Gone are the days when skincare was gendered
And also when men only fought wars. Men have different wars to fight now – one being against factors like pollution, oily skin, and those tiny razor cuts that turn into acne.
Research shows that men now link better skin directly to self-confidence.
The masculine medieval man still needs skincare as much as anyone else. Why? Because a man’s skin is thicker (literally, and figuratively) and thus, oilier.
If you’re new to skincare, you might be hesitant to start a ‘routine.’ Maybe your better half has been insisting on you for months. Honestly speaking, it’s not that deep, bro. A simple 3 step men’s daily skin care routine is enough.
It’s time to ditch that all-rounder bar of soap (probably your only skin, hair, and body care at the moment), and let’s discuss a beginner-friendly men’s skin care routine.
Key takeaways
- Men’s winter skincare is essential because cold air, pollution, and heating rapidly dehydrate and weaken skin barriers.
- A simple three-step men’s skincare routine has 3 steps: cleanse, moisturise, and SPF.
- Choosing the right cleanser and moisturiser based on skin type helps maintain hydration without clogging pores.
- Sunscreen remains crucial in winter, protecting men’s skin from UV damage, pigmentation, premature ageing, and cancer.
- Healthy habits like proper sleep, hydration, gentle exfoliation, and balanced nutrition significantly improve men’s winter skin health.
Men’s winter skin care
Skincare is essential all-year-round but more so in winter. During winter, the air has lower humidity, leading to your skin losing moisture faster. Factors like indoor heating and hot showers make it even worse, weakening your skin barrier.
A weakened barrier leads to the residual moisture leaving even faster, making the skin dry, flaky and tight.
The lips feel even worse, they might even peel and bleed. It can also lead to irritation of the skin and flaking around the beard, inviting sudden acne breakouts.
The good news is that saving your skin from winter’s havoc is straightforward. You just need to follow a simple winter skincare routine for men.
A basic men’s skincare routine
This men’s routine follows the basic process – cleanse, moisturise and protect. It focuses on the ‘less-is-more’ approach. Let us look at these 3 steps in detail:
Cleanse
Cleansing is the first step in the routine, but not with your usual bar of soap. Use cleansers with active agents like salicylic acids for acne prone skin or ceramide face cleansers for dry skin. If you have sensitive skin, then gentle, sulfate-free face washes work best!
They clean your skin of oil, pollutants, and bacteria without stripping too much of natural oils. At the same time, it readies the skin for absorbing other products like lotions and serums.
Moisturise
The second step is moisturisation. Apply a layer of the moisturiser on slightly damp skin to lock moisture within the skin.
The type of moisturiser you should use depends on your skin type –
- For dry skin: Use oil based moisturisers that contain products like natural oils and petroleum jelly. These protect the skin and prevent transepidermal water loss (evaporation of moisture from skin).
- For oily skin: Use gel-based products like those with hyaluronic acid. They protect the skin barrier without clogging pores.
Yes, even oily skin needs to be moisturised. Skipping it can lead to more oil production.
SPF protection
The last step is sun protection. You wear sunscreen to ward off UV rays, just like how you wear a sweater to ward off cold. Whenever you step outdoors in the sun, apply a layer of broad spectrum sunscreen, at least SPF 30.
This helps you avoid pigmentation, rapid aging, and even skin cancer that UV rays can cause. And don’t skip applying SPF during winters as UV rays are always present, no matter the weather.
Additional tips for men’s winter skin care
Having a skincare routine helps minimize skin problems, but your efforts will work way better with some extra steps.
Here are some of them:
Exfoliation
This step in any skin care routine for men in winter can make a lot of difference. Occasionally exfoliating the skin once or twice a week with a gentle cleanser can remove dead cells, unclog pores, and help your skin absorb other products better. But be mindful as exfoliating too much can worsen dryness.
Cutting on hot showers
The excessive use of hot water might be a catalyst to your flaky and irritated skin this winter. It drains moisture from skin that’s already dehydrated. To lessen these effects, reduce the frequency of hot showers and replace them with lukewarm ones.
Adequate sleep
People hustle so much that they often forget to sleep on time. Sleeping 4 hours a night isn’t a brag. Having 8 hours of sleep is important for good skin and health alike. Adequate sleep replenishes your skin barrier, allowing it time to heal and be at its best version.
Staying hydrated
Staying hydrated keeps your skin moisturised and smooth. Especially during winters when the skin is dealing with low levels of humidity. Drinking more water promotes resilience against aging signs, flushes toxins, and makes your skin look healthy and youthful. Follow us Instagram
Eat well
One simple habit that can significantly reduce breakouts and hydrate your skin is eating clean. And no, this doesn’t mean that you should start intense dieting from today – you just need to start small habits. These include eating fruits with high water content, stopping midnight munching on fried foods, and avoiding sugary drinks.
Conclusion
Skincare in winter is not optional, especially in today’s highly polluted settings. This 3-step men’s facial routine consisting of cleansing, moisturising, and sun protection, is beginner-friendly and hassle-free. It will not only help in preventing breakouts, but also prevent wrinkles and pigmentation.
Along with this routine – sleep well, stay hydrated and eat healthy. Not only will your skin be acne-free and look better, your overall wellness will improve (if you are consistent with it).
Remember, it’s not a one day thing as your breakouts or acne isn’t going to magically disappear. You will start seeing gradual results though!
Need more customised men’s skincare routine tips? Then chat with Dewi, your own AI-powered skincare advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best skin care routine for men?
The best skincare routine for men includes three essential steps: cleanse, moisturize, and apply SPF. Start with a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type, follow with an appropriate moisturizer, and finish with broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or higher.
2. How often should men exfoliate their skin in winter?
Men should exfoliate 1-2 times per week during winter using a gentle exfoliator. Over-exfoliating can strip your skin’s natural oils and worsen dryness. Always moisturize immediately after exfoliating to restore the skin barrier and prevent irritation.
3. Can men use the same skincare products in winter as summer?
While core products remain similar, winter requires adjustments. Switch to richer, oil-based moisturizers instead of lightweight summer formulas to combat increased dryness. You might need gentler cleansers to avoid stripping moisture. However, SPF remains non-negotiable year-round.
4. Should men apply moisturizer even if their skin feels oily in winter?
Yes. Cold weather can dehydrate even oily skin, causing it to produce more oil as compensation. Use lightweight, gel-based moisturizers with hyaluronic acid in winter skin care routine for men even if you have oily skin.
5. Do men need different products for their face and body in winter?
Yes, men typically need different products for their face and body. Facial skin is more delicate and prone to breakouts, requiring lighter, non-comedogenic moisturizers with active ingredients. Body skin can handle thicker creams or lotions.
