5 Tips on Men’s Skin Care

Men, an outline of what your routine should look like is absolutely essential, so let's get started.

1. Wash Your Hands

This is an important first step in men's skincare. Neglecting to wash your hands before washing your face will completely negate cleanliness.

Don't believe me? A University of Boulder study found that we carry 3,200 of the 150 types of germs on our hands - the average! Are you going to wipe the germs off your face too? Of course not.

Before you wash your face, your hands should be clean.

Here are some hand-washing tips to help you get started.

After the soap has lathered, rub your palms at a vigorous rate for about 20 seconds.

Scrub all areas - the back of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.

It sounds silly, but the whole process should take about the same amount of time as singing the Happy Birthday song twice in your head. 2.

2. Splash Your Face with Warm Water

This is self-explanatory. Doctors believe that warm water is the most effective way to keep your skin hydrated. Hot water can cause more damage than it's worth.

Cold water is also counter-intuitive - it closes the pores and reduces the efficiency of cleansing.

3. Use the Right Amount of the Right Lotion

The amount of wash you use in the next step should not be larger than nickel. Any smaller and it won't be thorough - but any more will only waste product.

When it comes to men's skin care products, it's also important to know your skin type and base your purchase on that. Here are some references to keep you on track.

If you have a lot of creases, then a strong hydration focus is the way to go.

• Normal skin
• Very few blemishes.
•  Low sensitivity.
• Pores are almost invisible.

For this skin type, use a less harsh cleanser - you have naturally good skin and don't need strong products.

• Combination skin
• Pores look larger than normal because they are naturally more open.
• Lots of blackheads.
• Shiny skin.
• Use a cleanser with the same cleansing and moisturizing power.

Dry Skin

• Almost invisible pores.
•  Red patches are common.
• Skin is less elastic.
• Visible lines on the face.
• Stick to products that rely more heavily on hydration - you need it.

Oily Skin

• Large pores.
• Your face looks shiny most of the time.
• You often have blackheads and pimples.
• Try products that are suitable for penetrating and unclogging pores. It's important to find solutions that balance oil production without turning your face into a dry wasteland.

4. Product Application

Now that you've got a nickel-sized piece of cleanser, apply it evenly to your forehead, face, and under your chin.

Do not scrub. Scrubbing will only cause skin irritation. Instead, do circular motions for about 30-60 seconds.

After thorough application, continue to rinse. Use warm water again to keep these pores open for the next stage. Make sure to remove all traces of the cleanser, as residue can cause excessive drying.

Enter the final stage of decent men's skincare ......

5. Exfoliate and Moisturize

First of all, what the hell is exfoliation?

It's the process of eliminating dead skin cells - that's why exfoliating creams usually have a tough texture. It's best done twice a week. Since this is a more intense method of cleansing, overuse is similar to scrubbing porcelain with a stainless steel rake.

What are the benefits of regular exfoliation?

It removes dead skin cells. Reduces the chance of inward hair growth. Performs a second cleansing.

Helps cleanse your complexion by removing blemishes caused by irregular oil production. It helps you shave closer since there are no dead cells blocking the blade.

The way you wash your face will also affect the effectiveness of the product.

The final step is moisturizing. A quality moisturizer is designed to nourish and renew the skin. Look out for aloe vera, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E as they are very useful for this.

Good protective ingredients include jojoba oil and Ruderalis extract - they stop moisture loss and fight free radicals.

Remember, you should apply your moisturizer evenly to your face after each wash!