As a guy, you may have always been told that washing your face with a bar of soap and drying it vigorously are the only steps to take to care for your face. Taking care of your face doesn't have to be a drama, but adding a few steps to your routine can make a big difference if you want to achieve healthy skin. Cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing and shaving will make your skin look gorgeous.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Cleanse and Exfoliate
Step 1. Find a cleanser that is suitable for your skin type
A good cleanser will help you deep clean and remove dead skin cells in the pores. Don't just use a body bar that can dry out your face and cause your skin to crack or cause irritation. Look for a cleanser made with natural substances that suit your skin type, whether it's dry, oily, or somewhere in between.
- The method of washing the face with oil is an excellent natural way to cleanse the skin. It seems counterintuitive, but using a combination of natural oils to cleanse the skin will remove dirt without irritating the face. This is an excellent choice for all skin types, especially in the case of acne.
- Wash your face with cleansing milk or cream if you have dry skin.
- Use a gel cleanser if you have normal or combination skin.
- If by any chance you prefer to buy a cleanser with specific ingredients to treat acne, look for one that contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These substances have antibacterial properties and appear to be effective in treating acne.
Step 2. Wash your face once a day
Washing your face more often may dry out the skin. Try to wash every morning or evening, but not both times of the day. If you want to refresh your face between washes, rinse it with cold or lukewarm water, but without using the cleanser.
- Do not use hot water. Hot water dries the skin and then use cold or lukewarm water.
- If you have a beard, avoid washing it with a facial cleanser. Instead, wash it with mild shampoo 2-4 times a week. Then use beard balm or oil.
- Dab your face instead of rubbing it with a towel. Treating the facial skin too vigorously will cause it to become flabby over time.
- Rub the facial cleanser into the skin under your beard and mustache, if you have them, to help cleanse it.
Step 3. Do not go to bed without taking sunscreen or other products off your face
If you have applied sunscreen during the day, it is a good idea to wash your face before bed. Sunscreen left overnight may contain skin-damaging ingredients. On the other hand, if you haven't sweated or haven't used sunscreen during the day, it's good to leave your skin alone and don't wash it for a day.
Step 4. Exfoliate your skin often
Frequently using an exfoliating scrub or facial exfoliating brush will remove dead skin and impurities that are not removed during daily washing. Exfoliating makes the skin brighter and healthier. It is also useful for preparing the skin for shaving by making hair and skin soft, favoring a more comfortable and well-made shave with less abrasions and less irritation.
- When you scrub, make gentle circular motions on your face and then rinse.
- The face scrub brush is another effective way to exfoliate. Purchase a facial brush. Before cleansing your face, use the brush to remove dead skin. The skin must be dry when you use the brush as it does not work well on wet skin.
Part 2 of 3: Moisturize and Protect the Skin
Step 1. Use a moisturizer daily
Whether you use a cream, light oil, or other product, it's a good idea to moisturize your skin every day after washing it. Doing so will help the skin retain its elasticity, protect it from irritation and prevent it from becoming flabby. Choose a good moisturizer that suits your skin type..
- If your skin is dry, choose a moisturizer that contains ingredients such as olive oil, argan oil, shea butter, and lanolin.
- If your skin is oily, choose a moisturizer with lighter ingredients that won't stay on the skin all day.
- If you have a beard or mustache you could use a beard oil to keep them soft and healthy.
Step 2. Moisturize the eye area
If you don't moisturize every area of your face, at least apply some cream to the eye area. The skin in this area is more prone to sagging over time and using a cream will make it look fresh. Moisturizing this area is especially important for older men, but it's never too early to start making it a daily gesture.
- Keep in mind that using a regular moisturizer in the eye area can clog the follicles and cause a stye.
- When you moisturize this area, gently pat the moisturizer onto the orbital bone and skin under the eyes.
Step 3. Moisturize your lips
The skin of the lips does not have as many sebaceous glands as the rest of the face and so the lips are prone to dry out and crack very easily. Use a lip balm or a little coconut oil to keep your lips in good condition. In winter it is necessary to use cocoa butter more often.
Step 4. Use a sunscreen
The skin of the face is easily damaged by exposure to the sun and therefore it is important to use a sunscreen every time you go out. You can kill two birds with one stone by using a moisturizer that has an SPF greater than 15 in the winter and 30 in the summer. Don't forget to protect your lips from the sun as well.
Wearing sunglasses in the summer also helps protect the delicate skin around the eyes
Part 3 of 3: Shave and Refine
Step 1. Use a good razor
If you like being completely shaved or love a mustache or beard, you need to shave often. Get a sharp, high quality razor to do it, rather than taking the cheapest razor you can find. Your skin will feel more comfortable and will look better if you use a razor designed for a good, even shave.
- If you use a disposable razor, try to choose a brand that includes double-bladed razors. They are very effective and provide a closer shave than a single blade razor.
- You can use an electric razor if you don't want a very short shave. These razors should be used on dry skin.
- A barber razor will give you a good, close shave. If you decide to buy a razor of this type, you need to practice a little to become able to shave without cutting yourself.
Step 2. Wash your face with warm water
The heat of the water will soften the skin and hair, making it easier to shave. It is also important to cleanse the skin to eliminate impurities and bacteria present on the surface in case you accidentally cut yourself by shaving.
Step 3. Apply shaving cream to wet face
This will lubricate the face and thus the razor will slide easily on the skin. Don't shave your skin when it's dry or without shaving cream unless you're using an electric razor..
- Try to find a shaving cream or gel without too many chemicals that can dry out or irritate your face.
- Let the shaving cream sit on your face for a few minutes to soften both skin and hair before shaving.
Step 4. Shave the right way
There is no need to put pressure on the razor while driving it on the skin. If the blade is sharp enough, the razor will do its job well. Make sure to proceed with the direction of the hair growth, rather than against the hair, for a safe and effective shave.
- If you have to shave after several weeks, first shorten your beard as much as possible using suitable scissors.
- Frequently rinse the razor in hot water while shaving.
- Keep the skin stretched as you shave so that the cut is as neat as possible.
Step 5. Rinse your face after you have finished shaving
Use cold water to cool your face and to reduce bleeding from bruises. Pat your face dry without rubbing.
Step 6. Apply a moisturizer
Use a moisturizing product that relieves irritation caused by shaving. Make sure you use a product that does not contain any substances that can irritate the skin after shaving.
Step 7. Shape your beard
Use a trimmer or well-sharpened scissors to shape your beard and make it look neat.
Advice
- Pay particular attention to the forehead and eyebrow area, as it tends to sweat more than other parts of the face.
- Wash with cold water to cool down and to close the pores of the skin after shaving
- If you have blemished skin, use an antiseptic, emollient and moisturizing ointment for a few days.
- The hot water will open the pores and allow better cleaning for the first two phases
- Product Recommendations: Always use the best brands. Prefer low foaming gels, so you can see where you are passing the razor, and that they are well lubricating. The Nivea for Men brand has excellent products and the cleansers, exfoliants, revitalizing Q10 lotion and aftershave balm are recommended. The St Ives brand also produces another excellent face scrub. For skin prone to imperfections, the Biore brand and others work well. As for razors, the Mach 3 turbo line is excellent.
- If you wish, use a mild cleanser while you wash to remove any residue of the shaving product from your skin. After shaving, a product for sensitive skin without dyes or perfumes is recommended
Warnings
- While exfoliating scrubs have undoubted benefits, you shouldn't use them more than once or twice a week. Products with microspheres can also remove healthy skin, causing premature aging and wrinkles if they are overused! Try using a Saturday-only exfoliant and face cleansing foam or menthol ointment for the rest of the week.
- Buying cheap products implies that you are aware of what they will offer you. If you use Bic razors and Colgate shaving foam, expect numerous bruises and to see and feel your face as if it were made of leather with horrible ingrown hairs. Don't even think about buying cheap aftershave. It's like putting mouthwash on your face. Why do you have to make your face burn after shaving? Give your face the right relief and make sure it looks healthy, not dry or cracked.
- Always avoid aftershave products containing alcohol, as they only dry the skin and cause burning.
