Do guys even need special skincare routines or products?Updated a year ago
Well, yes and no.
Because of the impact of male sex hormones, men tend to have oilier, thicker skin which often correlates with concerns about texture or breakouts. Plus, a lot of men despise the way certain creams or lotions feel on their skin. Aside from that, there’s still a ton of variation:
Know Your Skin Type
Your skin type is based on how much oil your skin produces. To figure out your skin type, you’ll want to ask yourself these two questions:
- Does my skin get shiny and oily over the course of the day, or does it remain dry?
- How large are my pores, and what is my pore distribution? It’s common for those with oily skin to have larger pores, especially in the center of the face, while small or barely visible pores are generally a sign of dry skin.
Throughout this post, we assume that most men fall into the oily or combination skin categories. While it’s true for the majority, a ton of men actually have dry skin! Check out our guide to skincare for dry skin if that’s the case for you.
Know Your Concerns
Many guys develop an interest in skincare after experiencing specific concerns or challenges like breakouts, or undereye circles. It’s important to identify and address your skin concerns in order of how fundamentally disruptive they are to your skin:
- First, deal with issues like dehydration and signs of skin sensitivity such as flakiness, tightness, or redness.
- Then, prioritize treating concerns like pimples and breakouts that are actively uncomfortable.
- Finally, you can address visible concerns based on your personal preferences, or focus on preventing future damage to your skin.
The reason to prioritize your concerns in this order is simple: You can’t effectively fade cosmetic concerns while still experiencing more acute skin problems.