Do guys and girls require different skincare routines?
Yes. Guys’ skin is thicker, oilier and ages differently to girls’. Guys also produce more sweat than girls. A skincare routine should be based on your skin type, condition and lifestyle. Guys are often reluctant to follow a good skincare system, so when it comes to the guys, it’s important to focus on products that are easy to use and multi-functional.
How different is guys’ and girls’ skin?
Guys’ skin is 25 percent thicker than that of a girl’s. This makes guys’ skin rougher and tougher in texture. Guys have larger pores and produce more sebum, which is oil.
Guys shave. Regular shaving stresses their skin, which can lead to sensitive, irritated skin. Shaving can also lead to cuts, razor burns (folliculitis), ingrown hairs and a weakened skin barrier. Guys shave, on average, 16,000 times in their lifetime and up to 40% of guys have shaving related skin problems such as skin irritation and over-exfoliation.
Another difference between guys and girls’ skin is in the amount of sweat the skin produces. Guys produce double the amount of sweat than girls do. The excess sweat can easily trigger acne breakouts, and also leads to greater bacterial growth on guys’ skin than girls’.
Does choosing your skincare routine come down to skin type, and does gender play a role in one’s type of skin?
Choosing your skincare regime should be based on your skin type and condition. Guys usually have oilier skin than girls. They’re also prone to sensitive skin because of shaving. Most guys prefer a moisturiser that is light-weight, quick absorbing and mattifying. Due to the extra sebum (oil) male skin produces, the skin tends to have a lower pH level than female skin. This means that their skin is more prone to acne breakouts and inflammation. As a result, it’s super important for guys to use pH-balancing products to balance their skin’s pH.
When shaving the face, it is essential to use a blade that is very sharp. Also, make sure you use a product to lubricate your skin while shaving. Remember that over-exfoliation caused by shaving leaves skin vulnerable to sun damage. Research shows that male skin is more sensitive UV damage than female skin. By the time guys reach the age of 65, they are twice as likely to develop melanoma (a form of skin cancer) than girls. Once guys reach the age of 80, they are then three times as likely to develop this fatal form of skin cancer. Of course, there is an easy way to prevent this from happening, and it all comes down to wearing sunscreen every day.
Top RITES products for guys:
- Foam Fighter – Foaming Face Wash
A daily foaming cleanser for gentle, effective cleansing to remove impurities and excess oil. It is antibacterial and non-comedogenic too. - Power Powder – Exfoliating Powder
This powder scrub unclogs pores and refines skin texture, reducing blackheads and blemishes. It is an oil-free formula that leaves the skin noticeably smoother, clearer and more refined. - Control Freak – SPF30 Moisturiser
This SPF moisturiser gives weightless protection that keeps skin matte, reduces blemishes, soothes the skin and protects it against harmful UV rays from the sun. It also reduces oil production without clogging pores. This leaves skin noticeably clearer and smoother. Don’t fall into the trap of not moisturizing because you think you don’t need more hydration. Hydration is a key factor in normalizing the skin and balancing oil production.
Last note
Although skincare industries have largely advertised their products to women, it’s just as important for the guys to look after their skin, too. Good skincare is simple hygiene and with the exposure of stronger-than-ever UV rays, as well as air pollutants and germs, no one is immune to skin damage regardless of their sex or gender.