PUTTING CLICHÉS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
Men and women need to use different skincare products
We could all save a lot of money by simply learning to share. But in terms of our skincare products, are we right to keep our bathrooms divided?
Andrew Goetz, co-founder of MALIN + GOETZ
There is no need for men and women to use different skincare brands. When a person goes to the doctor with tonsillitis, the doctor does not prescribe male and female versions of an antibiotic. They prescribe the right antibiotic to fight the infection. Skincare is not terribly different. Good ingredients and formulas will work equally well for either gender. Women’s products tend to have more sophisticated formulations and ingredients than men’s brands. They are usually highly fragranced, which is why men will often stay away from them. But sharing products saves valuable space in the bathroom, not to mention money – as there is no need to double up.
Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at Cadogan Cosmetics
There are some basic differences in male and female skin and this is in part related to the androgen testosterone. Male skin is about 20 per cent thicker compared with females’ as it contains more collagen and elastin. This makes the skin more resistant to the development of wrinkles. Men also have more hair follicles and their associated sebaceous glands, resulting in oilier skin. Additionally, regular shaving exfoliates the upper skin layers and can lead to irritation. Men may therefore benefit from tailored skincare that addresses these biological differences.
Georgie Cleeve, founder of OSKIA skincare
On some levels male skin is totally different from female skin, but on others it’s exactly the same. Men’s skin tends to be about 20-25 per cent thicker and often produces more oil, plus there is the potential addition of shaving. Women tend to have more problems with skin discolouration due to oestrogen levels, so we can have slightly different concerns; the use of different products would be required to address these needs. However, if a man has an issue with skin discolouration, I’d recommend the same course of action. It’s often the case that skincare products use exactly the same ingredients with perhaps different perfumes, but at the end of the day it’s usually the same formulations in different packaging.