Skin care should be universal. How old you are, or what gender you are, shouldn’t matter. The beauty world does a very good job in letting women know when they need to be using retinols and serums, but the same applies to men as well!
A simple three-step routine using effective products is the key. Don’t fall for packaging and things labelled ‘For Men’ because 99.9% of the time, only the packaging is for men; what is inside isn’t all that different. The aim is to take care of the skin, and here is how.
Cleanse
AM Cleanse: Remember, more often than not, your cleanser in the morning can be something that isn’t heavy duty. You just need to clean your face and The Kama Ayurveda Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser (₹650 on nykaa.com) is great for this. If you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious, Neil’s Yard Purifying Face Wash (₹1,260 on the Neil’s Yard website) is a great way to start your morning skincare. If you shave, remember to cleanse and tone before you apply your aftershave.
PM Cleanse: If you’re going to be wearing moisturiser and sunscreen (which you better be doing), you’re going to need something heavy duty to break down your sunscreen — preferably a cleansing balm or oil such as the Clinique Take a Day Off Cleansing Balm (₹2,900 on Nykaa.com) or the Body Shop Chamomile Cleansing Oil (₹1,095). These can break down your sunscreen and actually clean your skin.
Tone
Acid-based toners make a huge difference to your skin, especially if you happen to have congested skin/blemish prone or oily skin. The Pixi Glow Tonic (₹1,260 on cultbeauty.co.uk) is a great introduction into acids for your skin. It will work slowly and surely, and the difference you see after a few weeks will be amazing.
But if you find your skin dull, slightly oily and in need of a boost, the Alpha H Liquid Gold (₹2,466 on beautybay.com) will give you almost immediate results. Just make sure you don’t use this product more than three times a week.
Moisturise
AM Moisturiser: Much like your cleansers, having two different moisturisers will make a big difference. If you shave, and don’t want too many layers, an aftershave balm will suffice.
But you could also use a simple moisturiser such as the YesTo Tomatoes Balancing Moisturiser (₹950 on beautybay.com) or even the Body Shop Vitamin E Moisturiser (₹995).
PM Moisturiser: Where all the magic happens. Without a doubt, the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate (₹2,250 on nykaa.com) will be your best friend. Whether you have congested, stressed and unhappy or even completely normal skin, this product will work for you. If that’s out of budget, any good serum that can help your skin repair itself at night will do.
Protect
If you go out in the sun, please wear SPF. You don’t need something fancy, just a basic Factor 50 SPF will work just fine. My favourites are the Kiehl’s Ultra Light UV Defense Factor 50 (₹2,800 on nykaa.com) and the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 50 (₹550). If you’re going to be out in the sun continuously, remember to top off your SPF with an SPF Mist (Neutrogena and L’Oreal both make those).
Just FYI: the SPF goes on after your moisturiser. Remember, the sun, stress, pollution, changing skin and other factors don’t discriminate based on gender or skin colour. Guys, you don’t get to escape congested skin, blemishes or the aging process. So instead of ignoring your skin, make a decision to take care of it and yourself, whether you’re 16 or 60.
This column is your fortnightly dose of products, brands and how-tos from the world of beauty. The writer is a makeup artist who believes in enhancing, not masking.
