Gone are the days when a “real” man was admired for being rugged and earthy, when in reality, he ignored taking care of himself because it was something only women did and was considered a sign of weakness for men. Days when men used a bar of soap for all their grooming needs weren’t really all that long ago.
Well, times have changed, gentlemen, and the days of reptilian brains and skin are over! Men of all ages are now expected to step up and represent. Caring for ourselves by paying attention to details not only applies to our wardrobe and hair, but to our skin, as well. Women are no longer the only ones permitted to care about preserving their youthful appearance, and it’s now okay for men to moisturize and use products to keep skin from aging prematurely. I can’t stress this enough!
It’s true, as men, we have more testosterone than women, which gives us a big advantage as far as skin integrity goes. The extra oil produced by our skin helps to naturally moisturize it. However, this is not enough in this day and age when we have so many external factors interfering with our health and wellbeing, especially as we get older. So, here are a few tips and suggestions on how to keep your skin fresh and combat dryness, so that you may, as always, look and feel your best.
Water: Drink, drink, drink! Of course, not to an extent that you flush important minerals and nutrients out of your body, but enough to keep yourself properly hydrated. How much is enough? Well, there are varying opinions about this subject, but what I recommend is you, firstly, make water your #1 drink, and consume enough, so that you’re not thirsty and your urine is a light yellow, as opposed to dark amber, which happens when you’re flirting with dehydration. So, be it the eight glasses a day rule, or half your body weight in ounces, be sure to drink plenty of fresh agua. Your entire body will thank you – from your energy level to hydrated skin – we need water for optimal performance.
Healthy Fats: I think science has proven the value of eating omega 3, 6 & 9 fats (oils) for health’s sake. Like an engine, we need lubrication for everything to function as it should. Consuming these oils through our diet or supplementation (capsules) not only benefits our body on the inside, but on the outside, as well… which means our skin. Fats keep our skin soft and pliable, which equates to it looking and feeling great. To maintain healthy skin, or if dry skin is a problem, I suggest you add some healthy fats to your diet. Pretty much any oil will do, but olive, avocado, flax, walnut, sea buckthorn and fish are some of skin’s favorites.
Non-chlorinated water: Chlorine is very drying to skin and hair. If possible, get yourself a showerhead filter that takes the chlorine out of water. The difference is amazing, and you’ll quickly reap the benefits of supple skin that is no longer dry and itchy from chlorine’s nasty curse.
Hot water: I am guilty of showering with very hot water. As many times as I swear I’m going to use cooler water in the winter, I fall prey to hot water’s seduction. It’s difficult to resist, but if you’re able to cool it down some, your skin will be happier. It’s this simple… water that’s too hot dries your skin by striping the natural oils off it; leaving it red and itchy, uncomfortable and wicked to look at. So, if you don’t want to have that “cooked” skin thing going on, do as I say and not as I do!
Lotions and creams: Whether you bathe with water that’s too hot or not, moisturizing lotion, applied immediately after you towel off, will correct a lot of damage caused by hot water, chlorine and soap. It’s important to apply the lotion while your skin is still moist from water because the lotion actually seals in some of the water, keeping your skin better hydrated throughout the day, or night, if that’s when you shower. Rub the lotion all over your body and feel the difference it makes. It’s a way of replenishing your skin’s lost oil or moisture. If you wash your hands a lot, use hand lotion after washing to prevent them from drying out and cracking. Trust me, women prefer a soft touch!
Creams are thicker than lotions because of a lower water content, and are typically used on the face and neck; however, if your skin is extremely dry, use a cream or thick lotion, which will provide better protection from dryness. If you deal with acne prone skin, use either an oil free product, or one that contains glycolic acid or salicylic acid, which help remove dead skin and keeps pores from clogging up.
You might want to use a product on your face that’s designated for the face, especially at night. Remember to pay close attention to the under eye area, which tends to wrinkle sooner than other areas of the face because of fewer oil glands in the skin. It’s probably nature’s way of keeping oil out of our eyes. Regardless, squinting and smiling eventually causes crows feet, which are often delayed and reduced if you moisturize the area.
I’m not going to get into naming different products because what may work for me may not work for you. However, I strongly suggest you use a moisturizer from a reputable company, so you’ll benefit from your efforts. If you don’t score with your first choice, try another. There are about a million to choose from, so I’m sure you’ll find one you like. Also, don’t get hung up on having to use a product that’s marketed for men. Nothing’s wrong with that, but it will limit your selection.
Consider using lotion or cream that contains sunscreen, especially on the face or anywhere skin is exposed to sunlight. An SPF with a rating of at least 15 is recommended. The sunscreen can protect you from cancer and wrinkles, and is a smart thing to use year round.
Exfoliate: This is the action of removing old, dead skin by using an exfoliating product, which basically works like sand paper. Please, don’t use sand paper! I’m just using that analogy because that’s what exfoliating products do. They have tiny abrasive particles in their ingredients that when rubbed on the skin; skin sloughs off and new skin is exposed. Besides the glow of healthy, youthful skin, exfoliating promotes the absorption of moisturizers and maximizes its effectiveness. Exfoliate your face, chest, hands and feet for soft, smooth skin. Be sure to follow directions, so you won’t irritate your skin, and stop using it (or any product) if it causes any problems.
Caring for our skin, to maximize our appearance, comfort and image, isn’t rocket science or difficult to do. It takes being conscious and mindful of our habits, and a little extra time and energy dedicated to the cause. It won’t take long until you master it and see the positive benefits that, hopefully, will be your incentive to sticking with the plan. So, move over ladies… our time has come!
by Aaron Marino
