skincare for men: products and tips

Skin care care for men doesn’t need to be overwhelming, it just needs to be effective and consistent. While some men and women love to incorporate serums, masks, spot treatments and retinol - that isn’t for everyone. Following this no fuss guide will help combat and prevent breakouts, reduce shaving irritation and ingrown hairs, and improve those pesky fine lines. A little change can go a long way when it comes to your skin!  

1. cleanse twice a day

You need to be washing your face twice a day - in the morning and at night before bed. This will remove the excess oil from the skin and wash away sweat, dirt, pollutants, bacteria and previous products you have applied. This can be done in the shower or in the sink, whatever fits best with your routine. If you do cleanse in the shower, make sure this is your last step to avoid any shampoo or conditioner clogging your pores. 

For cleansers I recommend the Gentle Cleanser by ZO if you have normal skin, Hydrating Cleanser by ZO if you have dry skin, and the Exfoliating Cleanser by ZO if you have acne prone or oily skin.

2. exfoliate

Now that we have a clean slate to work with we are going to exfoliate the skin. Our skin turns over every 4-6 weeks depending on our age. This process slows down as we get older, which is what causes aging and a loss of elasticity in the skin. However, as our skin cells turn over and reveal new and healthy skin, we don’t always slough off that skin right away. It commonly builds up on our skin’s surface and causes acne, rough patches, dullness and irritation. This is why we need to assist our skin in ridding itself of these dead skin cells. This is also a very effective way to prevent those dreaded ingrown hairs. 

There are two ways to exfoliate - physically and chemically.

For a no fuss skin care routine, I prefer chemical exfoliation. My favourite form of chemical exfoliation is the ZO Complexion Renewal Pads . Containing Salicylic and Glycolic acid, they will smooth, brighten and decongest the skin while breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells and allowing our skin to shed them much easier. They come as a pre soaked pad and are great for optimal convenience. You will used these every other night after you cleanse.

3. moisturize

As well as cleansing, you will also moisturize twice a day in the morning and evening.

Hydrating and nourishing the skin is very important no matter what skin type you are. Protecting your skin and its barrier will allow it to function optimally and renew and restore itself while you sleep. The ZO Recovery Cream is a great moisturizer for moderately dry skin. It will replenish moisture, calm redness, soften fine lines and help restore the skin barrier. If you find yourself more on the severely dry side or needing more moisture in the winter, the ZO Hydrating Cream will provide that extra hydration. 

4. protect

Arguably the most important step is protecting your precious skin every morning.

After cleansing and moisturizing you will apply a toonie sized amount of sunscreen. Sunscreen has come a long way and is no longer a white, sticky paste we dread applying to our skin. The ZO Sheer Defense SPF 50 is a lightweight, transparent sunscreen that you will barely even notice (except for the anti aging benefits of course)! This will prevent premature aging, lowers risk of skin cancer, improves and prevents pigmentation, and allows your skin to function properly. 

Our skin is the largest organ in our body and deserves some love and skin care investment. Fellas, I promise that following these four easy steps will set you up for healthy, nourished skin without the hassle.