Let’s clear one common notion once and for all — skincare is not just for women. Men need to take care of their skin just as much as women do.
We get it. We skip skincare due to the misconception that we need to apply tons of products on our faces to get it done.
This is why we’ve round up the most basic skincare steps that you can follow to keep your face blemish-free.
Washing your face is a no-brainer. If you do it every night before hitting the sack, you’re on the right path. But make sure you’re doing it right.
Make sure to use a gentle cleaner that will effectively get rid of dirt and oil. Simply using your regular bar soap can do your face more harm than good. It contains harsh ingredients that dries out the skin.
Also, make sure to use your mild cleanser with lukewarm water. You can even skip washing your face in the morning — to avoid ruining your skin’s natural oils — if you cleanse at night.
- Exfoliate twice per week.
Get rid of dead cells that clog pores and encourage breakouts. After cleansing, exfoliate your skin.
Exfoliation allows new, healthier skin cells to surface the skin. It brightens your complexion and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
But to avoid abrading your skin, it’s advisable to only exfoliate twice a week. Your dead skin cells don’t pile up right away.
To exfoliate, use a gentle scrub — you may pick a mild chemical exfoliator or a physical one with small granules. You can also use an exfoliating cleanser to hit two skincare steps at once.
Either way, you’ll immediately experience results after every wash: a smoother, softer, bump-free skin.
- Do damage control.
Our environment can take a toll on our skin. Factors like air pollution, UV rays, and industrial chemicals negatively impact not just our bodies, but especially their first line of defense.
One way to rescue your skin from all that beating is to use an antioxidant serum. A serum that’s enriched with vitamin C helps minimize damage. Apply it to your face day and night before putting on your moisturizer. Also applies well after shaving.
When choosing a serum, you can also opt for one that contains retinol. If you’re 30 and above, you will need this ingredient to help smooth the wrinkles that start will start haunting you from hereon.
- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
Moisturizing your skin after cleansing and exfoliating will wrap up your regimen. This final step rehydrates your face from all that washing and scrubbing. Also, it adds protection by creating a barrier on top to shield it from harmful outside toxins.
A good moisturizer delivers vitamins and nutrients that soothes and nourishes the skin.
Apply it in the morning to rehydrate your skin after a night’s sleep — and at night to maximize the potency of the products that you previously applied.
Here’s an extra tip: You can skip the moisturizer at night if you feel your skin doesn’t need it. It will only make your face look tacky and make you feel uncomfortable.
- Don’t skip sunscreen.
You’ve heard this countless times (or not): Don’t skip the SPF. The sun’s UV rays can do harmful damage to the skin. They don’t just lead to sun burns, but also wrinkles, sunspots, dry patches, and even skin cancer.
Protect your skin by applying sunscreen every morning, even when you’re not going to be outdoor throughout the day. Apply the product to all areas of the skin that will be exposed to the sun, such as the face, lips, ears, neck, and even the scalp.
To get the best protection, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply every two hours. If you’re swimming or doing physical activities, it’s best to use a water-resistant sunscreen.
Put your best skin forward
A lot of factors damage and stress out the skin — dirt, pollution, even inevitable factors like aging and sunlight! The best time to start investing on our skin health is now. Apply these simple skincare steps and tips and keep your skin at its tiptop condition. You’ll thank yourself for it in the long run.