Male Grooming

The new boy’s toys

Is your favourite (and most expensive) moisturiser disappearing more quickly than it used to? If the answer is ‘Yes’, and the only other person who sets foot in your bathroom is the man in your life, then you need to take action. While the fact that he has been dipping into your miracle cream is maddening, it’s a good indication that he cares about his skin. So before he swipes the last of your reserves, read on. This step-by-step guide will help you protecting what’s rightfully yours, and help him get the most out of his skincare.

Let’s begin by getting one thing straight: “Men have different skin to women,” says Dr Colin D’Silva, principal scientist at Proctor and Gamble Beauty. “They have more sebum glands so they need products that combat large amounts of oil production.” To help remove facial sebum and keep secretion in check, look for products that include astringents such as witch hazel and aloe vera.

Shaving wreaks havoc on a man’s face, because layers of the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of dead skin) are scraped away with each shave. For this reason, men need thicker, more nourishing creams than those designed for women. Look for products with humectants such as glycerine or sorbitol, which help the skin retain its moisture and soothe skin post-shave. Allantoin, a botanical extract, will calm irritation, while vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5 have healing properties to help regenerate the skin. “If a man uses products for women, he will not experience any side effects, but he may not be getting the benefits he needs,” cautions Dr D’Silva.

Not so long ago, the only product you’d find for a man’s skin was aftershave balm. Today, things are different -- even supermarket shelves are stocked with an abundance of products created to moisturise, soothe, exfoliate and enhance the appearance of male skin. The men’s grooming market is growing at around 20 per cent each year, and today, there are new categories for men, such as sophisticated anti-ageing creams, serums and even at-home peels; with products priced to suit almost any budget. L’Oreal Men Expert and Nivea for Men are two mainstream brands with skin-saving solutions that are readily available on supermarket shelves.

Cleanse
Cleansing is an essential daily ritual that can be performed in the shower to save time, but be sure to guide him away from that cruddy bar of soap. He may have thicker skin than you do, but his pH balance is the same. A foaming gel such as Nivea For Men Double-Action face wash, $9.50, will get rid of dirt and grime nicely, without stripping the skin of its natural oils the way detergent-based soap will. Or choose a cleanser that also exfoliates, such as LAB Series Multi-Action Face Wash, $32. This cream is gentle enough to be used daily and keeps the build-up of dead skin cells at bay. 

Prep the skin
He can ward off nicks and cuts by smearing on a pre-shave oil. Clinique Skin Supplies for Men has a great little potion called M Shave Aloe Gel, $28, which can be used on all skin types to help the razor glide across the toughest beards. It’s also oil-free to help get blemishes under control. Or have him try L’Occitane Cade Travel Oil, $34.95, which comes in a compact bottle, perfect for when he’s on the move (and leaving more space in the bathroom cabinet for your things when he’s not!). Both M Shave Aloe Gel and Cade Travel Oil can be used before, during and after shaving to soothe and comfort.

Shave away
A good razor is possibly the most important item in a man’s bathroom toolbox. The new Gillette Mach3, $15.99, will clean up a five o’clock shadow with just a few strokes. He will love the feel of the vibrating mechanism that massages the skin and helps eliminate irritation at the same time. But as far as gadgets go, you can’t beat the new high-tech electric shavers. Remington’s R7 Diamond Series shavers, about $193.95, are sleek, stylish and have super-strong steel blades that stay sharp for ages. These little gems will get to the shortest stubble – perfect for guys who need to shave twice a day. The shaver has two different settings: ‘Close Shave’ for the ultra-smooth look; and ‘Comfort’ to avoid irritation. The latter will also give him the ‘trimmed but slightly rugged’ weekend look.

Note: When using an electric razor, he can skip the skin prep, shave and simply follow with a soothing cream.

Soothe and moisturise
Men’s moisturisers soothe sore post-shave skin and hydrate it; some even combat signs of ageing. Clarin’s Men Moisture Balm, $58, does all three. It helps calm razor burn and chaffing and can be used at night to up its hydration benefits. L’Oreal Paris Men Expert Vita Lift Complete Anti-Ageing Moisturising Cream, $16.65, is an inexpensive but effective alternative. It also protects his skin from pollution and internal toxins, to keep it looking younger, longer.

Products to try:

Biotherm Homme Age Fitness Night Recharge, $89, is a multi-action cream that works overnight to hydrate and regenerate men’s skin. The little skin-savers in the product, namely olive extract and pure extract of thermal plankton, speed cell turnover and replenish the cells with water. He will awake refreshed and moisturised.  

Ultraceuticals Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF 30+, $60, a unisex cream, is one of the few products he can take from you. It protects against free radicals and harmful ultraviolet rays.

Oral-B Triumph Rechargeable Toothbrush, $179.95, is a worthwhile investment if you value a healthy smile. Not only does this electric toothbrush do all the work for him, it has an LCD screen that shows when the head needs to be changed and how long, ideally, he should spend brushing his teeth for an effective result.

Sometimes a man needs to have his own liquid soap. Matis Paris Energising Hair and Body Wash, $44, is a sophisticated product that’s perfect for the travelling man. This two-in-one foam will shorten his packing list, take up far less space in his suitcase, and help prove that men can multi-task.

Vitaman Skin Protector Serum, $65, is fabulous for guys with very dry skin. If he slathers it on his face and neck twice a day before moisturising, he’ll uncover beautifully soft and supple skin. The serum contains active ingredients such as pine bark extract, which eliminates free radicals; and grape seed extract, which helps protect skin from oxidation.

Calvin Klein Eternity Summer for Men Eau de Toilette, 100ml $99, is one of the most sensuous scents on the planet. This reinvented classic boasts full-bodied notes of Mediterranean bergamot, lavender and musk; combined, they’re lush and alluring. Shop for his signature scent together, or offer one as a gift. If you love his fragrance, he’ll love the way you respond to him when he’s wearing it.

 

Stockists:
Oral B: 1800 641 820
Nivea for Men: 1800 444 002
Biotherm at Myer: 1800 811 611
Matis Paris: 02 9894 7722
Vitaman: 1800 808 993
Calvin Klein: 1800 812 663