Men Should Take Care Of Their Skin
Recently a friend of mine entered my bathroom only to come out holding a cream I had left on the sink and asking me why I used it, how I applied it and what it supposedly does to my skin. The first time this happened, I began laughing and thinking that my male friend had some feminine characteristics he wished to show me by asking me all these questions. When the exact same incident was repeated by others, I realized that men are curious of how the women's cosmetic industry has evolved to a multi-billion dollar one and how exactly all these cosmetics assist women's skin stay young and fresh looking.

Over the last few years, men's magazines have slowly introduced pages that in women's magazines have existed for decades, presenting skin cosmetics and offering advice to men on how to take care of their skin. Beauty editors unveil simple approaches to male grooming and many men have come to understand the importance of taking care not only of their wardrobe, but also of their skin. "Dress for success" is not anymore just a term that corresponds to the outfit a man will select to feel comfortable in and win his case, but it has evolved to a generic term that describes the state of the contemporary male mind and beauty tactics used to look sharp and handsome.

In order to maintain their edge, guys of all ages are interested in taking care of themselves and indulging in image enhancing products, gadgets and treatments. But since they are still men, they are impatient and less likely to grasp the concept of maintenance procedures. In fact they prefer to get it over with in one shot.
Beauty salons and massage clinics have reintroduced skin treatment techniques, especially designed to cover the male needs and men are not anymore bothered with the too many skin care products a woman usually carries in a trip. They have themselves started by doing the basics, cleansing, protection, moisturizing, post shaving and a weekly anti-clog treatment, while TV series and advertisements have discovered a virgin target audience that wishes to be fed with information and learn from the previously annoying women experts.

Although men's skin is thicker, specifically approximately 0.5mm thicker than women's, it is also oilier, with larger exposed pores, and more of a tendency to break out in a sweat. Thus, using deodorant soaps directly on the face is a practice men should avoid, as they might irritate their skin and leave a sticky residue. Men should try something tangy that will leave their skin feeling fresh and clean. Moreover, for men who are super lazy, multi-tasking products for face, hair and body will save them precious steps.

In general, if you are a man you should remember that the areas prone to dryness need hydration, but it is better if you select a lighter gel-lotion formula that will be oil-free and will not add shine. In addition, eye gels work nicely for men, but rich eye creams that lock in moisture can make eyes look puffy. Finally, skin that gets shaved on a regular basis has a host of other problems, like red bumps, ingrown hairs and leathery patches. For those instances, you should remember that razor burns or skin cuts can be reduced by using a good cleanser in the shower, a scrub every couple of days and a softening shave cream with a sharp razor. Of course, changing the blades at least once a week is vital. The problem of shine can be addressed by using a scrub to get rid off dead cells and for blemishes and the advice of beauty editors is for men to use a weekly treatment product containing salicylic acid. Keep in mind that adding a toner can reduce pore size, control oil slicks, and help avoid nasty ingrown hairs, but anything too harsh will strip away essential oils when the skin is most vulnerable. Finally, wearing a high SPF cream to protect it from the sun marks and the possible wrinkles, especially on the face, nose, ears and scalp is considered necessary during the sunnier months of the year. My impression is that guys are definitely taking more notice of what they see in the mirror, while saving their skin from possible damage has become a priority

Essential Skin Care Products for Men
More often than not, when we are discussing skin care products, the ensuing conversation tends to focus on products for women. Although most skin care products are designed with women in mind, there is a huge and growing market for quality skin care products for men. A number of forward thinking companies have acknowledged this untapped market, and have released a number of products designed for men. I recently reviewed some of these products, with the help of a male friend. The following are some of the best in skin care products for men.

Neutrogena has released an excellent line of products, available in two specific product categories; Skin Clearing and Razor Defense. The Skin Clearing line is specially designed to help men that have problems with Acne. This category includes a facial wash, shaving cream, and an after shave astringent. The Razor Defense series is intended for use by men with no specific skin conditions and includes a gentle face scrub, shave gel, and face lotion. They all have a fresh, clean smell and are highly effective.

Aveda also offers some wonderful products for men. Their products are designed to the highest quality standards, and they include a number of certified organic ingredients. The Rosemary Mint Shaving Gel is absolutely incredible. It has organic lavender, marjoram, peppermint, and rosemary in it. It also contains coconut-derived moisturizers that assist in providing a smooth, friction-free shave. Aveda also has a shampoo/body bar that provides an invigorating wash. It is made with coconut and almonds, both of which are extremely good for your skin.

We also sampled a number of fine products from Jurlique. We purchased the Men's Deluxe Travel Kit which included shaving gel, foaming face cleanser, antioxidant moisturizer, moisturizing lotion, as well as shower and shampoo gel. The travel kit even came with its very own face towel! All of the organic ingredients in these products are grown in southern Australia, and they are included in these products using a unique biointrinsic extraction process. Jurlique is a wonderful company with some excellent products that come highly recommended. There are plenty of quality products on the market for men these days. I would recommend trying a number of different products, in order to find the one you like best. While using quality skin care products may not be a significant priority for men, we hope that through education and insightful information this will change. Men may not care to learn the truth about eye creams, but they should care about taking care of themselves. Ladies, perhaps you could give them a helping hand?