Like women, men also suffer from a lot of skin problems. But sadly, there is not a lot of information one can find regarding men’s face care routine. Just washing ones face with soap and water is certainly not enough to avoid unnecessary skin irritations. Sabita Adhikari Ghimire, beautician at New Goodwills Spa in Thamel, Kathmandu states, “Gone are those days when rough and ragged skin was considered masculine. Whether you are a man or a woman taking care of your skin is essential to keep it healthy.” We at The Week spoke to Ghimire to find out some basic things men can do for healthy skin. She suggests making these little changes to your daily routine to keep your skin glowing and flawless.
Cleansing essentials
Cleaning your face early in the morning and right before you go to bed is a good way to keep your skin healthy. “Clean your face with a light cleanser as it will remove debris from the pores of your skin. This helps prevent blemishes and unnecessary acne outbursts,” says Adhikari. Washing your face at night can help you avoid whiteheads, blackheads, and acne.
“Most men wash their face under the hot shower while having a bath. This leads to dry skin, causes skin irritation and makes you look older than your actual age,” says Adhikari. Therefore, it is better to wash your face with cold water as this helps in closing the pores and prevents rupturing of the skin surface as well.
Moisturizing and toning
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Moisturizing your face after washing it is extremely essential for both men and women as it helps in reducing skin dryness. “Not using a moisturizer after washing your face can cause dryness and itchiness. Not only that, if you don’t moisturize, you can develop wrinkles at an early age,” says Adhikari. Those who have oily skin and are prone to acne may not feel the need to apply moisturizer but moisturizing helps in adding a protective layer on your face and lessens blemishes. Adhikari also advises applying milk cream on your face at night and massaging it for about two minutes. This keeps your skin smooth and helps in reducing acne.
“Toning with rosewater helps in keeping your skin fresh and reduces any kind of skin irritation,” says Adhikari.
Outdoor protection
Applying sunscreen is an extremely essential skin care regime that you cannot afford to skip. “Using sunscreen of SPF 30 is enough in Nepal. It helps in protecting the color and texture of our skin and prevents any kind of damage from powerful rays of the sun,” she says. Make sure you apply sunscreen at least fifteen minutes before you leave the house to make it more effective.
If you have had a long and tiring day outdoors, applying tomato paste on your face and massaging it for five minutes will help you feel a lot better. “Tomato paste helps to cool down your skin, reduces irritation, and also relaxes you,” she adds.
And don’t forget your lips. They have the tendency to age fast so it is important to keep them protected and healthy. To avoid chapped lips during the harsh winter months, use a lip balm with high SPF. Don’t skip on this especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors because, let’s face it, men do not have the privilege to use makeup to hide dry, flaky lips.
Well-kept beard
Your beard can accumulate a lot of dirt and lead to skin problems. The best way to avoid any kind of skin irritation is to maintain a clean shave. According to Adhikari, shaving your beard helps in keeping your skin clean and can avoid pimples or acne. But if you wish to sport a beard, ensure that you take good care of it. “The best way to keep it clean is to wash it with a face wash at least twice a day,” says Adhikari.
Using the right shaving technique can also help in avoiding any kind of skin problems. “Investing in a good sharp razor will help you avoid ingrown hair and pimples,” she says further explaining that you have to shave in the direction of hair growth. This keeps your skin smooth and prevents blemishes as well.
Also, lubricating your face helps in gliding the razor smoothly through your skin. So apply shaving cream when your face is wet. “Do not shave on dry skin unless you are using an electric razor,” she adds.
Healthy hair
“If you have dandruff, it can affect your facial skin as well. The dandruff from your hair may fall on your beard and the buildup can cause acne. “The best homemade remedy to reduce dandruff is to apply curd and lemon juice on your hair and leave it for about fifteen minutes. Or you can also mix gram flour and oil and apply it thoroughly on your hair,” says Adhikari.
For many, hair creams and hair gels can also have a negative effect on their skin. Therefore, if you are persistently getting acne or skin blemishes, try changing your hair products or eliminating them completely.
