The Essential Skin Care Routine for Men

Finding the right products usually comes down to your skin type, so pay attention to how your face reacts to each one and adjust accordingly. Here's how to tell what kind of skin you might have:

• Oily skin is shiny, usually the result of too much sebum production from the glands under the surface.
• Dry skin doesn't retain as much water as it should and appears flaky, scaly or patchy.
• Combination skin is a mixture of normal, dry and oily skin types, often with a T-zone of oily skin on the forehead, nose and chin, as well as larger, more open pores.
• Sensitive skin has a decreased tolerance to lotions, creams, cleansers and cosmetics.
• Aging skin loses elasticity, appears rougher or thinner and often has visible wrinkles and uneven color.

Begin with a Simple Skin Care Routine

Get started by developing a simple skin care routine that you can do both morning and night. Simply washing your face and incorporating a daily moisturizer will clear impurities and help build a healthy skin barrier.

A Full Step-by-Step Skin Routine for Men

Layer in additional steps once you're ready to take your routine to the next level.

Step 1: Cleanser

A good exfoliating facial cleanser or scrub helps keep your pores clear of dirt, oil and other impurities.

• Wet your face with warm water.
• Apply facial cleanser all over your face and neck for about 10 seconds.
• Rinse clean with cold water to close your pores.
• Gently pat your face dry with a clean towel—never rub it.

Toner prepares your skin for the rest of your basic skin care routine. It also helps replenish your skin after cleansing.

• Apply toner to a cotton pad without oversoaking it.
• Sweep the wet cotton pad outward in gentle strokes from the center of your face.
• Avoid your lips and eyes.
• Allow the toner to dry on its own.

Step 3: Serum

Serums contain antioxidants and vitamins to help nourish your skin. But there are so many different types available that choosing the right one can be a challenge if you're new to taking care of your skin. Consider a hydrating serum, antioxidant serum, brightening serum or anti-aging serum depending on your skin type and concern. Always check the bottle for specific instructions, but here's how you usually apply it:

• Squeeze a couple of drops from the dropper into the palm of one hand.
• Rub your hands together.
• Press serum into your dry face and neck with both hands.

Step 4: Moisturizer

Always use moisturizer both in the morning and night, as it can help combat extreme dryness as well as oiliness by balancing your skin.

• Make sure your face is slightly damp (using a face mist works well) so that you can lock in the moisture.
• Apply a pea-sized amount of moisturizer to one hand.
• Rub your hands together.
• Using gentle upward and outward strokes, apply to face and neck.

Step 5: Eye Cream

Eye cream nourishes the sensitive skin around your eyes. It reduces puffiness, helps brighten dark circles and is especially great for anti-aging, firming and tightening.

• Use a pea-size amount per eye.
• Using the pads of your fingers, apply your eye cream in very small dots near the inner corner of your under-eye and work outward.
• Apply to your orbital bone and under your eyebrow.
• Pat the eye cream gently until it soaks in, rather than rubbing it in.

Step 6: Sunscreen with SPF 30

Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light causes most skin cancers. Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 will help protect your skin from UV rays. Use it year-round, not just during the summertime. The best skin care routine for men finishes with sunscreen.

• Squeeze a nickel-size amount into your palm.
• Rub your hands together.
• Apply to your face and neck with upward and outward strokes.

Bonus Step: Masks

You can find a sheet mask for any skin type or skin concern. They're easy to use and can make your simple skin care routine a little more fun. Any advanced skin care routine for men should include the occasional mask.

• Find a mask for your desired results (anti-aging, detoxifying, brightening or deep-cleaning).
• Apply to clean skin.
• Check the instructions for the recommended time to leave it on.
• Remove according to instructions.
• Enjoy your brighter, smoother skin.

Whether you shave daily or just once in a while, razors can irritate your skin, leaving behind nicks, ingrown hairs and rough skin patches. Following these tips reduces the likelihood of a poor shave.

1. Use Shaving Cream

Lathering up with shaving cream lowers the risk for nicks and cuts as well as ingrown hairs, the lubrication it provides helps you get a closer shave. Always apply it to a clean, wet face and stick to the recommended amount.

2. Use a Clean Razor

A clean, sharp razor makes all the difference and prevents irritation. Dull blades cause you to press harder and cut yourself, while rusty blades are dangerous and cause cuts and infections.

3. Use Beard Oil (If Applicable)

If you have facial hair, beard oil moisturizes and prevents dryness after shaving, grooming and trimming. You can use this product even if you don't have a full beard.

• Put a few drops in the palm of your hand.
• Rub both hands together.
• Massage into your facial hair using a downward motion.
  

When it comes to skin care, everyone should have a chance to put their best face forward. Conquering routine skin care steps allows you not only to move on to higher levels of a skin care routine for men, but also to reap the benefits of a healthier complexion.