Skin care isn’t just for the ladies anymore. MenScience takes a close look at how men’s skincare and grooming trends have changed over the years, and why today’s man should count himself lucky to have such a wealth of options to help him look good and feel great.
Foamy Shaving Lathers
Chances are that when your father wanted to a close shave, he’d pump out a white, foamy mountain of shave cream, carefully smooth over his beard area and then go to town. However, Dad probably didn’t realize that foamy lathers from inferior products are produced by soapy ingredients and waxy binders that can actually dry skin out. Foamy shave products don’t provide much lubrication for skin, so using one of them can result in a greater number of nicks, cuts and ingrown hairs.
A better bet is to use a hydrating, non-foaming shave product, like Advanced Shave Formula, that creates a rich lubricating layer with ingredients like glycerin, grapeseed extract and aloe. This slick layer completely coats hairs and protects skin, allowing shaving blades to slide over the surface without scraping or cutting the skin. It washes away clean, but still leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated.
A Deep, Dark Tan
Back in the day, a tan was a rugged symbol of health and vitality. “Men’s men” like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Burt Lancaster didn’t know the meaning of the word “sunscreen” and sported weathered features and deep tans. It wasn’t until years later that sun damage was linked with severe health problems such as age spots, melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.
In light of these medical developments, men now know that protecting their skin with an ultralight sunblock is absolutely necessary when spending long periods of time outdoors. While sunscreens of the past tended to be greasy, smelly and needed to be applied frequently, today’s sunscreens, including TiO2 Sunblock SPF 30, contain powerful ingredients like titanium dioxide and antioxidants like green tea to protect skin from harmful UV rays and fight damage from free radicals, while being completely odor-less and non-greasy.
Eye-Watering Aftershaves and Colognes
The overpowering scent of Brüt may always remind you of Grandpa, but did you know that products that contain strong fragrances can lead to symptoms like congestion, headaches and rashes when absorbed by the skin? Synthetic additives like fragrances and dyes can provoke chemical or allergic reactions in a wide number of men, including those that do not have sensitive skin.
Instead of slapping on that chemical-heavy aftershave, use products that are free of fragrances, dyes and other irritants. The entire MenScience line is formulated without irritating ingredients, dyes or scent. If you’d still like to use cologne, avoid splashing it on and instead blot a few drops on pulse points such as the inner wrists and below the jawline. When in doubt, it’s better to use too little than too much. Don’t overdo it!
A Rough and Craggy Exterior
Men have gotten off easier than women when it comes to exfoliation (clearing away dead cells from skin’s surface). Because most men shave their faces on a daily basis, the simple act of shaving can remove dead skin cells, promote new cell growth and soften skin. However, time has shown that men’s thicker, oilier skin still needs to be exfoliated to deep clean pores and effectively remove cellular buildup. Exfoliation has a tremendous number of benefits, from unclogging pores, cutting down on acne, diminishing marks and fine lines, and smoothing skin overall. And you only need to do it 2-3 times a week with a gentle product like Microfine Face Scrub to see immediate results. Think of it as sanding the surface before laying the paint on… you’re just going to look better!
In addition to exfoliating, moisturizing has also grown more important to men’s daily skin care. Applying an effective moisturizer can re-balance skin levels after shaving and keep skin feeling firm, flexible and healthy. However, many men in the past avoided using one simply because the only lotions and creams available were heavy, greasy, flowery-smelling and tailored to women’s thinner skin. But with new formulations of hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and green tea extract, which are found in Advanced Face Lotion, men can now rely on a daily moisturizer that won’t clog pores, and is ultralight and fragrance-free.
Sticking to Products for Better or Worse
Finding the right products for your skin can sometimes be a confusing process… it’s why our fathers chose one shaving product, one aftershave and one bar of soap and stuck with them their entire lives. But our skin changes over time. It retains less moisture as we age, which results in new problems like dry skin, fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration. In order to maintain good skin care, today’s man has to re-evaluate his products from time to time. While there’s nothing wrong with sticking to the basics, men should address new problems with specialized repair products like Pigmentation Repair Formula, Eye Rescue Formula and Anti-Aging Formula. Adding an item to your routine won’t lengthen it significantly, but it will help you hold on to great skin as you grow older.
Say Goodbye to the “Metrosexual”
While many men think they will compromise their masculinity by investing in quality men’s skincare and grooming items (something they insist their fathers would never do), the simple truth is that using these products does not make one “less of a man” in comparison to men of generations ago.
Men’s grooming and skincare products have improved tremendously over time. We’re certain that if powerful sunblocks, more effective shaving gear and better ingredients had been available to dad (or great-great-granddad) back then, they would have had no qualms about using them. Think of your face, hair and body as a car: whether it’s a classic Dodge Charger or a new BMW, if you use the best tools out there to maintain it, you’ll be able to get great mileage for years to come!
