eye contours.
   Also read: How to Get Rid of Bags Under the Eyes: A Guide for Men
   
5. Last but not least: an Aftershave Soother, £25. This should leave skin healthy, hydrated and free of irritation. Try an alcohol-free version, like After Shave Soother, as it doesn’t dry out the skin yet is also non-greasy and eases redness in a flash. 

 

Aftershave Soother, £25

 

Mens’ skin type

It’s not so much about skin type, but more about a man’s stage in life.

1. Up to mid-30s: Once men start shaving and their skin thickens, they are all concerned about hydration, McHale says. The best moisturiser? Super Moisture Balm, £32 or Super Moisture Gel, £32 depending on your texture preference.
2. Late 30s & early 40s: – This is when lifestyle choices start showing on a man’s skin. McHale recommends anti-fatigue products with Red Ginseng extract, which provide a shot of energy and hydration: the new Energising Gel, £35 and Eye Gel, £31.
3. 45 plus: This is the most crucial time for men to care for their skin. 

As you edge to older milestone birthdays, that’s when you start to analyse your skin. However, by the time you hit your mid-forties – skin may begin to show signs of flagging. And even though you cannot turn back time – there are plenty of technological advances so you can reap the benefits. 

When you are young, the life cycle of skin is 28-days, however, as you age – this slows – so you need to give it a helping hand with a decent exfoliator. This will clear the way to help the science-backed products to work efficiently and do their job – diminishing fine lines and signs of tiredness. Try:  Line Control Eye Balm, £35. 

Trending ingredients in men’s skincare

Whether it’s down to post-pandemic stress or life in general – but one of the searched-for ingredients you guys are Googling is around ‘anti-fatigue’. 

Your scrolling stops here – just invest in ingredients like bison grass, which works as a slow-release energy on the skin, to wake up the complexion. Red ginseng is another: the G-RED Complex, found in the Energising Gel, £35 and Eye Gel,£31 helps cells renew themselves. 

Acne can be another big issue – salicylic acid is a wonder ingredient that helps the skin clear when used daily. Benzoyl peroxide is another powerhouse when it comes to treating blemishes. A natural version of this can be found in the cult CLEAR OUT, £16 product, a targeted treatment gel that visibly dries up spots while at the same time calms irritations.

The quickest way to liven up your face might be to invest in a men’s bronzing products – it will add a healthy dose of colour – but without feeling too much like make-up.