Skin care for men

Skincare for men is just as essential as skincare for women. As more men begin to invest time into a skincare routine, it’s important to provide information on topics that are becoming more and more common like, "How to get clear skin for men" or "face skincare tips for men." This article will serve as a jumping off point for men to break into the world of skincare.

Get ready to learn some skincare tips for men, get up to speed on the most powerful ingredients, and find a skincare routine for your skin type to begin your journey to your healthiest skin!

First things first – before you even consider which products to use, you should figure out your skin type so you know which products will work best for you.

The five main skin types

The ideal acne treatment for men can differ based on your skin type.

The five main skin types are: normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive.

Normal skin is the baseline by which all the other skin types are judged.
Dry skin means your skin is generally on the drier side, and may need additional moisture to keep from being irritated.
Oily skin overproduces its natural, hydrating oil (sebum). Excess sebum mixed with dead skin cells or debris is one factor that can lead to acne, as it can clog your pores.
Combination skin can be identified if you have both oily and dry patches. This may require you to use multiple different products, or products made for both oily and dry skin to be properly cared for.
Sensitive skin is easily irritated by scents and dyes in common skincare products. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll have to be very selective about which products you try and how much you apply.

Try starting slow by applying less product at lower frequency than the recommended amount, then build up once you know your skin is responding well.

Look for active ingredients

For men starting out their skincare journey, this may be the most complicated piece of the puzzle. But learning about and focusing on active ingredients can make scanning ingredient labels much simpler. Active ingredients are key when it comes to addressing what the product claims to do.

Some common active ingredients that treat acne include retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur.

Retinoids can help to even skin’s texture and unclog pores by treating acne.
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical antibacterial that helps fight acne-causing bacteria in pores.
Salicylic acid helps exfoliate your skin.
Sulfur helps fight acne-causing bacteria and dry up the top layer of your skin to fight pimples.

While this is a lot to digest at once, active ingredients are a framework to start evaluating which products might work best for your unique skin. Matching up what the active ingredients do with what your skin needs will allow you to more accurately select the best products to start with.

Make sure to always read the labels for the products you intend to use. They will tell you important information like how often to use the product, if it includes any potentially irritating fragrances, and what other ingredients are included to help the active ingredient best accomplish its mission.

A skincare routine for men of all skin types

Like starting a new workout routine, starting a skincare routine can feel like a challenge and taking that first step is often the toughest. We’ve included a sample routine so you can hit the ground running. As you get more experienced with your skincare routine, you’ll be able to introduce some nuances that allows it to best fit your skin — and your lifestyle.

Remember that results require consistency, so stick to a routine for the long run! If you want to further simplify your skincare routine, choose a proven, comprehensive Proactiv® acne treatment system, some elements of which are detailed below:

• Cleanser

  • What it does: Clears your skin of oil and dirt

  • When to apply: Twice a day, morning and night (add one more use after working out)

  • Recommendation: The Ultra-Gentle Cleanser in the ProactivMD® 3-Piece System. It’s formulated to help wash away dirt, oil, and debris without stripping your skin of vital moisture

• Toner

  • What it does: Balances your skin’s pH levels, hydrates and exfoliates

  • When to apply: Twice a day, morning and night

  • Recommendation: The Revitalizing Toner in the Proactiv® Solution Acne Treatment System uses glycolic acid to help sweep away impurities to leave your skin feeling refreshed

• Moisturizer

  • What it does: Hydrates and protects your skin and keeps skin from overcompensating with excess oil

  • When to apply: Twice a day, morning and night (and as needed)

  • Recommendation: The Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer from the ProactivMD® Acne Treatment System uses hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin while absorbing excess oil to mattify, avoiding a greasy look

• Bonus: face mask

  • What it does: Brightens, clarifies or hydrates depending on which type of mask you choose

  • When to apply: About once a week as needed for a little extra boost

The bottom line

Starting a skincare routine can be overwhelming. Make it easy by researching which Proactiv® system is right for your skin type and sticking with the easy-to-use effective 3-step system that will help you achieve skin you’re confident being in!