No longer seen as a ritual just for women, adopting a consistent skincare routine to clean, protect and hydrate the skin is essential for a healthy complexion, regardless of your gender. The world of skincare has increasingly evolved over recent years - from an act of vanity to a holistic focus on overall health and wellbeing for all skin identities. Let’s dive deeper into the characteristics of skin in men and products you can use to support specific skin concerns.
Men have different skin to women
Skincare for men starts with understanding the basics. The skin is the body's largest organ and serves as its first line of defence against environmental stress so requires specific care to maintain optimal health. Most men tend to have thicker and oilier skin than women (particularly throughout puberty) due to higher levels of testosterone. Thick, oily skin can require some work when it comes to balancing oil production and preventing breakouts. Unlike women, men's skin tends to be thicker, with larger pores and more active sebaceous glands, leading to increased oil production. This can make men more prone to issues like acne, blackheads, and ingrown hairs.
Men also have an additional factor to consider - facial hair growth. Regular shaving can cause ingrown hairs, razor bumps and irritation. And if you skip the razor to grow a beard, that can come with its own list of potential problems. The skin under a beard can be harder to keep clean and hydrated, leading to dry, flaky skin, excess oil and irritation. With the additional challenge of hair growth on the face, it’s important to introduce a daily skincare routine to balance, hydrate and protect the skin from environmental damage.
A Daily Skincare Routine for Men
Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. Implementing a daily routine of cleansing and protecting the skin can be achieved in just a few minutes morning and night.
Cleansing (every night)
Without a doubt, cleansing is a non-negotiable step in any routine (particularly at night). There’s often a misconception that you only need to wash your face if you wear makeup, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. SPF should be thoroughly washed away every night to allow your skin to breathe, prevent blocked pores and give your night skincare products a chance to thoroughly soak into the skin where they can do their job. If you’re not wearing SPF daily, this is something you should implement into your AM routine ASAP. Cleansing will also assist to dissolve excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells that can lead to blocked pores, making it an essential step if you want to keep blemishes at bay!
Too lazy to wash your face or think you won’t have enough time? Good News - you don’t actually need to cleanse in the morning. If you’ve taking the time to cleanse thoroughly at night, a simple wipe over with a damp face cloth or rinsing with lukewarm water in the shower is enough to give your skin a clean base in preparation for applying your AM products.
We recommend: LAMAV’s Award Winning Sweet Orange Balancing Cleanser as it’s gentle enough for all skin types but specifically formulated to support oily and combination skin. This refreshing gel cleanser provides a deep clean without stripping the skin and offers a subtle citrus scent in neutral packaging. The addition of natural AHAs effectively removes excess sebum and impurities while Australian Native Extracts reduce redness and inflammation.
Moisturising (twice, daily)
Regardless of your skin type, Hydration is key for maintaining skin health. If you have oily skin it can be tempting to skip moisturiser, however you may be surprised to learn that drying out oily skin may result in excessive oil production as your skin attempts to compensate for the lack of moisture. In the AM apply a lightweight moisturiser to hydrate, balance and protect your skin.
We recommend: LAMAV’s Skin Balancing Fluid. This lightweight moisturiser will have you second guessing if you’ve applied anything at all! Rest assured, your skin will be hydrated, balanced and smooth all day long. Infused with Vitamin C and Licorice Root to encourage an even complexion, along with Hyaluronic Acid to boost hydration, this is the perfect barely-there moisturiser, particularly if you have oily/combination skin.
If you have mature skin on the dryer side, reach for LAMAV’s Hyaluronic Moisture Cream to lock in hydration and calm redness without the greasy residue.
SPF (every AM)
One of the most crucial steps in skincare is sun protection. UV rays can damage the skin and accelerate aging, so it’s a no-brainer to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen as the last step in your AM skincare routine every day.
Exfoliation (1-2 times per week)
Our skin sometimes needs a little assistance with exfoliation to remove dead skin cells, excess oil and dirt that would otherwise buildup and potentially cause blocked pores and breakouts. Regular exfoliation not only helps to keep skin clear, it’s also been linked to increased collagen production - key to a healthy, youthful complexion.
If you’re prone to breakouts or excess oil you need a product that delivers potent active ingredients without the irritation. LAMAV’s AHA Face Exfoliant is a powerful 2-in-1 exfoliator that deeply purifies the skin as it exfoliates, resulting in a clear and smooth complexion. Potent AHA’s from Desert Lime, Sugar Cane and Bilberry effectively breakdown dead skin while Bamboo Powder and Diatomaceous Earth provide a non-abrasive physical exfoliant to buff away impurities while strengthening collagen production.
Targeted Treatments
Beyond the basics, men may benefit from targeted treatments depending on their specific concerns. If you’re looking to “treat” your skin rather than just maintain it, there are moisturisers, serums and oils available that have been specifically formulated to target complexion concerns.
Age Defence:
If you’re 30 + and ready to slow the signs of ageing, investing in a natural retinol alternative will help to smooth and plump your mature skin. LAMAV’s Bakuchiol Booster is an easy addition to your nightly skincare routine, encouraging cellular turnover while delivering a hit of antioxidants in between cleansing and moisturising. And if you really want to invest in your skin, swap to LAMAV’s Wrinkle Smoothing Cream morning and night to boost elasticity and firmness.
Acne Treatment:
In addition to LAMAV’s AHA infused Sweet Orange Cleanser and Exfoliant, adding our Probiotic Toner provides an additional burst of AHA support along with probiotics to help balance the skin while reducing inflammation in 1-2 quick sprays post cleansing. Finish with our skin balancing fluid for lightweight hydration and calm, balanced skin.
Sensitive Skin and Aftershave Care:
If you’re experiencing sensitive skin post shaving, you’ll want to follow up with a nourishing skincare routine to calm and rehydrate your complexion. Reach for LAMAV’s Hyaluronic Moisture Cream in the morning to lock in hydration while delivering soothing properties from Aloe-Vera, Amla and Sandalwood Seed Oil. If you’re feeling extra dry, you can also layer with our Hyaluronic Hydra-Max Serum to calm and serve some serious moisture to your skin.
If your skin is super sensitive or dry and you feel your barrier may be damaged, it’s time to elevate your PM routine with more potent and nourishing products. LAMAV’s Omega 3 Advanced night cream was specifically created to repair and hydrate dry, sensitive skin while you sleep to promote healthy barrier function. And if you don’t mind the feeling of an oil, try our Omega Antioxidant Oil to deliver a potent burst of moisture and omega fatty acids to comfort and strengthen irritated skin. Containing 100% pure actives, you’ll get nourishing protection against environmental damage along with smoother, plumper skin.
Holistic Habits for Healthy Skin
In addition to a skincare routine, choosing healthy lifestyle choices will also contribute to a healthier complexion. Ensuring you are drinking adequate water, consuming healthy foods and getting enough sleep can also have a significant impact on skin health.
Regardless of your gender, embracing a skincare routine is not about conforming to beauty standards but rather about self-care and wellness. Taking pride in your appearance and investing in your skin will promote long-term skin health, boost your confidence and contribute to a healthy self-esteem.
