Mens Skincare 101: perfect your mug in four easy steps

These days it seems to be all about aesthetics; the grooming industry is at its pinnacle and great skin is in!

While this multi billion dollar industry is indeed dominated by women, there has been a significant rise in men who are taking more of an interest in their appearance.

Maybe you’ve heard about the new ‘Brotox’ fad? The hype is all about men who swear by Botox injections as part of their anti-aging regimen.

While routine injections may seem like extreme measures for your average Joe, the popularity in men’s skincare has become a priority and focus for guys all over the globe.

We know that serums, eye creams and cleansers can seem foreign and overwhelming to a newbie, so we’re here to make your life easier! Here are the basics for putting your best face forward:

Wash your face

That doesn’t sound so hard does it? There IS a catch though:
Say goodbye to your bar soap. Bar soap is probably one of the worst things you can use on your face. Your facial skin is not the same as the skin on your body. While your favourite soap may leave you feeling fresh and clean, it can wreak havoc on your face.

Bar soaps strip your face of its natural oils and throw off your PH levels which can cause your skin to go into overdrive to make up for the lack of moisture.

What does that mean?

Extra dry skin, aggravation of skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea, or an abnormal buildup of sebum oil. Probably not the look you’re going for.

What can you do?

Use a cleanser! Find a cleanser that works with your skin type to keep your PH levels balanced and your skin squeaky clean.

We recommend using Total Wash Face & Body Cleanser by PCA Skin. Suitable for all skin types, this cleanser is formulated to keep your skin smooth while preventing irritation caused by shaving.

Try a Serum

Now that you’re comfortable with using a cleanser, here’s a little known trick for your face that produce maximum benefits: serum.

What is serum?

Essentially, it’s a booster. Basically a serum is able to penetrate into all three layers of the skin while a moisturizer alone only absorbs into the first layer. Serums have a high level of active ingredients, each specially formulated to target your individual skin concerns.

A daily routine using a serum under your moisturizer will show improvements in as little as one week!

To get you started, we recommend following your cleanser with PCA Skin’s Total Strength Line & Pore Minimizer. After cleansing and shaving, apply two pumps to your entire face and neck. For maximum skin strengthening, be sure to use twice daily!

Moisturize

With all of the pollution, UV rays and extreme temperatures; your face really takes a beating. As a result, environmental conditions can cause your skin to become dry, flakey and irritated.

Moisturizing your skin on a daily basis is essential for everyone. It helps to increase skin cell regeneration, promote hydration and not to mention the barrier it creates to block damaging weather conditions that can cause premature wrinkles.

Choosing a good moisturizer for your skin can seem overwhelming, however, once you determine what type of skin you have, that will help you to narrow it down.
As a rule of thumb: the richer the texture, the more hydrating the moisturizer. If you tend to feel tight and flakey, you probably have dry skin and a rich cream will work wonders for you.

If you notice your face is always shiny, your pores are large and you often break out, chances are you have oily skin. A medicated moisturizer or gel based moisturizer may be the best fit.

Normal skin doesn’t produce excessive oil, feel tight or flaky. If you have normal skin, your pores aren’t super noticeable and you may experience minimal shine across your T-zone. Products that bring hydration into the skin while balancing the PH level work best for this skin type.

There are many combinations that you may fall into and that is why we recommend starting with a free consultation. We are here to help! Our trained skincare specialists will create a regimen specifically designed for your skin.

Sun Protection

Whatever the skin type, no matter the regimen, SPF is one product you mustn’t forget. Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays will not only prevent visible signs of aging and sunspots; it will also help to prevent you from developing skin cancer.

We recommend the Elta MD line for optimal protection. This medical grade SPF will shield your face while also hydrating, tinting or clearing acne depending on the product you choose.

Sticking to a skin care routine can seem daunting and overwhelming, but once you reap all the benefits, you will wish you started sooner!