Apr 17, 2014

Skincare That Gets You Touch

Fact: the human body has approximately 19,000 skin cells per...

Fact: the human body has approximately 19,000 skin cells per square inch.  And although men traditionally spend far less time caring for their skin than women do, they often spend more time damaging their skin through outdoor activities, lack of sunscreen, and general neglect. But men's skin care has come a long way from the days when your dad would wash his face with a cakey bar of Dial soap and then dot his face with bits of toilet paper where he nicked himself shaving. Today, you've got a lot of product options, and navigating through them doesn't need to be intimidating.  But the most important thing is that you have a basic skin care routine.  We've broken it down for you, and put together some product suggestions too.  Make your face one she can't keep her hands off of.

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1. Cleanse

If nothing else, washing is the single most important thing you can do for your face.  Men’s skin typically has large pores and active oil glands - while oil is important for keeping the skin soft and not dried out, neglecting to wash away excess oil and dirt can clog pores, which leads to breakouts. A basic gel wash works just fine, but not all cleansers are created equal. Look for one that's strong enough to wash away oil and grime, yet gentle enough to be used at least once daily.

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Steelos recommends:

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel

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Triumph & Disaster Ritual Face Cleanser

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Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser

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2. Exfoliate

Sometimes just washing your face isn't enough. Sure, a cleanser washes away surface oil and dirt, but what about the stuff deep in your pores? This is where exfoliating comes in - and you should do it at least a couple times per week. It helps dislodge dirt and dried skin cells that normal washing doesn't get rid of. A good scrub has granules to help smooth the skin and eliminate dullness from dried skin and dirt.  Exfoliation has the added benefit of softening hair follicles for a closer, less-irritating shave, and opens up your skin to better absorb moisturizer.

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Steelos recommends: 

Clarins Men 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser

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Mario Badescu Almond & Honey Non-Abrasive Face Scrub

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Molton Brown Skin-Clear Jade Face Exfoliator

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3. Moisturize

We know, you thought your skin care regimen should start and end with a bar of soap. But washing is the least you can do... even if you live inside a humidifier, skin can get dry after hot showers and, over time, the godforsaken aging process makes it dry out and lose elasticity. Add to that, dragging a sharp blade across your face every day, and it's a recipe for dry, irritated skin. A light moisturizer can fix you right up. It replenishes your skin’s moisture and can help prevent razor burn. A moisturizer with SPF will also cover you from sun damage - not only sunburn but also deep lines/wrinkles and even skin cancer.  A moisturizer with UVA/UVB protection takes care of it all.

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Steelos recommends:

Kiehl's Facial Fuel

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Gameface Moisturiser by Triumph & Disaster

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Aesop Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream

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If you're feeling fancy - and seriously we recommend this - treat yourself to the occasional mask and your face will thank you for it.  So will your girlfriend, when she touches your mug.  Our top recommendation is Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask.

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One more quick tip for your face: don't neglect your lips. The skin there is thin and prone to dryness and cracking. Regular application of lip balm with a hint of SPF daily can help make sure your lips are in shape to play when they're called up from the bench.

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By Sadie Bride


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