For MMSCENE Magazine #005 (April 2016 issue – OUT NOW IN PRINT & DIGITAL) Beauty Specialist ALANA MITCHELL walks us through some of the best men’s skin care tips, saving both your time and money.
Whether they’d like to admit it or not, there seems to have been a serious boom in the number of men who take care of their skin. And I am not speaking in a “quick cleanse and a shave” type of manner, but rather men who are actually going through the motions of taking care of their skin. This includes a cleanser, a moisturizer, and yes, even the occasional (or not-so-occasional) serum and eye cream! And why shouldn’t they? Keeping one’s skin healthy and youthful is a pretty universal trend, and as a skin care professional, I am pretty excited to get to witness this evolution!
A special message for the lady whose man does not want to admit his love for skin care and beauty… So many of us have been there, stepping into the shower only to notice that our favorite cleanser (or conditioner) seems a little too empty, a little too fast. If you’ve ever run into this in your own bathroom, your beau may be to blame! While many men have proudly hopped on-board the skin care train, there are others who choose to groom in the shadows. And of course, as an esthetician I am a huge advocate of any type of skin care routine, even if it is done on the “down low”.
So, what is a supportive partner to do? Start stocking up on products that both of you can enjoy. If your guy is a “mans man”, reach for products that deliver no-frills packaging and awesome results. Your first order of business will be to find a cleanser that suites both of your needs. I discovered Epicuren’s Gelle Cleanser a few years back, and both my husband and I have been loving it! It comes from a line of skin care that ditches the fluff, with straightforward packaging and effective formulas that won’t break the bank when you pump out too much. Cleansing is one of the most essential parts of a skin care routine, and one that men are typically open to embrace, since it can be easily incorporated into their AM and PM routine.
Second, don’t be afraid to encourage your man to try your moisturizer! Again, you might have better luck if the product is less “feminine”. Many men, including my husband and father-in-law, avoid skin care products for fear of breaking out, so a formula that is lightweight and non-comedogenic will likely hit the spot. My favorite product to recommend to men with normal to oily skin is definitely Epicuren’s Acidopholus Pro-Biotic Facial Cream.
For the guys who prefer to have their own, and are not afraid of men’s grooming and skin care… Indeed, more and more men are stepping out of the shadows to embrace a full-fledged skin care routine! Perhaps we can attribute this to the growing variety of men’s products on the market, or perhaps they have noticed that many of the ladies in their lives have benefited from a steady routine. In either case, I am happy to see this trend forming. In addition to dedicated products just for him, many brands have even gone so far as to create skin-cleansing devices tailored towards male skin. I am looking at you, FOREO!
Now, for the million dollar question… I am often asked if men need a skin care routine, and the answer is: absolutely, yes. The follow-up question is always the same: what types of products should I/he be using? While I will never cease to state that a man should care for his skin, I will say this: men seem to require less than women do when it comes to caring for their skin. Yes, some men prefer to follow a similar routine as many of us ladies do, which includes cleansing, exfoliating, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, and SPF. But I will say that men tend to fair just fine when using a cleanser, serum or moisturizer, and sunscreen (this is a big one that men tend to neglect). This seems to fit perfectly with most of the men I have observed, because they are all about the KISS (keep it super simple) approach.
Of course with skin care, you are also going to run into certain trends… One that has been on the rise is the barbershop business, with spots popping up that serve great brews and a fun, masculine atmosphere. A general rule of them is: if its sold in a barbershop, it is manly, so this is a great place to look if you want to gift your man something skincare-oriented.
Multifunctional products are also ideal, as they allow guys to enjoy the benefits of multiple products in one. A fan favorite (for both men and women) is moisturizers with SPF, as they allow you to get a quick dose of moisture while protecting your skin from the sun (an essential if looking younger, longer is a priority).
Something that I am personally excited to see booming in gentleman skincare is the introduction of sulfate and phosphate free formulas. While these two ingredients are very commonly used in a variety of cosmetic products, they have been known to cause irritation on the skin – hence, why it is beneficial to avoid them. Since male skin has generally been regarded as “tougher,” the trend seemed to follow shortly after women’s products began cutting the ingredient out.
Whether you are trying to get your skin care routine going, or are looking to encourage your guy to do so, one of the most important factors to consider is results. Much like women, men are very results oriented, and if a product does not seem to be working, they may be more likely to throw in the towel than their female counterpart. Because of this, brands have had to work extra hard to deliver products that not only cater to male skin, but also deliver good results, stat!
Looking towards the future, it is very likely that we will continue to see a rise in men embracing a regular skin care routine. In fact, the number of men who frequent the spa is increasing as well, hence the development of facials geared specifically towards male skin and their unique needs!
All words by Alana Mitchell founder of skincarebyalana.com @skincarebyalana
Photographer Igor Cvoro – www.igorcvoro.com
Models in order from above – Filip Timotijevic and Nemanja Maksic at FOX Models Belgrade, Luka Nedimovic at OREA Models
Makeup Artist Marko Nikolic at FOX Fashion Agency Belgrade using L’Oreal Paris
