Lee Kynaston
In the nearly two decades that I’ve been writing about male grooming, I’ve probably been asked thousands of questions about men’s skin and hair. But there are some that come up time and time again, regardless of age, occupation or wallet size… Q
How can I prevent razor burn? A In most cases it’s caused by either the razor or the man 1 wielding it. Prep properly (warm water and steam to soften hairs); be sure to prep (creams are more moisturising); pull skin taut and shave in gentle 2cm strokes, following the hair growth. Finally rinse thoroughly with cool water (shaving cream residue can exacerbate irritation if left on skin) and, since some fragrances can irritate sensitive skin, apply a fragrance-free aftershave balm. 1 Clinique For Men’s Post-shave Soother, £21 (boots.com) Q
Do I really need to moisturise, and if so, do I need to shell out? A Skin relies on moisture to remain supple and healthy so the drier the skin, the more likely it is to suffer from premature ageing. 2 I want to tell you that the more you spend the better it is, but we all know the truth – expensive is not always better. One of my favourites costs just over a fiver and holds its own against ones 10 times the price, so experiment and see what works.
2 Bulldog Original Moisturiser, £6.39 (boots.com) Q Are five or six blades on a razor really better than one? A Park your cynicism for a moment because multiple blades really can be better than one thanks to hysteresis – a process where the first blade lifts the hair so the subsequent blades have a better chance of cutting it and of cutting it below skin level – which results in a generally smoother shave. The advantage of a multi-blade however, is that you’ll require fewer passes to get the job done, saving both time and potential irritation.
3 The Winston, £18 (harrys.com) Q What’s the best way to prevent ingrown hairs? A If you’ve ever suffered from an ingrown hair you’ll know that they are, literally, a pain the in the neck… or leg… or arm. The painful bumps occur where a hair curls and grows back upon on itself, piercing the skin. This happens when dead skin cells interfere with hair’s natural growth, so one of the best ways to avoid them is to exfoliate with a scrub or a product like Jack Black Bump Fix Razor Bump and Ingrown Hair Solution. 4 Jack Black Razor Bump and Ingrown hair solution, £19.25 (mankind.co.uk) Q
What’s the best haircut for a thinning thatch? A I’ve yet to meet a barber who advocates a comb-over or a fall-forward for a man who’s no longer as thick up top as he used to be. In reality, you’re much better going for the chop. A short, cropped style, kept short at the sides and a little longer on top. Giving it some texture with a tiny bit of matt paste is the perfect solution. The balding man’s mantra? Own it, don’t hide it. 5 Mancave Matt Clay, £8.50 (mancaveinc.com) Q
Is beard oil really that necessary? A It’s a good way to keep the skin beneath moisturised to stop it becoming dry and flaky – a prime cause of beard dandruff. Just make sure you distribute evenly (a beard comb is handy for this) and massage in thoroughly, making sure it reaches the skin beneath.
Kent moustache and beard comb, £6 (Murdocklondon.com.) Q What on earth is a serum, and do I need it? A Serums are the perfect way to turbo-charge your grooming regime. Highly concentrated and with potent skin-saving ingredients, use them sparingly ( just a few drops) after cleansing, before moisturising.
Anthony Anti-wrinkle serum, £18 (spacenk.com) Q How do I deal with oily skin? A Thanks to a greater number of oil-producing sebaceous glands, men’s skin tends to be much greasier than women’s. This isn’t helped by dihydrotestosterone – the hormone that makes us men – which causes an overproduction of this oil, known as sebum. Avoid things that can trigger oil production like excessively hot water; harsh soaps and cleansers, and friction (don’t fiddle with your skin or rub it too hard). A clay-based mask once a week will help keep pores grease and grime free.
Tom Ford Men Skincare, Purifying Mud Mask, £49.90 (notino.co.uk) Q Do I really need men’s products? Can’t I just use my partner’s? A This is like asking “Can a man drink a cosmo?” The answer? Yes. Just because it was Carrie Bradshaw’s favourite does not make it the sole preserve of women. Having said that, men’s skin is thicker, oilier and, thanks to denser collagen, ages slightly slower than women’s, so male products are formulated with these differences in mind. If you happen to be using Olay’s 7-in-1 moisturiser, and it’s working, stick with it, then celebrate with a cosmo.
Olay Total Effects Anti-ageing 7in1 Day Moisturiser With SPF15 15ml, £4.66 (boots.com) Q
How do I prevent smelly feet? A
The simplest way is to avoid synthetic socks and shoes (make sure socks are cotton or wool and avoid trainers), and don’t wear the same shoes two days running. You might want to try a specialist antiperspirant for the feet.
Odaban Antiperspirant spray, £10.49 (boots.com)