If you’re just learning about the importance of skincare for the first time, you’re not alone. According to one survey, only 19% of men between the ages of 18 and 42 moisturize, and 42% claim they need to be “confronted” about poor skincare habits to make a change. Many men (young and old) only begin to take skincare seriously to impress a date or to make a good impression at a new job. Regardless of the reason you’re here, you’re probably reading this because you need help getting started with a quality men’s skincare routine for beginners.
And don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed, because Anthony is here to help! We know that men of all ages sometimes struggle to admit that their skin needs some extra care and maintenance. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy a million new products or completely change your daily routine just to keep your skin happy. In fact, once you learn the basics, you’ll find that skincare can be extremely easy and rewarding. So, let’s cover everything you need to know about men’s skincare for beginners!
Beginner Skincare For Men
First thing’s first: no two men have exactly the same skincare needs. Additionally, you might find that your skincare needs change over time. For example, you might be a teenager or 20-something who needs to start shaving for the first time, or you may be in your mid-40s and discovering that your skin isn’t as naturally hydrated as it used to be.
In any case, skincare for beginners will require you to understand the basics. You want to make sure that your skin is clean, exfoliated, moisturized, and protected. And that’s about it! But, since you’re new to skincare, you’ll also want to make sure that you’re following all of these steps correctly. If you need to shave, you’ll need to use the best practices to avoid razor burn and ingrown hairs as well. In the sections below, we’ll explain how you can implement the 4 basic steps into your daily skincare routine with ease!
Men’s Beginner Skincare Routine: 4 Simple Steps
At Anthony, we offer natural, high-quality products to meet men’s skincare needs. In short, we work hard so that you don’t have to! We believe that skincare should be easy, especially since so many men start taking care of their skin later in life or struggle to get started at all. While the steps you follow may vary a little based on your schedule, skin type, and personal preferences, most men who need a beginner’s skincare routine just need to implement the following steps:
Cleanse
There’s a lot of confusion about the difference between “cleansing” and “washing.” In skincare, washing generally refers to cleaning your body or face of bacteria. This can help reduce body odor and avoid surface-level infections. Cleansing exclusively refers to a process reserved for the face (and neck). Since the skin of your face is thinner than the rest of your skin and has a different chemistry, it requires a gentler approach. You shouldn’t just use a bar of hand soap to wash your face. Instead, you should use cleansers specifically designed for the face. This way, you won’t risk stripping the skin of its natural oils or causing unwanted irritation.
You’ll find cleansers in many different forms — from single-use face wipes to liquid facial cleansers. Most products will describe the skin type they’re best for, but as long as you’re using something with safe, natural ingredients, you shouldn’t have to worry too much. With most cleansers, you’ll want to gently apply the product to your skin once in the morning and once at night. It’s better to apply a cleanser after a shower, but depending on the type of cleanser, you may be able to apply it during a shower, too.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating is a step that far too many men skip entirely, but it’s one that’s extremely important to ensure that your skin looks and feels smooth. Additionally, proper exfoliation allows other products to be even more effective. In essence, exfoliating allows you to wipe or wash away excess oil, dead skin cells, and debris. These things naturally build up each day, increasing the risk of an acne breakout or dull-looking skin. Failing to exfoliate can also lead to visible skin flakes and patches of discoloration.
Much like facial cleansers, exfoliants can come in different forms. In some cases, you may even be able to get 2-in-1 cleansers and exfoliants, which will help save you a step. Either way, exfoliating should generally be done a few times per week. It should also precede moisturizing or the application of other skincare products, as it clears away the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing other products to be more easily absorbed into the skin.
Moisturize
Even if you’re brand new to men’s skincare, you’ve probably heard about the importance of moisturizing. You might already do it when your hands or lips get dry and cracked in winter, but the reality is that you should be doing it for other areas as well (particularly the face). As previously mentioned, your face is more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body. It also happens to be the most visible, so moisturizing daily is one of the easiest ways to keep your facial skin looking healthy and vibrant.
Even if you have naturally oily skin, moisturizing is still necessary (along with cleansing and exfoliating). It’s a common misconception that you should only moisturize when your skin looks and feels dry. Instead, you should apply a moisturizer that’s right for your skin type (dry, oily, or somewhere in the middle) every single day. Depending on your needs, you may only need to moisturize once per day, though most men need to apply a facial moisturizer at least twice per day, typically in the morning and evening. Don’t forget to moisturize other parts of your body that are prone to dryness as well, such as your neck, elbows, hands, knees, and ankles.
Protect
Finally, you need to remember to keep your skin protected! The most important method is sun protection. You can combine this step with moisturizing by getting an SPF day cream, but you’ll also want to consider an SPF product for other parts of the body that get a lot of sun exposure.
If you shave, you can also protect your skin by using high-quality shaving cream and after shave. For those who want to prevent or treat ingrown hairs, you should also consider an ingrown hair treatment. This kind of product can be applied when you have an ingrown hair, or after every shave for enhanced ingrown hair prevention.
Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that you protect yourself from embarrassment by stopping body odor before it starts. Naturally, washing and cleansing your skin will get rid of bacteria, but bacteria and sweat will start to accumulate again very quickly. Rather than allowing your body odor to become an issue, opt for a natural deodorant that can keep your skin healthy and your body smelling fresh at the same time.
Where to Find the Best Skincare Products For Beginners
Are you looking for products to get your men’s skincare routine for beginners started out on the right foot? Then look no further than Anthony. We have everything you need to cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and protect your skin. Here are a few of our top recommendations to get you started:
- Cleanse - Algae Facial Cleanser (for dry or sensitive skin), Glycolic Facial Cleanser (for normal to oily skin), and Purifying Astringent Pads (for all skin types)
- Exfoliate - Facial Scrub, Glycolic Exfoliating and Resurfacing Wipes, and Deep Pore Cleansing Clay
- Moisturize - High Performance Vitamin A Facial Treatment (for normal to dry skin), All Purpose Facial Moisturizer (for all skin types), Oil Free Facial Lotion (for normal to oily skin)
- Protect - Day Cream SPF 30, Ingrown Hair Treatment, Shave Cream, After Shave Balm, No Sweat Body Defense, and Alcohol Free Deodorant
Want to learn even more about men’s skincare for beginners? If so, be sure to check out the great products and solutions available at Anthony today!
