Why Men Should Care About Their Skincare, Too

When we say “skincare,” what first pops into your mind? If it’s an image of a woman standing at her sink applying layers of creams, oils, and serums to her face, you’re not alone. For far too long, skin care has been thought of as a woman-only part of life. 

But the truth it, men should care about their skincare, too. Here’s why. 

The take-home? Men can benefit from a skincare routine tailored towards their specific needs. 

Why men should care about their skincare 

For starters, men have skin—and that skin deserves to be taken care of. It may seem like an overly obvious point, but sometimes we need a reminder! Men’s skin is just as susceptible to toxins, sun damage, and premature aging. In fact, men might even be at higher risk for certain skin issues. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, of all the invasive cases of skin cancer in America per year, 57,220 will be men and only 39,260 will be women. 

Why is this? It appears mean are neglecting their sunscreen duties much more often than women. In fact, the results of a Harvard Survey showed that “15% of men, compared with 30% of women, said they regularly used sunscreen on both the face and other exposed areas, such as the back, arms, and legs.” 

Pretty shocking, right? 

A man’s skin is slightly different in texture than a woman’s, so it also has specific needs. As Dr. Brian Zelickson, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, told Harper’s Bazaar, “Men’s skin is about 25% thicker with more collagen, more and larger hair follicles and more sebum production, all of which is mostly due to increased testosterone production. These structural differences make men’s skin less sensitive and able to handle stronger ingredients. However, it also makes them a bit more acne-prone…” 

How men can start caring for their skin 

If you’re a man who wants to start looking out for their skin health, establishing a simple but effective skincare routine is the best place to start. You’ll want to focus on protecting your skin from the sun and environmental damage and moisturizing without creating more oil; therefore, a gentle cleanser, a serum, and a daily SPF are the perfect place to start. 

“They [men] don’t need heavy cream-based products,” said Dr. Zelickson, which is why a light, water-based, antioxidant-rich serum is a good option for moisturizing and protecting the skin from sun damage and environmental toxins and premature aging. Men can also benefit from an eye cream, which will reduce dark circles and any redness or puffiness around the eyes. 

And then, of course, there’s sunscreen. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “For day-to-day use, pick a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.” And if you spend a lot of time outdoors, choose one with SPF 60 of even higher. The experts at Hopkins also recommend looking for a product that is water-resistant and broad-spectrum and applying it 15 minutes before you leave the house. And don’t forget the back of your neck and ears! 

So there you have it—more than enough good reasons to start caring about your skincare if you’re a man. So whether it’s a 10 step skincare routine or a 1-step lather sunscreen on your face morning routine, don’t forget that your skin deserves a little TLC as much as anyone’s.

- GRETCHEN LIDICKER