WHAT ARE THE BASICS MEN NEED?
EVEN if male and female skin differs, Dr Denning says: “They both benefit from the same type of active ingredients,” – so you don’t necessarily have to stick to male-only products.
If you have a completely non-existent skincare routine, it’s a good idea to start small – you don’t want to suddenly adopt a multi-step routine you won’t be able to maintain.
For Victoria Schofield, digital education executive at skincare brand Dermalogica: “The bare minimum for anyone’s skin is to cleanse and moisturise daily,” she says. “Cleansing is the foundation to healthy skin, as removing dirt, debris and pollutants will keep skin clear.”
As male skin tends to be oilier, Victoria says: “A clay and charcoal based cleanser is great to purify and deeply cleanse, however, ensure the formula is fortified with skin protective lipids, so skin isn’t left feeling stripped, tight and vulnerable to damage.”
Both Victoria and Dr Denning recommend using a light moisturiser, which will hydrate the skin without making it too oily. Another non-negotiable is including SPF into your routine – Dr Denning advises a standalone product, saying: “Don’t rely on one in your moisturiser.”
This really is the bare minimum – for that extra boost of skin protection, you could think about adding in a vitamin C product, which Dr Denning says “will help defend against pollution and other toxins we encounter on a daily basis”. Once you’ve found the products that work for you, you can start experimenting with other hero ingredients in skincare, like retinols and glycolic acids. Baby steps for now – and whatever you do, make sure you’re drinking enough water.