With the popularization of skincare on social media, it is becoming normal for both men and women to take part in this self-care routine. It is just as important for men to keep up with a skincare routine as it is for them to groom. However, most men aren’t aware of the potential benefits of skincare. For starters, it can help you prevent breakouts and aging. But you might be wondering where to start. For those who just started on this new journey, it can be quite a daunting task to find a routine and products that work for them. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Here, we’ve outlined all of the important steps to a skincare routine that you can start today.
Step 1: Cleanse
Cleansing is the foundation of your skincare routine. Just like your hands, your face can also come into contact with a lot of dirt, oil, and debris you encounter every day. These impurities can trigger breakouts and inflammation and further irritate your face. Cleansing also preps the skin on your face for the next steps in your routine. Make sure to choose a face wash suited for your skin type. Those with dry skin might want to opt for mild ones, while those with oilier skin should look out for gel cleansers.
Most likely, you might already wash your face at the sink or in the shower. Washing it with a cleanser is not much different. Just put a dollop of the product into your hands and massage it into your face. If you have facial hair, take some extra time to work it into the skin. Then, you just wash it all off. That’s it!
Step 2: Toner
Toners prime your face for moisturizers and other products you might want to use after this step. To apply toner, all you have to do is put some product into your hand and press it into your cheeks, forehead, and neck. This technique helps the skin to absorb the toner better than rubbing it in would. There are various types of toners depending on what your needs are. If you want to target acne or ingrown hairs, find a toner with lactic or salicylic acid. Aging and dark spots are best addressed with toners that contain AHA, BHA, or glycolic acid.
Step 3: Moisturize
Moisturizer is extremely important to the health of your skin. It helps give your skin that extra boost if your water intake isn’t cutting it. Many guys who are new to skincare routines find it weird how moisturizer feels on their face for the first time. Depending on the product, it can sometimes feel like it is dragging down your face. However, it is important to apply moisturizer twice daily. Although dry skin feels lighter, you would much rather have a hydrated and plump face in the future.
Step 4: Sunscreen
Next up is sunscreen, which is undoubtedly essential to your skincare routine. Although it is not obvious to you now, the sun is actively damaging your skin when you are outside unprotected. UV rays from the sun have the potential to cause skin cancer and speed up the aging process. And again, it might feel weird for you to be piling on sunscreen after moisturizer. If you want to combine these two steps, try finding a sunscreen with hydrating components. If you want to look young for longer, sunscreen is your best bet.