First, it’s important for men to identify and understand their skin type:

- Sensitive skin may sting or burn after product use
- Normal skin is clear and not sensitive
- Dry skin is flaky, itchy or rough
- Oily skin is shiny and greasy
- Combination skin is dry in some areas and oily in others

Understanding your skin type will help you learn how to take care of your skin and select skin care products that are right for you.
To help men develop healthy skin care routines, dermatologists recommend the following tips:

Consider product labels and ingredients.

The skin care products you choose will depend on your skin type. If you have acne-prone skin, look for cleansers and moisturizers that say “oil free” or “non-comedogenic,” as these won’t clog your pores. If you have sensitive skin, use mild, “fragrance free” products, as products containing fragrances can leave skin feeling irritated and dry. However, beware of products labeled “unscented,” as many of these contain masking fragrances that can still irritate your skin.

Wash your face daily and after exercise.

Because regular bar soap often contains harsh ingredients that can be drying to the skin, wash your face with a mild facial cleanser and lukewarm — not hot — water.

Watch your shaving technique.

For some men, multi-blade razors can work too well or shave too closely to your skin. If you often experience razor bumps, razor burns, or ingrown hairs, use a single- or double-blade razor instead and do not stretch your skin taut while shaving. Before you shave, wet your skin and hair to soften it. Use a moisturizing shaving cream and shave in the direction of hair growth. Rinse after each swipe of the razor and change your blade after five to seven shaves to minimize irritation.

Moisturize daily.

Moisturizer works by trapping water in your skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and make your skin look brighter and younger. For the best results, apply moisturizer to your face and body immediately after bathing, showering or shaving while the skin is still damp.

Check your skin regularly.

New spots or moles that itch, bleed, or change color are often early warning signs of skin cancer. If you notice any suspicious spots, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. Men over age 50 have a higher risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than the general population. However, when caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable.

Wear sunscreen whenever outdoors.

To help prevent sun damage that can lead to wrinkles, age spots and even skin cancer, before going outdoors, apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin, including your scalp, ears, neck, and lips. For best protection, use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating. You can also protect your skin by seeking shade and wearing sun-protective clothing, such as a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection, when possible. For more effective sun protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) label.

HOW DOES MALE SKIN DIFFER FROM FEMALE SKIN?

We want our skin to look and feel healthy. Just like women, we deal with issues such as skin sensitivity, acne, and ageing, but skin varies according to gender. Male skin – on both the face and the body - has some features that differ from female skin and, with regular shaving, it is often treated differently too. Because of this, men benefit from a tailored approach to skincare to help keep our skin at its natural best.
The hormone testosterone determines the masculine characteristics of male skin and gives it a different structure to female skin. While every man’s skin is unique, in general, male skin – on both the face and the body - is thicker, oilier and ages differently.

THICKNESS

Male skin is, on average, approximately 25% thicker than female skin. It contains more collagen and has a tighter, firmer appearance.
The collagen content of male skin reduces at a constant rate. Female skin is affected later in life, especially after the menopause. Female skin then thins more dramatically, and the effects are more pronounced than in male skin.

OILINESS

Men have more active sebaceous glands, and therefore more pores, than women. Both their sebaceous glands and their pores are larger than those of women.

Sebum production is double that of women, so male skin is oilier and shinier than female skin. As a result, its pH is lower than that of female skin and is prone to impurities and acne.

Adult males are less prone to dry skin than adult females

AGEING

Signs of ageing appear later in male skin, but changes occur more quickly once they start.
Men are most affected by sagging skin combined with puffy eyes and dark circles that make them look tired.
Men get wrinkles too, though they are often less of a concern than for women. Male wrinkles occur later than female wrinkles but, when they do appear, they are fully grooved.

SHAVING

Regular shaving makes male skin more stressed than female skin.

On average, men who shave subject their skin to 16,000 shaves in a lifetime.
Skin becomes more sensitive and reacts faster.
Daily shaving stresses the skin and can cause irritation. It removes the uppermost layer of skin cells, exposing immature skin that is particularly sensitive to external.
Up to 40% of men have shaving-related skin problems. Younger and fair skinned men are particularly prone.
A blunt razor and/or insufficient lubrication while shaving can lead to nicks and cuts, razor burn and razor bumps.