Men’s Skincare: Here Are the Facts

How thick a person’s skin is depends on many factors, including their sex, age and the area of the skin in question. For example, skin on the eyelids is very thin, while skin on the palms is very thick. On average, a man’s skin is approximately 25% thicker than a woman’s. This is primarily due to testosterone.

Men’s skin will gradually thin with age, while the thickness of woman’s skin remains steady until around the age of 50 when it will also start to thin, especially after menopause. Because men have thicker skin, they also tend to have more elastin and collagen than women, making their resistance to the signs of aging greater than women’s. Unfortunately, women show the signs of aging faster than men, and they are much more vulnerable to the damaging UVA rays of the sun.

Because men have thicker skin, they also have more sebum-producing glands. Women’s oil production starts to decrease a lot sooner than men’s, on average by about 20 years. It’s these natural oils that help to protect the skin, keeping it feeling softer and smoother.

While a woman may experience more skin dryness, men may experience larger pores and be prone to more blackheads and whiteheads. Women also experience increased skin dryness during menopause.

Because most men shave, they’re prone to shaving bumps, ingrown hairs and skin sensitivities, primarily brought on by daily shaving. Shaving damages the hydrolipidic film on the surface of the skin, which erodes the skin’s natural lubrication and protection.

Shaving can also cause nicks and scrapes on the skin, allowing for a man’s skin to become more sensitive and easily irritated than a woman’s.

When it comes to skin texture, men have skin that’s rougher, primarily due to the fact that the outer protective layer of their skin is thicker. Throw in differences in hormones, oil and sweat production, facial hair and shaving, and there are inevitably textural differences.

Men tend to have acne that lasts longer; they experience more skin irritation and suffer from a condition called rhinophyma, which is only found in males with extreme cases of rosacea.

Use a Facial Cleanser

You may have gotten used to using regular bar soap, but that isn’t doing your skin any good. Bar soaps can contain harsh detergents and deodorisers that aren’t meant for the face. They can also disrupt your skin’s pH balance and strip it of beneficial oils. Choose a facial cleanser that can target excess oil, thoroughly remove dirt, oil, sweat, debris and provide much needed hydration. Look for formulas that do not contain sulfates or parabens but do contain antioxidant vitamins and Aloe vera for added hydration.

Start Exfoliating

Due to the thickness of a man’s skin, exfoliation is necessary and can be done more frequently than a woman. Scrub away that dead skin build-up on a regular basis, which will help clear out your pores and ease the frequency of white and blackheads.

Skip the Aftershave

Most post-shave products contain alcohol, hence the burning and stinging effect when applied to the skin. It’s time to ditch those irritating products because they just aren’t healthy for your skin. They can cause dead skin cell build-up, which causes hair strands to get trapped in the skin, leading to ingrown hairs and irritation. Invest in an antioxidant-rich facial skin toner that is alcohol-free to help soothe the skin post-shaving. No more stinging and burning for sure.

Apply Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen every day before going outdoors is especially important for men. Men tend to spend more time outdoors than women and are more exposed to environmental factors. There’s also a greater risk of incidental sun exposure just from walking the dog, doing a bit of yard work or simply driving a car (the sun’s rays can penetrate through glass). So, men should always apply a moisturizer containing SPF 30 sunscreen to help fend off the signs of aging.