Men, take a page from Frank Ocean and get serious about skincare
In the past week, we received the best skincare truths from perhaps an unlikely source, R&B/rap singer-songwriter Frank Ocean.
In an interview, Ocean revealed his skincare routine: “I didn’t listen to my mom, but I really do believe in a night cream.” It sounds like a good rap lyric.
Men, this should be your wake-up call. Skincare is important for you as well. I mean, who doesn’t want to look good? Plus, it’s a new age.
The stigma should be over, and equality isn’t just about raising feminist ideals, but also about freeing men from the trappings of misogyny. Skincare is a necessity.
Listen to Ocean, at least: “I feel like men just go to sleep. They may wash their face or they don’t even bother—they go to sleep with the ‘day face’ on. You really need to do a gentle wash and put a night moisturizer on.”
With these words in mind, it’s but instinctive of me to create a list of items a man must remember when creating their skincare routine. Sometimes, you first have to try out various products to understand what your skin is like, and what is best for you. This is also why every routine is different from one another.
See a derma
If you want to be committed, I would suggest visiting a der- matologist. Every clinic worth its salt offers consultations and treatments for men. This is a good start, as your dermatologist has the right answers to all your skincare queries, and I’m sure you’ve got a lot.
If you’re not yet up to seeing a derma, you can still keep it simple. The goal is to follow Ocean. Don’t sleep with your “day face on.”
It’s because dirt and pollution stick to your face as you go about your day. If you don’t wash it off, grime will settle on your skin. And that can lead to many problems.
The first step of any routine is facial wash. The Clinique for Men Face Wash is a smart first choice for any man. It’s good for normal to dry skin and can be used before a morning shave.
After rinsing and patting the face dry, take a cotton ball to use the Clinique for Men Exfoliating Tonic. This step is necessary as it rids your skin of the dead skin cells your face wash can’t remove, and encourages the production of healthier skin cells. Exfoliating your skin is key to preventing wrinkles and fine lines that make men look older.
Moisturizer is a must
After these two steps, there is a tendency for skin to be dry. Add to this how everyday activities can strip the face of the natural moisture that keeps it soft. So, it is a must to use moisturizer.
Choose one like L’Occitane’s Cade Complete Care Moisturizer. It’s made with rapeseed oil and Cade essential oil that hydrates skin. You can use this after your shave as it has oak, beachwood and birch that soothe the skin and make it feel firmer.
Remember to use face wash, tonic and moisturizer day and night. In the morning, add the step of sunblock. Sunblock is important as a lot of skin damage is from the sun’s harmful rays.
I recommend the Jack Black’s Oil-Free Sun Guard SPF 45 Sunscreen. It’s nongreasy and nonsticky so it won’t leave a weird sensation on the face. Plus, the skin absorbs it easily, making it a good defense against UVA and UVB rays.
At night, take the routine one step further with a good serum. The Malin + Goetz Recovery Treatment Oil is blended with nine essential oils that address every skin concern men may have.
Evening primrose, argan and jojoba oils helps with the skin’s natural moisture barrier, and helps reduce facial lines.
The grapeseed and rosehip oils help improve skin complexion, while the geranium and borage oils help restore the skin’s balance.
For now, these are some of the things men may consider when building a skincare routine. There is a plethora of products out there. You just need to observe which ones fit your lifestyle.
Don’t go to bed with your ‘day face’ on