How Men Can Best Take Care of Their Skin

First and foremost, men's skin care should consist of much more than shaving balm and aftershave. As most men would benefit about knowing more about skin care, this article lays out the basics of a productive skin regimen.



Although a multi-step approach to skin care is not a necessity, it is good for men to know which products are the best for protecting, nourishing, and rejuvenating their skin.



The Fundamentals for Basic Grooming



Certain skin care products should be on hand for daily use:



Face wash. It is very important to wash your face two times a day with an effective cleanser. A productive approach here would be to use a facial cleanser containing alpha hydroxy acid. This component aids in opening up skin pores, eliminating dead cells, and overall rejuvenation of the skin.



Shaving lotion. The emphasis on shaving cream is that it has a high level of lubrication that will prevent the conditions that lead to razor burn. The two ways shaving lotions are delivered are through pressurized bottles or with soap that is applied with a brush. There is some evidence that by using a brush, the face hairs will stand more straight. This allows for an easier shave.



Aftershave lotion. Many will use a cooling aftershave after shaving for its soothing effect. The lotion may contain an antiseptic to prevent infection, a moisturizer, or fragrance.



Moisturizer. As we age, our skin will begin to dry out. An effective moisturizer will help offset this drying out. It is recommended to choose moisturizers that contain the antioxidants of Vitamins A, C, and E to protect skin cells from aging prematurely. Make sure that your skin care cream does not contain lauryl sulfate as this ingredient will strip away our skin's natural oils.



Sunscreen. The best thing to prevent aging in one's skin is to use sunblock. It should be applied everytime you spend any duration of time under the sun. Certain skin care experts have recommended to apply sunscreen upon finishing your daily shave. The importance lies in getting a sunblock with an SPF factor of 15 (at a minimum).



Skin Care: The Right Shave



There are significant advantages to shaving that are not commonly known. For example, shaving causes an exfoliation of the skin to a degree where it signficantly helps to keep our skin healthy. If you shave improperly, there is the danger of razor bumps and burns. These form when facial hair that was cut too short curls back up into the skin. For an effective shave, consider these following steps:



Soften Beard Texture. Lather your face considerably with hot water. Before rinsing your beard with water, it may be beneficial to apply a warm washcloth to increase the softness of the hairs.



Shaving Cream Technique. Fully cover your beard with the shaving cream. It is important to lather in deeply the shaving cream. This will make the hairs stand up and lubricate the skin.



Shave Razor. It is important the razor be sharp and that you shave in the direction that the hairs lay. Keep your skin relaxed and avoid repeating any strokes.



Complete Rinse. Rinse the remaining shaving cream off your face with cool or warm water. Your skin will be dried out with hot water.