A lot of men out there don’t have the first clue on how to treat their acne – soap and water just doesn’t cut it. Here’s a breakdown of the most common skin types and how to treat and prevent acne for each one. Knowing your skin type is crucial to preventing and controlling men’s acne breakouts.
Oily Skin
Because acne is caused when pores become clogged with face’s natural oils (sebum), debris and dead skin cells, many men who have oily skin also suffer from acne regularly. The best way to care for this skin type is to keep pores clear and oil levels balanced — without over washing skin.
Men with oily skin should wash with a liquid cleanser twice a day. Using it more than twice a day can remove too much necessary oil from the skin, thereby triggering even greater oil production.
After washing, use men’s acne pads that contain salicylic acid, witch hazel and tea tree extract to remove excess oils. You could also apply a benzoyl peroxide acne product directly to the blemishes to reduce bacteria, redness and irritation.
Although recommended for all skin types, men with oily skin in particular must always use products that are non-comedogenic, or non pore-clogging. Check out “Comedogenic Products vs. Non-Comedogenic Products” for more skincare information.
Dry Skin
Although you might think that acne only affects guys with oily skin, think again. Men with dry skin are just as likely to get acne. So how do you treat and prevent it? First, wash with a gentle face cleanser for men that won’t dry your skin out. Most men with dry skin only need to wash once a day. Be sure to use lukewarm water, not hot, and pat skin dry; don’t rub.
Cracked skin can become a target for acne-causing bacteria as it can enter through breaks in the skin and provoke acne outbreaks. Keep skin well-hydrated and smooth with an ultra-light men’s moisturizer that won’t contribute to pore-clogging.
Flaky skin cells from dry skin can also clog pores and cause acne to develop. Two to three times a week, men with dry skin should apply an exfoliating face scrub for men to gently remove dead cells and unclog pores.
Combination Skin
Combination skin is exactly what its name refers to: a combination of dry and oily skin. Most men with combination skin usually develop oiliness in their T-zone area: the forehead, nose and chin.
Because this skin type is both oily and dry, it’s important to address both problems. Wash the face twice a day using a gentle cleanser to clear pores and rinse away dirt, oil and dead skin cells. Using an ultra-light moisturizer on dry patches can encourage healthier-looking skin, but be sure to only apply to dry areas rather than the entire face.
Likewise, to reduce oily areas, apply a men’s facial toner with a cotton ball or apply men’s acne pads only to oily areas so you do not run the risk of drying out your skin too much. Men with combination skin should use acne products that contain both active acne ingredients and hydrating ingredients, such as an acne cream for men, to reduce blemishes without contributing to even drier skin. Read “Tips to Prevent Men’s Acne Scars” for more ways to control breakouts and minimize the risk of scarring.
Sensitive Skin
Men with sensitive skin must be very careful about the types of products they use to treat their acne. Products that don’t seem to affect a man with oily or dry skin can cause redness, irritation and discomfort for a man with sensitive skin. Be sure to avoid all products that contain fragrances, dyes and irritants. Stick with products that are formulated for sensitive skin and are non-comedogenic.
Look for men’s acne creams and men’s acne lotions that are formulated for all skin types and balance hard-hitting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide with soothing, nourishing ingredients like allantoin and vitamin E. The bottom line for treating acne in sensitive skin is to keep pores clean with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser, while reducing bacteria levels on skin’s surface and keeping skin hydrated.
