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. 

123   |  Single page