It’s no secret that men do not always pay attention to skin care.
“Women are just better with their skin, and they’re better with having a regimen—having something that they do for their skin every day,” said Paul Jou, MD, a dermatologist with University of Minnesota Health and an assistant professor at University of Minnesota Medical School. “Men do not have any routine, for the most part. So, getting men to do a specific routine can be a little more difficult.”
Fortunately, Jou has plenty of tips for men who are trying to develop a better skin care regimen. We asked him to share some of his expertise. Here’s what he had to say:
Forget those old shaving traditions.
Not all shaving traditions are bad, Jou said. For example, shaving after you shower and using shaving cream will reduce irritation. Still, Jou believes men should break away from some habits that can cause facial irritation and scarring, like shaving against the grain and using aftershave. Shaving against the grain can cause ingrown hairs—which can lead to inflammation and scarring—while using aftershave can also irritate the face.
“In Home Alone, when Macaulay Culkin puts the aftershave on his face and then screams because it burns—that shouldn’t happen,” Jou said. “Aftershave shouldn’t burn. That’s not a good thing.”
Instead, Jou recommends replacing aftershave with an antioxidant serum containing ferulic acid, vitamin C, green tea or others. Antioxidants boost the skin’s natural repair systems and reduce damage that occurs as we age.
Sunscreen every day—even in the winter.
This may come as a surprise, but dermatologists recommend using sunscreen daily, even in the winter. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays doesn’t stop because it’s cold outside. Such exposure causes the skin to degrade; it can trigger rosacea, changes in pigmentation or the development of lines and wrinkles. UV exposure also increases your risk for skin cancer.
“Ultraviolet rays will pass through clouds; they go through windows,” Jou said. “If there’s light in the sky, there are UV rays.”
Jou recommends a combination sunscreen and moisturizer every morning. “If you really want to protect your skin and look your best as you age, I really do recommend using at least an SPF 30 sunscreen every day,” he said.
