The days when skincare was synonymous with feminine beauty are well and truly gone. In today’s world of the metrosexual male, well-groomed men place a high premium on their skincare and this is reflected in the vast range of men’s grooming products on the market.

Differences in skin quality

Compared with women’s skin, the male epidermis is typically much oilier and more prone to damage by exposure to the sun. These are two reasons why women’s skincare products are unsuitable for use by men.

Cleansers

Men used to rely on normal soap products to wash their faces but soap, as women have long known, tends to dry the skin and cause premature ageing, in addition to blocking the skin follicles. Modern face washes designed for men remove the relatively high amounts of dirt and oil and leave the skin smooth and clean.

Moisturizers

Moisturizing is not, as widely assumed, just for men who suffer from dry skin, since exfoliation, cleansing and shaving are all procedures that can leave the skin dry. Moisturizing products are now available for all skin types. Good moisturizing lotions for men incorporate a Sun Protection Formula (SPF) that protects the skin from solar UVB and UVA rays.

Shaving kits

Well-groomed men have to shave regularly, usually twice a day, and therefore a high-quality shaving kit is essential. This will include an open or straight razor, shaving foam, aftershave lotion and cotton for cuts. The modern man often packs concealing cosmetics as well to hide marks and scars on the face to effectively camouflage shaving accidents.