Moisturisers are skin products that add wetness to the skin, but their main role is to retain moisture. A good quality moisturiser helps retain the moisture that’s already in the skin, but also replenishes the moisture we lose on a daily basis.
Showering and scrubbing one’s body with soap removes layers of dry, dead skin, but it can also strip the skin of protective oils. On the other hand, hot and dry summer days, or cold winter winds, can damage and dry the skin out, so using a moisturiser can help treat it and offer protection, making it feel refreshed, but not oily or greasy.
In Australia, we’re exposed to conditions all the time, and although many believe that they only need to rejuvenate their skin once it gets clearly apparent, the truth is that a moisturiser should be part of one’s daily skin routine, for both men and women.
Reasons Why Men Should Moisturise
Men’s moisturizers are different than women’s moisturisers, mainly because men’s skin tends to be thicker and excrete more oil than women’s skin. Also, men shave, and some men shave very often. Shaving is a form of exfoliation, so in order to soothe the skin and restore its protective barrier, men need moisturisers. For smooth skin, with no appearance of open pores, regular use of moisturiser is the best solution.
Men’s skin ages too, and a moisturiser can help diminish the appearance of fine lines and make the skin feel more comfortable, smoother and healthier every day. Moreover, a lack of moisture and water in the skin can cause a red and inflamed appearance and in order to prevent it, the key is to keep your skin balanced. For this purpose, you should try to find men’s moisturizers that contain water and anti-inflammatory ingredients as to provide hydration to the skin and ensure proper functioning.
Most commonly, men have oiler skin, and they can be prone to blackheads and congestion, which is a sign that your skin is lacking moisture and water. With proper moisturising, water particles in the skin will push oil up to the surface of the skin and create the acid mantle that acts as your skin’s natural moisturiser. Also, a men’s moisturiser will help your skin excrete properly and clear out all dirt particles that are not visible to the eye.
How to Choose Your Moisturiser
A good moisturiser should be a staple product in every man’s skin routine. When choosing your mosituriser it’s important to avoid heavy products that feel sticky. Men’s moisturisers should contain a minimum SPF of 15, and make sure the one you choose blocks both UVB and UVA rays.
The main ingredient of most men’s moisturisers is water, but they also contain glycerin, which is a humectant (a substance that helps retain moisture) and petrolatum and stearic acid, which are occlusives (substances that keep the water from evaporating from the skin). Other ingredients that can be found in a men’s moisturiser are triethanolamine (TEA), an emulsifier that helps to blend the oil-water mix that makes up the moisturiser, then magnesium aluminum silicate, used as a filler in a moisturiser, mineral oil that helps lock in moisture and blocks pores, and more.
Step by Step Moisturising for Men
An interesting thing about skin care for men is that, according to skin experts, it can take very little to make a big improvement. However, you’ll still need to create a regimen and stick to it. To ensure your moisturising regime works effectively, there are a few simple things you need to, such as the following.
Cleansing and Drying
Removing surface dirt and oil is the crucial step in allowing your moisturiser to penetrate the skin’s surface. This is best done after a bath or shower, and cleansing twice a day, morning and night, can be most effective. It’s important to apply your moisturiser on dry skin as wet skin prevents it from being absorbed quickly and can create a slight shine.
Create Your Routine
Know your skin type first and create your routine according to it. Make sure not to over supply your skin with moisturiser, regardless of its condition. Sensitive skin reddens easily and stings or burns when you apply skin products, while for the other types of skin you can examine your T zone, across your forehead and a straight line down the chin. A matte surface indicates dry skin, a greasy or shiny area means your skin is oily, and if it’s slightly slick, then you have normal or combination skin.
For dry skin, with no acne issues, you can use oil-based lotions, while for an oily type of skin, it’s recommendable to avoid heavy formulas and opt for an oil-free moisturiser. If your skin is normal or combination, the best thing to do is balance the treatment, so you can use a moisturiser that will not add oil to already shiny areas. For sensitive skin, avoid products with alcohol, fragrances and parabens and moisturise your skin with products designed for sensitive skin only.
Once you’ve chosen your moisturiser and cleaned and dried your skin, get a penny-portion of it on your fingertips, rub your hands together and apply it all over your face, focusing on areas that get particularly dry, like your forehead or the area under your eyes. Let the moisture dry before applying other products. Additionally, you can moisture certain areas on your body that feel dry most of the time, such as your feet, hands or elbows.