Naturally Great Grooming For Men: Skincare
Men's skin is a bit more resilient than women's.
It is thicker than women's, produces more collagen and contains more oil glands to keep it smooth and lubricated.
However, it still does require some care to keep it in top condition.
Here's the basics for naturally great grooming for men, to keep you looking your best.
Some tops reason's to care for your skin are:
Just follow a basic routine consisting of the following elements and all should be well.
1.
Cleanse.
Wash your hands and then wash your face every morning and evening.
The morning wash can just be with water if you find using a cleanser twice a day a bit much.
Plus, most men shave in the morning which cleanses the skin anyway.
However, do try and wash your face with a cleansing product before you go to bed.
Your face gets covered in all sorts of stuff during the day - dirt, pollution, sweat, skin products, lunch...
- so it needs a good wash before its resting, restoring time at night.
Like with the shower, avoid using soap because it can over-dry the skin.
Use a soap-free or pH neutral cleanser and preferably one that doesn't contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate (SLS).
Most men need a cleanser designed for normal/combination or oily skin.
You can make it easier by just buying a cleanser from a Men's range.
It is rare for a man to have dry facial skin, although skin can become dryer as we age as the production of our natural skin oils slows down.
If you have sensitive skin, you probably need a non-irritating cleanser for normal skin.
It is also advisable to use a facial skin exfoliant about twice a week.
This is a grainy scrub that cleans off surface dead skin cells and deep cleans the skin.
It makes your skin smoother and helps to clear blackheads and prevent ingrown hairs and spots.
However, if you already have a large number of pimples or suffer from acne then do not use a scrub.
It is too harsh and may spread infection further.
When you use an exfoliant rub it gently on the skin in small circles.
They can be a bit awkward to wash off so it is easiest to use them in the shower.
2.
Hydrate If you have had a wet shave follow it with a soothing, healing aftershave gel.
This will ease any shaving irritation and help lock in moisture.
Hydrated skin that contains moisture is smoother and has less and softer wrinkles.
At night, after cleansing apply a light moisturiser to your neck, cheeks and around the eyes.
Treat the neck the same as the face.
It is the presentation pedestal on which your face sits so you want it to look good too.
Avoid putting moisturiser on your forehead, nose and chin as these areas normally contain enough natural oil to keep them moisturised.
3.
Protect.
After washing/shaving in the morning apply moisturiser with sunscreen.
Protect your skin from the sun as it accelerates aging of the skin.
Remember your lips too, especially if you are outdoors a lot.
The skin on your lips is very thin and is easily damaged by the sun.
It is extra important to use a safe, natural sunscreen on your lips as you are likely to digest most of it! Growing Great Skin The surface layer of your skin is largely dead cells.
New cells are produced deeper down.
To really impact the look of your skin you have to feed your forming skin cells from the inside.
You don't have to become a health freak.
Again just follow some basics to ensure that your forming skin cells get the nutrients they need.
1.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
When skin is well hydrated wrinkles are softened and less likely to form.
If your body is dehydrated the first place it draws moisture from is your skin.
Remember that coffee, soft drinks and alcohol are very dehydrating.
If you drink a lot of these then you need to drink even more water.
Carry a water bottle with you (preferably eco- and body friendly stainless steel or glass) so that you always have a drink of water handy.
This will also prevent the need to pick up some other type of drink from a shop.
Quick test: pinch the skin on the back of your hand.
If it takes longer than a second to return to its normal place and colour then you are probably dehydrated and need a drink, of water.
2.
Eat at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables a day.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Antioxidants help to prevent oxidative damage to your skin and keep it firmer, smoother and younger looking.
If you struggle with eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables then take a good quality wholefood supergreens or antioxidant supplement.
3.
Go easy on the sugar.
Sugar reduces your production of collagen which leads to saggy, wrinkly skin.
Of course it can also increase the size of your waistline.
So next time you are tempted to grab a chocolate bar at a shop checkout, picture yourself as an elephant and grab a car magazine instead.
4.
If you are going to eat grains eat wholegrains.
That's things like wholegrain bread, brown rice, whole rolled oats (as opposed to the quick cook version), soba (buckwheat) noodles and basmati rice.
Refined grains are little more than glucose (sugar) and empty calories.
They not only offer no nutrients, but also rob your body of nutrients to process them.
Wholegrains on the other hand provide skin nourishing nutrients like B vitamins and zinc, and provide slow release glucose for lasting energy (certain B vitamins can also help preserve the youthful colour of your hair - but that's a topic for another article).
It is best to soak grains in slightly acidic water before you cook them.
It removes the anti-nutrients which block our absorption of minerals.
If you can't be bothered doing this then avoid eating grains altogether and base your diet on vegetables, quality protein and natural fats.
Happy Grooming!
It is thicker than women's, produces more collagen and contains more oil glands to keep it smooth and lubricated.
However, it still does require some care to keep it in top condition.
Here's the basics for naturally great grooming for men, to keep you looking your best.
Some tops reason's to care for your skin are:
- Your skin is your largest organ (body organs are important things - heart, lungs, liver...
) - Your skin produces vitamin D which is essential for bone growth and to keep you from ending up looking like the crooked man
- Well-cared for skin is far more attractive
- Keep it short.
This saves water which is nice and eco-friendly and it also prevents dehydration of your skin (remember dehydration = prune skin and wrinkles) - Keep the temperature lower.
Hot water can cause broken red veins on the skin (like on an alcoholic) which is not very attractive.
The best shower for waking up your circulation and your mind is to alternate the water between warm and cool, or at least finish with a cool rinse. - Use a soap-free, sodium lauryl sulphate-free shower wash.
Soap can be very drying on your skin (plus it leaves a film which makes the shower harder to clean).
Sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate dissolves the natural protective oils in your skin and has been linked to skin dryness, skin irritation, eye irritation, hair damage and liver toxicity.
Please note, a product does not need to foam to clean.
Go for products containing natural gels and oils and naturally derived surfactants.
Just follow a basic routine consisting of the following elements and all should be well.
1.
Cleanse.
Wash your hands and then wash your face every morning and evening.
The morning wash can just be with water if you find using a cleanser twice a day a bit much.
Plus, most men shave in the morning which cleanses the skin anyway.
However, do try and wash your face with a cleansing product before you go to bed.
Your face gets covered in all sorts of stuff during the day - dirt, pollution, sweat, skin products, lunch...
- so it needs a good wash before its resting, restoring time at night.
Like with the shower, avoid using soap because it can over-dry the skin.
Use a soap-free or pH neutral cleanser and preferably one that doesn't contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate (SLS).
Most men need a cleanser designed for normal/combination or oily skin.
You can make it easier by just buying a cleanser from a Men's range.
It is rare for a man to have dry facial skin, although skin can become dryer as we age as the production of our natural skin oils slows down.
If you have sensitive skin, you probably need a non-irritating cleanser for normal skin.
It is also advisable to use a facial skin exfoliant about twice a week.
This is a grainy scrub that cleans off surface dead skin cells and deep cleans the skin.
It makes your skin smoother and helps to clear blackheads and prevent ingrown hairs and spots.
However, if you already have a large number of pimples or suffer from acne then do not use a scrub.
It is too harsh and may spread infection further.
When you use an exfoliant rub it gently on the skin in small circles.
They can be a bit awkward to wash off so it is easiest to use them in the shower.
2.
Hydrate If you have had a wet shave follow it with a soothing, healing aftershave gel.
This will ease any shaving irritation and help lock in moisture.
Hydrated skin that contains moisture is smoother and has less and softer wrinkles.
At night, after cleansing apply a light moisturiser to your neck, cheeks and around the eyes.
Treat the neck the same as the face.
It is the presentation pedestal on which your face sits so you want it to look good too.
Avoid putting moisturiser on your forehead, nose and chin as these areas normally contain enough natural oil to keep them moisturised.
3.
Protect.
After washing/shaving in the morning apply moisturiser with sunscreen.
Protect your skin from the sun as it accelerates aging of the skin.
Remember your lips too, especially if you are outdoors a lot.
The skin on your lips is very thin and is easily damaged by the sun.
It is extra important to use a safe, natural sunscreen on your lips as you are likely to digest most of it! Growing Great Skin The surface layer of your skin is largely dead cells.
New cells are produced deeper down.
To really impact the look of your skin you have to feed your forming skin cells from the inside.
You don't have to become a health freak.
Again just follow some basics to ensure that your forming skin cells get the nutrients they need.
1.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
When skin is well hydrated wrinkles are softened and less likely to form.
If your body is dehydrated the first place it draws moisture from is your skin.
Remember that coffee, soft drinks and alcohol are very dehydrating.
If you drink a lot of these then you need to drink even more water.
Carry a water bottle with you (preferably eco- and body friendly stainless steel or glass) so that you always have a drink of water handy.
This will also prevent the need to pick up some other type of drink from a shop.
Quick test: pinch the skin on the back of your hand.
If it takes longer than a second to return to its normal place and colour then you are probably dehydrated and need a drink, of water.
2.
Eat at least 5 servings of fresh fruit and vegetables a day.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Antioxidants help to prevent oxidative damage to your skin and keep it firmer, smoother and younger looking.
If you struggle with eating enough fresh fruit and vegetables then take a good quality wholefood supergreens or antioxidant supplement.
3.
Go easy on the sugar.
Sugar reduces your production of collagen which leads to saggy, wrinkly skin.
Of course it can also increase the size of your waistline.
So next time you are tempted to grab a chocolate bar at a shop checkout, picture yourself as an elephant and grab a car magazine instead.
4.
If you are going to eat grains eat wholegrains.
That's things like wholegrain bread, brown rice, whole rolled oats (as opposed to the quick cook version), soba (buckwheat) noodles and basmati rice.
Refined grains are little more than glucose (sugar) and empty calories.
They not only offer no nutrients, but also rob your body of nutrients to process them.
Wholegrains on the other hand provide skin nourishing nutrients like B vitamins and zinc, and provide slow release glucose for lasting energy (certain B vitamins can also help preserve the youthful colour of your hair - but that's a topic for another article).
It is best to soak grains in slightly acidic water before you cook them.
It removes the anti-nutrients which block our absorption of minerals.
If you can't be bothered doing this then avoid eating grains altogether and base your diet on vegetables, quality protein and natural fats.
Happy Grooming!
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