Men don’t seem to know a lot about their skin and how to look after it properly. Men’s skincare has become extremely popular over the last decade or so, with big high street brand names endorsed by sports personalities bringing to market plenty of different cleansers, exfoliators, and moisturisers. But how good are these skincare products for your skin, and what makes men’s skin so different from women’s?
Unsurprisingly, high street skincare isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. You need to find out the best and worst skincare ingredients before understanding what your skin needs.
Collagen levels and dry skin
Men’s skin is about 25% thicker than women’s, with more underlying fat and collagen reserves. This is why the stereotype of men ageing better than women in that they don’t develop fine lines as early has some grounding because men’s skin is more robust. Whilst men’s skin is thicker, this does mean it has the tendency to dry out easily because of how tough it is.
Skin treatments like microneedling will help with this dry skin. The tiny needle points pierce the skin only lightly, creating a surface wound that encourages the body to shed the dead and dying skin cells. Not only does this help bring fresh, bright skin cells to the surface, but it can also open up micro-channels in the skin to better absorb products like moisturiser and serums.
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Testosterone levels and oily skin
Testosterone levels in both men and women can contribute to oily skin. As we all have some levels of testosterone regardless of sex or gender, an imbalance or greater concentration of testosterone can result in increased skin oil production and therefore acne and blemishes. This is why teenage boys tend to experience acne at a higher rate than teenage girls during puberty because their testosterone levels are fluctuating more.
For men who experience acne, blemishes, or even just feel their skin is too oily for their liking, treatments like chemical peels can help. By using a controlled medi-chemical solution on the surface of the skin, a course of chemical peels can help to bring oil production back under control. A good skincare routine alongside this, with daily cleansing, a weekly exfoliant, and good retinol or Vitamin C serum, will help maintain clear skin, too.
Men’s skin and rosacea
Rosacea is a complex skin condition that can’t be cured but can be successfully managed with the right lifestyle changes and skincare. Previously and wrongly associated with excessive alcohol consumption (or ‘drinker’s nose’), rhinophyma is a form of rosacea that only affects men and is linked to the androgen hormone. It causes the nose skin to thicken, grow swollen and protrude, and become bright red often with angry red spots. Women get rosacea too, but this kind seems to exclusively affect men’s skin.
To combat rosacea, a good skincare system is needed as well as high-factor sun protection. Rosacea flare-ups can be caused by different stimuli, but one of the most common is sun exposure. Protect your skin by applying broad-spectrum sun cream and help to keep painful rhinophyma flare-ups at bay.
For advice on men’s skincare and treatments, contact Face Perfect Clinic in Leeds
If like many men across the UK, you are taking your skincare and skin health more seriously, we highly recommend booking a skincare consultation with one of our medical aesthetics professionals at Face Perfect Clinic in Leeds. Everyone could take better care of their skin, men and women alike, but we particularly want to help our male clients who don’t know where to begin with skincare routines and skin treatments specifically for male skin. Book your appointment today or call the clinic on 0113 4572805 to discuss your needs.
Keely McBride is the founder and lead Specialist Aesthetic Nurse at Face Perfect Clinic Ltd. She became an Independent Nurse Prescriber in 2008 and has continuously excelled in aesthetics from 2011. In 2017, Keely was asked to join the Allergan medical Institute, as one of only 11 Allergan Nurse Ambassadors in the UK.
