Most guys do care about their looks, and their skin is the first place that’s easily visible. So what do they do to keep it clean and clear? Although most men’s skincare regimens simply list a cheap disposable razor, a bar of soap and some random shaving cream, they need much better care than that. We bring to you five well researched, best skin care practices that you can follow to look your best!
1. Avoid shaving against the grain
The most common mistake men make is shaving against the hair growth in order to get a closer shave. However, doing that often nicks the buried surface of the hair follicle and causes inflammation. To avoid that, shave in the direction that’s smooth. Also try and use only one shaving stroke on each section of the face, so as to avoid shaving over and over in one area.
2. Go for Wet Shaving always
Shaving dry is definitely going to hurt your skin. This can create friction for the blade and result in multiple passes with the razor increasing the chances of cuts, acne and ingrown hair. To avoid that, get wet. Once the skin is moist and warm, you can apply a mild shave gel to lubricate the skin, and soften the hair.
3. Choose the Right Razor for Your Skin
Ingrown hairs are common among most men with curly, coarse, or erratic hair growth. Therefore, cutting them short tends to plunge them into the adjacent skin, creating small red bumps. To avoid those irritable multiple shaves, you must choose multi-blade razors. For people who have ingrown hairs, it’s best to adopt a two blade razor, because it doesn’t cut as close.
4. Aftershaves and Scents Could be Doing More Harm Than Good
While most men opt for aftershaves and perfumed lotions and gels post shave, such products often contain dyes and scents that can aggravate skin. To avoid scented products, you should look for the term sensitive skin on the label while buying a product. One of the major skincare offenders is an aftershave as they tend to sting and are not good for people with sensitive skin.
5. Avoid Acne Triggering Products
Zits happen, regardless of your sex and age. Most often acne doesn’t restrict itself to the teen age and becomes something that men carry well into their adult life. That’s because men generally have an oily skin and testosterone stimulates sebum production in the hair follicles. The best way to prevent these is to go for “oil-free” or “non-comedogenic” products which means they won’t cause blackheads or whiteheads.
The best way to take care of anything is to invest in prevention practices rather than the cure. So put in your best knowledge and research before buying skin care products.