Natural Skin Care for Men

Men are often ignored or overlooked in the beauty industry. It’s important to take care of your skin – no matter if you’re a man or woman. It can be overwhelming at the beginning, especially if you’re just starting to get to know how to take care of your skin. The beauty industry is full of skin care products for men – this includes natural and organic products. A routine doesn’t have to be complicated – it can be very basic and simple. 

skin care

Skin types

It’s important to know what type of skin type you have in order to choose products that work best with it. Sometimes you can do more harm than good if you choose the wrong products. 

  • Normal skin

Normal is well-balanced skin. The scientific term for healthy skin is eudermic.

  • Oily skin

Oily is used to describe a skin type with a large sebum production. This over production is known as seborrhea. 

  • Dry skin

Dry skin is skin that produces less sebum than normal skin. It lacks the lipids that it needs to retain moisture and build a protective shield. 

  • Combination skin

Combination skin is skin that consists of a mix of skin types.

 

Skin care routine

In order to have nice, healthy skin, it’s important to properly take care of it. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do that. 

Step #1 – cleanser

Cleanser removes the rest of your makeup, cleanses the skin from impurities, oils and dirt and allows it to rest and breathe from various products applied to it. 

Step #2 – toner

This is an important product in every routine. It balances and normalizes the skin’s pH level since it is often irritated after cleansing and is left feeling dry. Toner also removes any makeup that was left on the face. 

Step #3 – exfoliator

There are two types of exfoliation: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliation uses manual exfoliation such as scrubs that get rid of dead skin cells – this involves using circular motions using your hands or an exfoliating glove. Chemical exfoliators like BHA or AHA acids give more noticeable and quick effects. Exfoliation should be done only twice or three times a week. They aren’t for everyone, especially for those with sensitive skin. Try not to overdo it since it can be really damaging to the skin. Overexfoliation causes more harm than good. 

Step #4 – moisturizer

Skin should always be moisturized hydrated – from the inside and out. This is why it’s so crucial to drink a lot of water. Moisturizers get rid of dry spots and patches and leave the skin feeling smooth and soft. They are also with preventing wrinkles and future skin issues. This step is especially important for men since they shave a lot and their skin is left irritated. 

Step #5 – sunscreen

Never forget about sunscreen! It’s a step that tends to be skipped by many. Sunscreen helps prevent wrinkles and protects the skin from harmful UV rays that cause dark spots and discolouration. This product must be used all year round and not only during the summer. Sun rays are present all year long, including winter days. 

natural skin care

Factors that can cause wrinkles

Remember that with poor skin care, wrinkles are more likely to form. 

  1. Bad skin care – taking care of your skin is super important. It’s important to be gentle and careful while applying products onto your face. Don’t tug at your eyes when applying eye makeup. Always use sunscreen and reapply it often. Try not to be too aggressive when removing makeup. You also shouldn’t rely on single skincare products to “cure” your skin. Remember to visit the eye doctor at least once a year. Always remove your makeup at night and patch test products to avoid allergic reactions. 
  2. Sun exposure – this is the most common cause of wrinkles and skin damage. UV rays cause fine lines and make the skin change its texture. They are also the reason why brown spots, red blotches, broken capillaries and hyperpigmentation form. Harmful rays damage elastin fibres in the skin. Bad consequences of sun exposure are skin cancer and different skin issues. Those with fair skin tend to develop more wrinkles than people with darker skin. If you can, avoid the sun, wear sunscreen and protective clothing (sunglasses, hats). 
  3. Aging – the basic reasoning behind aging. The reduction of estrogen, thinning of the skin and menopause all cause wrinkles. The skin stops producing as much oil and becomes dry. It isn’t the most pleasant thing, but it’s normal. 
  4. Smoking – this also causes a lot of skin damage – the skin starts sagging and losses a lot of elasticity. Smoking raises your chances of developing squamous cell carcinoma. It’s the second most common form of skin cancer and often starts on the lips. The skin tone of smokers is also uneven and orange or grey in colour. The lack of oxygen and toxins in tobacco have a lot of negative effects on the skin. Cigarette smoke contains over 7000 chemicals (70 being cancerous). 
  5. Facial movements – facial motions also create wrinkles – smiling, laughing, squinting and scrunching eyes all stretch your skin. Stretching your face decreases elasticity of the skin. It’s completely normal to make a lot of facial expressions throughout the day and move around your face. It’s also common that people sleep on the sides of their face or their stomach. 

Stick to natural products

Cosmetics contain too many harmful ingredients. It’s important to check them before buying a full size product. 

Ingredients to avoid:

Oxybenzone – it’s linked to hormone disruption and can potentially damage cells which leads to skin cancer.

Triclosan – it’s linked to have many negative effects on human health. It causes abnormal endocrine system/thyroid hormone signaling and weakening of the immune system. Children exposed to these type of antibacterial products at an early age have an increased chance of developing allergies, eczema and asthma. 

TEA/DEA they’ve been linked to cancer and organ system toxicity. Studies have even found that DEA affects human male reproductive health and alters sperm structure, causing abnormalities that affect the sperm’s abilities. It accumulates in the liver and kidney (this is what causes organ toxicity and neurotoxic effects like tremors). It also affects memory and brain development.  

Petrochemicals – these chemicals help produce lather and bubbles in soap. Some common ones are SLS and SLES. They strip the skin of its natural oils and increase penetration of the skin’s surface. 

Parabens – some parabens can mimic the activity of hormone estrogen in the body’s cells and can form breast tumors. They can also cause a variety of allergic reactions and skin irritation. They may even cause contact dermatitis- a serious skin inflammation that results in rashes, blisters, and burning skin. 

Phthalates – this ingredient combined at low levels can cause much harm. Phthalate exposures in humans has been linked to changes in hormone levels and altered development of genitals. 

Formaldehydes – they cause burning sensations in the nose, eyes and throat as well as coughing, wheezing, nausea and skin irritation. It’s can also cause chest pain, shortness of breath and has been linked to cancer. It’s linked to an increased risk of asthma and allergies in children.

Irritating foaming agents – these include a lot of sulfates and other substances that are extremely drying to the skin. 

 

Sulfates – sulfates cause irritation to the eyes, skin and scalp. They are also very drying and irritating. 

 

 

natural products

Most natural skin care products available are unisex, so there’s no need to categorize them by gender. Here are a few of our picks:

 

SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator 

A skin repairer and anti-aging cream in one. It helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It also gives immediate results so you don’t have to wait too long to see results. It works throughout the day to sink deep into the skin and improve its texture. It supports the skin’s ability to product hyaluronic acid and leaves it looking more youthful. As the skin ages it starts lacking the ability to make its own HA. The product uses antioxidants that are found in the Vitis flower stem cell extract, polysaccharides and peptide complex and combines them together to help your skin produce its own hyaluronic acid. The hydrator contains zero oils and is fragrance free. 

Essential Starters Set by UniOrganics

A great option for those looking for a ready starter set that is natural and organic. The set is completely sulfate, paraben and toxin-free. It’s also never tested on animals and only contains 100% plant-based ingredients. All of the products are made in Australia. They work best when combined together and keep your skin fresh and hydrated. They replenish the lost moisture of your skin and give it a natural looking glow. It makes the appearance of wrinkles less prominent. The formulas are full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that give your skin long-lasting results.  All of them contain aloe vera leaf extract, apricot seeds and cranberry for exfoliation. This product is 100% organic and vegan. Don’t worry about useless fillers either. 

Tata Harper – REGENERATING ORGANIC CLEANSER 

A perfect exfoliating cleanser for clogged pores, uneven skin tone, and mature skin types! Made from 100% natural and 82% certified organic ingredients, this organic face wash is a true luxury. Using a combination of clays, enzymes, and essential oils this organic cleanser exfoliates, decongests, and minimizes the size of pores. A fan favorite of Tata Harper’s with hundreds of five star reviews.

Acure – ORGANIC FACIAL CLEANSING CREAM 

Featuring organic Moroccan argan oil, acai berries, mint, and calendula, this creamy organic cleanser is a fantastic all-around face wash. As a non-foaming cleanser, it won’t dry out your skin; however, it’s not the best at heavy makeup removal so there is a tradeoff. This is a great organic cleanser for normal/dry skin types during dry climates and cold winter months because it helps to replenish lost moisture.

 

Skin care is important no matter what age you are. Natural products are the safest for the skin since their ingredients are the most delicate for the skin.  Skin care products are helpful and give great results – not only for women.

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