This one’s for the man who demands more know-how on improving the
quality and health of his skin. Whether you fall under the modern-day
class of the metro-sexual man or simply want to look as good outside as
you feel on the inside, these tips will heighten your concerns of better
skin care practices.
A man’s skin will blemish, cut, bruise,
become loaded with blackheads, whiteheads and acne, develop sun spots
and even melanoma (skin cancer) just like his female counterpart. And
there is nothing macho about that.
Tomfoolery statements like “my
skin is tough” or “my skin will take care of itself” will leave you with
irreversibly- damaged skin that’s impossible to repair. At the end of
the day, all skin will be dirty with elements of pollution, grime,
bacteria and dead hair and skin cells.
Skin type experiment
Wash your face and towel dry. After about 30 minutes, take a good look in the mirror and observe the condition of your skin.
Dry skin
If
your skin still looks dry, patchy and dull or feels tight and itchy,
you are a dry skin type. Use rich, creamy cleansers and moisturisers to
lubricate and hydrate your skin.
Oily skin
This
is due to excessive oil (called sebum) on the surface of your skin,
caused by overzealous oil-producing glands (called sebaceous glands).
Men
with this skin type may have genetically acquired a blessing in
disguise, since the superfluous oil production keeps skin
younger-looking as you grow older. But there is a downside if this skin
type is not kept clean and regulated.
A greasy appearance,
enlarged pores, blackheads and whiteheads, also known as comedones
(caused by pores being clogged with dirt and grime), blemishes (caused
by scarring from picking and squeezing of pimples) and severe acne are
usually the by-products.
Use water-based or light-textured
products usually labelled non-oily or non-comedogenic. Gentle gel
cleansers or facial bars also work well for this skin type.
Normal skin
If
your skin only developed a light satin glow, you are of the normal skin
type. However, you will still need to give yourself an occasional
facial scrub to slough off the dead skin cells and give your skin a
clean complexion.
Using a washcloth or cellulose pad with your
cleanser can also induce an abrasive friction to remove the unwanted
grime. Use products suited for all skin types or for sensitive skin
types to avoid dryness or excessive moisturising.
Combination skin
Generally, most skin types are of this nature.
If
only your T-Zone area—the areas of your forehead, nose and chin—is
oilier that the rest of your face, you fall either under the
normal-to-oily combination skin type or the normal-to-dry combination
skin type.
Use products recommended for the normal skin type if
you are an oily combination, and products recommended for the dry skin
type if you are a dry combination.
Sensitive skin
If you are plagued with skin that’s easily irritated and inflamed when washed, use products labeled for sensitive skin.
See a dermatologist to prescribe or recommend a brand and formula for you.
Mild liquid facial cleansers are gentle and effective for sensitive skin and are formulated to induce very little irritation.
Acne (keep hands off)
If
your skin is acne-prone and you suffer from regular breakouts, the use
of products (your cleanser, toner and moisturiser or medicated facial
products) with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, resorcinol or sulphur
will help in the fight against the acne bacteria.
Your dermatologist will recommend the best products suited for your type of acne problem.
Whatever you do, avoid picking, popping or squeezing your zits! In most cases, this will lead to scarring.
Text: Ephraim Hunte
