If there’s one thing men under-obsess about it’s their skin. They may feel they are too busy to devote time to a skincare routine or they simply don’t want the commitment. Some even believe it’s unnecessary, but these aren’t the only mistakes men make in regard to taking care of their skin. Here are a few other basic but destructive skincare fails that can ultimately lead to premature aging.
1. Using Soap to Cleanse
Soap for the hands and body is formulated differently than cleanser for your face. One of the biggest differences is the pH level. Facial cleansers generally have a much lower pH, which is gentler and less abrasive than bar soap and body wash.
Washing your face with regular bar soap can leave it dry and irritated and even cause breakouts. Instead, choose a high-quality face cleanser that contains some type of moisture magnet such as saccharide isomerate that actually works to help bind moisture to your skin.
Getting in the habit of washing your face both morning and night will greatly improve its texture and limit breakouts from clogged pores that collect bacteria during the day and while you sleep.
2. Avoiding Moisturizer
Most men believe moisturizers are geared more toward women. And though there are significant differences between men’s and women’s skin, moisture is necessary for both. Because men have a higher percentage of lactic acid, a humectant the body produces, their skin naturally contains more moisture.
But there are things that can affect this such as genetics, the environment, and daily loss of collagen, which begins for the average male around the age of 20. Another reason men tend to avoid moisturizing is because their pores produce more oil.
This can be misleading because even oily skin can become dehydrated. LIFT Anti-Gravity Moisturizer, formulated with the humectant sodium hyaluronate, will work with the oil in your skin to help replace lost moisture and discourage dry skin and wrinkles.
3. Dodging Exfoliation
This is a big no-no, one that those who don’t realize can be detrimental to skin of man. It’s imperative that you exfoliate 2 – 3 times weekly in order to have healthier, younger-looking skin.
If you don’t slough off dead skin cells, new cells can’t regenerate. You skin will take on an ashy appearance and start to dry and flake. Also, your pores can become clogged, causing breakouts and pigmentation issues.
Look for a charcoal-based scrub to gently deep clean pores and remove impurities, and if you can find one that also contains alpha-hydroxy acids to exfoliate the epidermal layers while toning and tightening, your skin can retain its smooth, radiant glow.
4. Shaving Incorrectly
A large percentage of men are guilty of not shaving correctly and part of this has to do with using bar or hand soap, which dries out skin and encourages nicks and cuts.
A proper shave can minimize the signs of premature aging, but shaving can also be drying. This is why it’s important to use a glycerin-based product that attracts moisture to the skin and keeps it there. For the perfect shave, make sure to exfoliate first. This will prep hair follicles for a cleaner, closer cut.
It’s also a good idea to apply a warm washcloth to soften skin before shaving and use a shave gel that contains a surfactant, or conditioning agent that will help razors glide more effortlessly across your face. Finally, change blades often and avoid, if at all possible, shaving with a single blade—especially if it’s older and in need of replacing.
5. Skipping Sunscreen
Though this happens year-round, especially on overcast days, it definitely happens more in the winter when skies are gray and men believe sunscreen isn’t really necessary. The truth is that protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is a daily job.
UV rays break down collagen, which is what gives the skin its elasticity. Sun damage is one of the leading contributors of premature aging, and though some of the destruction it causes can be restored with collagen supplements, much of it is irreparable. Keep in mind that just because you can’t see or feel the sun, be assured it’s still there.
And if you like to take to the slopes be warned: the sun, reflecting off the bright white snow can cause a great deal of damage to your skin. It’s no different than being at the beach in the summer with all that sand acting as a reflector. So, slather on the sunscreen every time you leave the house and skip the odds of developing wrinkles and cancer.
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